- Doors and Seats
2 doors, 2 seats
- Engine
1.6i, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
85kW, 130Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (91) 6.9L/100KM
- Manufacturer
RWD
- Transmission
Manual
- Warranty
3 Yr, 80000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
1989 Mazda MX-5 review
It’s almost 30 years since the covers came off the original Mazda MX-5 at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show. Since that time, well over a million MX-5s have been delivered all around the world. It can probably be argued that the MX-5 is both the genesis and ultimate expression of Mazda’s 'zoom zoom' philosophy.
- Brilliant engine/gearbox combo
- Sweet handling
- Inexpensive to buy and maintain
- Lack of safety tech
- Very basic creature comforts
So how has the original MX-5 stood the test of time? My particular example is a Japanese domestic market Eunos Roadster, which rolled off the Hiroshima production line in July 1989. Nineteen years later, she arrived in Australia, and I’ve been lucky enough to have her in my garage for the past 10 years.
So why did I buy a grey import rather than an Australian-delivered car? Well, the two models are essentially the same except for some minor spec differences, and this particular car was both low-mileage and totally original. I also thought it looked good in silver, which was not a colour offered on the original (NA series) in Australia.
Compared to any current model, it’s fair to say things were a little more basic inside an MX-5 back in 1989. Infotainment? That’d be the two-speaker radio/cassette player. Climate control? You put the top up when it rains. You can also put it up to provide some shade when it’s hot (but make sure you wind down the side windows and up-zip the rear window to get some excellent flow-through ventilation). If you absolutely must, you can press the little button marked 'A/C'.
As for seat adjustment, they slide back and forth. You don’t need to worry about height adjustment because the seats are already hard on the floor. And although the steering wheel doesn’t adjust for rake or reach, that’s never been a problem. Life was just simpler back then.
Safety is probably the area where things have moved on the most over the past 30 years. The (non-ABS) brakes have good feel, but ultimate stopping power is a bit lacking by modern standards. The only airbags fitted are the black ones wrapped around the 14-inch wheels, and you can forget about any modern electrical backstops like stability control or auto emergency braking.
But MX-5s have always been first and foremost about the drive, and in that respect, she still shines. The 1.6-litre under the bonnet might only have 85kW and 130Nm, but it spins oh-so-sweetly all the way to the 7200rpm redline. Coupled with a wrist-flicking five-speeder, you find yourself changing gears just for the fun of it.
The steering seems telepathic – it’s almost as though you just look through the corner and the car follows your line of sight. And with only 950kg split 50:50 front to rear, it’s no surprise she’s a nimble handler. Grip levels are generally high, although mid-corner bumps can be a little unsettling when pushing on (which is what you tend to do in an MX-5). Ride quality with the recommended 26psi in the 185/60 tyres is surprisingly good.
So, next year she turns 30 and qualifies for the automotive Seniors Card here in NSW. I know some of her Victorian cousins have been on historical vehicle rego for a few years now, but it will still seem strange to see MX-5s getting around with H-plates. Somehow, I suspect she’ll remain forever young.