For This entry-level MX-5 is our pick of the range. For an incredibly low price you get a roadster that looks a million dollars, is huge fun to drive and doesn't cost too much to run.

Against Standard kit is in short supply. There's no air conditioning, side airbags or stability control. The engine sounds gruff and needs to be worked hard if you want to make swift progress.

Mazda MX-5 Open

What Car? says

5 out of 5 stars

This is no-frills open-top motoring at its best. The MX-5 is guaranteed to put a big smile on your face and this version is cheap to buy and run.

What Car? readers say

4.515152
Calculate equipment options
Comfort
Electric steering adjust Not Available
Electric Sunroof Not Available
Manual sunroof Not Available
Air conditioning Not Available
Cruise control Not Available
Electric mirrors Standard
Heated mirrors Standard
Electric windows front Standard
Electric windows rear Not Available
Seat height adjustment Standard
Climate Control Pack Only
Power Steering Standard
Steering adjustment reach Not Available
Steering adjustment rake Standard
Power Seats Not Available
Heated Seats Pack Only
Panoramic sunroof Not Available
Electric Panoramic Sunroof Not Available
Power Folding Mirror Not Available
Engine & Transmission
Auto Not Available
CVT Not Available
Tiptronic Not Available
Particulate filter Not Available
Entertainment
Radio/Cassette Not Available
RDS Radio/Cassette Not Available
CD Standard
Multi CD Not Available
MP3/iPod Connection Standard
DVD Player Not Available
MP3 CD Player Standard
RDS CD Standard
Hard Drive Not Available
Exterior
Metallic paint £460
Alloy wheels Standard
Front Foglights Not Available
Powered sliding doors Not Available
Interior
Hands Free Phone Kit Not Available
Satellite navigation Not Available
Leather Seats Not Available
Split/fold seats Not Available
Bluetooth Not Available
7 seat pack Not Available
Safety
Passenger airbag Standard
Side airbags Not Available
ABS Standard
3 Point centre belt Not Available
Driver's airbag Standard
Belt pretensioners Standard
Side Impact Bars Standard
Traction control Not Available
Curtain Airbag Not Available
Rear Parking Sensor Not Available
Electronic stability programme Not Available
On/Off Passenger Airbag Standard
Driver's knee airbag Not Available
Reversing Camera Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers Not Available
Adaptive Cruise Control Not Available
Lane Departure Warning Not Available
Front Parking Sensor Not Available
Passenger Knee Airbag Not Available
Security
Alarm Standard
Immobiliser Standard
Deadlocks Standard
Central locking Standard
Remote locking Standard
Unique fit stereo Standard
Marked Parts Standard
Etched Windows Standard
Locking Wheel nuts Standard
Visible VIN Standard
Secure spare wheel Not Available
Satellite tracking Not Available
Laminated Glass Not Available
Options calculator Price
Metallic paint £460
Total Price: £17,995
Running costs
Town mpg 28.8
Out of town mpg 50.4
Average mpg 39.8
Tank capacity (litres) 50
CO2 Rating (g/km) 167
Carbon offset cost £24
Green rating H
Insurance group 22
Typical insurance £640.00
% Value retained (3yrs/36000 miles) 44%
Typical contract hire £296.00
Pence per mile 52
Servicing costs - 3 years £866.00
Service intervals 12.5k/1yr
Warranty period 3yr/60k + 3yr Paint + 12yr Perforation + 3yr Breakdown
Three-year cost£15,795
Company car tax
Percentage charge 24
Benefit in kind £4,239.00
Tax payable 20% £848.00
Tax payable 40% £1,696.00

Performance and measurements

Body type Open
Number of doors 2
Number of seats 2
Engine (cc/type) 1798/4
Number of Valves 16
Fuel type Unleaded
Max power (bhp/rpm) 125/6500
Pulling power (lb/ft) 123
Engine position F
Driven wheels Rear
Length (mm) 4020
Width (mm) 1720
Height (mm) 1245
Front headroom (mm) 950
Front legroom (mm) 1096
Boot space (min ltr) 150
Boot space (max ltr) 150
Turning circle (m) 9.4
Kerb weight (kg) 1150
Manufacturers figures
0-60 mph (secs) 9.9
Max speed (mph) 121
Euro NCAP Test Scores
Adult protection Unavailable
Child protection Unavailable
Pedestrian protection Unavailable

View the whole Mazda MX-5 Open range