This is a good point... but also I think Jonny you got the wrong MX5.
The Mk1 was great, fun, and had character. As they then mostly got bought by really old people, they got softer, more comfortable and less interesting to drive. A Mk1 is totally different in feel to sit in and to drive than a Mk2.5 - despite being very similar mechanically.
I have driven all of them, and really love the mk1, but the mk2 and mk2.5 leave me feeling cold and un-involved.
If you come to the weekender JW I'd love to give you a drive of the MX5 I'll be in, and get your thoughts, see if I can win you back into the positive way of thinking about MX5s
I think the MkIV is more like the Mk1, and less like the later ones in how it's been designed and marketed, but I am yet to have a drive in one, so cant be sure. If it was a numb as the mk2.5 I'd find it hard to part with lots of money for it too.