Mazda MX-5 2.0i ZSport

We enjoyed the old 1.8 MX5 in so many ways, but it was a little noisy on the open road and getting dated, although gracefully!

The logical replacement was the new more powerful 2.0 Sport then....

The new MX5 is a better car, make no mistake. The Alloy engine is more refined, has more power everywhere, and mated to the 6 speed gearbox offers a useful range of gears, including a much needed higher top ratio for more refined cruising at 80+mph.

The chassis, shared with the RX8 is class! No more hokey-cokey shuffling on bumpy roads, and scuttle shake is less evident, and barely noticeable.

Gone is the slightly saggy rear suspension, replaced by a new firmer Bilstein suspended system, which feels firm, yet rides as well, well nearly as well as the old car. Push it hard, and it never squirms, but hangs on hard to really quite decent limits, and then lets go gracefully, and affirms the MX5 family kindness to foolhardy drivers.

Ours has DSC which tames any wheelspin or tail-happy antics, assuming you don't turn it off and...ahem...enjoy some more honest motoring. The ABS and Traction control are a welcome safety net just in case though!

The huge tyres are not quite as grippy in the wet, which isn't uncommon, but work well in the dry, and are quiet too.

Fuel consumption is a tad better, which is a right result given the extra power. 36mpg is quite possible with a little restraint...

The cabin is the biggest change though, deeper than ever, snug but comfy, and out of the wind altogether even with the roof down. The roof, by the way is better than the old one, which was fine, and takes 4 seconds to put down, and 5 seconds to put up, albeit with no servo motors (stop moaning you wimp!) to go wrong.

So there you go. Better looking, faster, quieter, safer, comfier, and has a bigger boot.... What are you waiting for!

P.S. Resale value is STONKINGLY good on these things, I paid £10,999 for the old one, and got £9,000 from the same dealer nearly two years later...beat that!