IF you have to launch a roadster to the UK market at the end of November then you would probably select Cornwall as the venue.
After all it is as far south as you can get withouth crossing the water - and the chances of fine weather are better than most.
That was the reason for Mazda selecting the Padstow area for the launch of its eagerly-awaited new MX-5 - but boy, did it backfire as the county had, in many places, its first snow for 18 years.
The tight, scenic lanes became totally blocked and the local councils, for obvious reasons, didn't have the equipment to deal with the snow and ice.
Some drivers were stranded for up to nine hours in the tight confines of the new roadster without moving a mile.
Others had to check into remote bed and breakfasts for shelter - and some I think may still be missing.
I was one of the lucky ones and made it to the lunch halt before being stranded, so the test drive was certainly eventful if rather shorter than usual.
And in the couple of hours before the weather turned the test into a farce the MX-5 proved to be every bit as good as I expected.
Already in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the best selling roadster ever, the MX-5 has already sold 721,000 units.
It is so popular because it brought reliable affordable sportscar glamour to the masses and its appeal will continue for many years.
This third generation of the MX-5 has had a very long gestation period simply because the company knew it had to get it right and they certainly have.
You can instantly recognise it as being an MX-5 from more than 100 metres and the final design came from Japan although the design studios in California and Germany also had an input.
Over 320 sketches were considered before the Japanese design won but some features from the other designs were incorporated in the final production car.
Longer and wider than the car it replaces, the new MX-5 offers more comfort for the driver and passenger and there is also room now for side airbags which were missing in the old model. Surprisingly though the side airbags are not fitted to all models and cost £150 as an option.
The extra dimensions have also enabled Mazda to increase the boot space and make the roadster a more practical choice.
It now offers six-litres of boot space thanks in part to Mazda's decision to stick with a manual folding roof rather than the heavy and space consuming motors needed for an automatic lid.
However, lifting or lowering the new soft top is as simple as you can possibly get with just one catch in a central position. You can lower it and fix it in place in less than five seconds and it is just as easy in reverse.
You don't need to get out the car and the hood sits flush with the boot lid, so you do not need a tonneau cover to help it look good.
The designers have done a fabulous job with the interior which is now much classier than before thanks to its piano black features and neat instruments and fascia.
The 1.6 engine has been dropped and now enthusiasts have to select from a choice of a 1.8-litre 125bhp or a two-litre 158bhp unit.
Both are excellent and come with a five-speed gearbox as standard, while a six-speed manual is feature in the most expensive two-litre Sport.
Both gearboxes are a delight to use and the bigger engined car will propel you to 62mph in just 7.9 seconds while the 1.8 takes you there in 9.4. The respective top speeds are 130mph and 122mph.
Frankly it doesn't much matter which engine you select because on the road it doesn't feel such a difference and this car is not all about sheer speed.
It is and has always been about the fantastic handling and the sheer thrill of open-top motoring at a reasonable price.
The handling in the new car is just superb with truly precise steering and plenty of driver involvement. You will have so much fun that you will find it difficult to drive without a smile on your face.
Its perfect balance and poise make it the envy of far more expensive machines and its UK sales will surely keep growing.
Already all 400 special launch versions have been sold and Mazda UK will probably be able sell all the cars they can get in 2006.
Some five versions are on sale from now, starting at just £15,600 for the 1.8i, the 1.8i with option pack becomes £16,400, the two-litre starts at £16,600 and with the option pack fitted costs £17,400 and then there is the 2.0i Sport which costs £18,900.
Air conditioning is a £560 extra on all models and a whole range of other options are available including a fabulous Bose sound system.
All cars are well kitted out but I would opt for the 1.8 with option pack which gives you alloys and the higher quality cloth hood.
The new MX-5 may look more muscular and slightly larger but it is just as nimble as ever and I don't think there is another car around that will provide as much fun for this money.