2009 Mazda MX-5 Review & Road Test
June 1, 2009 by Karl Peskett
2009 Mazda MX-5 Review & Road Test
The horse and rider are going to enjoy themselves
Model Tested:
- 2009 Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe 2.0-litre manual – $48,775
Hugely engaging, gearbox, steering, quality
Slightly soft suspension
CarAdvice Rating: 
- by Karl Peskett
Mazda doesn’t like Americans. Well, that may not be strictly true, especially with the CX-9 running around. But with the MX-5, the Americans were basically shut out of the design phase. I like Mazda for that. But how do we know? Just look at the size of this car.
It’s tiny. Parked in my garage, alongside our long term Santa Fe, the MX-5 is completely dwarfed. There are only a few cupholders, and the footwells are quite tight. For these reasons, Americans won’t be flocking in droves to lay down their hard-earned on the new MX-5.
The rest of the world (us included), however, might be more inclined to do so. There’s something about this little car that is enamouring. It’s not any one specific reason, and it’s more subjective than you’ll find written on a stats sheet.
Regardless of the model – we spent a week in the Roadster Coupe – the attributes which attract carry through the four model range. There’s a certain snugness about sitting in it, with its low-slung, legs ahead seating position. The steering wheel sits perfectly in front of you, very close, but without feeling uncomfortable. Your arms are bent, and the driving position feels quite old school.
Pedal position is perfect, although the dead pedal is a little close to the clutch for my liking. Heel and toe changes are possible, but only at 8/10ths and above, where your harder brake force aligns your heel with the accelerator. That means that only when you’re fully into it, the drive experience all comes together.
The gearbox is also a gem, with a stubby lever and short throws, which can be a little notchy when cold, but it always has a solid, heavyish feel. It’s the connection you feel with the car that draws you in. Nothing brings that to the fore more than the perfect steering.
The feel is brilliant, there’s a direct ratio when wheeling, and the weighting is sublime. For the price, there’s little else which feels this good on the road. Every rock and bump is transmitted through so you know how your sidewalls are coping, but it never is too much to wear you out.
It’s best on a cut and slice piece of road, where you hunker down and concentrate on the road, your apexing and your braking points. Find a mountain course somewhere, and you’ll be in seventh heaven.
There is, however a slight downside to the MX-5. It comes about every time your on one of those roads, too. The whole Jinba Ittai philosophy is more than just some clever marketing spin. The “rider and horse as one” mentality truly has been conveyed throughout this car. But the blessing and malediction comes with its suspension.
It has a beautifully judged ride – one of the best going around, in fact. But the slightly softer tune which enables it to soak up the bumps we have on our harsh roads means that in quick changes of direction, there’s an accompanying roll which doesn’t sit well with its sport-like pretentions, and excellent steering.
You get so wrapped up in the feel of things that you go blasting through the corners, and then the whole package wallows about, which is a little disconcerting. It’s not over the top, and really the limits are higher than it initally portrays. But a mid-corner backing off the throttle will unsettle the car slightly, though the seat of the pants feel is so strong you never feel the car will get away from you.
Still, a change of springs would be all that’s needed, and then you have such a fun little car, that you don’t care it only has two seats. It’s an enjoyable guilt, knowing you can’t carpool, but you’ll have fun every time you turn the key.
The interior build is first class, too, and there’s plenty of storage options around. Even the boot is usable and doesn’t lose any volume when you drop the lid. Just make sure you’re in neutral, and completely stopped when you do press the convert button or it refuses to budge.
The other annoying thing is the windows don’t come all the way up or down when the conversion motion has finished, like almost all other convertibles do. Bear in mind that it’s a manual unlock and relock of the roof each time.
But the windscreen is far enough forward to not impede your view, and you end up with one very good Sunday drive car. Actually, make that any day of the week. The 2.0-litre engine is free spinning, and linear in its power, and it sounds smooth and unfussed, so you’re happy to rev it out and make the most of it.
Even when you do, it’s pretty economical, putting away 8.1 litres for every 100km. And of course, there’s the full swathe of safety equipment with front and side airbags, DSC and traction control.
The MX-5 hasn’t really lost what it always stood for. A fun, two seat convertible that allows you to extract the most out of it, Jinba Ittai is still evident. But unlike sitting on a horse, in these winter months it’s a case of windows up, roof down, heater cranked, and you sit in a cocoon of warmth while the cold air rushes over the top.
Thank goodness it doesn’t rain a lot in Australia.
CarAdvice Overall Rating:
How does it Drive:
How does it Look:
How does it Go:
Specifications:
- Engine: 2 litre 4 cylinder
- Power: 118kW @ 7000rpm
- Torque: 188Nm @ 5000rpm
- Induction: Multi-point
- Transmission: Six-speed manual
- Driven Wheels: Rear
- Brakes: Discs with ABS
- Fuel Consumption: 8.1 litres per 100km
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 50 litres
- Fuel Type: 95RON Unleaded
- ANCAP Rating: Four-stars
- Airbags: Dual Front & Side
- Safety: ESP with Traction Control
- Spare Wheel: N/A
- Tow Capacity: N/A
- Turning Circle: 9.4 metres
- Warranty: Three years / 100,000km
- Weight: 1152kgs (Tare)
- Wheels: Alloy 17-inch
Print it: 
have to agree with the pros:great gearbox,great drive…
A motoring journalist with a Santa Fe in his garage… you poor sod.
@ Jimmy, you obviously haven’t driven a newer Hyundai. Nothing like the Hyundai’s of old, they’re come a very long way…
Back on topic: thanks for the review! always loved the mx-5, great little car.
Ryan hyundai may have come a long way in recent years, but lets not forget that they needed too!!!
still they are not up to the japanese standards as the mx-5 proves, no one in the world has built a worhty competitor
in the 20 years its been around!!!
We recently nabbed a 2000 model MX-5…absolute awesome fun! :D I can understand why there is such a huge community of enthusiasts.
I can fully understand the Horse and Rider as one philosophy.
Grossly underpowered.
i have always had a soft spot for the mx-5 – even when my cousins boyfriend always called them “hairdresser cars” i always defended them…
these look ace in that metallic red mazda have, or in graphite with the tan coloured leather!
Anti spam word – Ferrari – reminds me that an MX-5 isn’t really a sports car. But it it great at what it does and its cheap to run and own to boot.
Tom it may only have 118 kw but it weighs 1152kgs,power to weight not too bad.
looks great fromt he front but not so much the back but interior is great. specs aren’t to shabby too
An MX-5 is NOT Grossly Underpowered, Some just do not get it, it is not meant to be a Bucking Bronco like most Sports Cars, it is a sports car that is part of you and you are part of it. An MX-5 is plenty fast enough.
Just look at the power to weight ratio’s, it is up there with many much more expensive and “so called ” high class Sports Cars.
Reviewer…If you think this Roadster has “Soft” suspension, why did you not review the “SPORTS” model??, has firmer suspension, but then you would complain it is too HARD…would’nt you?
It is called a compromise, and Mazda have done it superbly.
The Gearbox is beautiful, give it time for the car to WEAR in a bit, before you complain that it is Notchy.
Once the car is at “OPERATIONAL TEMPERATURE” the gearbox is again Superb.
The MX-5 is still the only TRUE Roadster on the market, and still the best bang for your dollar, next is the Superb Series II RX-8, another COMPLETE car by Mazda.
Now if Horsley can do another decent Turbo model that would make a better car with a bit more power, the chassis could easily take more power
i would absolutely love to have one in my driveway, but got no money … still can dream! heheh
for majority of users its got more than enough grunt.
Just a brilliant little roadster, Full Stop.
“Bear in mind” yeah I was thinking of Yogi too =P
Given it’s rather good power to weight ratio as it is, didn’t Mazda try to fit the 2L 4 Turbo from the Mazda 3 MPS into the MX-5 but werent able to due to physical constraints? Imagine that =O
Not too fond of the car, but great review.
“Mazda doesn’t like Americans.”
Beautiful. Reminds me a bit of Clarkson: just lacking 90% of your content being metaphors and insults.
Tom, you obviously don’t understand this car so don’t bother. It’s not meant to be powerful, it’s meant to be powerful enough with the showcase being the handling and the general drive.
I love the MX-5, but I have a feeling this is the last one I’m going to love. Mazdas are getting to fat and weird looking. This still looks great, especially in dark colours and I really hope they don’t ruin the concept. They’ve managed to keep it small and nippy for twenty years and I hope they don’t spoil it.
Great car.
Very good sports car.
I don’t think it’s grossly underpowered but a Civic Type R 2L engine would’ve been perfect :
148kW @ 7,800 rpm
193kw @ 5,600 rpm
I really don’t think this type of car should be a turbo.
Who knows,maybe the next generation MX5 could be a rotary?
ASH YOU NAILED IT BUDDY
Ash,
You mentioned that the “Sports” model has firmer suspension. Can you confirm that? This is not clear in the Mazda website.
thanks.
Conrad,
Sorry, posters I may have to retract my comment on a “stiffer” suspension on the “sports” model MX-5 Roadster, I was going on the JDM sports which has Bilsteins, looks like Mazda Australia have optioned the car without them, Great!, so you pay $2700 more for Recaro’s and BBS Wheels!!??, sorry Guys..
Alex,
I have to agree with you about some of the later styling on Mazda’s, but don’t blame them, blame the USA and their laws, whatever they want they get.
The fatter they are the bigger cars get, then you have the mandatory “clearances” above the engine to bonnet and the head to top of windscreen.
NOW, there are new laws coming in the US (2011) for REAR collisions that require extra strengthening, hence the larger fatter backsides on the new Mazda 3 and the “extended” rear bumper bars.
Get used to it, all cars will be slowly changing yet again once their model life is over.
Prefer tbe previous iteration wish doesn’t have the smile and rosey cheeks.
which*
Wow Ash, I think you “EMPLOYMENT” at “MAZDA’S MARKETING DEPARTMENT” is pretty sound with all those “MAZDA 3S” you’ve been selling!!!?1!?
Underpowered. Yawn. If I had to have one I’d rather it not be the ‘happy Miata is happy’ version.
Clockwork..
Obviously you have never owned a Mazda MX-5?…the car is not about power, and me and the Mazda marketing department is a funny one….I wish…
I can’t help it I love my own 2009 Series II RX-8..now can I.
I had a 2005 NC Series 1 MX-5 (soft-top)… it was always my understanding that the suspension in the hard-top varieties was slightly softer to cope with the extra weight; and the body was slightly wider (around the rear guards) to house the roof structure.
What’s the down side to this car? The interior has a number of annoying rattles, the stereo is pretty crap (and that’s the up-speck Bose package), and the sun visors don’t really work very effectively – nit picky gripes, but gripes all the same.
My god your an unhappy bugger Talib… really. Very small nits to be picked there.. Spend another 1% of the purchase price and all fixed.. jeesh.
This has to be one of the best cars made post war. never has a model (Guiness book of records biggest seller, sports cars) made so many customers so happy for so long. They just hit so many of the targets they tried to achieve with this car.
Massive Mx5/Miata/Eunos fan clubs all around the world… Just brilliant.