Hard to believe the
Mazda Miata is only five years old. It appears like it's been around forever.
The Miata reminds us of the classic British roadsters many of us owned, or at least yearned to own, years ago. So even though it's still relatively contemporary, it might as well be much older - that's how timeless and appreciated the styling and mission of the Miata are.
Its many virtues are accessible to everyone, young and old alike. It is not particularly practical, but it is visceral. It is not terribly fast, but it is sporty and athletic. And any troubles you may have with it are whisked away as soon as the convertible top is lowered and the wind ruffles your hair.
In its short history, the Miata has become the world's greatest-selling convertible and sports car with more than 300,000 units sold worldwide. It has spawned the biggest single-marquee owner's club in the world. Being fans of the Miata ourselves, we understand perfectly why.
Our fun-to-drive test model came with air conditioning, anti-lock brakes and the well-appointed Popular Equipment Package - power-assisted steering, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, and power mirrors, windows and antenna -bringing the base price of $17,500 up to $23,915.
Approaching the Miata is like shaking hands with an old friend. The shape is fresh and modern, yet classic and instantly recognizable. The 2-passenger cabin is enveloped by the curvaceous skin, and the sheet metal is pulled taut over the compact chassis. There are no superfluous lines or shapes to detract from the Miata's tidy appearance.
The 14-in. aluminum alloy wheels on our test vehicle protruded slightly from the wheel wells, lending the car an aggressive and stable appearance.
When viewed from the front, the elliptical air intake and narrow, almost squinty lights make the Miata look as though It is grinning like a fool. The headlamps are of the pop-up variety, which allow the hood to drop almost uninterrupted from the windshield to the nose. The so-called power bulge in the center of the hood - presumably for engine clearance - adds a sporty flair and a lot more visual interest to the front end.
The rear of the Miata is as sprightly as the front. The oval stoplamps frame the bulbous rear and a single, chromed exhaust tip juts jauntily out from the bottom. The small trunk houses a temporary spare tire but has room for two people to store enough soft luggage for a long weekend trip.
There's no denying that much of the Miata's magic lies in its ability to go topless and, thankfully, the operation of the removable top couldn't be easier. When you're in the driver's seat, all that is required is a (somewhat awkward) reach behind to unzip the plastic rear window and then a release of the two latches on either side of the windshield frame. From there, grasping the handle at the front of the top and giving it a firm flick back instantly lowers the top - a fairly simple and painless operation. An optional tonneau cover can be fitted atop the folded convertible, but to do so requires getting out of the vehicle.
