1997 Mazda Miata MX-5 Still charming after all these years. By Mitch McCullough, Editor-in-Chief, New Car Test Drive .com

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.