By Mitch McCullough

Still charming after all these years.

The Mazda Miata became an instant cult car when it was introduced seven years ago. With its soft top, room for two and rear-wheel drive, it represented a return to the traditional sports car, recalling a simpler time when British roadsters roamed U.S. roads. Even better, the Miata lacked sports car traits we didn't miss: leaky tops, leaky engines, electrical problems, poor reliability.

Until last year, when BMW launched the Z3 roadster, the Miata represented a class of one. This year brings the Porsche Boxster and Mercedes-Benz SLK. The Mazda Miata is not in the same class as these fine German roadsters, but it still provides a lot of the charm with much lower car payments.

The Miata starts at $19,575 and tops out at $26,225. Just about the only direct competitor is the two-seat Honda del Sol, starting at about $15,500. But the del Sol isn't regarded as a true sports car.

The Miata has changed little since its introduction, thanks in part to Miata program manager Toshihiko Harai, who resisted changes that would compromise the car's basic character. Critics said Mazda should have gone further in 1994 when it replaced the original 1.6-liter engine with a slightly more powerful 1.8-liter. But a bigger engine, said Harai, would add weight, cost and complexity, detracting from the Miata's nimble handling and appealing simplicity.

This simplicity makes the Miata popular with racers who appreciate this car's remarkable reliability and low operating cost. The Miata has dominated its classes in Sports Car Club of America Showroom Stock racing since its inception and part of the reason is that the lightweight rear-drive Miata is much easier on brakes and front tires than heavier front-drive compacts.

Walkaround

Inspired by the Lotus Elan, the Miata's classic lines and proportions haven't changed since 1989, and still look good today. There's only one model, an extensive array of options allows buyers to equip their Miata to be whatever they think it should be--traditional roadster, weekend racer, or semi-lux sports car with all the amenities.

The Miata comes with a five-speed manual gearbox, which we recommend. The $850 automatic transmission seems out of character for this car. The base Miata comes with steel wheels, wind-up windows and few convenience features, but it isn't by any means an unpleasant car. There's no low-grade interior to suffer, no instrumentation to miss, no power shortage with which to contend. We recommend opting for the $300 power steering package because it makes the car easier to handle at low speeds.

Four option packages are available. The touring package includes aluminum alloy wheels, power steering, power windows and mirrors, door map pockets and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The $2090 popular equipment package starts with the touring package and adds headrest speakers, cruise control, a power antenna and a Torsen limited-slip rear differential. The $2985 leather package adds a tan leather interior with a matching top to the foregoing.

Weekend warriors can order the $1500 R package, which adds a sports suspension, alloy wheels, limited-slip, rear spoiler and other aerodynamic aids. The stiff Bilstein shock absorbers sharpen handling response, but make the ride quality a bit firm for daily use.

Air conditioning is a $900 option for all models. The $900 antilock braking option is ganged with the $675 premium CD sound system and they, in turn, are only available with the popular equipment and leather packages. We'd much prefer to see ABS as a stand-alone option.

Accessories include a removable hard top ($1500), traditional tonneau cover, fog lights, racing stripes, rear spoiler and CD changer. Our $21,655 test car came with the touring package, air conditioning and floor mats.

The Inside Story

Getting in and out of the Miata isn't the easiest thing to do; the cockpit is small and low. Once inside, however, it's comfortable--if you're over six feet tall you may want to take an extended test drive with the top up before buying one.

The reclining seats, be they cloth or leather, are comfortable and supportive, and the relationship between the seat, wheel, gearshift and pedals is ideal for enthusiastic driving.

The interior design is attractive, functional and sports car traditional. A large tachometer is paired with an overly optimistic 140-mph speedometer. Switchgear is straightforward and easy to use. The standard AM/FM/cassette stereo works well, but don't expect symphonic sound in this tiny cabin.

There's not much room in the cabin for anything but a passenger, and the trunk carries only the most minimal luggage. Miata enthusiasts who are also golfers say they can get a set of clubs in the trunk, but we think it takes ingenuity and the right equipment. The tiny glovebox and small center console can be locked; a removable cupholder lives inside the console.

It's a cinch to raise or lower the soft top. Putting the top down is a matter of releasing two latches at the top of the windshield and flipping the top rearward. Before that, however, it's important to take time to unzip the clear plastic window to avoid creating a permanent visible crease. A matching boot can be snapped into place to cover the retracted top. The soft top does a great job of keeping things warm and dry inside and the small cabin heats and cools quickly.

The removable hard top is a nice option for those who face harsh winters, and also reduces interior noise, adds headroom and includes a rear window defogger. A strong, careful person can remove or install it, but it's a much easier job with two.

Ride & Drive

Driving is what the Miata is all about and few cars are as much fun as this one, particularly at this price. The 133-hp engine can propel the Miata to 60 mph in about 8.8 seconds. That's considerably slower than a Honda Civic del Sol VTEC, but a close match for a basic Mitsubishi Eclipse.

The Miata engine isn't the smoothest on the market and the valvetrain is a bit noisy when cold, but it revs freely and is reliable and efficient. The five-speed gearbox shifts almost like a race car with short, precise strokes.

Great handling is what makes a great sports car and the Miata delivers on that promise. With its perfectly balanced chassis and rear-wheel drive, the Miata rewards skilled drivers with predictable handling and good grip. Though it leans a bit in corners like the traditional British roadsters, the rigid chassis provides a solid foundation for the superb four-wheel double-wishbone suspension to do its job. The rack-and-pinion steering is precise and the disc brakes subtract speed in a hurry and maintain their cool under heavy use.

This is no luxury sedan nor does not ride like one. The ride quality is firm, but not quite harsh. Wind noise, road noise and the exhaust note are constant reminders that this is a sports car. Mazda worked hard to perfect that exhaust note and it's music to the ears of a sports car aficionado. Riding with the top down is a joyous experience. Buffeting is minimal and the heater can be used to good effect on cool evenings. Life is good in this mode.

Traffic takes on a heightened stature when viewed from a Miata. The driver sits low to the ground so it's difficult to see ahead of other vehicles. And other people sometimes have trouble seeing small cars, so vigilance is in order when traffic is heavy.

Final Word

The Mazda Miata isn't for everyone. The cockpit is small. Large people find it uncomfortable. Getting in and out is a chore. And the lack of trunk space can be irritating.

But this is a reliable sports car that can become a way of life. Indeed, a Miata can help relieve stress in a hectic life. Put the top down on a sunny afternoon and minor worries are whisked away by the wind. That's something all of us can use.