Agreed. It was right concept at the right time and the right price. A friend has had three and loves them. I've looked and pondered at MX5s, but for me, a bit too modern and soft. But I get it.
Not sure what you mean by "soft", but yes it is relatively modern. But what impressed me on my test drive was the obvious care that had gone in to refining it, by which I mean that the gear shift was a delight and by far the best I have ever experienced, the engine was remarkably smooth but still revvy, the handling was full of chuckability and the ride was good. In many ways the car is still a development of the original but unlike with cars such as say the MGB or TR, there actually has been serious development over time..
If what you are looking for is a modern version of say an MGB, then the MX5 is it beyond doubt.. As far as I can see the only significant issue is corrosion risk and my only personal issue is the seat comfort, though the latter is down to my accident damage as much as anything.
I was almost as impressed by my test of the latest Morgan 4 cylinder which is a hugely better car that the crude old trad. It handles, it rides, it accelerates and its more comfortable than the MX5. But build quality? Styling? And above all a silly price for what it is.
However we are looking at a dying market for small cheap 2 seater sports cars and the MX5 seems to me to be the only game in town.
