Mazda MX5 10^th Anniversary Limited Edition

The Mazda MX5 is one of the most popular open – top sports cars of all time.  On the 8^th of February 1999 the 500,000^th MX5 was rolled of the production line.  The 10^th Anniversary edition has the all the features of the standard MX5 and much more including its stunning black mica paint, its smart two tone black leather and hard wearing blue suede interior trim and its eye catching highly polished 15" alloys.

This car is strictly limited, each car comes with a specially minted badge, each with a unique number.  Each owner will also receive a boxed commemoration box set including a pair of specially commissioned Seiko MX-5 watches, a replica model MX-5 Anniversary car and a MX-5 special Anniversary key-ring.

The Mazda MX5 captures the roadster sprit perfectly and is still recognisable as a MX5.  Rover and BMW should be worried as the Mazda MX5 is better than ever.  The MX5 is stylish, fun to drive, not to quick and built to last.

The more eagle-eyed will have spotted the faired-in headlamps that replace the old model's pop-up units. Look closely and you'll also see new body-coloured door handles, revised rear lamps and a high level brake light mounted on the boot lid.

The cabin hasn't escaped the changes, either. Although it doesn't look remarkably different, the materials are better quality. It's now an even more practical car as the boot is bigger, thanks to moving the spare wheel and jack.

What you can't see are the most important changes, the slightly wider track, revised suspension and stiffer body that ensure that the MX-5 stays comfortably at the top for driver enjoyment.

It's hard to put your finger on exactly what has changed, but there is an abiding feeling that the new car is better. There's less creaking from the body over poor surfaces and less roll around tight bends. Most importantly, it's still a cracking drive.

The steering and gearchange hardly needed any improvement, but they are better still, the gearchange is even sweeter and the steering (power assisted on all models) boasts more feedback than it did before.

As ever, it's the handling that sets the MX-5 apart. Its rear-wheel drive chassis is superbly balanced and even though both the 1.6 and 1.8 litre engines have more power (and better fuel economy as well), it's as delightful as ever to drive hard - a real sports car. Down a twisting country road, it displays a balance and poise that must leave other car makers green with envy.

Specification