The MX-5 was designed to be like a modern version of a classic British sports car (specifically a Lotus Elan). Around the '50s-'70s, small sports cars that weren't actually that fast were a thing in Britain.
If you ever have occasion to drive around the UK, it becomes pretty obvious that there aren't many places that you can get something like a Lamborghini up to speed. However, there are loads of country lanes and back roads in England. They tend to be narrow, twisty and populated by wandering maniacs in range rovers. Ergo, small cars that handle well but aren't necessarily that fast were quite popular for driving around the English countryside.
Coupled with historic legislation that taxed cars on engine size, there was a substantial market for small, agile and cheap-ish sports cars in the UK. Quite a few manufactures made cars of this type - Austin-Healey, MG, Triumph, Lotus and various others. They got a cult following at the time, although these days most of them are either rust or half a century old and largely the domain of classic car enthusiasts.
The MX-5 was a partially successful attempt to re-create the motoring experience of cars of that era. While it is a nice car (a friend of mine had one), it failed to match the quintessential experience of British classic car motoring. Being made in Japan, the quality control was of far too high a standard to properly re-create the experience of trying to keep a crappy BMC-era British car on the road - and barking your knuckles on christ knows what as you try to get into the awkward locations they put routinely changed parts into.1 God forbid that you might want to get at something like the clutch.
Given the legendary quality of mid-century British cars, pretty much any component qualifies as a 'routinely changed part'.
I love this... It's such a British way of going about it. It could be put simply that the UK made small, underpowered, somewhat nimble cars that were hard to work on and made poorly but the way it's described above says that almost with pride and a bit of defiance. Like all those things may be true but they're brilliant and I love them.
As someone who's been mocked for buying an older Jaaaag (because they do occasionally catch fire) and for my used Range Rover (because everything is always wrong with them) there is a sense of pride and defiance when I'm driving them.
Yes, the Jag occasionally ate some parts of made some noises it shouldn't have but it was a dream to drive and felt so regal compared to American sedans. The Rover, for the money I paid for it being several years old, has more luxury and capability than anything on the road even if a light or a fault occasionally shows on screen.
They've got character, some pride, and sure... some "quirks" but I prefer them to the Mercedes I traded the Jaaaag for. Sure it never broke down, had more power, and was a beautiful machine but it was cold and soulless. I'll have another Jag soon, and I'll love it.
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u/Mega_Dunsparce Feb 19 '21
Definitely has a mini DB7 vibe.