The Mazda MX-5 is the darling of the enthusiast community. Small, light, simple, affordable, and crucially for today, modifiable. Few cars can manage its trick of being all things to all people. But should it be more? Should you decide that you know better than the fine engineers as Mazda and modify their small, easy-to-drive sports car?
Overdrive decided to find out by driving five different MX-5s at five different levels of modification. Starting with a bone stock, first-generation car whose engine made just 90 hp (67 kW/91 PS), all the way up to a heavily modified MX-5 whose turbo allows it to make 400 hp (298 kW/405 PS).
The answer is complicated. On the one hand, 90 hp (67 kW/91 PS) is not a lot of power. Even the latest, fourth-generation MX-5, whose designers said they were deliberately avoiding adding too much power in order to keep it light, makes about twice as much power.
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As the hosts of the video point out, few cars look and feel as happy as the NA MX-5. From its wide, open grin-like grille, to its joyous lack of grip, the car is an ecstatic reminder of how good “just enough” can be.
However, a lot of people don’t want just enough. While the video does a good job of going through everything that has been changed to allow each car to make more horsepower, what’s really exceptional is just how excited the hosts are behind the wheel of every car.
Whether it has 90 hp or 400 hp, whether it’s setting blazing hot lap times or just tepid ones, the MX-5 is a joy to drive and to be in. So, to our original question: should you modify your MX-5 or not? The answer is yes. If you want more power, go for it! If you like your car the way it is, just drive. Whatever you do, you’ll have a good time. You may be able to afford more good times outside the car if you don’t modify it, though…