2005 Wheels Car of the Year.
 

THE Mazda MX5 Roadster has been named as the 2005 Wheels Car of the Year.

The sporty two-door convertible has triumphed over several more-luxurious vehicles to clinch the Australian motor industry's most-coveted annual award.

The three other finalists in contention for the award, which was announced this morning in Melbourne, was the Mercedes Benz M Class four-wheel-drive wagon, the Lexus IS250 sedan and the Ford Focus.

Wheels magazine editor Ged Bulmer praised the MX5's precision engineering, agility, and relatively-low price tag.

"There are many more expensive sports cars than the MX5," he said noting its base price of almost $42,000.

"But to get one that's superior to the Mazda means stepping up to the most affordable Porsche Boxter."

Mr Bulmer said prices for the Porsche Boxter started around $107,000.

Well it does have 4 cup holders.

I'm actually a big fan of the MX-5. I think it's a better all rounder than the S2000. But I'm not after an all rounder.

As for the MB M class, hasn't that thing been panned for reliability issues?

I'd prefer the Lexus IS250. I examined the build quality on the Mazda, it was left wanting. Wasn't the Holden Camira voted car of the year waaay back? ... enough said.

As was the Leyland P76.

But the MX5 has an undeniable history. If it wasn't for the MX5 I doubt we'd have Honda S2000s as it reignited interested in the roadster market.

The real credit to the MX5 team is that it hasn't morphed through it's three generations into an overly soft luxo-barge like the Nissan Z car did by the time of the 300ZX. The current version is true to the original ideals of the first MX5 (cup holders aside).

Yep - I reckon it was well deserved.

Well as good as it may be for the raodster market as a whole, I couldn't drive one not after the S. Although point noted it has remained true to the ideals, credit granted there, you're spot on with the Z too.

Me neither, but I'd recommend one to my mum.

I am slowly warming to the styling of the new MX5. Initially the slab sides were a real turn off.

It is a much better all rounder than the S2000 and far, far more enjoyable to drive around town - it doesn't bog like the S2k unless you feather the clutch. It's also far less frenetic (hectic?) than the S2k - that can be good or bad according to your tastes.

Kudos to the MX5 for its win.

Wheels magazine editor was just interviewed on radio and reminded listeners that the MX5 won it's car of the year 16 years ago.

That's incredible isn't it :thumbup: