I hate to admit it but mid-life is coming up eerily fast for me and the warm winter start has got me looking at cars that would traditionally have been put away in storage at this time. As much as my SUV does the job of lugging kids and cargo around, sometimes I just want a small car for me. Something to zip around in, fun to drive, and easy to maintain.
After a few drives in 2-seater cars, the 2016 Mazda MX-5 made the top of my list & here’s why:
Some of you may remember the MX-5’s predecessor – the Mazda Miata. The new MX-5 has gorgeous lines all around that give it a modern look. The front headlights and grille are thinner and angled, giving it an aggressive look.
I’m a fan of the Mazda infotainment unit. It’s simple and sleek, and doesn’t clutter the dash or distract the driver with too much information.
The HMI Commander Switch next to the gearshift allows the driver to toggle between menus on the screen (be it phone, navigation, etc) with minimal distraction.
I also like that the display on the dash is NOT a touch screen so I don’t need to take my eyes off the road to look at what I’m selecting. And no more fingerprints on the screen – bonus!
The Mazda MX-5 is fun to drive! This 2-seater is smaller than some other roadsters and was very responsive during my road test. Although this car doesn’t have as much horsepower as some others in its class boast, the MX-5 has the advantage of being much lighter so the power-to-weight ratio is still impressive.
The trunk space isn’t huge but then again, I’m not planning any Costco shopping trips with this car. There’s enough space for my work gear and if I needed to stop at the grocery store on my way home, I can fit the usual last-minute items.
To be honest, I’ve never been a fan of convertibles but the MX-5 might have changed my opinion. The soft top is incredibly easy to use and I could drop the top in seconds. Instant sunshine into the car!
Ok, as an auto service technician, I’m forever looking under the hood of every prospective vehicle. If the layout doesn’t make sense to me in terms of basic do-it-yourself maintenance, that’s a real turnoff for me. The components on the 2016 Mazda MX-5 are well laid out with the battery up top and easy access to read the fluid reservoir levels.
This sports roadster starts at $31,900 CAD – a very reasonable price especially when compared to other cars in its class. If you’re eyeing a fun car in addition to your family’s minivan, the 2016 Mazda MX-5 is definitely worth a test drive. Grocery shopping just got more exciting!
Images courtesy of Imprint MG
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