WHEELER Dealers host Mike Brewer has revealed to petrolheads his “top choice” for a modern classic sports car – and it won’t break the bank.
The TV host has driven around in plenty of high-quality motors from gorgeous classics to top-end supercars over the years – but he’s picked out a small but popular two-seater as “one of the best fun cars you’ll ever drive.”
In an interview with the Telegraph, Mike chose the evergreen Mazda MX-5 as the best motor for pure value-for-money fun.
He said: “My top choice would be the best-engineered British sports car in the world; the Mazda MX-5 Mk3, from 2005 to 2015.
“I call it that because effectively it’s a reverse-engineered British sports car, isn’t it?
“The Japanese took the best the British had to offer in terms of MG and Healey back in the day, reverse-engineered it and made an amazing car with the MX-5.”
Inspired by the Lotus Elan of the 1960s, the MX-5 has been a global favourite since debuting in 1989 – with more than one million examples sold worldwide.
In fact, with its modern take on the classic front-engine, rear-wheel-drive roadster, the little Mazda remains the world’s best-selling two-seat sports car.
In its 35-year run, the MX-5 has existed over four generations – including the latest iteration with its aggressive styling.
However, the third-gen MX-5, produced between 2005 and 2015, which is a particular favourite of Mike’s.
He added: “The Mk3 is one of the best fun cars you’ll ever drive.
“They’re fundamentally bulletproof and you can get one for only a few grand.”
Indeed, we reported back in February that an MX-5 model can be picked up for as little as £800, but can climb all the way up to £20,000 for a more recent model.
Sun Motors columist and modern classics expert James Russell of The Motor Grid recently waxed lyrical about the MX-5, saying the little Japanese motor “celebrates the art of driving by keeping things brilliantly simple.”
And elsewhere, fans of Mike were given a rare look inside his beloved family car recently as it reached an important milestone.
