Be advised, though, that in this precise instance, driving pleasure doesn't rime with explosive power. It's a well known fact that the MX-5's small, barely 166-hp engine doesn't quite have what it takes to leave us breathless when accelerating.
But no matter how fast you're going, the engine delivers its power to the rear wheels and conveys the impression of constant sporty driving. Throw in very precise steering that answers to the slightest somewhat-enthusiastic pressure, a firm suspension (sometimes too firm for comfort, as the rump has not kept up with the paunch's development), and you've got a vehicle that becomes a veritable little kart.
In the GX version, I of course had to put the 5-speed manual transmission to the test. The gears are well spaced, only the shifter's travel seems a bit weird sometimes. In the GT version, the automatic transmission with steering wheel paddles is impressive. It answers without hesitation during acceleration, but tends to lag behind sometimes when decelerating.
Despite this, both transmissions allow you to take full advantage of the little Mazda MX-5's best feature, its dynamic driving capabilities. The winding road leading to the north of the Lanaudière region in Quebec really allowed the MX-5 to reveal itself in all its glory. And my passenger to discover that he suffers from motion sickness, but that's another story.
Pure, unabashed pleasure
A last little detail: the MX-5 is still a small convertible. With one hand, you can easily pull the canvas top up or down. The lazier among us will fork over a few extra thousand dollars for the hard, electric version.
Regardless of the equipment level or the version (the nuances between the GS, GX and GT versions are not so much mechanical, apart from the transmission), the Mazda MX-5 is a true pleasure to drive. To the point of forgetting, once I'm well ensconced, how much trouble I had getting in.
photo:Marc Bouchard
But no matter how fast you're going, the engine delivers its power to the rear wheels and conveys the impression of constant sporty driving. Throw in very precise steering that answers to the slightest somewhat-enthusiastic pressure, a firm suspension (sometimes too firm for comfort, as the rump has not kept up with the paunch's development), and you've got a vehicle that becomes a veritable little kart.
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| The engine delivers its power to the rear wheels and conveys the impression of constant sporty driving. |
In the GX version, I of course had to put the 5-speed manual transmission to the test. The gears are well spaced, only the shifter's travel seems a bit weird sometimes. In the GT version, the automatic transmission with steering wheel paddles is impressive. It answers without hesitation during acceleration, but tends to lag behind sometimes when decelerating.
Despite this, both transmissions allow you to take full advantage of the little Mazda MX-5's best feature, its dynamic driving capabilities. The winding road leading to the north of the Lanaudière region in Quebec really allowed the MX-5 to reveal itself in all its glory. And my passenger to discover that he suffers from motion sickness, but that's another story.
Pure, unabashed pleasure
A last little detail: the MX-5 is still a small convertible. With one hand, you can easily pull the canvas top up or down. The lazier among us will fork over a few extra thousand dollars for the hard, electric version.
Regardless of the equipment level or the version (the nuances between the GS, GX and GT versions are not so much mechanical, apart from the transmission), the Mazda MX-5 is a true pleasure to drive. To the point of forgetting, once I'm well ensconced, how much trouble I had getting in.
photo:Marc Bouchard
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