30 years for Lythgoe in Rochdale

Mazda MX-5

Lythgoe Mazda in Rochdale is looking forward to 2006 after celebrating their 30th anniversary at the end of last year. The family-owned business on Water Street is still going from strength to strength, says dealer principal David Taylor. He commented on the changing nature of the Mazda brand over the past two decades, just as the all-new Mazda MX-5 begins its first full year of sales after the November launch.

The Lythgoe group was founded in 1975 by Mr Wilf Lythgoe and the Water Street site has been a Mazda Dealership for the past 20 years. Due to the massive success of the Mazda brand, Lythgoe plan to move the showroom to a larger Rochdale site later this year.

“I am very much looking forward to getting into the new showroom,” commented Mr Taylor, dealer principal. “The past three years have seen enormous improvements to the design, quality, refinement and performance of the entire Mazda range. To keep up with demand and to reflect the Zoom-Zoom nature of the brand we need to move to bigger and better premises. After 20 years in Rochdale it will be a new start for us.”

The all-new Mazda MX-5 roadster is the latest model launched and has been a revelation among sports car lovers nationwide. With on-the-road prices starting at just £15,600, the new Mazda MX-5 is set to replicate the success that made it the most successful open two seater sports car of all time.

The new Mazda MX-5 is available with either a lively 126ps 1.8-litre petrol engine or a more powerful 2.0-litre version that produces 160ps. A choice of five body colours is available – one mica (Galaxy Grey), two metallics (Winning Blue and Sunlight Silver) and two solids (Brilliant Black and True Red). Stylish 16-inch, 5-spoke alloy wheels are optional on 1.8i and 2.0i models, while 17-inch, 10-spoke alloys are standard on 2.0i Sport models. 

The design of new Mazda MX-5 ensures that buyers can enjoy open-top motoring all year round. The powerful standard heating system and high levels of interior comfort mean that the car can be enjoyed equally in the warmer and colder months. Air conditioning is available as an optional extra at £560 RRP, while premium heated leather seats are standard on the new 2.0i Sport and optional on other models.

Power steering, an ideal 50:50 weight distribution and upgraded suspension contribute to near perfect handling, while ABS brakes are standard on all models to ensure safer stopping on all surfaces and in all conditions. A limited-slip differential, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and a Traction Control System (TCS) are standard fixtures on all 2.0i Mazda MX-5 models.

“I think people are now looking for something a bit extra when buying a new car,” David concluded. “Technology has improved so much in the past 20 years that almost all new cars will perform very well for their owners. What manufacturers now have to do is find something that sets them apart. Mazda achieves this through its stylish design, excellent equipment levels and fantastic reliability.”

Lythgoe Mazda is offering a prize of a new Mazda MX-5 for a weekend to the lucky winner of a test-drive prize draw. Everyone who test-drives the new Mazda between 14th and 29th January will be entered into a prize draw. Second prize in the draw will be £50 of Mazda merchandise with £25 of merchandise for the third name out of the draw.

To enter, answer the following questions and hand your answers on a postcard to the Mazda representative at the Water Street showroom by 31 January:

What is the base on-the-road price of the new Mazda MX-5?
What colour is the Lythgoe Mazda MX-5 test-drive car?
How many years has Lythgoe Mazda been in Rochdale?