Is the Mazda MX-5 a good first car?
This cute little convertible has been a staple for young and old car enthusiasts. But is the Mazda MX-5 a good first car?
The Mazda MX-5 has a long and illustrious international history, with the model spanning 35 years since the first one rolled off the production line.
When you ask someone to think about a convertible, the Mazda MX-5 is usually the first car that pops into their head.
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Offering a cheap and easy-to-maintain starting point for young car enthusiasts, they’ve been an extremely popular choice to modify and a sporty option that’s not too overwhelming for inexperienced drivers.
The MX-5 spans four generations: the NA (1989–1997), NB (1998–2005), NC (2005–2015) and ND (2015–current). All four are powered by four-cylinder engines in a variety of engine sizes, and all are front-engine, rear-wheel drive.
The NA and NB MX-5s are the two most similar models. Despite the NB losing the pop-up headlights seen on the NA, they share most of their chassis and suspension components. The NA came to Australia with a 1.6-litre, and you can sometimes find a Japanese import with the bigger 1.8-litre. The NB only came to Australia with the 1.8-litre, and later models (2001–2005) were fitted with VVTI for added power and efficiency.
When the NC MX-5 landed in Australia, it provided a new outlook for the model: a whole new chassis, engine, and suspension set-up. Now powered by a 2.0-litre engine with more power than ever, it also had the option of an electric retractable hardtop roof.
The ND MX-5 again upgraded the technology of the model. Available in a 1.5-litre (until 2021) or a 2.0-litre, the ND offered the choice between the cheaper manually retractable soft-top roof or a gorgeous ‘RF’, which stood for ‘retractable fastback’. The latter electrically folds the roof into the roof holder, leaving you with a Targa-style fastback.
With four generations of MX-5 and 35 years of history, we answer the question, ‘is the Mazda MX-5 a good first car?’ and which generation you should be looking at for your first ride.
Is the Mazda MX-5 P-plate legal?
Most of them are. All NA, NB and NC naturally aspirated models are P-plate legal in all states and territories with a power-to-weight restriction of 130kW per tonne (Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, and Queensland).
However, some ND models are not, as is the limited-edition turbocharged NB Mazdaspeed MX-5.
The following MX-5 models are not P-plate legal:
- All 2.0-litre 2018-current soft-top ND MX-5s
- All 2.0-litre RS-badged ND MX-5s, both retractable roof and soft-top
- NB SP/Mazdaspeed turbocharged model
This is due to the 2018-current models’ power bump from 118kW to 135kW. The retractable hardtop models only just scrape under the limit at 123.9kW per tonne, while RS-badged models with the hardtop shed some weight, bumping the car to 135.8kW per tonne.
The soft-top models with the updated engine start at 133kW per tonne.
Since there are a plethora of different models, it’s best to double-check what is P-plate legal via the VicRoads website here (this site also covers the same rules as other states with power-to-weight restrictions) before purchasing the car.
The benefits of a Mazda MX-5 as a first car
Perhaps one of the main allures of the MX-5 as a first car across all generations is the fact that they are one of the only two-seater sporty rear-wheel-drive cars you can legally drive on your P-plates.
Although it may seem terrifying for parents to put their children into a rear-wheel-drive sports car as their first option, one of the main focuses for Mazda engineers when it comes to the MX-5 is to have a perfect 50/50 front and rear weight ratio. This promotes a stable and easy-to-drive car.
Another key fact that has always been a part of the MX-5 is the car’s power curve. Unlike other cars, which have a particularly peaky and sharp power curve that can catch new drivers out, the Mazda MX-5 makes all of its power high up in the rev range.
This means you have to stamp on the throttle and hold it pinned to experience all of the power this car offers. This makes the nature of the car forgiving and easier to drive than something that is turbocharged or has more torque lower in the rev range.
Regarding safety, it should be noted that ANCAP testing evolves each year, so new testing considers things such as driver aids and employs more stringent crash-testing scenarios. Therefore, it would not be fair for us to judge the early models of MX-5 (NA and NB).
On the other hand, the ND scored some excellent results when it was tested in 2016. With a five-star rating, you can rest assured knowing your children are safe and protected by two front, side chest and side head-protecting airbags.
Some models of the NB and all of the NC/ND models have roll-over protection bars behind the seat’s headrests for added safety. If you are concerned about roll-over safety on some older models of MX-5, there are a plethora of bars and roll cages that bolt straight on and are available off the shelf in Australia.
The MX-5 is also available in automatic for those who are struggling to learn a manual gearbox. You will more commonly see the NC and ND in automatic; however, the ND does have hill-start assist in the manual, which will help with the learning curve.
In terms of electronic safety, the NB was the first model to feature anti-lock brakes. The NC then added stability control and traction control, and finally, the ND employed blind-spot indicators and parking sensors.
The 2019–current MX-5 also applied autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane-departure warning and reverse AEB to some trim levels and then applied to all trim levels in 2022.
Being a small-capacity four-cylinder, they’re also easy on fuel, which means more money in your back pocket.
- 1989–1997 NA 1.6-litre – 7.2L/100km
- 1998–2001 NB1 1.8-litre – 7.8L/100km
- 2001–2005 NB2 1.8-litre VVTI – 8.1L/100km
- 2005–2015 NC 2.0-litre – 8.1L/100km
- 2015–2021 ND 1.5-litre – 6.4L/100km
- 2015–Current ND 2.0-litre – 6.9L/100km
Parts for all generations are a dime a dozen in Australia. They have a cult following, with multiple MX-5 dedicated tuning shops around the country. They’re a simple and easy way for new enthusiasts to learn how to work on a car.
While the newer model MX-5s do feature a few bits of new technology, at their core, they are still a very simple four-cylinder small-capacity naturally aspirated engine that will last hundreds of thousands of kilometres if you look after them.
The downsides of a Mazda MX-5 as a first car
There are a few downsides to the MX-5 as a first car. However, the price is something that needs to be kept in mind. If you want to opt for the safest and most technologically advanced MX-5, which would be any model from 2019 onwards, you will need a budget of around $40,000.
While it is a spectacular car for the money, the majority of P-platers will certainly not have a budget that high. You will also pay a premium for an automatic model.
While the NA and NB MX-5s are the cheapest options, the NA only came automatic as an import model, and it was an ultra-rare option in Australia for the NB MX-5. Your best bet is to keep an eye out for an NC, which starts around the $15,000 mark, or an ND, which starts around $27,000.
Your options are also limited for the ND MX-5. With the 1.5-litre discontinuing in Australia in 2021, you will have to opt for the more expensive retractable hardtop to have a P-plate-legal car.
For parents looking to keep their children safe, you must remember these are rear-wheel-drive cars, which opens a whole new world of hooning to young drivers. While they do not have the most power, there is still enough to spin the tyres if they disengage the stability control via the button on the centre console. If you are looking to purchase one of these for your children, then it is worth having a chat with them about safely controlling their vehicle.
That said, some P-platers will hoon just about anything from a Mitsubishi Mirage to a Holden Commodore, so you have to be completely comfortable and trusting that your child won’t do anything to put themselves at risk.
The NA MX-5 also came without airbags, and the NB only has two, so if you’re after a safer vehicle, it is best to opt for NC or newer models.
With the NA models now over 30 years old, you will need to look out for rust. They tend to rust behind the guards and lower kick panel. Being the most popular model for collectors, they’re also slowly climbing in price.
Is the Mazda MX-5 a good first car?
The newer NC and ND models are an excellent option for first drivers with a larger budget. Specifically, the 2022–current model would be the best option as it is covered under factory warranty, features plenty of driver assistance, and is easy on the pocket for fuel.
The earlier models are also a good first car for young enthusiasts. You miss out on the safety features of the later models and the factory warranty, but they are relatively affordable.
Not only this, but the earlier models are extremely popular in Australia and overseas. If you’re interested in modifying your cars, then you can’t go wrong with buying an NA or NB MX-5, thanks to their wide parts compatibility, aftermarket parts support, and the sheer number of tutorials you can find on YouTube.
If you’re short on cash, the NB Series 1 tends to sell for under $10,000 running and registered, which is an excellent price for a two-seater rear-wheel-drive sports car.
However, a young driver behind the wheel of a rear-wheel-drive sporty machine as their first ride comes with responsibility. As mentioned previously, if you’re a parent interested in purchasing an MX-5 as your child’s first car, then it is worth having a long chat about that responsibility.
That said, they’re easy to maintain, well-handling, low-power, and forgiving cars to start your motoring journey in.
Find used Mazda MX-5s for sale near you
Looking to buy a Mazda MX-5? Drive’s used-car marketplace currently has you sorted with an assortment of MX-5s for sale across Australia.
Click here to browse the used Mazda MX-5s for sale near you.
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