MX-5 AKA Miata

The two seat convertible sports car MX-5 used to be known as the Mazda Miata. I care because one brother is on his second. Then, in response to this post, another brother recently asked out of the blue "What car would you car geeks recommend to help me understand car mechanics and driving dynamics?"

Aha, the chance to pass on automotive enlightenment! I've owned a Triumph TR-6 and a flotilla of VWs. My other brother (a Jeep guy and oddly enough, Mazda guy too) and I both said, "Mazda Miata". "Aww", whined other brother, "I want a hairy chested man's car like James May drove top-down in the rain on Top Gear". Er, that would be a TR-6. Enter the Prince of Darkness. Jeep bro and I looked at each other. This was so wrong on so many levels.

The TR-6 is a wonderful idea of a sportscar. Especially the wooden dashboard and the mellifluous sound of the inline 6. But a TR-6, like any of it's British contemporaries, was Quixotically designed and incompetently assembled. And vice-versa. For someone who has never really turned a wrench, let alone a Whitworth wrench, a TR-6 can be an expensive and frustrating experience. Even a well-restored example requires constant attention by somebody knowledgeable.

Enter the Mazda Miata. Prince of Darkness begone! The Miata is the classic British roadster writ in Japanese. Which means English two-seat convertible goodness built with bulletproof Japanese reliability. No wonder they sold so many.

Here's Jeremy Clarkson on the MX-5 in today's Times. Put up with him through page 1, page 2 is where he starts on the Miata.