Firestyle Magazine Issue 6 - Winter 2016 | Page 51

The boot on the MX5 is a little smaller than some of the competitors in this market place but it was more than sufficient for a long weekend break and although there is very little room behind the seats it was possible to tuck a few odds and ends primarily a coat or a fleece but these became inaccessible when the roof was lowered. The roof itself was simplicity, no electric motors here, press a little switch on the top of the windscreen and it folds back beautifully and clicks in to position. Very easy ,very simplistic, a one handed operation which is a further bonus. The interior is simplistic and doesn’t tax you with a plethora of various knobs switches and dials,there is no glove box on the MX5 but if you look between the seats there is a cubbyhole that you can place items out of the eye of any miscreant. The MX5 is one of those vehicles that is about the fun factor and the only way to experience this is to actually get out and take it on those twisty B country roads and it will put a grin on your face. The only real negative was the noise that was transmitted back in to the cabin when the roof was actually in the up position, having recently tested a German high value cabrio vehicle that showed just how good convertibles can be and I was a little disappointed with the amount of wind and road noise that was transmitted, perhaps more insulation work could be done. The MX5 is an out and out little sporty derivative, all the models however do come with front and side air bags to protect in the unfortunate situation which you perhaps get a little too excited in your driving and there are various electronic gadgets that have been incorporated should you become a little too adventurous. To have a vehicle equipped as the MX5 is with air condition, electric windows, alloy wheels, and LED lights does suggest that this is not a sports car it is a saloon, it is amazing just how efficient and useful those features are and how we have become used to them. The MX5 1.5-litre Sport Nav that I had the privilege of testing has an on the road price of £22,795, it has as standard a 3-years or 60,000 miles warranty and servicing is required every 12 months or 12,500 miles. 51