Overall Average Rating: 86.2%
Position in the Top 100 cars: 33rd

It may well be the world’s most successful sports car, but it’s not without compromises. However, the MX-5’s poor scores for practicality and comfort can be accounted for by its very nature – this is a roadster with a tiny boot, after all.

Where it counts, the Mazda is a triumph. Top 10 ratings for brakes and handling are superb, while 13th for reliability is an enviable result.

Manufacturer Verdict (Position: 10th)

it’s fallen one place, yet Mazda is still in the top 10. The blot in its copybook is 23rd position for running costs, although it’s offset by a fifth-placed rank in both the handling and braking categories.

Overall Average:
4.271
85.42%
40th in Driver Power 2010
Owners who would buy a Mazda MX-5 Owner Reviews Container again
4.45
89%
7th in Driver Power 2010
Owners who would buy another Mazda MX-5 again:
4.4
88%
64th in Driver Power 2010
Running Cost:
4
80%
30th in Driver Power 2010
57-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

This is a cracking little car. I have had a good ownership experience, the car has been reliable and apart from needing a new windscreen (stone chip damage) and replacement driver's seat belt (under warranty) everything has been good. I average nearly 40 mpg and after 17,000 miles the tyres are only 50% worn and the brake pads only 20% worn. This is even in light of me using the full abilities the car has to offer on a frequent basis. When the time comes I'll be very sorry to see the car go.

Cost: 5/5
59-reg Petrol, Owner for Less than a year

Great car, exactly as I expected. This is my third MX5. Maybe the engine could be a little more efficient, especially given the latest generation of petrol engines that are appearing onto the market. My car is only 6 months old and has done 6000 miles, but the mpg is a lot lower than the official figures suggested it would be. Hopefully this will improve as the mileage increases and the engine loosens up.

Cost: 4/5
04-reg Petrol, Owner for Less than a year

This is my third MX-5! My last car was a Lotus Elise, which was brilliant as well but much harder to live with. I had to credit crunch myself and move to a second hand MX5 which cost me approx 25% of the price of my Lotus. The MX5 is probably 80% as good though!

Cost: 5/5
06-reg Petrol, Owner for Less than a year

Great car, a dream to drive, I was going to buy a Porche Boxter but put off by servicing cost.
The Mx5 does evrything I want and looks great, 2 litre engine quick enough, servicing and insurance are cheap.

Cost: 5/5
07-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Quality product - very well engineered and built to a high standard. It has significantly exceeded my expectations in almost every respect and the local Mazda dealer is first rate.

Cost: 5/5
05-reg Petrol, Owner for 3 to 5 years

Fantastic. It is the second MX5 I have had in the past 10 years and in all that time I have only ever had to replace windscreen wipers and put on new tyres

Cost: 5/5
57-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

the best small everyday sports car to be manufactured. Trouble free,stylish, economical and a hoot to drive.Holds it's value well.

Cost: 4/5
03-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

An excellent car just a little spoiled by a persistent clutch judder that Mazda refuse to acknowledge exists.

Cost: 5/5
06-reg , Owner for 1 to 3 years

fantastic little car - much cheaper than my previous Audi TT and 95% as good. Dealers are great too

Cost: 4/5
55-reg Petrol, Owner for More than 5 years

First class. It's my second MX5 and all other things being equal I'd have another next time!!

Cost: 5/5
07-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

it has beena fun car to own, and has only been let down by Mazda's aftercare service

Cost: 3/5
58-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Great fun to drive with the roof up or down, and looks great too.

Cost: 5/5
R-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

brilliant small car, just smile when driving and enjoy !!

Cost: 5/5
Other-reg Petrol, Owner for Less than a year

excellent car and great fun,very cheap to run...love it

Cost: 5/5
R-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

great fun as a day to day car - not the cheapest to run

Cost: 3/5
06-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Great fun & economical & stylish & very well built.

Cost: 5/5
V-reg Petrol, Owner for Less than a year

Great fun to drive for the lowest possible price.

Cost: 2/5
06-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Stylish and fun, economical to buy and run.

Cost: 5/5
07-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Excellent, the best in its class by far

Cost: 5/5
56-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

The best sport car for the money.

Cost: 5/5
58-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

fun car to drive cheap to buy

Cost: 4/5
57-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Two cars in one great fun

Cost: 5/5
07-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Brilliant

Cost: 5/5
Other-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Love it

Cost: 5/5