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Mazda MX-5

Published 9:17 am Friday, April 24, 2009

Think back to 1989. “Rain Man” wins Best Picture at the Oscars. The junk bond market collapses. The Berlin Wall falls. And Mazda introduces the MX-5 Miata open-topped sports car at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show.

Oh, to re-live the good ol’ days!

Even the automotive landscape looked very different 20 short years ago as manufacturers shunned sports cars because they didn’t make good business sense and the public didn’t want them. If you remember, we were scooping up minivans in droves.

But once again, being a contrarian, bucking the trend and going against the grain paid off in spades. Mazda launched a little two-seat roadster that was spirited, fun-to-drive, and unlike anything else offered. Twenty years later – and with nearly 900,000 units sold around the globe – the MX-5 is the world’s best-selling two-seater and has revolutionized the sports car market.

Alas, one thing that hasn’t changed (at least in late March) is our spring weather. The hard top was never doffed as rain, sleet and even snow pelted my MX-5 roof.

Never fear. I’ve pushed the button before and know the roadster instantly becomes even more fun when sun, wind, fresh air and the smells of spring waft about one’s nostrils.

Base pricing starts at less than $23,000 for the MX-5 Miata, which is available in entry-level SV, mid-range Sport and Touring, and luxurious Grand Touring (with premium package) models. For around 30 grand, it delivers everything one could ask for and more. Let’s see: responsive MZR-series 2.0-liter powerplant, six-speed manual tranny, heated leather seats, remote keyless entry, fog lamps, steering-wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls, in-dash six-disc CD changer, 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, push-button start and stop, traction control, anti-theft alarm, Bluetooth hands-free phone and Sirius satellite radio for starters.

For its 20th anniversary, the MX-5 receives a freshened exterior, a stronger and higher-revving engine, increased fuel economy (21/28 mpg for my tester), and two new exterior and interior color choices. Probably the biggest achievement is what hasn’t changed: the nifty, nimble handling that holds the MX-5 to the road like Gorilla Glue.

Try as one might, the MX-5 does not go squirrelly. And that’s a good thing when taking corners and turns slightly north of the suggested speed parameters.

MX-5 is shaped to make the cockpit the widest portion of the car, delivering a roomier, safer design that still expresses the compact look of a lightweight sports car.

It worked well for my wide body, but not so nicely for my 6-foot-4 golfing buddy’s lanky body-type.

Small does have its limitations. One of those is trunk and cargo space. This version does include a small trunk separate from the retractable hardtop compartment. It’s great for overnight bags and minimal groceries, but, unfortunately, does not pass my golf-bag test. I’m willing to give this Mazda a pass on that one, however.

And, if this really is a “chick car,” as some Alpha males would have you believe, my response would be for them to get in touch with their feminine side and experience the pure bliss of a topless MX-5 Miata. They really don’t know what they’re missing.