2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata

So effortlessly does the MX-5 respond to your steering inputs that you can guide the car along the most writhing road at breakneck speeds without effort or even apparent thought. This connection between the driver’s brain and the MX-5 is replicated in the car’s throttle response, braking feel, and transmission, which benefits from one of the most direct shifters on the planet. It all makes for an immensely satisfying drive and proves that a car doesn’t need pavement-wrinkling horsepower to deliver driving enjoyment.

This motorized pleasure is accessible to all because the Mazda MX-5 starts at about $21,000 and is surprisingly practical for a sporting roadster. It has a trunk that provides room for a pair of soft duffels and is uncompromised by the position of the convertible top. The standard manual top is the easiest to use in the industry, completely operable from the driver’s seat, and the optional folding hardtop is a model of compactness and light weight.

It adds up to a car that is not only irresistible to anyone who likes to drive but can also put a smile on your face on your daily commute.

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 2-door roadster
BASE PRICE: $21,180–$27,355
ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter inline-4
Power (SAE net): 158–166 bhp @ 6700 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 140 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm
TRANSMISSIONS: 6-speed auto with manumatic shifting, 5- or 6-speed manual
DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 91.7 in
Length: 157.3 in
Width: 67.7 in
Height: 49.0–49.4 in
Curb weight: 2400–2550 lb