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Mk1 Mazda MX5 / Miata Roadster
Coming soon to Nelson!
(Pictures shown are as a guide but ours will have gold alloys and a Nardi steering wheel too!)
The roadster that resurrected the whole sports car segment to become a classic in its own right. Simple packaging of sports car essentials to create pure driving pleasure. The gear change is so sweet, the steering so precise, the handling so sublime, you really feel at one with this car. And proper pop up headlights to play with! This is one of the early Mk1 NA models, a true original, fantastically preserved and enhanced for a real drivers Road Trip in a classic sports car rental.
2
Adequate
Manual
1.6 litre
Mid range
Ready to hire?
All cars come with unlimited km, comprehensive insurance & roadside assistance for both islands, plus insurance excess reduction options. We also provide a personalised familarisation session and documentation for your car.
The car you see here is the car you'll get. A 20% deposit using secure payment facilities reserves your unique car and dates, so why not....
Features and Specification
- Umm, pop up headlights?
- Servo assisted disc brakes all round
- Inertia reel seat belts
- High level brake light
Ride = Bouncy
- Seats 2
- Note: Difficult for drivers over 6'2"
- Luggage Space = Adequate
- Boot space roof up = TBC (cm LWH)
- Boot space roof down = as above
- Note spare tyre shares boot space
- 1.6 litre fuel injection
- Manual 5 speed transmission
What's she like to drive?
This is one entertaining, fun and rorty roadster. It's so direct, so nimble, you're just eagerly looking for the next corner and the South Island of New Zealand is not lacking in those. We particularly recommend enjoying yourself on the hill climb out of Nelson on SH6 heading to Blenheim, or SH60 heading to Takaka and Golden Bay....and the sports car fun can all be had at very legal speed limits of course.
What do I need to get used to?
Well the setup is pretty simple. There's no power steering, (but its not heavy), there's no electronic do-dads or power roof, so it's just you and the mechanicals. You do sit pretty low down so you need to keep your distance for good visibility. This no frills sports car was made to enjoy the drive, so just go seek out those curves...it's all about participation.
What about safety and reliability?
Being a Mazda, reliability is a given. She's regularly serviced and has to pass the Certificate of Fitness (CoF) test required for all rental cars every 6 months. Given the age of the car with only basic safety designs compared to modern cars though, (there's no ABS or airbags or traction control), the only driver safety aid along with the servo assisted disc brakes, inertia reel 3 point safety belts, high level brake light is....you, the driver. Hence given you sit low down, do ensure you drive appropriately to the car and road conditions. The 1.6 litre engine has no issue in keeping up with modern traffic or climbing big hills in such a lightweight roadster though.
What condition is she in?
Superb, nothing is at all tatty inside or out. The seats, fabric roof and rear perspex window are all good, and everything essential is in good working order, even the heater....not that you'll need that much...
How much luggage can fit?
Not bad but not a huge amount either. The spare wheel eats into some boot space and there's no space behind the seats so you'll need to pack relatively light, definitely with soft luggage only. Please refer to the Seating & Luggage tab above for exact dimensions.
And the best driving tracks from the same year as the car would be?
At last, a car from the best decade for music, the 80s. The best music from 1989 to accompany a spirited drive in this car would be:
- Advice For The Young At Heart - Tears for Fears
- Mixed Emotions - The Rolling Stones
- Year Of The Knife - Tears for Fears
We acknowledge driving music is a very subjective thing, but clearly here, we're right. So download, hire our Portable Bluetooth Speaker & enjoy!
Check out the rest of our classic best road trip driving tracks here and put RentAClassic on your play list...
How fast will she go Mister?
Hey this isn't all about outright pace, it's more about finesse and really feeling like your shifting it....and it can corner a lot sweeter than most...
How would a certain Mr Clarkson describe it?
"....The fact is that if you want a sports car, the MX-5 is perfect. Nothing on the road will give you better value. Nothing will give you so much fun."
And the RentAClassic description?
"The fact is, there's now nothing to stop you renting so much fun in New Zealand...."
What's important to you?
Different strokes for different folks....
Do you want sensible things like comfort, luggage space, affordability (OK....)....
or more indulgent stuff like luxury, handling and powwwwerrrrr (yeah)?!
We think all our cars are totally brilliant, but here's how this Mazda compares to our other cars on some key rental criteria.
Not sure? Get more info...
GPS Satellite Navigation Hire
Superior to most phone apps, with clear spoken directions and places of interest. $15 per 24 hours.
For Hire
Portable Speaker Hire
Beam your best cruising tracks to our best in class UE Roll Bluetooth speaker! $15 per 24 hours.
Pack a picnic and rug
Hire a picnic hamper with all the settings for 2, (minus food and drink), plus a comfy rug. $30 per 24 hours.
Ready to hire?
All cars come with unlimited km, comprehensive insurance & roadside assistance for both islands, plus insurance excess reduction options. We also provide a personalised familarisation session and documentation for your car.
The car you see here is the car you'll get. A 20% deposit using secure payment facilities reserves your unique car and dates, so why not....