Password: MX-5

By Chad Lückhoff

Chad Luckhoff explains how you buy more than just a car when you buy a Mazda MX-5

For many people out there, a car is a means to an end. It's a way to get themselves from point A to point B, their only solution in the absence of an effective public transport system. They prioritise cost, practicality and fuel economy over driving dynamics.

For those that still appreciate the act of driving and the dynamism of a well-engineered motoring machine, there are still offerings out there that can get the blood pumping. These makes and models will usually have a following of enthusiasts that live and breathe their respective cars. You'll find Facebook groups, Instagram accounts, hashtags and internet forums dedicated to the cars they love so much.

You'll find these enthusiasts under the hoods of their cars, parked up in parking lots talking about their cars and hitting the road together on a Sunday morning enjoying their machines on breakfast runs.

With some cars, you're not just buying a machine with four wheels and an engine, you're buying into a lifestyle. Harley Davidson, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche are popular for creating a lifestyle around their brands with the password into the club being one on their products, but there's another way, a somewhat cheaper way as well.

Year-end shenanigans.

The Mazda MX-5 Owners Club of Gauteng is only of the many movements dedicated to the world's best selling roadster and it was year-end festivities this past weekend for the club. Founded in 1991, the Gauteng chapter of the MX-5 Owners Club often gets together for breakfast runs and social outings but the year-end was a little different. The members got together at Werner's Bistro in Bedfordview to laugh, eat and chat enthusiastically about their beloved little Mazdas.

Mazda South Africa extended an invitation my way and, while I have two of my own MX-5s to choose from, they loaned me a svelte MX-5 RF for the event.

I was met by a host of enthusiastic and friendly owners and their spouses and welcomed in with open arms and warm hearts. We chatted tirelessly about our ownership experiences and the histories behind our cars, discussing what it is that we love about these endearing little machines.

While many of the club members have held onto their previous generation (NC model) MX-5s and still lovingly dote on them, they were equally enamoured with the ND RF, taking time to explore the Kodo Design and interior accoutrements. One lucky club member's night was made when at the end of the evening, a lucky draw saw her drive home in a Mazda MX-5 RF, hers to enjoy for the week.

The MX-5 RF.

With its retractable fastback styling and peppy 2.0-litre engine, the MX-5 RF is a joy to drive, even if it does only come with an automatic gearbox (locally). I've tested one before and while I still prefer the manual-equipped roadster (which has since been discontinued locally), the RF reminded me of exactly how good this latest version is.

The engine makes 118 kW from its naturally aspirated 2.0-litre engine and with a near perfect 50/50 weight distribution (the RF suffers a little due to the electronically controlled folding roof), it's an absolute joy to throw around a twisty road. It's a car that urges you to grab it by the scruff of its neck and roughhouse with it a little, communicating when the bounds of traction are about to be broken with alarming clarity.

There's a feedback from the steering that lets you know exactly where the wheels are pointing and what sort of surface you're on and while this may seem tiring, the RF manages to do the long distance cruiser-thing rather well too.

I still love the MZD Connect infotainment system and the Bose audio system that has specifically been designed to play with clarity, even when the roof is down. Look around and you will spot onlookers admiring the bodywork and the sporty look of the car. It may not be the most practical thing around, but you're not buying it for convenience, you're buying it for the thrill it offers.

Mixing it with the classics.

Despite the late night at the year-end function, it was an early start on Sunday as I made my way through to the Classic Japanese Car, Bike and Truck show in Pretoria, hosted by the Pretoria Old Motor Club. The RF ran through with my 1996 NA8 (that's a first generation 1.8) in tow.

After blissfully cruising the highways to Silverton, the RF and the NA8 parked up alongside each other on the grassy field. It wasn't 2 minutes before the RF had a gaggle of onlookers, peering inside and asking about the car. It seems that even the classic car owners can appreciate the newer design and the applaud the fact that Mazda returned to the original ethos of Jinba-Ittai.

While the gathering was brief (it was hotter than Hades in Pretoria that day), the RF kept company with some fine Datsuns, Nissans, Yamahas and Hondas, naturally joined by several Mazda MX-5s, including a rather rare Brilliant Black NA6 Special Edition, replete with a coral red interior.

When Monday rolled around, I was once again sad to hand the keys over to the RF as it went off to go mix with traffic. It may not be the most sensible choice in family motoring but for the culture that comes bundled with one and the friends that you make just by driving one, it's worth every cent.

There are some things that money can't buy, and then there's a Mazda MX-5.