The new MX5 ND (2015) 1.5L - First Drives & Impressions

[jpo]

I test-drove the ND this week & would like to know what others thought of it? Here's my account of a 20-30min test-drive of the 1.5L MX-5 GT Spec & the same again having a good look around it:

It has a great feel to it, very 'familiar' as MX5s go - Mazda have really made it so that you know it's an MX5 from the moment you jump in (albeit a little higher in the rear than the MK1 & 2s, so more akin to the MK3 in that respect). It would be very easy to get into & just drive coming from another MX5 (in my case a MK2.5) it seems that familiar.

The things that put me off a twinge were:
1) The electric power steering was disconcertingly light/unfeeling at slow speeds (probably something you'd get used to).
2) The 1.5L is a twinge lacking in the low-end grunt in high gears - not why we buy them though but affects the daily driveability. In fairness it is still a good revvy powerplant with a great noise - sounds like a throatier version of my own MK2.5 1.8!) so this is a mixed point as opposed to all bad.
3) Lack of LSD - now I wasn't giving it lots into corners on a test-drive but in terms of enjoyability I know I'd miss this.
4) Suspension was a bit soft in the sweeping corners.
5) The boot seems smaller than the MK2 in terms of usability - having said that the MK3 is similar so I'd want to own one for a while to give a good verdict on this.

The good points however were:
1) It really is an MX5 at heart - so easy to just jump into & drive, an easy transition if you've owned a 5 before.
2) Comfortable enough on rough road surfaces despite being a sports car & no scuttle-shake!
3) Rev-happy with a great soundtrack to match.
4) 40+ mpg mixed driving with no roof?! Yes please!
5) Seemed to handle/take corners without too much roll even for the non-'Sport' version that we have in Ireland.
6) Looks great inside, out & even has styling-cues from the old BP engines under the bonnet.
7) A modernised MX5 with niceties like Xenon lights, cruise control, aircon, airbags, heated leather seats etc & yet still weighs very little & accelerates to match. I'd imagine it'd be very 'chuckable' given the right circumstances too so oodles of fun!
Running consideration: road tax is a fraction of what the cheapest MK1/2/3 is @ €200 per year which I thought was pretty good.

[AndyJF]

Good review. Hoping to get a test drive myself soon.

Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

[Yolo]

I had a drive a couple of weeks ago along with a load of the guys from up here. The dealer just came out and checked the road conditions with us (it had been flooded earlier that morning) and the handed over two sets of keys, one for a 1.5 and one for a 2.0.

The 1.5 I found was lovely, free revving and smooth, it handled well on the twisty bits and the the barking was accurate and filled you with confidence. It definitely felt a lot like my own Mk1 but a lot more refined. Oh an a great wee exhaust note......

Then came the 2.0 again very similar to the 1.5 in driving but oh my god did it step up a gear in acceleration. It was quick and likely to get you in trouble very quickly. If I had a choice it would be the 2.0 as it definitely went better but the 1.5 felt great and for wind in your hair driving it is more than enough for most, I just loved the acceleration of the 2.0.

Great looking wee cars that have recaptured the originality of the Mk1 they should do well...... off to by a lotto ticket

[MX5Spares]

Is the 2.0 not Alfa Romeo engine, thats why its revvy and very responsive etc.

[jpo]

Cheers Andy!

I had a drive a couple of weeks ago along with a load of the guys from up here. The dealer just came out and checked the road conditions with us (it had been flooded earlier that morning) and the handed over two sets of keys, one for a 1.5 and one for a 2.0.

Hmmm... that's a good idea actually: I may have to take a trip North for a test-drive of the 2L!