Second Hand Sense:Our recent enthusiastic review of the new Mazda MX5 brought back some warm memories. This car, originally launched in 1990, still ticks all the boxes for those who want fun driving without exhorbitant insurance costs and bewildering depreciation.
Almost everything about the MX5 appears simple, but the design has been honed from day one to hark back to another era, while its engineering has been thoroughly modern.
In times like these, we need cars like this. While on one level the MX5 is hopelessly impractical (you could barely fit a gym bag in the boot and two is almost a crowd), the car has always provided a fun, engaging driving experience. It has rear wheel drive and multi-link rear suspension, but it only has a 1.8 engine producing 126 horse power. The net result is that you don't have to go to the expense of an Alfa Spider or a BMW Z3 to barrel along an open road with the hood down and really feel the road.
Newer models (since 2006) have an electrically-operated hard top, as well as the traditional soft-top option, but the car revamped in 2005 is of most appeal. However, this is one car where age criteria don't really apply. It is, after all, a modern classic and one would be well advised to look out for a car that has been carefully maintained. There is currently a 2001 car with the older 1.6 petrol engine being sold privately for €9,950 with just 74,000km mileage.
The MX5 has a pretty basic interior that tall drivers find limiting, but worth the squeeze. With the roof up it can be claustrophobic, but not too noisy. With the roof down, it really is a fun car with lots of feedback - a very different experience from the cars most of us drive.
You get stability control, four airbags, a CD player and generally not much more. More modern cars have a great wind deflector. The soft-top option is not a good one for security reasons - it just attracts vandals.
The 2002 model had a four star crash rating in the EuroNCAP test programme and has always been reliable. A 2006 model with 35,000km is €18,595. A 2007 model with 19,000km, €19,950. Given that the MX5 is an indulgence, it makes sense to look for a lovingly cared for older model. You will almost certainly make your money back.
STAR RATING: 7/10