The early MX-5's need to be driven to be appreciated. Amazing driving experience. The pedals, shifter, steering wheel and driving position are perfect. The ultimate drivers' car.

The MX 5 is one of the only cars that doesn’t divide opinions. It’s design perfection for what it needs to do and everybody loves them.

There are actually a lot more specials put in the 10AE model, like the six speed gear box, Bilstein shocks, a strut brace bar and the air con. They pretty much put all the goodies into the 10AE model they had to offer. It also originally came with a gift box (a little 10AE model, at least one Seiko watch, two for the american market, a special key ring and a certificate with the number of the car you bought). 7500 made worldwide. Got one in mint condition a few years ago and will newer sell it or drive it in winter.

Great review, Matt. I remember when these were new. Astonishing how much fun they are. They are proof positive of the old adage that it is more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow. I'm 6'3", and like you, the car simply FITS. Everything is right where you want it, easy to reach and operate. That is something modern cars have lost, much to their detriment. As Volvo used to say, the best collision is the one you do not get into, and these cars, like the Volvo 240, are do predictable and easy to drive that avoidance is quite easily achieved. There were, over the years of the Mark 2, several different special edition packages. That blue is magnificent. The other that I love is the black cherry with tan top and interior. I may yet end up buying one. So very tempting as a companion to my ancient Volvo 240 DL Estate. Both have that same jois de vivre that makes them terrific.

We had a 10th anniversary for a few years, lovely car. Great to see one getting the Goes for a drive treatment.

Great drive Matt, you weren't hanging around! Same as you I'm not a sportscar fan but the MX5 is something rather special. Many thanks.

I was looking at re-uniting myself with a Triumph Spitfire for fun days next year, but sod it. This is better on every level except nostalgia. Wow I want one. Thanks for this great video, you have a lovely way of imparting the best of the experience of the car. Many thanks!!!😊

This is the only Mazda you have reviewed in your channel history. We need more Mazdas.

Hugely underrated car - shame they go rusty on the sills, rear arches and front chassis rails too easily. We’ve had a 99 VS spec 1.8 JDM since 2005 and it’s such a great little thing to drive 👍

Woke up early unexpectedly, thanks for the silver lining! Happy Friday

Just great little cars! No wonder they are so popular - they are simple, effective, efficient... what more can you want? None of the crap from something posh. I suspect the clock/cubby are there to allow a Double DIN stereo much loved in Japan. Great video Matt!

I loved every second of the video! You described everything in great detail and finally today, I picked up the exact same car in mint condition! Thanks for the video!

The one thing you can guarantee with Mr Furious is that he puts a lot of work into his research. There are quite a few bits of info that only MX5 owners know included in this video. Well done, and well researched. 10/10.

The 1st gen US models had airbags. ABS was an option. Headlight leveling was never available. My headrests had radio speakers. I drove my 93 from Palm Beach FL to LA in 3 days. You would be amazed how much you can pack into such a small car.

Beautiful. Small, nimble, even minimalist. Great FUN too. I see very few out here in the tropics. To compensate for the sweaty weather I understand the aircon is of industrial strength. Mazda engineers think of everything. Oh, I've just found out the MX5 is one of the few cars with a front mid-engine layout. Maybe this explains the MX5's excellent handling.

I absolutely love mine (a late facelift Mk2.5 Euphonic) They do suffer with rust but ive had the sills and chassis rails done and I've also bolted on a supercharger and custom ECU. Hands down for the money its an absolute blast! Under £5k spend and there is very little even close to its driving dynamics

I’m truely in love with this car, since I saw it for the first time at the dealership last month. I’m saving money to buy one and I’ planning to travel through Europe with it!

Great to see! I've got a 2004 Mk2.5 Euphonic, and I love it to bits!

Great review, I own a 10AE, also seen that car in the flesh when at Mazda HQ before they got rid of it for a better example as it wasnt the best one at all. We did a club meet in 2019 at Mazda HQ to celabrate 20 years of the 10AE car. 29 10AE cars all in one place. was a great day.

Thanks Matt you keep making my list of cars I want to own longer with each video. Keep up the great work. 👍

Never really given these much thought, but what a lovely car! Really keen on it now an can see the appeal what a great example. I remember back in the mid 90's a set of chromed "revolver" alloy wheels being ordered on a new Blue Jaguar XK8 Demo where I worked, all well and good until the valeter destroyed by spaying acidic alloy cleaner on them!

I bought a 2001 NB2.5 here in Australia a year ago and I just love taking it out. My other car is a Mondeo XR5 which is quick but the Mx5 is too much fun. The only drawback is my car didn't have AC fitted as an option which cuts the weight but means it's almost unusable in mid summer when it's 40 degrees and with the top down you will burn up in the sun - morning and evening driving only. But driving along the Indian Ocean during a summer night is just heaven.

A modern day classic and still evolving today. Nice one.

Great review as always, I've a 99 one in green, great on backroads, value for money is unreal on these.

Finally an MX5 on the channel. Nothing quite like them - nothing rusts quite like them either!

Gorgeous (and very rare) example of an NB. Good content on this channel. Plenty of real world interesting content.

Another very well presented video! Nice colour! Mx5 always been one of my favourite cars. 👍

It's my week off but I woke up at the time I usually wake up for work. But then I saw you posted a video and everything was better

Lovely review on a iconic little sports car, first time I am up early enough to watch.

An FD video, Yeay! The thing I look forward to the most on YT. I really like the 6 speed gearbox in this MX5 iteration but the overall look of the Mk1 is still unsurpassed in my eyes

I was recently looking at getting a 10th anniversary one here in Australia. You forgot a few details on this particular model. Bilstein shocks all round, engine bay brace for structural rigidity, blue roof rather than the black etc. in Australia a roll cage was also standard. I didn't get it due to price so instead I got a BMW Z4 e85 3 litre. Upgrade at a cheaper price.

Well, sir, you know my opinion on the Mark II MX-5. Absolutely fantastic, just got to make sure that regular rust inspections occur and one can live with the typically limited roadster practicality. Apart from that, almost 100 per cent brilliance!

The " Seat of your Pants" Driving style in a car like that hearkens to a time when, Getting there was fun, not the chore it can be today. Thanks for the reminder of the brighter side of driving.

Hi Matt,what a nice MX-5, being a 10th anniversary motor I would keep it for shows and driving once in a while but it's a clean one.

What is even harder to believe is this car is 20 years old now. Also in 1998 when I was 18, I had a Kawasaki AR125 and spent much time riding around on that bike and often thought in many years time I would reminisce about these events. Sure enough, 22 years later I do indeed. Where has the time gone?

Excellent video lovely car I’m a bit like yourself when it comes to soft tops but I can See the enjoyment.

Now, thats a proper sports car! Stunning!

Very nice example of a good sports car, for me not a patch on the Honda s2000 which is a real hooligan ! Would love to see you get your hands on one of those Mat.

Probably one of the cleanest Mk2 MX5’s around.

Get yourself a nice ropey NA. I did - ideal project car. Had my '95 1.8iS for three years now I bought mine for £890 with 110000 miles and drove it all the way home to Southern France. Had some rust issues which I've solved. Love it to death... I've done another 25000 since and apart from a failed injector and normal maintenance she hasn't missed a beat. I've brought another two over since for mates who fell in love with mine. Buy one NOW as prices are already on the up. You'll never regret it.

5:17 the cutout is actually perfect for my phone, with a rubber case it just holds the phone at just at the right angle so you can see the GPS ;)

Gorgeous MX5 I owned couple of different ones back in the day a mk1 1.6, a mk2.5 1.8 Nevada Edition and a mk3 2.0 sport. The mk1 and 2s had the sweet revvy original Mazda twin cam engine. I didn’t like the engine fitted on the mk3 which was based on the Ford Mondeo engine as Ford had bought Mazda out by then.It was not very responsive and pretty gutless for a 2.0 litre👍

I do swear you have a soft spot for convertibles esp manuals, It looks so sweet, great review as normal

These things seem to get better with age. Probably because there is nothing quite like them any more.

Lovely old motor. The blue interior is a bit meh for me though. Bonnet is made from aluminium, that's why it is so lightweight.

Thanks for the insight. Now we know why so many people rave about these little machines.

Love them! That's a nice example and the history as a press car really adds to it! How has your relationship with stone cold classics come about? Are you their photographer?

I had the Icon Edition but this is much nicer both in terms of looks and the condition

you seem to sit lower in the Mrk 2 than Mrk 1 , but yea I agree fun little roadster with lovely gear box and👍🏿

Brilliant example of a great little car. I've never driven one but I'd love to. It just looks so engaging. Another one of those cars that would make you smile every time you drove it. Think they'd swap it for your Rover convertible ?

The polished alloy wheels are a bit California, and you'd certainly want a set of standard alloys if you want to enjoy driving it as well as taking it to shows, but that really is a gorgeous example of a fantastic, and, as others have said, hugely underrated car... A point that is important to make with earlier versions of the MX5, and that a lot of owners don't seem to realise, is that you absolutely don't put aftermarket alloys on them. In order to get the suspension geometry exactly right, the engineers used very unusual offset wheels which just don't seem to be produced in aftermarket wheels as they would be unique solely to the MX5 and having incorrect offset wheels has a hugely detrimental effect on the handling precision. Another important point is that the factory MX5 alloys were specially cast to be very light, and much lighter than most aftermarket wheels, other than those designed for racing, are. Putting heavier wheels on a car will hugely upset its' ride quality and behaviour on bumpy roads. So, basically, if you put aftermarket wheels on an MX5, you're making it worse, and often a lot worse. There are now aftermarket wheels available that are made to the specs of the factory wheels, particularly the ones that are produced for the various racing series, but they are expensive, however, Mazda did use a pretty wide variety of alloy wheel styles on the MX5, and even more on the JDM vehicles that were never available outside Japan, so if you want to change your wheels there's a good chance you'll be able to find a factory set that you like and that will work with the engineering of the car. And, naturally, with the MX5 fan base being worldwide, and with the benefits of internet shopping, there's a very good chance you'll be able to have a set delivered to your doorstep, even if they are a style that were available only in Japan. If you want to spend that sort of money, and your local Mazda dealer parts people are friendly and happy to do a bit of keyboard bashing on your behalf, a lot of the styles are still available brand new from Mazda, even though a lot of them will be special order from Japan rather than in local or national stock, though Mazda special order from HQ is still pretty rapid, taking between a week and about a month depending on the size of the parts ordered...

I have a green restored Mk2 SE. Spent a fortune on it but enjoy driving it as my only car.

I think the Mk2 is my favourite of them all.

Great car...great Tilley!

Lovely Jubbly review, got to be the best Japanese car, shame how they can rust though.

Owning a Mazda MX5 MK1 and Ford Focus MK1 I can honestly say if you've driven either of these cars and said anything negative towards how it drives and handles... you've driven a lemon of an example. After owning a P6 2000... I can say the same but apart from going round any corner :)

Are you going to do the Toyota MR2 coldstone classics have at the moment?

Still can't see... still half asleep... One word: WANT! (I envy you! :D)

I found it difficult to like the second gen MX5 after the cool original with flip head lamps, and I always thought the MGF/TF was more interesting to drive and looked a bit better than the second generation MX5. But they are a good car, this one is in a very nice colour.

What a beauty

First thing I do in office... Watch Furiousdriving...

I had a NC & didn't really gef on with it. I do wonder if I'd get on with a NB better?

MX5's rust like made which is why so many have gone.. Many of them have needed lots of welding to stay on the road. The beauty of the MX5 isn't just the styling but the body can be removed as well so you can do a a full restoration or a re shell. The mk1 is the best looking one.

Aren't you supposed to unzip the rear window before dropping the roof on those NBs? Think I can get the roof up and back down again in 12 seconds in my NC...

Managed to pick one of these up for just under 1k! needs a bit of TLC though! do you know what happened to this one? looks like there is no tax details which means it might have been scrapped? :(

On the Japanese theme I'd love it if you could track down a Mitsuoka.... The little Nissan Micra based car that tried to look like a shrunken 60s Jaguar

If you flip up the plastic where the cup holder is, it then makes 2 cup holders! :-)

what a great car!

I want one of these!

Nice car, shame about the balancing weights on the wheels though!

Are you sure 1265kg is the weight of the car? That actually sounds rather heavy--Parkers says a 10th anniversary one of these weighs 1047kg, which sounds more like the sort of ballpark you'd expect.

YES YES YES Thats what im talking about.

00:33 mini Jaguar...

1265kg? Hardly seems light. The (contemporary) Mazda Xedos6 saloon was only 1290kg. Those wheels aren't chromed, btw; as the booklet states, they're polished alloy.

As a kid when this was new I thought it look like jag xk8

Wow, what a stunning example. Must be worth a few pennies.........

Japtastic!

What's an untouched mk2 worth?

Would this be a good first car

The mx5 is about the only convertible I wouldn't feel embarrassed to drive about in with the roof down.

It weighs almost exactly same as a sedan Volvo 740! Also it's 200kg heavier than the NA MX5...

My locally based hairdresser Natalie has one, a plum coloured one, reg W588 XOB.

This is a proper soft top unlike the rover.

Should be good

I don't want to give this car back and its a convertible. Nough said for me. Mazda should always be honoured for this one.

Jesus are they mud terrain tyre's.

Unusual to see an MX5 that hasn't dissolved into a pile of rust. Why were Japanese cars of the 80's and 90's do poorly protected against corrosion?

Sadly the first thing that comes to my mind whenever MX5 is mentioned is rust.

Or 323

European cars don't have chrome wheels because we have good taste nothing to do with salt.

Th ultimate driving machine BMW? No MX5 !

Never driven one so cant comment but a lovely car for the misses!!!!! So get your wallet out !!!!!!! I would imagine they drive a little bit like a lotus elise.......stay safe 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧👍👍👍👍👍☕☕☕☕☕

It's such a shame they did that to the front end.

Nice cars but not a patch on the last version of the MR2.

*Sigh*...chromed alloy wheels...if ever I had to admit to a motoring-related guilty pleasure, chromed alloy wheels would be it. Park one of these and a PT Cruiser Limited on my driveway and I'd be very happy. Probably the most ridiculed person on my street, but still 😂

Ah the MX5. A great car, my grandfather had an NA, NB and NC all in a row when I was younger. I wouldnt go for one myself though. They're not as fast and don't handle as well as an MG TF, and it definitelydoesn't sound as good. However compared to the Z3 my Uncle had the MX5s were spaceships, what a catastrophically awful car the Z3 was.

Air Conditioning? Whats the point in a rag top unless one lives in Manchester, where it's wet and humid in Summer. Definitely a younger persons car as all you were constantly doing was shifting up and down the box. Far too much effort for one in their dotage, an auto every time now. Why did the Japanese switch the stalks around ? probably the same reason they switched the brake and gearshift on their bikes, very confusing if constantly changing from British to Japanese and back.

Love the car, the wheels look a bit naff, but otherwise everything a roadster should be. I think of it as a classic British roadster... built by Mazda...but they forgot to include the poor build quality and lack of reliability. Come on Mazda, you must try harder!

Please don't listen to those saying "sushi" is appropriate. Have some humor.

Currently including hipster tax because every vaper thinks it's the dogs bollocks. Good idea in theory just underpower from factory, and personally for me: uninspiring japanese styling (they got the last one right though).