Legacy Mazda MX-5 Roadster - 2010

An older-generation MX-5 roadster in right-hand-drive form: no aero, modest power and a completely honest chassis. Momentum is the game — every tenth spent on entry is a tenth you do not get back.

Slow it enough to point, then get back to power early. There is nothing in the car to paper over a late, heavy hand.

Symptoms this car reads differently

Pushes on entry

Almost always entry speed. The front tyre saturates early with no aero to help.

Loose at the apex

A lift mid-corner steps the rear. Stay steady rather than correcting twice.

Runs wide on power

Early throttle before the wheel unwinds scrubbing speed. Wait for it to open.

Falls off over the stint

Rears fade gradually. It feels like the track changed; it did not.

What this car's answers lean on

Compared with other Production cars

1. Free changes — driving, not setup used more than on most cars like it
2. Tyre pressures used more than on most cars like it
3. Braking system — bias, ABS, pressure
4. In-car driver aids and gearing used more than on most cars like it
5. Anti-roll bars
6. Camber, toe, caster
7. Damper clicks
8. Differential and engine braking
9. Spring rates

What you cannot change on this car

• The differential is fixed on this car.
• Engine braking is not adjustable on this car.
• This car has no adjustable aerodynamics.
• Total brake pressure is not adjustable on this car.
• Gearing is fixed on this car.
• No third spring on this car.
• No adjustable bump stops on this car.
• This car has no dampers with that adjustment.