New duds for 2009
Like all new Mazda products, the MX-5 gets the giggle treatment with its new corporate smiley face. The revised headlights, taillights, bumpers, side sills and alloy wheels are rather subtle, although our test car's Competition Yellow paint job is anything but. And why not? A yellow Toyota Camry doesn't make sense, but a Mazda MX-5 does and wears it well.
The interior also gets some minor tweaks. The sound system has been upgraded and can now read MP3 and WMA files (hooray!), while the bottle holders on the redesigned door panels are less intrusive. The leather trim in the GT model gets a choice of three colours, but I'm glad to drive the GS and its supportive cloth seats.
Competition
The Mazda MX-5 starts out at $28,995 for the base GX with manual top. Our mid-level GS with the power-folding hard top lists for $35,790.
With the demise of the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky roadster, the MX-5 doesn't really have any direct competitors. The MINI Cooper Convertible from $29,950 is one worthy rival, while the Ford Mustang and Mitsubishi Eclipse offer droptop versions that fit within the Mazda's price range.
Conclusion
The MX-5 is all about driving pleasure. It's light, nimble and quick on its feet. It's relatively rapid and easily fits in your garage.
For a weekend car, Mazda’s little roadster is tough to beat. Yet I’m well aware that a $35,000 car that is only driven on weekends is hard on just about everyone’s budget. With the power-folding hard top, however, it can arguably be enjoyed year round, seven days a week.
photo:Matthieu Lambert
Like all new Mazda products, the MX-5 gets the giggle treatment with its new corporate smiley face. The revised headlights, taillights, bumpers, side sills and alloy wheels are rather subtle, although our test car's Competition Yellow paint job is anything but. And why not? A yellow Toyota Camry doesn't make sense, but a Mazda MX-5 does and wears it well.
 |
| The MX-5 gets the giggle treatment with its new corporate smiley face. |
The interior also gets some minor tweaks. The sound system has been upgraded and can now read MP3 and WMA files (hooray!), while the bottle holders on the redesigned door panels are less intrusive. The leather trim in the GT model gets a choice of three colours, but I'm glad to drive the GS and its supportive cloth seats.
Competition
The Mazda MX-5 starts out at $28,995 for the base GX with manual top. Our mid-level GS with the power-folding hard top lists for $35,790.
With the demise of the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky roadster, the MX-5 doesn't really have any direct competitors. The MINI Cooper Convertible from $29,950 is one worthy rival, while the Ford Mustang and Mitsubishi Eclipse offer droptop versions that fit within the Mazda's price range.
Conclusion
The MX-5 is all about driving pleasure. It's light, nimble and quick on its feet. It's relatively rapid and easily fits in your garage.
For a weekend car, Mazda’s little roadster is tough to beat. Yet I’m well aware that a $35,000 car that is only driven on weekends is hard on just about everyone’s budget. With the power-folding hard top, however, it can arguably be enjoyed year round, seven days a week.
 |
| The Mazda MX-5 starts out at $28,995 for the base GX with manual top. |
photo:Matthieu Lambert
Article Gallery