World's best-selling roadster is 20

Jul 6 2009 John Murdoch

MAZDA created an instant classic back in 1989 when it launched the MX-5 and introduced a whole new generation to the thrills of topless motoring.

The pretty and more importantly reliable two-seater roadster put the fun back into driving and has been so successful that it now has its own entry in the Guinness Book of Records.

Designed by Scotsman Moray Callum, the MX5, which is known as the Miata in the USA and Eunos in other parts of the world, has sold a staggering 850,000 units and is officially the world's best-selling sports car.

It is still going strong and its popularity continues to grow and to mark its 20 years of success, Mazda has given the current MK3 version a midlife makeover to improve its looks even further, increase refinement and lower emisssions.

I was lucky enough to drive the first version back in 1989 and 10 years later I was on a launch to celebrate its first decade of success. Now I have been lucky enough to test the latest MK3 in the West Highlands in glorious weather and to get the chance to sample some 20-year-old original versions that Mazda had brought north for the birthday celebrations.

The origianal cars were not museum examples, they had all been purchased from individual owners or auctions and the only work the Mazda team had carried out was a good clean, replacement brakes and tyres.

They were all worth between £1,500 and £2,000 and what fun they still provide for that type of cash.

Nimble, pretty and almost dainty compared to the new model, they had motoring hacks grinning from ear to ear and fighting for the keys.

Their simple mechanicals and lack of luxuries only seemed to increase the driving pleasure. The pop-up lights, electric windows and central locking were standard but that was it. The current models are almost limo like by comparison.

On the open road the original 116 bhp 1,600cc engine delivers adequate performance and keeps up with modern traffic because it is so light. The rear-wheel-drive chassis is perfectly balanced and the-five speed gearbox is a delight to use with changes only needing a flick of the wrist.

It only showed its age when it came to braking. It lacked the stopping power of modern machines and most of the early cars did not have ABS as it was then a very expensive option.

It can't match the new car for pace or refinement but it is probably even more fun.

Parked next to the original you can see how the MX-5 has grown in two decades. The new MK3 looks significantly bigger, although you can clearly see it is an evolution of the original design.

Its sharp new look is a good one and there is a revised silver-trimmed grille, chrome finish door handles and the range-topping SportTech model gets new 17-inch alloy wheels.

There are no drastic changes to the cabin but the Bose stereo controls have been improved and there are some new trim colour combinations. The dashboard and other plastics have also been upgraded.

There is plenty of room for two, the driving position remains near perfect and leather-trimmed seats, air-conditioning and cruise control all help to distance this car from the basic original

Obviously it has put on a few pounds over the years but there is now a choice of 1.8litre and 2.0litre power trains to deal with it.

The MX-5 can now also be purchased with the usual folding fabric roof or in Roadster Coupe form with its electrically operated folding hard-top which operates at the touch of the button.

It gives the car more refinement when it is in place and looks neater when folded than the regular fabric hood. It also doesn't restrict luggage space with a handy 150 litres being available. The original models only offered 125 litres.

The smooth 158 bhp 2.0litre model I sampled over some fantastic roads, took just 7.6 seconds to sprint to 60mph and has a top speed of 132mph.

A combined economy figure of 37.2mpg is claimed by the manufacturer but I think you will get slightly less than that in real life conditions.

There is a nice sporty soundtrack from the exhaust when you give it some revs and the new car still retains all the agility and accuracy of the original.

You can fly round corners thanks to the superb balance although the steering does not have the sharpness of the MK1.

After two decades in production the MX5 has wiped the competition off the map and it now has even fewer rivals.

The entry level soft-top can be had for £16,345 and prices rise to £21,695 for the Roadster Coupe SportTech.

Still a bit of a bargain then, when you consider that the first models cost £14,249 back in 1989. And remember it is possible to buy one and put a huge smile on your face for less than two grand.