Iām an MX-5 newbie (6 weeks), and itās definitely a thing. Iāve already had a couple of white vanmen very close up my backside in traffic. Meh - I just smile and carry on, oblivious. I waited a VERY long time (50+ years since I passed my test) for my roadster, itāll take more than some juvenile envy to wipe the smile off my face.
I commuted up the 217 too and further up at the Banstead lights the two outside lanes merge in to one in the mad mile run to the Sutton roundabout turnoff. Invariably you would get a racer on your inside / outside, inching forwards to get away on amber and Iād let them speed off - usuallyā¦
But when I was in my S2000, Iād occasionally let go and show them some VTEC up to the 60mph limit then just cruise waiting for them to overtake, which they invariably did.
Rather immature but fun.
Totally understand. I have to say that since lockdown driving standards seem to be even worse than they were before. I drive approx 40k a year unfortunately not all in a 5 (NC absolutely brilliant) and the lack of consideration, observation and general driving standard is so poor I wonder if these people have even taken a test or maybe thatās the problem. I think sometimes the self preservation bit of their brain has been switched off e.g. sitting a cars length behind at 70mph itās only going to go really badly if the leading car has to slow down rapido. And to get back to the point MX5ās do seem to be a target, Iām at the speed limit (whatever that may be) but some half wit still wants to push me, almost literally to go faster because they clearly do not have the skill level to pass me. I love to see a well executed overtake with good planning and observation but very rarely do you see one. Sorry rant over, Iām just off the get bullied on the road by some low spec Fiesta driver 
With one exception I donāt think there has been a widespread decline in standards at all - Iāve driven since 1971 and Iām damned if I can recall some lost golden age when everyone drove like IAM instructors .
The exception - some drivers of the more shouty BMWs , Mercs and and VAG cars (eg M4/ AMG C63 / S4 etc ) do drive with a breath taking sense of arrogance and entitlement .
Nobody has ever said a word to me in the MX 5 and in 100.000 miles of Caterhams I had countless nice comments and only one bad experience . White van man going the other way shouted 'wa***r ā at me. As I was driving my very own, paid for sports car , on a weekday afternoon, and he was driving a beat up Transit in mucky overalls I didnāt lose too much sleep.
Iāve had similar experiences to the post above, if anything nice comments rather than angry fist waving or bad stuff.
I get let out or given way to a good deal more in my Sport than in my daily driver, thatās noticeable. Always remember one couple up in Scotland on holiday sort of hovering near the car when we stopped to take pictures. We got back to drive off and they wanted a picture of our car and them stood next to it, never had that happen before.
I think the fun has been lost somewhat in driving for pleasure nowadays, increase in road users definitely, poor road surfaces and yes you do get mad heads that think they own the road. There will be a time when I call it a day, probably prematurely, my nerves seem to be shot some days and I canāt concentrate as I used to and I really hate busy roads now like motorways and dual carriageways.
When I bought my ND, souls red, I was driving it home gently and stopped at a very large supermarket to get a coffee in their cafƩ. It had an enormous car park that was very empty except at the area near the entrance.
I parked remotely in the middle of the empty space as far from anyone else. When I came back to the car, there were two cars parked in the spaces either side of me - unbelievable.
Why do people do that? - and what was the point - they could have parked a few spaces away and walked up to admire the car - that I could understand.
I have had a lot of people say very pleasant things when I stop at lights with the hood down though. Most people are very nice, and just like the look.
This happens to me quite a bit, and Iāve asked myself that very question many times for yearsā¦! 
Rob
Hairdresserās usually drive M-B SLKs. Prats who donāt like Mx5 s are in Honda Jazz, old Peugeots, especially when you come up behind them and they EVENTUALLY look in the mirror and there is an immediate increase in pace, or White Van Man, but you can leave him behind without an increase in your own pace round the bends! Thatās what I find anyway, living as I do, in Dorset!
In 50+ years of driving I have found the greatest deterioration of driving manners is the number of drivers who just open their doors without looking out for traffic.The Dutch method of opening doors should be taught in all driving instruction.With the MX5 the worst problem for me is the number of tailgaters that I seem to get.
I love to sit and chill at 2/3 mph under the limit and wait for the reaction ā¦priceless! 
An explanation, I learnt this from my wifeās cousin, well his reason for doing it.
When looking for a parking space he parks against an already parked car, so at least one side of his car wonāt get bashed as the car is already there
Well I looked amused when he told me that and said, but they can come back and bash it when they open the door or worse drive off from being next to you.
Me I try and park (if possible) with only one car next to me, at the end of a row if in
a car park.
Recently we parked in a field, an overflow car park at NT property. I went as far away from everything as I could. No markings at all to say park between the lines but still when returning we have cars either side of us parked so close you have to take care opening the doors, why? And the car park field was only half full.
No doubt driven by āSheepleā.
My logic is if I park next to a nice car thereās less likely hood of them opening their doors onto my car. Or is it just pack mentality?
In an empty car park?
And two cars to do it suggests some other reason. I would think the reason was to be close to have a good look as the ND is difficult o recognise from a distance by the average driver.
Thereās nowt so odd as folk.
Animal magnetism or stop using Lynx
Wake up and smell the coffee, drive the M1 and see if that changes your mind.
Back roads! Love 'em. Just be careful of the potholes! . Use the A1 a lot in my MX 5 - it is good to blow the cobwebs away and then come back the long way round, top down.
Re nutters up your backside, Iāve had this in many cars - and yes I used to drive a white van too - although never felt the urge to bumper sniff. I also drive a pure electric - and because the acceleration is amazing it surprises those who insist on sitting on my boot, as the car looks so pedestrian. I donāt race - just leave them behind (within the speed limit). 
also do this in the MX if they are particularly annoying and, like 06Max commented, it is so dangerous!
PS one of my good friends is a hairdresser - and yes , she rates my car! (as does her hubbie!)
No need to be patronising , I drive the M1/M62 regularly and stand by my opinion - which is all it can be on this topic . But some facts are interesting and might illuminate the discussion -
Road deaths 1970- 7500; 1980 5950;1990 5200; 2000 3400; 2019 - 1750.
Yes of course cars are safer now but thereās far more of them - 13 million in 1970 and 38 million now.