In-depth reviews

Mazda MX-5 owner reviews

"The MX-5 combines usability, driving fun and dependability to make it one of the most engaging convertibles on the road"

by Charlie Harvey, Andy Goodwin

4 Dec 2024

.polaris__post-meta--date { display: none; } .polaris__post-meta--date.no-script { display: block; padding-left: 45px } 4 Dec 2024

Carbuyer Best Convertible Award – Mazda MX-5

Carbuyer Rating

4.2 out of 5

Owners Rating

5.0 out of 5

Reviews

Owner Reviews

5 out of 5
4 out of 5
3 out of 5
2 out of 5
1 out of 5

100%of people would recommend this car to a friend

Common Problems

Other (1 case)

Review 1 of 10

Tell us what you think about your car?

The MX-5 is superb to drive, it looks terrific and it makes me feel special.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

I bought this as a weekend toy as it's nimble, light and fun. I've been an owner of the previous generation MX-5 for the past 9 years and the new one still captures the spirit of that car. It's not as powerful compared to my BMW 330e company car, but it's way more engaging to drive.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

An absolute joy to drive, loves to be revved and perfectly suited to UK roads. It doesn't cost silly money to insure, tax only £130 and have easily got 60 mpg when cruising along A roads. You really feel special driving along with the roof down, obviously not too numerous on the roads at present so get plenty of attention from other road users or when parked. The red detailing and meteor grey paintwork really suit this car perfectly as well. Good Points - Eye catching looks, gearbox (brilliant!), Coming out of corners and roundabouts, rear wheel drive, NOT a hot hatch, less than half the price of a Porsche Boxster. Niggles - Changing CDs a pain (yes, I know I haven't joined the 21st Century), indicator lights do not always turn off automatically (you feel a right wally when it's pointed out by other drivers).

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

This is my third MX-5 (Mk2, Mk3 and now Mk4). Amazing fun to drive, best as a second car for use on fine days. Makes you smile and feel happy - few modern cars do that IMHO. 1.5 is a great free reving engine and the whole chassis/steering/handling is a joy. The view from the driver's seat is of two beautiful sweeping front wings that look amazing. Cup holders are fine after you get use to them and the glovebox is between the seats rather than in the dash (so what it still works!). A car designed for British back roads.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

High tech motoring fun at a low tech price so much fun to drive and it's a real purist drivers car . Everyone knows they are not the fastest roadster on the street but for driving experience the most common drivers car comparison is with the Boxster which is double the price . The power plant is super simple, no turbo, chain driven double OHC , a bomb proof steel crank shaft and gear box that is second to none. The ride is incredible for such a light car and enough bells a whistles to satisfy most drivers. My best fuel consumption on a run so far was an amazing 51mpg . Personally I wish they had not bothered with a CD player and made the glove box bigger as most people no longer use CDs but either flash drives or mobile links. Over all this is a fantastic drive and with aluminium used extensively throughout the body the older issues of rust on ageing mx's should be much less prevalent .

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Brilliant car for fuel economy on the A12 and then opening up on the back roads. It’s light on its tyres and brake pads and has been essentially maintenance free (other than oil, tyres and pads) for 70,000 miles

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

It's my first convertible and it's a great car! I drive locally in Lincolnshire (perhaps explains the mpg and only put premium fuel in) plus a commute to Birmingham once a week. If you're over 6 feet, you may not fit and until recently lack of steering wheel flexibility can be a pain (cured with updated late 2018) models.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

I own a 1991 NA and I've had a series of high spec company cars with the last being a 330e. I wanted something similar to the NA but more useable every day. Therefore the BMW was swapped for a 2017 ND 2.0 Sport Nav. For the first time in many years I go out for a drive for the sake of it. The car feels special. It's small, nimble and sufficiently powerful and torqey to create a very satisfying experience. It makes me smile and it makes driving feel far more fun than anything I've had with twice the power. Its simply brilliant and I'd recommend it wholeheartedly.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

It's hands down, the best car I've owned in 30+ years of motoring. It's not the most practical of course, and not the most luxurious but it makes me and my passengers smile from ear to ear whenever I drive it. My version the GT, has lots of modern electronic kit, like lane departure, blind spot alerts and automatic braking that makes driving a bit safer and easier. The interior has comfortable heated seats and a great heater, useful for those top down drives. I also really like the infotainment system, especially Apple Carplay which is a fantastic system I hadn't used before. It means I can use Google Waze or Google Maps displayed on the infotainment screen, rather than the built in Mazda Sat Nav, which is ok-ish. However this car, in my opinion at least, is all about the peppy engine, its amazing manual gearbox and fantastic handling. The 2.0 engine makes 181bhp which is more than enough for for brisk motoring and with the top down, which I always try and do as long as it's not actually raining or snowing, 50mph feels more like 80mph anyway. The handling is sublime and you really feel involved in the process with great feedback through the steering wheel. Bumps in the road are not the jarring experience I feared and the car makes me feel like a better driver than I actually am. The negatives are that there's not loads of luggage or cabin storage and the exhaust could do with being a little louder but I'm being picky here. In summary, if you've not tried the latest MX-5, have a test drive and I defy you not to smile throughout.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

I bought the MX5 as a fun second car for my wife and I, but love it so much I run it as my main car for the daily commute. I took the advice of the motoring press and went for the 1.5. It's smooth and high revving, raspy enough to sound good without being uncomfortable on the motorway. The handling is superb yet supple, handling poor roads with ease. I'm over six foot and only just fit in, but still it is comfortable for long journeys. I've had it for nearly and year and find more to love about it every day as I learn to get a little bit more out of the performance.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Continue reading

Recommended

Fastest SUVs 2025

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599y16m4znev5j { display: none !important; }

Best cars

11 Dec 2024

The top 10 fastest SUVs in 2025

Carbuyer Best Convertible Award – Mazda MX-5

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599y16m4znev5k { display: none !important; }

In-depth reviews

4 Dec 2024

Mazda MX-5 review – the benchmark affordable sports car

Toyota GR Supra Final Edition front quarter

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599y16m4znev5l { display: none !important; }

News

28 Nov 2024

Toyota bids farewell to the GR Supra with special send-off editions

Abarth 600e hero

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599y16m4znev5m { display: none !important; }

News

28 Nov 2024

New Abarth 600e: a sporty 276bhp electric SUV for £37k

Most Popular

Carbuyer best new car deals hero

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599y16m4znev5n { display: none !important; }

Deals

20 Dec 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers

BYD Atto 2 front quarter

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599y16m4znev5o { display: none !important; }

News

19 Dec 2024

New BYD Atto 2 electric SUV to hit the UK, rivalling the Vauxhall Frontera

Ford Capri UK front quarter cruising

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599y16m4znev5p { display: none !important; }

In-depth reviews

20 Dec 2024

Ford Capri review – a comfortable, well-built EV

Tips & advice

Car dashboard symbols and meanings

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599y16m4znev5q { display: none !important; }

Tips and advice

21 Oct 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?

Charging station

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599y16m4znev5r { display: none !important; }

Tips and advice

23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599y16m4znev5s { display: none !important; }

Tips and advice

17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599y16m4znev5t { display: none !important; }

Tips and advice

21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

Peugeot 208 hatchback

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599y16m4znev5u { display: none !important; }

Best cars

25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Best electric cars

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599y16m4znev5v { display: none !important; }

Best cars

16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

The best cheap-to-run cars 2023

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599y16m4znev5w { display: none !important; }

Best cars

2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

Fastest hot hatchbacks hero

.imgHideOnJavaScriptDisabled_40599y16m4znev5x { display: none !important; }

Best cars

2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024