IT'S one of those cars that seems to have been around for ever - but then that's the secret of its success.
The iconic Mazda MX-5 first made an appearance on our roads way back in 1989 and has gone on to become the best selling two-seater sports car in the world.
Since its first appearance it has been constantly evolving. Each generation has benefitted from advancing technology while at the same time subtly changing the shape of the car.
But Mazda has stayed true to the basic design. Today's model is as obviously an MX-5 as was the original.
But one of the biggest changes came about when the Japanese company decided to bite the bullet and offer the car with a folding metal roof as well as the traditional soft top.
Traditionalists may prefer the soft top version but there is a lot to be said for the Coupe version, which is undoubtedly more secure, quieter and probably has the edge when it comes to appearance.
With the soft top you have to lower the hood manually but on the coupe it all happens electronically - after you have released the catch which anchors it to the windscreen. In fact the powered retractable hard top is the world's fastest - top-up or top-down in just 12 seconds.
And unlike on a lot of cars with similar folding roofs this one doesn't collapse away into the boot so you retain a decent amount of luggage space, 150 litres to be exact.
With the roof down the MX-5 Coupe is one of the best I have come across for protecting its occupants from the weather. A tiny built-in wind deflector between the heads of the driver and passenger can be folded into position and works wonders in stopping you being blown about which in turn encourages you to have the roof down more often.
Unlike some sports cars the MX-5 is an out and out two seater. But while there is no seating space behind the driver and passenger there is a deep void into which the roof folds and which, with the roof in the upright position, can be used for small bags or parcels. You can pack plenty in there although the opening is narrow and so you are limited as to what size of bag you can put in there.
The Roadster Coupe, like the soft top, is one of those cars which wraps itself around the driver, which is one of the reasons why it has so much appeal. It's snug without being too small and is a delight to drive, particularly on twisting country roads. It's 10mm taller than the soft-top yet weighs just 37kg more.
With its traditional rear-wheel-drive set up and 50-50 weight distribution it's a true classic sports car in the very best sense of the term.
This car was powered by the 2.0-litre engine, which has now been improved to rev to 7,500rpm, and just to make sure it sounds as good as it feels it has been fitted with a new Induction Sound Enhancer guaranteed to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand upright just before you hit the red line.
Despite that the cabin is better insulated with interior noise reduced by a significant 2.7dB at 37 mph compared to the soft top version and so appealing to a wider market.
With the Roadster Coupe Mazda has managed to add a nice degree of refinement - which even included heated leather seats on my test car - while not losing that thrill-a-minute seat of the pants sports car appeal.
Changes to 2009 models have ensured the lowering of aerodynamic drag while chassis modifications have improved handling even further and fine tuning has given the car better fuel consumption and a reductions in C02 emissions.
The MX-5, it seems, still has a bright future.
FAST FACTS
Mazda MX-5 Coupe Roadster
Price: £21,195
Mechanical: 160bhp, 1999cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving rear wheels via 6-six speed manual gearbox
Max speed: 136mph
0-62mph: 7.9 seconds
Combined mpg: 35.8
Insurance group: 13
CO2 emissions: 181g/km
BIK rating: 20%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles