Top 10 Summertime Toys

One of these sexy drop-tops could be the perfect reward for your hard labor. There are plenty of options, from affordable to extravagant, so you don't have to blow your retirement savings.

Buying a car purely as a personal indulgence may be more within reach than you think. The article list of Top 10 Summertime Toys includes racy convertibles that start at about $20,000 and go up to more than 10 times that.

But exactly how much wealth do you have to amass before you can safely justify purchasing even a moderately priced convertible purely for the sake of enjoyment?

First, have enough money invested to fund your retirement until at least age 95, possibly even longer, says John Wasik, personal finance columnist and author of The Merchant of Power. “If a dream car purchase puts you into debt, then it's unwise,” he says. “Financing a depreciating asset is always a bad idea, but if a sports car makes you feel alive and you aren't financing the thrill with money you'll need later, then by all means you should put the pedal to the metal.”

We’ve concocted a list of entertaining convertibles in a wide range of prices that serve as rolling rewards for a life well lived. Far from being rational choices, ragtops convey a sense of freedom and emotion that no other vehicle can offer, which makes them popular choices as personal extravagances.

If price is a primary concern, there are affordable convertibles like the Mazda MX-5 Miata and Pontiac Solstice, both of which made our top 10 list of summer reward cars. Mid-range drop-tops like the BMW Z4 and Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class step up the luxury and performance without busting a decent-sized budget. Then there are special roadsters like the Dodge Viper SRT10, Ferrari F430 Spider and extremely rare Spyker C12 LaTurbie, an automotive testament to one’s net worth and, perhaps, need for attention.

An Emotional Choice

A car can speak volumes about its driver, says Dr. Charles Kenny, a psychologist who has conducted research for the likes of General Motors, Nissan and Toyota. He says that most car purchases fill an emotional need, whether the buyer cares to admit it or not.

“Single women do not usually want to drive four-door sedans, no matter how nice or how luxurious,” says Kenny, who is president of psychology firm The Right Brain People. “They feel that driving a four-door car says to others that they are committed, taken, settled down and are older and stodgy.”

On the other hand, those who buy ultra-luxury models might expose a need for status and uniqueness, while sports car owners may seek to impart youthful exuberance and rejuvenation. “Buying, owning, being seen in and driving fast, exciting sports cars is a way for people to reassure themselves and tell others that they can in fact be in control of their impulses — like driving too fast and doing almost anything else you can imagine to excess — while still having fun, escaping and expressing themselves,” Dr. Kenny says.

Though research shows that some drop-tops, like Volkswagen’s New Beetle Convertible, tend to have a higher percentage of female buyers, the quickest and costliest convertibles attract more of a testosterone-fueled following. See our feature on the Top 10 Luxury Vehicles Driven by Men for more on this topic.

“Men are drawn to higher-priced, ‘performance’ cars, with 41 percent citing looks and design as a key consideration,” says Doug Scott, Senior VP at the market research firm GfK Automotive. Women, on the other hand, want more conservative, value-oriented models that are fun yet affordable and practical, he says.

Chicago attorney Kathleen Zellner bucks the trend. As an avid car buff, her personal fleet currently includes a 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG and a 2006 Porsche 911 Turbo. In a reluctant nod to practicality, as well as to her husband’s bird-hunting hobby, she also drives a Lexus LX 470 SUV.

“Driving sports cars is one of the things I’ve done to reward myself — it’s where I’ve allowed myself to be extravagant in an otherwise extremely disciplined and structured life,” Zellner says. “Plus, it’s a way to stand out in what is a male-dominated business — I like to show the guys I’m every bit as skilled a driver as they are, and probably more so.”

Renting Versus Owning

Fortunately for those who can’t afford (or can’t justify buying) a costly sports car, a growing rental market for upscale rides can help even those with more moderate salaries scratch the itch to feel affluent for a day.

For example, Altitude Dream Cars in Denver, Colo., will rent you a Lotus Elise for as little as $299 a day, or a Porsche Boxster for $349. If you want to make the ultimate impression, a Lamborghini Gallardo will set you back a staggering $1,395 for a 24-hour period. Still, that’s around $179,000 less than actually buying one to impress the former homecoming queen at your high school reunion. Click here to read more about exotic car rentals.

Regardless of how much you spend on a flashy, fun roadster, owning or even just renting one is a great reward. “Driving a good car is one of the few things in my life that I don’t overanalyze and worry about,” Zellner says. “It’s just something I enjoy.”

To make this list, cars had to be convertibles with only two seats. We left out four-seaters because of their bias toward practicality under the premise that two-seat roadsters make no such pretenses — they’re the embodiment of automotive style and encourage driving purely for the sake of enjoyment. The list reflects ForbesAutos editors’ subjective opinions based on collective reporting and test-drives.

10. Most Underrated Roadster

2007 BMW Z4
MSRP: $36,400 - $52,100

The Z4 carries all the visceral appeal of classic European roadsters, yet it tends to get lost in a crowded market. It's extremely satisfying to drive, practical enough for daily use and surprisingly calm with the top down.

Everything about the Z4 warrants a closer look, whether in the quick 215-hp 3.0i, quicker 255-hp 3.0si or quickest 333-hp M Roadster version, each of which delivers progressively sharper handling.

9. Best Budget Ragtop

2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata
MSRP: $20,500 - $26,520

A modern version of the classic roadsters from the 1960s and '70s, the MX-5 Miata remains one of the most entertaining rides at any price. An optional power retractable hardtop keeps the fun rolling when the temperature dips.

The MX-5 Miata packs a lively, 170-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a short-throw six-speed manual gearbox among its three transmission choices. It also hugs corners like few others, making it a real value in terms of driving enjoyment per dollar.

8. Best Flash for the Cash

2007 Pontiac Solstice
MSRP: $21,500 - $27,115

Though not quite as polished as the Mazda MX-5 Miata, the two-seat Pontiac Solstice delivers exotic-car curb appeal thanks to curvaceous, low-slung styling. But don't expect a lot of storage space.

The base Solstice backs up its good looks with decent performance from a peppy 177-hp four-cylinder engine. The turbocharged 260-hp GXP version is more satisfying.

7. Most 'Affordable' Luxury Roadster

2007 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class
MSRP: $43,350 - $62,500

Combining elegant styling and deft German engineering, the SLK doesn't force you to compromise comfort and luxury — even in cooler months. A retractable power-operated roof makes it a true four-season convertible.

Buyers can choose from 228-hp and 268-hp V6-equipped models, as well as the hot-blooded SLK55 AMG that features a burly 355-hp 5.4-liter V8 engine shoehorned under the tiny hood.

6. Best Car for Weekend Racers

2007 Lotus Elise
MSRP: $46,270

The diminutive Elise looks and acts like it belongs on a racetrack more than a roadway. Lightweight aluminum construction allows this two-seater to wring maximum velocity out of its 190-hp 1.8-liter Toyota-sourced engine and hit 60 mph in just under 5 seconds.

Serious racers should opt for the $2,495 Track Pack, which includes Bilstein dampers, an adjustable front sway bar, a rear control-arm brace and provisions for a bolt-in harness bar, all designed for hardcore track driving.

5. Best Modern Classic

2007 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
MSRP: $52,590

The Chevrolet Corvette is the quintessential American sports car; anyone who grew up during the '50s, '60s or '70s probably lusted after a 'Vette. Now is a great time to get one — the current version is arguably the best ever, yet it stays true to the original.

A 400-hp 6.0-liter V8 engine catapults the Corvette to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. Besides grinning on the straights, you'll smile when the roads turn twisty thanks to its tight suspension. A burly exhaust sound and coarse nature keep that classic muscle-car persona alive.

4. Best Brute

2008 Dodge Viper SRT10
MSRP: $85,000 (estimated)

With its 600-hp V10, firm suspension, massive wheels and minimalist cockpit, the aggressively styled Viper SRT10 is all about visceral appeal and raw performance. It makes no apologies for its brutish nature, which can definitely be intimidating.

Its 8.4-liter V10 engine generates enough muscle to catapult the Viper to 60 mph in less than four seconds, while bulked-up brakes will bring it back to a standstill from that speed in just 100 feet.

3. Best Attention Getter

2007 Ferrari F430 Spider
MSRP: $192,484

Few cars scream excess and sex appeal more loudly than a red Ferrari. The F430 Spider is currently the only Ferrari with a drop-top. Though engineered for speed, it's actually comfortable for casual cruising, too.

Like a work of art, the F430's mid-mounted 4.3-liter V8 engine sits beneath a glass cover. It's not just for show, though, and generates 490 hp for a 0-60 mph time of around 4 seconds.

2. Best Display of Wealth

2007 Spyker C12 LaTurbie
MSRP: $345,625

We're hard pressed to find a car as rare and impressive as the Spyker C12 LaTurbie, which hails from Holland and could make a Porsche seem mundane. The workmanship of its interior is stunning, with aeronautical details that evoke the company's history of building planes.

Hand-built in limited numbers, this dramatically sculpted Dutch treat exploits a mid-mounted, Audi-sourced 500-hp W12 engine to register a 3.9-second 0-60 mph time and a wildly illegal top speed of 196 mph.

1. Best All-Around Performer

2007 Porsche Boxster
MSRP: $45,600

With classic, uncluttered styling, a comfortable interior, commodious cargo space and stellar performance, the Porsche Boxster excels in every aspect. Thoughtful design — like not one, but two trunks and an easy-to-use top — make it practical enough for daily use.

The base model is more than fast enough, with its 245-hp 2.7-liter six-cylinder engine behind the seats. The S version takes performance to a higher level with a 3.4-liter 295-hp six-cylinder. Also key to the Boxster's appeal is long-standing reliability.
(C)Forbes

2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP Test Drive

The Pontiac Solstice is a much more convincing roadster in GXP trim, but there's still room for improvement.
MSRP: $21,515 - $26,515

Even though it baked for more than three years, GM pulled the Pontiac Solstice from the oven too soon. It looked done, but the inside wasn’t quite cooked through. As a result, the two-seat roadster cloaked in gorgeous skin was undermined by several flaws — excess weight, a rattly driveline, a barely hospitable interior and a folding top that consumed virtually all trunk space.

The 2007 Solstice GXP rectifies several of those issues. “GXP” is the name that Pontiac gives to its high-performance models, and the designation is fitting here: Packing 260 hp thanks to a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, the GXP has the legs to run with entry-level roadsters offered by European bluebloods BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. A revised powertrain mounting system eliminates most of the rattling and whining. The standard sport suspension with Bilstein shock absorbers raises the already surefooted handling an additional notch. Those who patiently avoided the scramble for the base Solstice were wise to wait for the GXP’s arrival.

Exterior

With the soft top stowed, the Solstice is one of the most fetching new two-seaters to appear in decades. Its blend of pert proportions, voluptuous curves and retro fairings on the trunk lid lifts spirits at every sighting.

Pontiac was smart to avoid the temptation to dress up the GXP edition with unnecessary ornamentation. There are a few visual distinctions between the standard Solstice and the new turbo model, all of which have a functional purpose: dual exhaust outlets, a lower opening in the front bumper that sends air to the turbo system’s intercooler and large front brake ducts to help keep the stoppers cool.

The polished aluminum wheels that are offered as optional equipment on the base Solstice are standard on the GXP. A new rear spoiler is also optional, a pleasant change in an industry where higher horsepower numbers are sometimes communicated through higher rear wings.

Interior

The interior of the regular Solstice was rather unimpressive, and the GXP doesn’t really display any improvement. Unlike its subtle massaging of the exterior, Pontiac responded to serious ergonomic flaws inside by tacking on window dressing that does nothing to improve the cabin’s habitability. There are minor changes to the gauge cluster, with a new digital boost gauge and a tachometer redline lowered from 7,000 to 6,300 rpm. The seats get some new red accent stitching, and pedals can now be decorated with slippery metal trim, an option that should definitely be skipped.

Unfortunately, there is still nowhere in the cabin to stash a cell phone, the cup holders are awkward to use and elbows frequently run afoul of one thing or another — the emergency brake lever rubs the passenger, and arm rests are hard and abrasive. There is no button to centrally operate the power door locks, and the driver has to use his or her right hand to reach the power window controls because the switch is placed so far back on the door. It’s as if the entire interior was designed by blind apprentices grabbing mismatched components from wherever they could find them. The truth is that GM gathered parts from all over the world to save costs and keep the Solstice’s price attractive — a worthy goal, even if the execution is a muddled.

Storage outside the cabin is likewise abysmal. When the Solstice was launched, Pontiac announced that custom-fitted luggage and an external carrying rack would eventually be available through GM’s Service Parts Organization to offset the paltry trunk space. But those plans have yet to bear fruit. So aside from cramming small bags and items in the oddly shaped trunk like puzzle pieces, or vacationing with the top up the whole time, which would allow a little more cargo space, you’re stuck with a two-seater that doesn’t let you head out of town for more than a day or so in terms of packing provisions.

Performance

In terms of displacement, the GXP engine is actually smaller than the one in the regular Solstice, but adding a turbocharger, intercooler, direct fuel injection system and more advanced variable valve timing transforms the car from a modest Mazda MX-5 competitor to a mad sprinter capable of embarrassing European roadsters costing tens of thousands more.


With 260 hp and ample torque available the instant the throttle is opened, the GXP feels like it’s energized by a small eight-cylinder engine, making for a Solstice that is smoother, quieter and better behaved than its less potent twin brother. Due to the reduced engine displacement, gas mileage is actually improved over the non-turbo model, if only by one or two miles per gallon.

Tire size remains the same, but a more aggressive tread pattern and stickier compound allow even moderately skilled drivers to make the most of the new-found power. The extra solidity of the spaceframe helps here as well, plus it inspires confidence on the rough roads that bounce Mazda’s MX-5 Miata, the most direct competitor to the Solstice.

The Pontiac Solstice GXP packs a secret weapon that you may not expect: the optional ($850) five-speed automatic transmission. It isn’t without flaw — for instance, there are no steering-wheel-mounted shift controls (as provided in the MX-5 Miata and many other performance-oriented models), no manual shift mode and incomprehensible markings adjacent to the shift lever reading "PRNDIL." But when you engage the mysterious L position and depress the throttle, all is forgiven; the Solstice goes like a shooting star. The transmission delays upshifts to 5,800 rpm in first and second gears, and to 6,000 rpm in third gear, and it automatically downshifts as you brake hard when entering a turn so that you can get through it speedily. Couple this eagerness with no loss of boost during full-throttle upshifts and you’ve got an engine-transmission marriage made in heaven.

According to Pontiac, the Solstice GXP can go from 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds and clear the quarter-mile sprint in 13.9 seconds at 100 mph. That’s quicker than the base BMW Z4 and Porsche Boxster, and only a hair slower than a V8-powered Ford Mustang GT.

But the acceleration isn’t the only remarkable thing. What’s marvelous is that Pontiac harnesses the turbo engine in the name of refinement, when they could have just as easily created an equally fast ride that feels unpredictable and raw.

It’s a pity Pontiac’s efforts stopped at the engine and suspension, and that the interior and top designs leave so much to be desired.
(C)Forbes

Top 10 Sports Cars

Domestics top the list of the 10 most popular sports cars on MSN Autos for the first quarter of 2007. Led by the iconic Ford Mustang, the Chevrolet Corvette follows in second place while the new Saturn Sky takes the bronze.

For sports car enthusiasts, there may never be enough horsepower. Porsche gives its 911 a power boost with the addition of the GT3 and 911 Turbo, each packing substantially more than 400 horsepower. And for that added kick, Porsche has equipped the 911 Turbo with a button that can momentarily increase its maximum torque by 45 lb-ft to a neck-snapping 505 lb-ft.

Italian-made Lamborghini gives its "bullish" Murcielago a new designation—LP640—and adds 60 more horsepower to its already potent V12 engine for 2007.

Four domestics, three Japanese imports and three European imports make up the top ten list.

The list of the ten most popular sports cars on MSN Autos is based on visits to the site's vehicle research pages during months January through March of 2007.

1. Ford Mustang
The legendary American pony car has continued to be a hit after going retro a couple of years ago. Available in a coupe or convertible, the rear-wheel-drive Mustang has a starting price of under $20,000 with the base 210-horsepower V6 coupe. The high-performance GT version is equipped with a 4.6-liter 300-horsepower V8 which can run to 60 mph in just 5 seconds and to 100 mph in 12.5 seconds. An even more powerful version is available in the 500-horsepower supercharged Shelby GT500, the most powerful factory-produced Mustang ever built.

2. Chevrolet Corvette
Chevrolet's world-class high-performance sports car is now in its sixth generation and available in a coupe or convertible. For 2007 the Corvette adds steering-wheel-mounted audio controls with Bose premium audio systems and a larger glove compartment. A standard 6.0-liter 400-horsepower V8 engine delivers 400 lb-ft of torque at 4400 rpm, while the limited-edition Z06 has a 505 horsepower 7.0-liter V8 that produces 470 lb-ft of torque— the fastest production Corvette available. The Z06 also gets impressive fuel economy at an estimated 16 and 26 city/hwy mpg.

3. Saturn Sky
When the Sky debuted for the 2007 model year, no one would have guessed the aggressively styled roadster came from Saturn. The Sky and the Pontiac Solstice are siblings—sharing the same GM Kappa platform, engine, transmissions and other major components. The Sky has more contemporary styling and offers a softer ride than the Solstice. A high-performance version called the Sky Red Line is available featuring a turbocharged 260-horsepower 2.0-liter engine, dual exhaust with polished aluminum outlets and unique exterior and interior features.

4. Mitsubishi Eclipse
A redesigned Eclipse debuted for the 2006 model year with bold new styling, and adds a convertible version for 2007 called the Spyder. Also for 2007 the Eclipse adds a standard anti-theft system with hood switch, a Sun & Sound Package and seven new colors. The front-wheel-drive coupe is longer, wider, roomier and more powerful than its predecessor. Under the hood is a 2.4-liter 162-horsepower 4 cylinder in the GS and a 3.8-liter 263-horsepower V6 in the GT. The automatic cloth top in the Spyder folds completely out of sight in about 19 seconds.

5. Nissan 350Z
The Nissan 350Z received its first major update in the 2006 model year, which includes a revised exterior and an enhanced interior. A new Grand Touring Coupe featuring the 18-inch front/19-inch rear wheels, and front and rear spoilers were also added to the lineup. For 2007 the 350Z is updated with the next-generation VQ35HR engine that produces 306 horsepower and 268 lb-ft of torque, featuring a twin air intake system that helps reduce airflow resistance and increases horsepower. The front hood design and front-seat mounted side-impact supplemental airbags on the roadster are also new for the 2007 model year.

6. Porsche 911
Porsche gives its 911 lineup a power boost with the addition of the 911 Turbo and GT3 for 2007. The GT3 has a 415-horsepower 3.6-liter boxer 6-cylinder engine and comes standard with on-demand traction that's derived from Porsche's Carrera GT. The 911 Turbo features a twin-turbocharged 480-horsepower engine and a high-tech all-wheel-drive system. For 911 Turbos equipped with the optional Sports Chrono Package, pushing the Sport button allows the turbochargers to increase maximum pressure by 2.9 psi for up to 10 seconds, which increases the maximum torque by 45 lb-ft to a whopping 505 lb-ft.

7. Lamborghini Murcielago
This Italian exotic is always a favorite among MSN sports car enthusiasts. Originally named after a fighting bull, the Murcielago receives a new designation, a more aggressive look and more power for 2007. The Murcielago LP640—derived from the Italian description of the engine position (longitudinale posteriore) and horsepower output—is offered as a coupe and a roadster. Pushing the LP640 is a 640-horsepower 6.5-liter V12 engine that delivers 487 lb-ft of torque, which gets transmitted to the road via permanent all-wheel drive.

8. Mazda MX-5 Miata
The Mazda MX-5 Miata hit the U.S. market in 1989 and has become one of the top-selling two-seat convertibles in the world. An all-new third-generation Miata debuted for the 2006 model year with new styling, improved steering, suspension and brakes that make the roadster more fun to drive. For 2007 a power retractable hardtop is available for the first time, and offers the same amount of trunk capacity as the folding soft-top. Hardtop versions also receive chrome trim around the grille opening, bright headlight bezels, a chrome band in the door handles and a white-lens center high-mounted stop light.

9. Pontiac Solstice
One of the main rivals to the MX-5 Miata is the Pontiac Solstice. With a starting price around $22,000, the Solstice has a 2.4-liter dual overhead camshaft 4-cylinder engine that produces 177 horsepower. If that's not enough power to satisfy, a high-performance GXP version is available featuring a 2.0-liter Direct Injection Turbo with Variable Valve Timing in a DOHC 4-cylinder aluminum engine that produces 260 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. The GXP is also styled differently with front and rear fascia extensions and high-polished stainless steel dual exhaust outlets.

10. Ferrari F430
The Ferrari F430 made its debut at the 2004 Paris Motor Show replacing the 360 Modena. Styled more aggressively than its predecessor, the Italian sports car was introduced for the 2005 model year. The F430 is powered by a 490-horsepower 4.3-liter V8 engine and mated to a 6-speed manual transmission, delivering 343 lb-ft of torque at 5250 rpm. Available in a Coupe or Spider, the F430 can reach 0 to 62 mph in 4.0 seconds and a top speed of over 196 mph, according to Ferrari.
(C)MSN

Pontiac’s Plans: New Solstice Coupe in 2009, new G5 in 2010

GM wants to push Pontiac as the “affordable performance” brand with a new line of rear-wheel-drive cars.


Pontiac gets ready to launch the new high-performance 2008 Pontiac G8 it battles CAFE fuel-economy standards.

So what’s going on at Pontiac? Well the 2008 Pontiac G8, which will be the first car in the US to use GM’s Zeta rear-wheel-drive platform, will go on sale in January of 2008. The base model of the Pontiac G8 will have a 3.6 liter V6 engine with 261 horsepower while the higher GT model will have a 6.0 liter V8 which will produce 362 horsepower.

The Pontiac G5 will get a redesign in 2009 while the G6 is slated for a redesign in 2012. GM originally wanted the next-generation G6 to debut in 2010, but with Pontiac moving to the rear-wheel-drive platform, the date has been changed.

Pontiac’s Solstice will get a fastback coupe variant for the 2009 model year and a higher-horsepower engine. The car will be redesigned and re-engineered in the 2011 model year.

A new high-performance coupe is on the cards that will be the successor to GTO and the Firebird. No time has being discussed as of yet. The Torrent will be dropped from the Pontiac line and will be added to GMC as a new crossover.
(C)eGMCT

2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata Test Drive

The Mazda Miata has become the best-selling roadster of all time since its debut in the early 1990s. It’s also the car that helped rekindle a waning interest in convertibles.


MSRP: $20,585 - $26,520

History aside, sports-car fans are always looking for the latest toy. Keeping the Mazda fresh hasn’t been easy — especially when those latest toys are the newer, flashier Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky.

To hold folks’ interest, the Miata — now officially called the MX-5 — received a complete redesign for the 2006 model year. That update was successful; it boosted power, style and handling for this ever-delightful machine.

For 2007, Mazda literally caps the new car off with a groundbreaking new option: A retractable hardtop.

What’s so groundbreaking about that? While every other model with a retractable hardtop loses significant luggage space when the top is stowed, the Miata’s ingenious roof doesn’t steal one inch of cargo area.

Top up or down, the hard-top Miata has the same 5.3 cubic feet of trunk space as the standard soft-top model — not huge, but enough to swallow a full cart of groceries, or weekend luggage for driver and passenger. Its reasonable $1,700 premium over the soft-top model also gives it the distinction of being the lowest-cost retractable hardtop convertible on the market.

Add the zesty, fun-to-drive spirit the Miata is justly known for, and the retractable hardtop gives roadster fans a great reason to revisit this little Mazda.

Exterior

With the MX-5, you either appreciate its classic, British-influenced shape, or the styling strikes you as “been there, done that.” For the former group — especially those who live in cold-winter zones — the retractable hardtop adds security and convenience without detracting much from the car’s handsome, simple design.

The most noticeable change is the slightly larger and taller rear deck lid, with a creased bulge to make room for the folded top. Designers worked to make that crease as gentle as possible, and for the most part it keeps your eye from lingering too long. The deck lid is aluminum, rather than the soft-top’s steel, which makes it easier to manufacture the complex shape.

The elegantly designed top works like a clamshell, with the glass rear window sandwiched between two metal sections when the top is stowed. The hardtop MX-5 is four-tenths of an inch taller, and the top adds about 80 pounds to the vehicle’s weight, taking it to about 2,450 pounds.

Flip a single release lever above the windshield, press a dashboard button, and the top raises or stows neatly in just 12 seconds. As noted, the top tucks into the same amount of space behind the seats as in the soft-top version, leaving the trunk completely free for your gear.

That gives the Mazda an enormous practical advantage over its Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky rivals. Even after enduring the cumbersome, multi-step process of their manual tops — which requires climbing out of the car, wrestling the top down and swinging the deck lid shut — the Solstice and Sky don’t leave enough trunk space for a lousy gym bag. With them, you’re virtually limited to a toothbrush and bathing suit for a weekend getaway, unless you’re willing to drive with the top up and drop off luggage when you arrive.

The Mazda MX-5 Miata hardtop also adds a slightly larger rear window, along with chrome bands around the grille and door handles. As in soft-top versions, a plastic wind deflector folds up behind the seats to quell some of the top-down wind turbulence in the cabin.

A $1,145 appearance package adds more-aggressive body cladding, including a front air dam and skirts on the sides and rear.

Interior

As you’d expect from such a tiny car, the Mazda’s cockpit is an intimate chamber for two. Legroom is quite good, though drivers with very tall torsos may find the car’s headroom too restrictive. This new-generation model has grown about two inches overall, adding fractionally more head- and legroom, along with an extra two inches of fore-and-aft seat adjustment.

A sporty three-spoke, tilt-function steering wheel fronts a set of simple, black-and-white gauges that glow red at night. A strip of “piano black” plastic trim covers the dash. Seats are firm and offer excellent lateral support for hard driving.

On the road, the Mazda is decidedly quieter with the top up than its soft-top twin.

Storage spaces are well organized for such a small car: There are four cup holders, including two in the doors that accept water bottles; a good-sized glove box; plus a lockable storage cubby in the bulkhead behind the seats. And when the top is raised, the hollowed-out space behind the seats can swallow a briefcase and other small items.

Three trim levels are available: Sport, Touring and Grand Touring. The Touring edition adds a six-speed manual transmission (up from five speeds in the Sport); 17-inch alloy wheels; a leather-wrapped shifter; cruise control; power door locks; remote keyless entry; fog lamps and steering-wheel audio controls. The Grand Touring model adds a seven-speaker Bose audio system, leather seats and faux-leather door trim. That leather is best chosen in black; the so-called “saddle leather” veers too close to burnt orange for our tastes.

An optional premium package ($1,250) adds electronic stability control, keyless entry, Xenon headlamps and an alarm system.

Performance

Whether hardtop or soft, the Mazda MX-5 remains among the most fun-to-drive cars around — regardless of price. It’s light, peppy and always eager to race, with a double-wishbone suspension and a seamless blend of steering, brakes and shifter.

The ride is firm but quite tolerable by sports-car standards. Driven against the substantially heavier Pontiac or Saturn roadsters, the Mazda delivers superior performance by virtually any measure. The 2.0-liter, 166-hp engine (163 hp in automatic-transmission versions) feels stronger, smoother and much quicker to rev than the GM convertibles’ lackluster four-cylinder. The steering is more lively, the handling more agile. The ultra-smooth shifter remains a benchmark for this type of car.

True believers will naturally choose the manual-transmission, though the solid six-speed automatic version does feature paddle shifters on the steering wheel for manual gear changes. Mileage is excellent for a sports car, estimated by the EPA at 22 mpg city/27 mpg highway with the five-speed manual, 21 mpg city/ 28 mpg highway with the manual six-speed and 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway for the automatic.

To maintain that sharp handling despite its added weight and slightly higher center of gravity, the hardtop model includes minor adjustments like firmer shock absorbers and rear springs, and a slightly larger anti-roll bar. Hardcore drivers are well advised to drop $500 on the sport suspension package, which adds even-firmer Bilstein shock absorbers and a limited-slip differential that helps prevent wheel spin under hard acceleration. Run-flat tires with a pressure monitor add $515.

Certainly, there are faster, flashier cars than the MX-5 Miata. But more than 15 years after its debut, this Mazda still provides more open-air enjoyment, refinement and performance than any sports car in its price range.
(C)Forbes, Lawrence Ulrich