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Mazda MX-5 Montana

Hitting the heights

Winter's never the ideal time to buy a sports car - but obviously no one has told Mazda. The Japanese firm is celebrating this year's inclement weather with a 500-only limited-edition flagship MX-5 - and it's equipped for the elements.

By Craig Cheetham

January 2003

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Winter's never the ideal time to buy a sports car - but obviously no one has told Mazda. The Japanese firm is celebrating this year's inclement weather with a 500-only limited-edition flagship MX-5 - and it's equipped for the elements.

Based on the 1.8i Sport, the Montana costs ΂£1,500 more, but has over ΂£3,000 worth of extra kit to make winter bearable. Most obvious is the painted hard-top, which matches the Garnet Red or Racing Green mica finish. Other external differences include front foglamps and five-spoke alloys. Inside, the emphasis is on luxury. Tan leather trim and heated seats feature, plus matching carpets and overmats, a contrast to the MX-5's usual drab black.

The highlights, however, have to be the wood-rimmed Nardi steering wheel and gearknob. Along with chrome kickplates and door handles, they mean the Montana will be seen as the ultimate MX-5. Yet despite all the kit, the Mazda has lost none of its driver appeal. The leather seats give a higher than normal driving position, but in all other respects the Montana drives like the 1.8i Sport, its agile chassis and rewarding steering still among the best in the class. On the downside, the hard-top amplifies road noise, while removing or replacing the roof takes two, and proves a fiddly task.

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FIRST OPINION

    The Montana might seem the ultimate in luxury MX-5 motoring, but unless you want the special trim, we'd opt for a 1.8i Sport without the hard-top, make do with the black leather and save £1,500.
 
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