First Drive: 2016 Mazda MX-5

Mazda prides itself on building cars that are fun to drive, and the Mazda MX-5 roadster, also known as the Mazda Miata, has been the purest expression of that principle for several decades. The original MX-5 was a huge hit when it was first released in 1989, and now Mazda has completely redesigned the roadster using the original version as an inspiration.

I had the opportunity to drive the all-new 2016 MX-5 on some incredible mountain roads just north of Los Angeles as Mazda introduced the new vehicle to the press, and it was by far one of the most enjoyable driving experiences I’ve had in the past several years. I had a smile planted on my face all day as I pushed the MX-5 through challenging turns through the scenic mountain roads. The MX-5 is a fine-tuned machine that will impress anyone who still appreciates the driving experience.

Exterior

Browse through the photos of the new MX-5 and you’ll see design that matches the impressive driving experience. After years of making incremental changes, the look of the MX-5 had grown a bit stale. It looked adequate but hardly inspiring.

Mazda went back to the drawing board and came up with a beautiful, modern design featuring sharp lines and curves worthy of this iconic roadster. I particularly liked the red Miata we tested with the black wheels.

Mazda designers created a lower and sleeker profile, giving the impression of a vehicle gripping the road, which perfectly represents the sensation you feel when driving the MX-5.

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Reasons to buy a convertible

BMW convertible

Convincing your significant other that it’s a good idea to invest in a convertible is a job in itself. Driving in one of these bad boys has always been a dream of yours, but you need to convince her that you aren’t going through a mid-life crisis. You’ve worked hard, you put in the time, you saved the money – you just want a sweet ride dammit! We hear you, and that’s why we are here to help. Here are some reasons (excuses) as to why buying a convertible is a justifiable idea.

You’ll get your daily dose of vitamin D

Considering we are already a time poor society, who really has the time to take a daily vitamin? (although by this stage in your life, you are probably already taking at least five.) Continuously having to purchase vitamins can be expensive, but what if I told you that you could save yourself some money by eliminating one of the issues you’re supplementing? If you are currently dealing with a vitamin D deficiency, that problem can be easily eradicated by purchasing a convertible. Every time you hop into your swanky new ride, you’ll be relishing in the nutritious ultra violet rays the sun provides you.

Unlimited head room

How many times has this happened to you: You’ve on the road, when all of a sudden you come across a statue sale, not just any old regular sculpture – a jumbo Buddha statue sale. You know a deal like this isn’t going to come around very often (you’ve been dreaming about a massive Buddha in your yard for years), but you’re currently driving a sedan so how on earth are you going to fit this thing in your car? You could always just hire a removalist, but that will cost money, they’re not open on a Sunday and the sale is only for one day. This wouldn’t be an issue if you were driving a convertible; you can easily slide that bodacious beauty into your car right then and there and plant it in your garden that afternoon as a nice surprise for the special lady in your life.

Fosters an interest in science

Learning about astronomy in school is boring; it’s all slideshow presentations and videos from the 80’s. If you want your kids to learn about the universe, you’ve got to take a hands on approach and let them experience it for themselves. By taking them for a late night drive in your convertible to look at the stars, you may just be nurturing the next NASA astronaut or rocket scientist.

Your own personal hairdryer

If you’ve been spending a half hour in the morning blow-drying and primping your luscious locks, you may have noticed the damage your morning routine has place on your quarterly electricity bill. With a convertible, not only do you cut down on the time it takes to dry your hair, you’ll leave the car with that perfect windblown look only achievable in shampoo commercials. Not to mention, your electricity invoice will thank you for conserving so much energy.

A relationship saver

Think about it, when was the last time you saw a sour looking couple driving around with the top down? When you’re out in the open air, the combination of wind noise and exposure to other vehicles makes a fight in a convertible jaguar less likely than in a hatchback.