WEALTH October 27, 2025 0 Comments

Why Mazda’s MX-5 Still Dominates the Road—and What That Means for Your Next Investment Move

They say 35 is the new 25—but when it comes to the Mazda MX-5, this old-timer is defying every expectation. Imagine this: while most of us at 35 have started trading in our sprinting shoes for sensible loafers, the MX-5 is still tearing up the asphalt like a wild stallion. How many sports cars can boast a lifespan where facelifts are nearly a decade apart—and yet remain utterly thrilling? That’s the magic of this iconic roadster: lightweight, nimble, and stupidly fun, it’s a testament to engineering that understands the pure joy of driving. You don’t just drive the MX-5; you become one with it. It’s like holding a joystick in your hand, ready to dart through winding Irish backroads, feeling every heartbeat of the Japanese « Kodo » design ethos pulsing beneath you. So, is it just a car, or has Mazda crafted the ultimate expression of driving pleasure that refuses to age like the rest of us? Buckle up—the MX-5 is ready to show you what 35 years of brilliance really looks like. LEARN MORE

Mazda’s brilliant MX-5 may be 35 years old, but it’s still one of the finest sports cars out there, writes Philip Nolan

In human terms, 35 is not old, and at least you now could consider a run for the presidency, but you certainly would have changed a lot over those years.

You would be taller, probably a little broader, and already maybe a little past your prime when it comes to speed, agility and endurance.

No such worries present for the Mazda MX-5, which reached that age last year.

So little tinkering has been done with the iconic car that the minor changes in this year’s edition are the first since 2015.

In an era when some cars get facelifts every couple of years, that’s pretty remarkable, but then why tamper with perfection?

There is, after all, a reason why, with well over a million sold, this is the bestselling sports car in the world, a classic two-seater convertible roadster that, euro for euro, offers some of the best driving fun you can have. A lot of it is down to the six-speed manual transmission.

Yes, when you’re stuck in traffic, automatic makes more sense, but when you’re chucking this light piece of machinery around the back roads of Co. Wexford, you want more than that.

The short-throw setup becomes almost like an arcade game joystick as you gleefully gun the pedal and switch between the gears.

I took the car for a long drive the day I collected it, with a lot of motorway distance to cover and in that environment it is comfortable, yes, but there’s always the fear other road users won’t see you because it’s not much over a metre tall — and, yes, for the older driver, graceful entry and exit are hit and miss too.

Mine was only a day trip, but if you have to stay overnight anywhere, the 130-litre boot isn’t going to cut the mustard in the luggage department. But what matter?

The MX-5 is designed for pure driving pleasure.

I tested the 130hp 1.5-litre version, though you can opt for a more powerful 180hp 2.0-litre version that reduces the 0-100kph acceleration time from 8.3 to 6.5 seconds, and costs €43,290 compared with the €39,890 here.

So what actually has changed?

Well, there are advanced LED headlights that now seamlessly combine with the daytime running lights.

The rear lights have undergone ‘subtle revisions’, Mazda says, and they indeed are so subtle as to be almost unnoticeable.

The turning signals also now are LED.

There is a new paint option, Aero Grey Metallic, which replaces Platinum Quartz, and 16- and 17-inch wheel designs.

Inside, there’s a new, bigger 8.8-inch screen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a frameless rearview mirror and a suede-like seat material called Leganu that really is very comfortable and designed to keep your derrière firmly planted when you hare around corners, rather than sliding on leather.

That all seems very sensible given the fact that the overall look, called Kodo — the Japanese for heartbeat, which is apt given how quickly it rises when you’re driving — won World Car of the Year Design, and World Car of the Year overall, in 2016.

And, honestly, it just works. I defy anyone to look at this car and not swoon.

If it reminds me of anything, it’s those paper aeroplanes we made as kids, a slender dart with mischievous intent.

Safety is well addressed too, with lane departure warning and lane-keep assist standard on all models.

Emergency brake assist is applied when the car senses vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians ahead, while smart brake support rear crossing detects obstacles to the left, right and rear when the car is reversing at speeds between zero and 15kph.

There is also an active bonnet that springs up in the event of a collision with a pedestrian, creating a crumple zone above the rigid engine parts beneath for injury mitigation.

As for space, well, yes, it is a little tight, especially when both seats are in use, but the plus side of that is it reinforces the traditional ‘jinbaittai’ philosophy behind the MX-5.

It’s Japanese for the unity between horse and rider, and the core strength of this wonderful car.

You really do feel it as an extension of yourself and the really great thing is that even at 60-70kph, you feel like you’re doing much more than that because you’re so close to, and connected with, the road.

The MX-5 is a modern icon, the car that has brought the pleasure of sporty driving to the mass market.

Roof up or roof down, it’s a thrilling piece of kit, and I loved every second of my week in it.