MX5 still a dream car for many Cantabrians

Mazda MX5 owners in Canterbury are like motoring enthusiasts worldwide: Passionate about their brand.

“It’s the pop-up headlights that got me and I just had to have one,” said Austin Abbott, of Addington, a phrase echoed by many when asked why the MX5 was such a style and motoring icon.

Another enthusiastic owner many years younger than the car itself agreed you just can’t go past the pop-up headlights.

“You know, you can’t buy a classic car like this now, it’s timeless,” he said.

Priya Schelling, of Christchurch, said they were just a fun car to drive.

“And the MX5 car community is awesome to be part of,” she said.

Lauded as a lightweight two-passenger roadster, the Mazda MX5 came along 33 years ago at a time when small roadsters had almost disappeared from the marketplace.

Mazda MX5 owner Austin Abbott looks under the bonnet of a car at the owners and enthusiasts meet...
Mazda MX5 owner Austin Abbott looks under the bonnet of a car at the owners and enthusiasts meet-up last weekend. Photo: John Cosgrove
Affordable, technologically modern, dynamically balanced and boasting a minimally complex but eye-catching design, it quickly became a must-have for those wanting a small sports car.

Now three decades later, the Mazda MX5 is a motoring classic.

It is still the dream car for many, including the 30 Christchurch-based MX5 owners and enthusiasts who gathered outside Nga Puna Wai Sports Hub on Sunday afternoon to celebrate their car of choice.

Organiser Marcus Reed, of Kaiapoi, said the MX5 was a fun, cheap car, easy to get parts for and pretty reliable.

“People aren’t too worried about the power aspect of them because they’re just fun to drive and get lots of smiles,” Reed said.

He also said it was great to be part of a community that loved the cars.

Initially, Reed didn’t know how many MX5 owners would turn up so late on a Sunday afternoon to a gathering he had organised on Facebook.

“Seeing them all here now, it is so cool because like, I only knew two people when I arrived here, now I know a lot more.”

Reed said he wanted to organise a meet because he felt there were a lot of owners in Christchurch, but only a couple of meets each year.

Abbott also said it was a fun community to be involved with.

“I’ve always enjoyed cars, they’re a big passion of mine, and it’s quite nice to meet other like-minded people. I think within any car community as soon as you own a car, you feel connected to everybody else who owns the same car.

“Mine is 32 years old, it’s older than I, but it’s got a nice turbo on it and it powers me along nicely.”

Abbott said he brought his MX5 when he was looking for a project to work on.

“This kind of popped up in the market, so I went for a test drive, and I was sold. I love the handling of them.

“They’re very low, pretty and affordable in terms of aftermarket costs and stuff like that – and yes, I fell in love with the pop-ups.”