Review and photos by Bob McHugh
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Photo Gallery: 2008 Mazda MX-5
Surrey, B.C. - Now that Summer is here, that suppressed desire for an open-top sports car can no longer be denied. In my opinion, the best bang-for-the-buck is still the Mazda MX-5 which remains the best selling sports car in the world. The last (and second) full redesign was in 2006 and Mazda has preserved the agile and enjoyable driving characteristics that made the original 1990 Miata so much fun to drive.
For 2008, the MX-5 comes in three versions: GX, GS and GT. A 166-horsepower, 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine is common to all and a power retractable hard top is offered as a $2,195 option on all three trim grades.
The base GX comes with a five-speed manual transmission and a $28,195 price-tag. It's a good choice for driving enthusiasts looking for an affordable and fuel-efficient sports car. Its city/highway frugal fuel-consumption rating is actually slightly better than the six-speed model, at 9.5/7.3 L/100 km respectively.
The GX is certainly not a stripped-down version: standard equipment includes four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock, power windows and door locks, cruise control, keyless entry and even fog lamps.
The mid-level GS ($31,350) comes with a six-speed manual transmission and adds 17-inch alloy wheels, a limited slip differential, dynamic stability control (DSC), front strut tower bar, and sport-tuned suspension with Bilstein shock absorbers. You give up some ride comfort in the GS but the stiff suspension and other modifications improve both traction and handling.
2008 Mazda MX-5 PRHT. Click image to enlarge
The top GT model ($34,500) is a GS without the sport suspension, stability control or a limited-slip differential. What it does have is leather upholstery, heated seats, a cloth top, Xenon headlights, air conditioning, a Bose audio system, side air bags and a "smart" keyless entry system.
You can add those missing GS components with an optional performance package ($1,355), which my test MX-5 GT had, in addition to a retractable hard top roof ($2,195). Its total price of $38,155 was almost $10,000 more than the base version. In my opinion, the base GX is still the best buy.
There are no major changes to the '08 MX-5, but it does come with a new height adjuster on the driver's seat (GT and GS), a six-disc CD changer (GT) and some minor interior trim changes.
The optional power-retractable hardtop adds only 36 kilograms to the curb weight of the MX-5. The PRHT model features unique chrome garnishes around the headlamp bezel, front-grille surround, and outer door handles to set it apart from the standard models.
The power folding hardtop is divided into sections and lowers into a compartment behind the cabin in just 12 seconds with the touch of a button. This storage compartment retreats when the hard top is up, so trunk space is about the same as with the soft top.
The main benefits of the folding hardtop are security, reduced wind and road noise, and an increased sense of sanctuary while driving. Rear vision is also a little better as the rear window is bigger in the hard top model.
Interior impressions
2008 Mazda MX-5 PRHT. Click image to enlarge
Compared to the previous generation MX-5, the '08 MX-5 is a little bigger with a roomier cabin. There's an extra 2.5 centimetres of seat-travel in this generation MX-5, which is very welcome, and there's also more hip room. A tilt steering wheel is also relatively new, but the column is not telescopic. New seat-height adjustment is another welcome comfort addition. Overall, however, the cabin is still compact and if you're bigger and taller than average, you'll find it tight.
Once you've settled snugly behind the steering wheel, the MX-5 cabin seems to fit around you like a glove. Your right hand naturally falls on its stubby shift lever and all the controls, while basic, are readily at hand.
In-cabin storage spots are scarce but there is a surprisingly large lockable glove box plus a lockable bin between the seatbacks. The power-window buttons are located on the centre console close to the shifter and on a number of occasions I accidentally activated them with my arm or wrist. Not a big deal, but a location change or a lock-out switch would be a good idea.
There is no crash-test info on this generation MX-5, but the previous generation did reasonably well when tested in 2005. It got four- and five-star ratings (out of five) for the driver and front passenger respectively. On a side impact test it got a three, so the now optional side airbags are a useful addition.
The '05 got a top five-star rating on a roll-over test, so a wider track on the '08 MX-5 should make it even more stable.
Driving impressions
2008 Mazda MX-5 PRHT. Click image to enlarge
These days, sports-car buyers are no doubt paying attention to fuel consumption figures as well as performance figures. On that score, an MX-5 will consume about 80 to 120 litres less annually than the most fuel-efficient version of its closest rival, the Pontiac Solstice.
That said, generally more gears indicate a more fuel-efficient vehicle, with a lower final gear ratio. Not so with the MX-5, as Mazda obviously made improved performance (better acceleration) a priority in the design of its six-speed manual.
Shifting though its gears is a delight, the engagement is crisp and some wrist action is all that's required to make shifts. The clutch isn't heavy either, so frequent shifting is not as tiring for your left leg.
In the last redesign, the engine was moved rearward and the gas tank was moved forward and lowered in the chassis. The battery was also relocated from the trunk to a position under the hood. These are small changes, but they do make a close to perfect 50/50 weight distribution when two people are buckled into an MX-5.
Balance, poise and agility are words I associate with the MX-5, and so will you if you take one for a spin. It's not about power or blinding acceleration, even though it is a quick little car, especially on take-off.
A downside to being "close to the machine" is that by modern sedan standards, cabin noise in an MX-5 is high. The hard top does diminish interior noise levels and if you're a big audio fan, it's worth the extra investment.
On the other hand, if you prefer to hear and feel the throaty sound of an exhaust, the soft top is a better choice.
