Mazda MX-5 review: The best used sports car for 2023
Mazda’s beloved two-seater convertible is fast, fun and fabulous to drive. Here’s how to find a good used one.
Mazda’s beloved two-seater convertible is fast, fun and fabulous to drive. Here’s how to find a good used one.
The Mazda MX-5 is a thrill to drive. It’s light, quick and fuel-efficient—and while you have sportier and higher-performing options for your dollar, few machines are as purebred an athlete (or as easy to live with) as the MX-5, which is exactly why it’s on my list of the best used cars in Canada.
Yes, and it’s worth hunting around for. The supply-chain issues that made it hard to buy certain goods during the pandemic have eased somewhat, but some new-car buyers are still waiting months or even years for their vehicles to arrive. It’s also been harder to buy a used car, as drivers hang on to their existing vehicles longer.
So, what’s a sports car buyer to do? Shop patiently and leave a lot of lead time. The smiles the MX-5 will leave on your face are worth the wait for a good one, like the GS-P trim, which is aimed squarely at enthusiasts with features like a sportier-tuned suspension and a limited slip differential.
Mazda has sold more than a million MX-5s over four generations—and its fans are fiercely loyal. MX-5 owners laud the car for its driving dynamics, reliability and robustness. Its available manual transmission was designed after extensive studies of human ergonomics for the perfect feel. Look for two roof options for your used MX-5: a standard manual cloth top or the optional power retractable hard top (PRHT), which provides that top-down driving experience at the touch of a button.
Calibrated to form a strong and immediate car-to-driver connection, the MX-5 was named the Best Performance Vehicle by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) in 2022, and it boasts a trophy rack of other industry awards from across its long and celebrated history.
With two seats and limited cargo capacity, the Mazda MX-5 is a special car for special occasions—and it can turn just about any drive into one, too. From model year 2020 and on, look for updated colours and badging, as well as a new array of safety equipment added via the Mazda i-Activsense suite of technologies.
If you’re looking to get into the world of weekend motorsports by participating in track days and lapping or autocross events, the MX-5 will set you up nicely. Not only is it durable and easy on its parts, replacement tires, brakes and clutches are much more affordable than higher-dollar two-seaters.
The gear lever in question is attached to one of the best manual transmissions in existence. The MX-5 also has an automatic version, and it’s rather good, too.
The engine, too, is a sweetheart. It received a power bump in 2019, bringing welcomed extra snap and a 7,500-rpm redline that encourages the driver to spin this engine fast. The close-ratio gearbox sees highway cruising revs higher than some drivers will be used to, though the MX-5 remains very easy on fuel despite this, with a light curb weight and aerodynamic body to thank.
The 2-litre engine drives the rear wheels exclusively. Do not underestimate the MX-5’s performance in winter conditions: models with the limited-slip differential and a set of quality winter tires are a blast in the snow, and traction is excellent.
The electric power steering is chatty and rife with high-fidelity feedback, and it is some of the best you’ll find this side of a Porsche badge. Spending time behind the MX-5’s steering wheel is a lot like hugging an old friend—you may not get to do it often, but when you do, you’re instantly reminded of happier times.
Go with a 2019 or newer model to take advantage of the powered-up engine, new backup camera system, and the i-Activsense network of safety features.
Of course, typical sports car constraints do apply. There’s no rear seat and trunk space is highly limited, which means shoppers after a family-ready sports car need to look elsewhere. Interior storage is a little on the limited side, too. The MX-5 is small, which makes it light but also a tight fit for larger drivers who are likely to feel like they’re “wearing” this two-seater. Many sports car drivers love this sensation, your writer included.
The other issue? Mazda’s HMI infotainment system. Once the best in its field, it’s now easily outgunned for the money, especially when it comes to graphics.
As a used sports car, the MX-5 may have been driven hard on a regular basis by past owners. No problem—it’s designed for such work. Just note that this sort of driving can wear out tires and brakes more quickly, so assume you’ll need a new set of both on any used MX-5 you’re considering until you have proof to the contrary.
When assessing a used MX-5, operate the roof in both directions, multiple times. Check for signs of rips or abrasions (or scuffed paint on PRHT models), which can indicate unwanted contact between roof segments that can result in wear, a hole or a leak. The rubber seals in the roof system require regular lubrication to maintain their condition.
Check for signs of water intrusion or damage, too. Though most MX-5 owners do not report leaks, be on the lookout for leather seating that looks discoloured, dried out or rough, as well as signs of moisture or standing water in the vehicle carpeting, the trunk, and in the area where the convertible top is stored. Dealers can adjust the roof mechanism to help combat water leaks, if needed.
If the MX-5 meets your needs as a new-to-you sports car, I’d say go for it. A large and loyal owners’ community buys MX-5s again and again—some people even have more than one. This car’s simple, honest-to-goodness driving thrills and strong reputation for reliable and durable operation make it a near-no-brainer in this segment. Ditto the relatively low running and fuel costs.
Pro tip: Once you’ve found your MX-5, get yourself a trickle charger. You’ll hook this up to the car to condition and recharge its battery while it’s parked for extended periods in storage. Using a trickle charger is a great way to keep the battery (and electronics) in your occasional-use sports car happy and healthy.
Price as tested (when new): $43,650
Body type: 2-door, 2-passenger roadster
Powertrain layout: Front engine/rear wheel drive
Engine: 2.0-litre inline four, DOHC, 16 valves
Horsepower: 181 @ 7,000 rpm
Torque (lb-ft): 151 @ 4,000 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Curb weight: 1,065 kg (2,347 lb)
Observed fuel consumption: 7.2 L/100 km (33 mpg)
Affiliate (monetized) links can sometimes result in a payment to MoneySense (owned by Ratehub Inc.), which helps our website stay free to our users. If a link has an asterisk (*) or is labelled as “Featured,” it is an affiliate link. If a link is labelled as “Sponsored,” it is a paid placement, which may or may not have an affiliate link. Our editorial content will never be influenced by these links. We are committed to looking at all available products in the market. Where a product ranks in our article, and whether or not it’s included in the first place, is never driven by compensation. For more details, read our MoneySense Monetization policy.
Share this article Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Share on Reddit Share on Email