In 1962, Lotus launched a diminutive, 1515-pound roadster called the
Elan. It was equal parts rapture (light, fast, deliciously nimble) and
nightmare (leaky, fragile, often caught fire). That impractical dream
was so captivating that when Mazda launched the first Miata in 1989 (as a
'90)?essentially a note-for-note Elan tribute, albeit with Japanese
build quality and a top that didn't douse your knickers?the world beat a
path to its door. Here was an affordable roadster without drawback, a
compact slingshot more fun than many cars costing twice as much. The
2450-pound, $23,985 MX-5 reminds you equally of that first Miata and of
Lotus's flammable little heartbreaker, as evolution hasn't dimmed the
car's genius.
Rear-wheel drive is standard, along with brake feel that
won't quit and blissfully alive steering. The 2.0-liter, 7200-rpm four
offers 167 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque, or just enough
thrust to get you into trouble. Racers love the MX-5's balanced,
endlessly forgiving chassis; little old ladies dig its spunky charm and
Maytag reliability. Like the BMW 3-series, the MX-5 is a virtually
perfect answer to a very simple question. Unlike the BMW, however, the
Mazda isn't surrounded by imitators?in 22 years, no one else has gotten
the ingredients this right, and most have simply given up trying. Who
can blame them?
