Mazda MX-5 used car review
The Japanese car industry once had a bit of a habit of shooting itself in the foot as it updated makes and models.
The Nissan Zed cars of the 1970s, for instance, got steadily fatter, uglier and slower with each model update and the same thing happened over at Toyota in the 1970s with the Celica.
So it’s easy to imagine that there was plenty of checking and double-checking at Mazda a handful of years ago when the time came to present the world with a brand-new MX-5.
The MX-5 wasn’t just important to Mazda, it was a cult-car to a whole generation of enthusiasts and messing it up just wouldn’t have done.
It wasn’t just a simple matter of getting the actual car to work properly, either.
No, any car to bear the MX-5 also had to embrace the less-is-more philosophy that had made the original MX-5 of 1989 such a landmark vehicle.
Thankfully, Mazda got the ND model of 2015 right and, in the process, perpetuated the magic of what has gone on to become the best-selling small sports-convertible the planet has ever seen.
While the second and third-gen MX-5s had, indeed, become a bit more portly and complex compared with the delightful original NA model, the ND redressed that and brought the concept right back to its starting point.
So, the ND was lighter than the NC model it replaced and featured more delicate lines. But it also stuck to the original MX-5’s mantra of not being over-powered or over-tyred; balance was the name of the game.
Aluminium was used for some of the structure and exterior panels and the folding cloth roof remained a simple, hand-operated arrangement that was easier and simpler than ever to use.
Power for the MX-5 came in the form of a pair of petrol four-cylinder engines that tapped into Mazda’s SkyActiv technology. That allowed them to use a high compression ratio of 13:1 to make more power, although neither could be said to be a powerhouse compared with the turbo-motors of some of the competition. Again, though, this was all about balance, not tyre-shredding grunt.
The purists were immediately attracted to the smaller engine, the 1.5-litre unit, because it more closely replicated the sweet little 1.6 in the original MX-5. Also, the 96kW 1.5 revved to 7500rpm which was a major part of the attraction.
In reality, though, the two-litre unit with its 118kW is the better choice purely for the greater flexibility it provides, especially if you opt for the six-speed automatic transmission. Not that the purists believe you should, of course, and it remains that the manual-transmission version is a more satisfying experience, not to mention a more authentic one.
One area where the new car has the original, charming MX-5 kicked to bits is safety. Where the NA had neither ESP nor a single air-bag, the 2015 model ran to four air-bags, stability control, brake-force distribution, traction-control and seat-belt pretensioners. From 2016 that improved even further with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
Driving the new MX-5, you couldn’t help but be reminded of the original MX-5 even if the new car couldn’t possibly generate the hype of that first version way back when.
The point was that Mazda had managed to recapture the feel and spirit of the original and while the new car was a decided improvement, it hadn’t abandoned the NA’s core values.
While some owners buy MX-5s and hang on to them forever, the animal that is fashion dictates that many are bought for the sake of having the newest first and then traded-in when the next cult hero comes along. Which is why there’s already plenty of 2015 and 2016 ND MX-5s out there in car yards.
The good news is that most of them have covered very modest mileages and they weren’t really seen as a daily-driver kind of car. Which is a mistake because with the absolutely leak-proof roof and great reliability, they actually make a great daily transport solution.
If the roof is leaking (and a commercial car wash is a great way to test for this) then there’s a decent chance that the car has been involved in a shunt that has somehow twisted the roof’s structure. A rear-end crash with the roof down is a likely cause of this and should convince you to look more closely at the rest of the bodywork.
In fact, checking for crash damage on any car is important, but when it’s a sporty little number that is likely to have been driven by somebody with a certain degree of enthusiasm, then it’s a check you can’t afford to ignore.
When shopping now, make sure you find a car with an intact service record. Any factory warranty remaining will be dependent on that service schedule having been followed properly. But it’s also true that a relatively expensive small car, as new as the MX-5 is, should be viewed with utmost suspicion should that service record not be complete.
Obviously, the MX-5 is still a relatively new car, and a quality one at that, so it’s no real surprise to discover that not much has shown up in the way of endemic mechanical problems. Proof of that is the fact that the MX-5 has not been recalled for any safety issues at all.
So far, the only problem reported by owners has been a slight clunking noise from the rear suspension. The cause seems to be interference in the rear coil springs and some mechanics reckon that a plastic spacer inserted into the coils is a way of eliminating the noise. Certainly, it doesn’t seem to affect either driveability or reliability of the Mazda.
Our rating: 4.5/5
Nuts and bolts
Engine/s: 1.5 4-cyl/2.0 4-cyl
Transmissions: 6-man/6-auto
Fuel economy (combined): 6.1 litres per 100km (1.5)/6.9 litres (2.0)
Safety rating (courtesy of www.howsafeisyourcar.com.au): 5 stars
Likes:
- Awesome handling and steering.
- Gorgeous, fun package.
- Great build quality.
Dislikes:
- Still pricey.
- Automatic seems to be at odds with the concept.
- Possibly driven hard.
Competitors:
Abarth 124 Spider – Based on the MX-5 structure, the Abarth Spider uses Fiat’s own turbocharged 1.4-litre engine rather than the normally-aspirated unit in the Mazda. Retro looks and a great exhaust note. 4.5/5
Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet – Four seats make the Golf Cabrio a bit more practical than the Mazda. Sophisticated driving experience and quality build. Be wary of DSG transmission versions. 4/5
Mini Cabrio – Evocative looks and great road presence. Another four-seater, so more useful than it sounds. You really need to buy the turbocharged Cooper S or JCW version to get the performance the look suggests. 3.5/5
What to pay (courtesy of Glass’s Guide):
Model Year New Now
1.5 2015 $31,990 $18,600
2.0 2015 $34,490 $21,700
1.5 2016 $31,990 $20,500
2.0 2016 $34,490 $23,000
1.5 2017 $31,990 $22,200
2.0 2017 $34,490 $25,600