The MX-5 may be quite a bit more expensive than you remember. Prices for the soft-top version with the base 1.5-litre 132PS engine theoretically start at around £25,000 - that's for a base 'SE-L' model - or around £27,000 if you want plusher 'Sport' trim. There's a premium of £1,900 if you want the folding hard-top RF body style. If you'd like the perkier 2.0-litre 184PS powerplant, you'd get two dedicated trim grades - 'Sport Tech', priced in soft top form from around £29,500; and top 'GT Sport Tech', priced in soft top form from around £31,000. Again, there's a £1,900 premium to add on if you want the RF body shape. With the 2.0-litre engine, you'll also be offered the option of paddleshift auto transmission for £1,600 more, though only if you choose an RF model.
Even base models come with alloy wheels, LED headlights, a leather steering wheel, plus a lightweight and sleek fabric hood. SE-L versions add LED daytime running lights, climate control air-conditioning, DAB radio, Bluetooth and cruise control, plus Mazda's MZD-Connect connectivity and infotainment system with 7-inch colour touch-screen display and Multimedia Commander. SE-L models with the 2.0-litre engine get gunmetal 17-inch alloy wheels and piano black door mirrors, as well as benefiting from a strut tower bar and limited slip differential. Navigation is optional. Step up to Sport trim and both the 1.5 and 2.0-litre cars feature rain sensing wipers, rear parking sensors, smart keyless entry, Premium Bose Surround-Sound and heated leather seats.
With the 1.5-litre engine, 'Sport' trim MX-5's come with 16-inch gunmetal alloy wheels and piano black door mirrors. 'Sport Tech' models with the 2.0-litre engine get sports suspension featuring Bilstein dampers, a limited slip differential and strut tower bar, and can be identified by their 17-inch alloy wheels and body coloured mirrors.