Gender Bender
Ever body took to the cute, cultured and civilised MX-5 even
non car enthusiasts, which really went against the grain. They instead loved
the Mazda as something sporty to be seen in rather than seeing it as a sports
car; soon, almost half the buyers were women for those very reasons.
Perhaps this was the reason why Mazda’s marketing department
went off their ’eads with special eds. There was something like 30 made,
ranging from the 1995 ‘Glen Eagles’ and ‘Merlot’ to the bonkers ‘Jasper
Conran’!
Almost all were cosmetic, save for the BBR 150bhp
turbocharged edition made by Brodie Brittain Racing; a Le Mans turbo spin off
saw only 16 made.
Going Grey
If the plethora of specials didn’t make an owner feel, well,
special then there were the colourful ‘greys’. In simple terms a ‘grey import’
describes the model in its home market and Japanese MX-5s (called Eunos) came
much better equipped which included leather trim, power steering and automatic
transmission options.
MX-5 Front View
The availability of cheap Japanese grey imports, all
right-hand drive, brought thousands of Eunos Roadsters to the UK and for a time
commanded higher price tags. Scare stories, hardly dismissed by Mazda, included
thinner metal and glass used, their legality in the UK and difficulty of
spare parts and servicing. Of course, this was mostly tosh and by and large,
Grey MX-5s are just as well liked and desired as the UK versions and now costs
are about on the same level.
Lotus Eater?
Comparisons with the Emma Peel’s steed was inevitable if not
entirely valid as soon as journalists saw this lazy neat angle to take. For
sure, the Mazda looks similar and has the same handling traits (including a
tail that likes to wag in the wet) but the MX-5 doesn’t match the Lotus for
character and sense of heritage and occasion when you’re out on a special
drive. Of course, you can argue that at least with an MX-5 you’ll make it home
without drama or unwanted expense... Only the 1.8 models have the performance
to compare with your average out of sorts Elan; the 1.6s feel merely brisk like
an MGB especially the 88bhp ‘entry version’ launched late in the life of the
original ‘NA’ model.
MX5 On Road
The ‘NB’ which came along is regarded as the better car all
round and faster too with 143bhp from the delightful 1.8 Sport.
But without the pop-up Elan like headlamps some feel the car
lost a degree of character in exchange for more creature comforts. The NC
arrived in 2005 and came with a much meaner look ironically to make it more
appealing to a dwindling male buying base! Now based on the RX-8 sports car platform,
with 2 litre power, original models were criticised for lacking that certain something
to drive which made the earlier MX-5s so right but corrected on later revamps,
to be fair. Which brings us right up to date because, 25 years on, the MX-5 is
still alive and well and crucially still rear wheel drive.
The New MGB
The sports car that was aligned to the Elan is now being
hailed as the ‘new MGB’, not least by major specialists such as David Manners
who is making the aftermarket back-up to be on par with that MG.
MG-550 Rear View
A good many Midget and MGB owners have switched ‘sides’
because they like the Mazda’s old word charm together with its modern
conveniences and safety kit. And yes, its turn key dependability.
MG was right to have gone down the mid engined road with the
MGF and Lotus deserved much better success with its front wheel drive Elan SE
M100 than it got...
But Mazda proved that when it comes to making a classic
sports car that’s as appealing now as when it was launched 25 years ago then
you’ve got to take the advice of a motoring journalist.
Well, some of the time...
