The Thrill of Front-Wheel Drive: A Review of the Mazda MX-5 Roadster

As I stepped out onto the track, my heart was racing with excitement and anticipation. This was going to be my warm-up lap, and I was eager to get a feel for the Mazda MX-5 Roadster's capabilities. With its front-wheel drive layout, I knew this car would require finesse and skill to handle, but I was confident in its abilities.

The key to success with front-wheel drive is getting those front wheels as straight as possible as soon as possible to gain traction down. This means avoiding sudden turns or braking, and instead focusing on smooth, gradual inputs. As I put the car through its paces, I could feel the rear end start to rotate, but it was a gentle reminder that this car was still learning.

One of the standout features of the MX-5 is its chassis. It's lightweight and responsive, making it a joy to drive on twisty roads. The engine, too, is a highlight - it's got plenty of grunt, even if it doesn't quite reach the same level of horsepower as some of its rivals. But what really sets this car apart is its balance. With 47% of its weight distributed over the front wheels, it can be prone to understeer at high speeds, but that also makes it incredibly stable and predictable.

As I settled into a rhythm, I began to appreciate the MX-5's unique characteristics. The rear-wheel drive layout may not offer the same level of traction as some other cars, but it more than makes up for it with its agility and handling. And when you're able to get the car into the right position - with the weight evenly distributed over both wheels - it becomes a revelation.

Of course, there are times when the front-wheel drive layout can be a bit of a hindrance. When I missed the gear, or failed to judge my braking points correctly, the MX-5 would start to spin and understeer. But even then, the car's balance and stability were always there to pull me back onto track.

One of the most impressive things about the MX-5 is its ability to deliver high-speed thrills without ever feeling out of control. The cornering speed is incredibly high - I saw 92 miles per hour on one particularly long straight - and yet the car never felt like it was pushing hard enough to lose traction. It's this perfect balance of power and control that makes the MX-5 such a joy to drive.

As I finished my timed lap, I couldn't help but compare the MX-5 to its rear-wheel drive rival, the Toyota GT86. While the GT86 may have some advantages in terms of handling, the MX-5's sheer firepower down the straights and on the twisties is unmatched. And let's not forget the finer points - like how much more fun it is to drive with its front-wheel drive layout.

In the end, it was a close battle between these two cars, but when all was said and done, I declared the Mazda MX-5 Roadster the winner. Its balance, agility, and raw power make it an absolute joy to drive - and one that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a thrilling driving experience.

As I stood back in the paddock, watching the results come in, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. The MX-5 had put on a show, delivering speeds and thrills that left me breathless and grinning from ear to ear. And as I walked away from the track, I knew that this was just the beginning - there were countless hours of driving joy waiting for me ahead.

The Mazda MX-5 Roadster is a car that's not afraid to take risks and push the limits. It's a car that rewards skill and finesse, but also delivers thrills and excitement to those who are willing to get behind the wheel. And as I sat in my office, reflecting on the day's events, I couldn't help but smile at the memory of the MX-5's incredible performance - and all the joy it brought me.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enso far the rear wheeel drive Toyota has edged out the front-wheel drive Renault in both the Agility Test and the sideways Showdown I think it's time for the Manan and I to try and redeem ourselves with a flying lap against the clock on paper my front-wheel drive Renault has the edge it's got more power more torque a faster n to 62 time it's even got wider tires but don't discount the rear wheeel drive GT86 it's 100 kg lighter and I'm behind the wheel we'll have a quick warmup then fire off a flying lap I'm up first strapped in tight Mr Mell out on the track proper lapping now I've just realized my traction is still on so that'll go up school girl eror but at least I can do it on the move some cars you have to over stop when do it what do you think makes this Mana good then as a front wheeel drive car I think it's has got a fantastic chassis and also a really gutsy engine the main thing about front wheeel drive is getting those front wheels as straight as possible as soon as possible to get the traction down really breaking what was the what was the because this is my warm up that all about this is my warm up lap I'm going to start your watch as we get out for a timed lap starting now fifth gear at the Main Street nudging about 11 this is where you might get bit lift of over he going to attack it felt a bit light in the rear there coming out of that corner nearly 90 you need to use all the road I need to just maximize every exit there's that big and you got in too quick Victoria you got in too quick been coming out well always hit the limit what is fantastic about this car is you put your foot down and providing the wheels are somewhere in it straight line it just squats grips and goes nearly 100 probably 120 almost now this is going be oh it's got to be oh it's got it too big under steer I went too fast got under steer which is where the car just wants to plow on and I want to turn right the fo hole on the power lock off the wheeler straight it and all limiter again Victoria don't need you giving it that all right losing time on the limit so you got to change right before it oh we're going to be in somewhere in any minute now oh it's going to end it's never going to slow down oh there's more almost straight again the trouble is the Rev limited comes in so quickly yes it's called a REV count yeah I know but it actually does come in Victoria sets the pace with a 131 .06 the Manan is very stable and has a brilliant engine but it does suffer from under steer on the limit time for me and the GT86 Right bxs Toyota time now I'm what 65 horsepower down but you are 100 kg lighter the problem is that weight it's 47% only on the back so the traction isn't there but every think's 50/50 is the perfect weight range but it's not as you know cuz you want a bit more on your driven Wheels yeah def cuz that front wheel your G got 65% of its weight on the front wheels but I do have the advice your balance and Poise normally rear wheel drive is the best way around so basically you think that you can win by having a higher cornering speed yeah keep the speed up I missed the gear though and what about your gearing yeah right I've got it now do you want me to do that b right we got that stopwatch ready what was it 1 minute one minute well 311.060 but it's all the way through coming out at what another County 92 miles an hour now I had a massive load of untick yeah well I've got a bit of UND until I get the power in I've got UND as well that's a short shift there yeah got to get the limit in the middle what did you get about 115 on this straight yeah somewhere between 115 and 120 come on 108 109 111 112 1150 16 I saw 116 make the corner as I said perhaps I should have looked at the speed in oh get into this bom hole but it's such a joy to drive but the balance is right there little bit of un and ending the corner a little over to that's exactly how you want a car really it feels a lot looser underneath you than Myan Myan you have to be pretty sort of tight precise just one more Corner up to make a complete mess and I've got it a oh I've got it a bit H I'm in too tight you're fine you're fine you'll be cool 31.0 6 to beat you ain't going to beat 13317 so you're close to 134 2 and2 seconds slower I think it's a bit more than that I think 2 and a half is enough the rear wheeel drive Toyota is better balanced and Carries more speed through the corners it just can't match my magan's sheer Firepower down the streets overall though it's a 2-1 Victory to the Toyota GT86 it's better off the line has finer agility can do bigger power slides and is even more fun to drive than the mean all of which is thanks to its rear wheeel drive layout so if you're looking to buy a brand new hot hatch don't get a Toyota GT86 insteadso far the rear wheeel drive Toyota has edged out the front-wheel drive Renault in both the Agility Test and the sideways Showdown I think it's time for the Manan and I to try and redeem ourselves with a flying lap against the clock on paper my front-wheel drive Renault has the edge it's got more power more torque a faster n to 62 time it's even got wider tires but don't discount the rear wheeel drive GT86 it's 100 kg lighter and I'm behind the wheel we'll have a quick warmup then fire off a flying lap I'm up first strapped in tight Mr Mell out on the track proper lapping now I've just realized my traction is still on so that'll go up school girl eror but at least I can do it on the move some cars you have to over stop when do it what do you think makes this Mana good then as a front wheeel drive car I think it's has got a fantastic chassis and also a really gutsy engine the main thing about front wheeel drive is getting those front wheels as straight as possible as soon as possible to get the traction down really breaking what was the what was the because this is my warm up that all about this is my warm up lap I'm going to start your watch as we get out for a timed lap starting now fifth gear at the Main Street nudging about 11 this is where you might get bit lift of over he going to attack it felt a bit light in the rear there coming out of that corner nearly 90 you need to use all the road I need to just maximize every exit there's that big and you got in too quick Victoria you got in too quick been coming out well always hit the limit what is fantastic about this car is you put your foot down and providing the wheels are somewhere in it straight line it just squats grips and goes nearly 100 probably 120 almost now this is going be oh it's got to be oh it's got it too big under steer I went too fast got under steer which is where the car just wants to plow on and I want to turn right the fo hole on the power lock off the wheeler straight it and all limiter again Victoria don't need you giving it that all right losing time on the limit so you got to change right before it oh we're going to be in somewhere in any minute now oh it's going to end it's never going to slow down oh there's more almost straight again the trouble is the Rev limited comes in so quickly yes it's called a REV count yeah I know but it actually does come in Victoria sets the pace with a 131 .06 the Manan is very stable and has a brilliant engine but it does suffer from under steer on the limit time for me and the GT86 Right bxs Toyota time now I'm what 65 horsepower down but you are 100 kg lighter the problem is that weight it's 47% only on the back so the traction isn't there but every think's 50/50 is the perfect weight range but it's not as you know cuz you want a bit more on your driven Wheels yeah def cuz that front wheel your G got 65% of its weight on the front wheels but I do have the advice your balance and Poise normally rear wheel drive is the best way around so basically you think that you can win by having a higher cornering speed yeah keep the speed up I missed the gear though and what about your gearing yeah right I've got it now do you want me to do that b right we got that stopwatch ready what was it 1 minute one minute well 311.060 but it's all the way through coming out at what another County 92 miles an hour now I had a massive load of untick yeah well I've got a bit of UND until I get the power in I've got UND as well that's a short shift there yeah got to get the limit in the middle what did you get about 115 on this straight yeah somewhere between 115 and 120 come on 108 109 111 112 1150 16 I saw 116 make the corner as I said perhaps I should have looked at the speed in oh get into this bom hole but it's such a joy to drive but the balance is right there little bit of un and ending the corner a little over to that's exactly how you want a car really it feels a lot looser underneath you than Myan Myan you have to be pretty sort of tight precise just one more Corner up to make a complete mess and I've got it a oh I've got it a bit H I'm in too tight you're fine you're fine you'll be cool 31.0 6 to beat you ain't going to beat 13317 so you're close to 134 2 and2 seconds slower I think it's a bit more than that I think 2 and a half is enough the rear wheeel drive Toyota is better balanced and Carries more speed through the corners it just can't match my magan's sheer Firepower down the streets overall though it's a 2-1 Victory to the Toyota GT86 it's better off the line has finer agility can do bigger power slides and is even more fun to drive than the mean all of which is thanks to its rear wheeel drive layout so if you're looking to buy a brand new hot hatch don't get a Toyota GT86 instead\n"