Twenty-seven years, three near-misses, and one racer-red heartbreak – Paul Gover finally has an MX-5 in his driveway

Twenty-seven years ago I fell in love. With a car.

Now there is another one in my driveway and the feelings are much the same. It is, not surprisingly a Mazda MX-5.

Three times through the years I’ve come close to buying an MX-5, but never quite had the time, or the money, or the need, to put the one in the garage.

The closest was with the original NA model, after Mazda Australia loaned me a preview car for a full three months. Returning that racer red honey was tough.

Very tough.

Over the years the MX-5 has grown and changed, with an automatic gearbox and electric hard-top roof pleasing many people, but the basics are still the same.

This year there is another in a long series of ‘anniversary’ cars, this one with beige leather in the cabin, a beige roof and special alloys. It’s great for pictures.

But the 2026 MX-5 in my driveway is basic and black. It has black for the bodywork, fabric roof and cabin, and basic with a manual gearbox and non-powered folding soft top.

It’s pared back so far that there is only one driver ‘assistance’ and even that one, keeping me in my lane, is not offensive or annoying. Mazda touts a sports setting on the car’s stability control, but few people will need if they don’t go to a racetrack.

The pared-back specification could be the story for the whole car. It’s good looking, enjoyable and challenging, cute and compact.

In a world of hulking SUVs and pick-ups – excuse me banging on again – the MX-5 is exactly the car I need to drive every couple of months. It’s a reminder that motoring can still be more than just A-to-Z transport.

It’s not as cheap as it was, with pricing now from $43,020 and rising to $57,220, but it’s still very good value and alone in a class of one. Ford claims its Mustang is Australia’s favourite sports car, and the numbers don’t lie, but there are plenty of MX-5 fans who would disagree.

Their argument is clear from the first moments in the car. It’s tight in the cabin, the gearshift has a short and positive throw, and every control gives positive response and feedback.

The MX-5 has never had a fireball engine, but the latest 2-litre petrol power is fine for the job. It’s more perky than I expect, with good mid-range thrust and economy that easily beats 6 litres/100km.

The car is noisy with the top up, a reflection of minimal sound deadening, that makes the sound system a bit feeble. Some of the plastics are cheap, too. And the cupholders are at the back of the centre console, which means an awkward reach if you’re driving alone.

But then I put the top down, find some twisties, and all the practical complaints got out the … roof. Driving fully open to the elements is wonderful on an autumn afternoon, with all sorts of fresh smells and unbeatable view of the scenery.

And the chassis comes alive, with the sort of response you expect from a single-seater racing car. It turns where you want, grips for go, and has a lovely rear-wheel drive balance that means you’re not just steering through corners and relying on the outside-front tyre for grip. You choose the pace, and the balance, and the car gives what you want.

It’s the same with the gearshift, and the engine has more than enough go thanks to the car’s light weight.

Putting a week’s shopping in the boot is never going to be easy, and you can only take one passenger, but those are minor things.

The MX-5 is all about emotion, and it’s as lovely today as it was the very first time.

MAZDA MX-5

Price: from $43,020
Position: 2-seater sports car
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder 135kW/205Nm
Gearbox: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Safety: not tested
The tick: Zoom-zoom, love-love.