Best Mazda Convertibles

The perfect modern day roadster – This is Mazda’s golden child. For the past 20 years, the MX-5 has set the bar for what a sports car should be. And unlike other sports cars, it's… Read more

barely changed over that period in all the best ways. It hasn't gained weight, its wheelbase has hardly grown and it's still one of the best value sports cars you can buy today.

The MX-5 has always been more on the practical side of build quality. Everything is put together with great accuracy and a lot of plastic.

That means there aren’t any luxurious trims to be wary of when it starts to rain with the roof down, and it can weather those harsh Aussie UV rays in summer.

For $42,184 drive away, the MX-5 represents the best value for a convertible in Australia. This is the base model MX-5, and to be honest, it’s a fair price against competitors like the Toyota GT86 and Subaru BRZ.

The MX-5 is covered by a 5-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and has capped pricing for its first 5 services.

Service intervals are every 10,000km or 12 months (whichever comes first), and totals $1817 over this period.

MX-5s are notoriously reliable thanks to their simple engine design and lack of complicated parts, especially if you opt for a soft-top variant.

I’ll be honest: the MX-5’s sound system is lackluster. It does the bare minimum, but it’s not going to make you want to exclusively purchase the MX-5 for this reason.

What I was deeply impressed by was the integration of speakers behind the passenger seats. It allows you to listen to music with the roof down, and even make clear phone calls (with no complaints about wind noise from those on the other line).

Road noise is pretty obvious, but despite having a fabric roof, it’s still pretty quiet compared to the Subaru BRZ. However, passing external sounds can penetrate the interior more than a traditional coupe.

The naturally aspirated 2.0L engine doesn’t produce an addicting exhaust sound like you’d find on the likes of a Hyundai N car. Rather, it’s understated, with a deep bass and subtle overrun burbles. You could make it louder aftermarket, but I prefer the subtlety and raspiness of this engine - it reminds me of an old school Austin Healy roadster.

This car weighs just over 1,000kg, so it’s not going to take a lot to stop this thing. The brakes are quick to bite, but are easy to modulate for smooth day-to-day operation.

The MX-5 is now only available with a more powerful naturally aspirated 2.0L four-cylinder motor, producing 135kW and 205Nm!

For a car that weighs so little, this power goes a lot further than you might think.

This engine loves to rev through to redline, and it's rewarding to do so. You truly can have a lot of fun driving this car within the confines of the Sydney metropolitan area.

Even though Subaru worked hard on improving their naturally aspirated four-cylinder, this engine is just so much better. The lack of a turbo generates a more engaging drive and really suits the chassis of this car.

Not to mention, power is exclusively sent to the rear wheels, making harsh acceleration a breeze.

Outside of the Toyota GR Yaris, this is the best 6-speed manual I’ve driven this year.

The slick transition between gears was intoxicating, and clutch control came so naturally. Compared to other manuals I’ve driven, the 6-speed in here made the MX-5. I can’t imagine how the automatic would even be considered with a transmission so great.

Even in traffic and during low-speed manoeuvres, this lightweight transmission requires little effort to operate - not to mention that this is one of the lightest 6-speed manual transmissions ever built.

Mazda has a philosophy of the rider and horse as one. That’s exactly what I experienced in the MX-5. Firstly, you’re sat towards the rear wheels, with the engine and large bonnet leading the charge.

The roadster has a softly tuned suspension setup, making driving over harsh roads in such a low riding car far more bearable than a Subaru BRZ.

Once you’re hitting corners, the MX-5 comes alive. It’s reactive, predictable and playful. Steering feel is some of the best I’ve experienced ever, and allows you to read the road and tires through your fingertips.

Combining a lightweight construction, a rev-happy engine and a six-speed manual, you have the best driving experience for less than $100,000.

The lack of a turbo and the fact that it requires you to rev out this larger displacement four-cylinder means you’ll find the MX-5 to be a little thirsty on fuel.

I averaged just under 10L per 100km when driving around in the MX-5. It’s right on the money for a four-cylinder performance car. What I found obvious is that you could easily reduce that consumption figure, as long as you don’t lay into that throttle often.

This is a tiny car by modern standards. The interior is great for those who are 6’2” and smaller.

You have one of the best driving positions at your disposal, made easier to adjust to your body thanks to the inclusion of a telescopically adjustable steering wheel.

There’s a large rev counter and supplementary info in front of the driver, a basic touch screen slapped in the centre and a few buttons splashed around to control the air conditioning.

There’s nothing outstanding regarding the design, allowing you to have all the basics and simply focus on driving.

What really transforms the driving experience is the ability to quickly unlock the roof and throw it behind you at any given moment. You open up the light and remove the feeling of claustrophobia that the closed roof can bring. I certainly made the most of every clear sky that came my way.

Surprisingly, the MX-5 has been built to maximise every nook and cranny for storage and practicality. There’s a rear boot that’ll house 130L of space, a centre glove box between the drive and a tiny compartment under the driver’s elbow.

You could take a trip away in the MX-5, but you’ll need to ditch the hard shell suitcases for duffle bags and debate which pair of shoes to bring (no, you can’t bring both). But at least the MX-5’s roof doesn’t impact the boot storage at all, and when you raise it up, it provides an additional storage shelf.

Buy this thing if you love driving. That’s my reasoning to myself.

If you value the driving experience above all else, there’s a reason why the MX-5 is still regarded as the holy grail of pure sports car experience.

I love my Abarth 500, but the ND Mazda MX-5 is my next car for now. When I need to move on from my car, there’s nothing really as engaging, unique and encouraging to drive than the MX-5.

I can see clearly why it’s so revered, and it’s deserving of all of its praise. It’s so special that Mazda is carefully working on the NE generation to continue what makes the ND so great into the next generation. Sure, if you need more space, seats and features, there are other options out there. But nothing - aside from the Subaru BRZ - comes this close to a pure driving experience like this.

*Disclaimer - I work for ProductReview as their independent car and motorbike expert. I borrow new cars and motorbikes from manufacturers and owners to review. I am not paid or incentivised by these brands to post reviews. I write and create content to provide insight and information about any new or used vehicle I can get my hands on.