SUMMER SALE
Popular convertible Jeremy Clarkson said ‘feels exactly how a sports car should’ is under £10k & it’s perfect for summer
The bargain two-seater is one of the world's most popular sports cars
A DROP top motor that Jeremy Clarkson claimed "feels exactly how a sports car should" can now be picked up for a bargain price of under £10,000.
The current iteration of the Mazda MX-5 - the fourth generation - came after 25 years of eye-watering success for the model where it became one of the world’s best-selling sports cars.
4
4
Its combination of low price, ease of use, sporty looks and charm has made it the convertible of choice for millions.
And Clarkson positively gushed over the latest model when it was first release.
Writing for the Sunday Times in 2016 after taking one for a road test, he said: “This is a lovely little car to drive.
“Because it’s so organic and raw and simple, it feels how a sports car should.
Read more Motors News
“It sings and fizzes and jumps about, it always feels eager and sprightly, and that makes you feel eager and sprightly too.”
First released in 2015 and still a regular in Mazda showrooms, the gen-four MX-5 boasted a bold new look - which Jezza said made it look “more serious than its predecessor.”
He added: “That was always a bit chumpish, really, and soft. This one looks as if it means business. It’s an attack rabbit.”
It's also fun to drive, with a big focus - as was the case with other MX-5s - on handling.
Most read in Motors
For this test, Clarkson drove the 2-litre version which he described as "excellent", but also noted that the cheaper 1.5-litre is apparently "even better."
Modern classic that Jeremy Clarkson called ‘perfect’ can be bought for £8k
He added: "The only thing I didn’t like about the old model was a lack of personality.
"I drove one all the way from northern Iraq through Turkey, Syria and Jordan to Israel once, and it didn’t really worm its way into my heart.
"The new one, though, thanks to the styling changes that make it look more serious? It probably would."
Mazda recently revealed an updated look for the MX-5, considered to be one of its most substantial updates in almost a decade.
That includes a larger 8.8-inch infotainment screen.
But for petrolheads on a budget, a second-hand model can be found for as little as £9,795 - although they're generally priced at around £13,000.
Naturally, older generation models can be found even cheaper - with the gen-three one of five summer-ready convertibles that can be bought for less than £5,000.
And elsewhere, a major car brand recently revealed a high-performance hot hatchback as their first EV, and it comes with an F1-style "overtake button."
4
4