Mazda MX-5

All Miatas comes standard with Bluetooth connectivity ( for phone and streaming- audio functions) as well as a CD player. Navigation is standard on the Grand Touring trim. It’s a dealer- installed accessory on the Club model, added via a Mazda SD card.

With the packages and taxes includes, the MSRP is pushed from $30,290 to $36,005.

When the Mazda MX-5 Miata debuted in 1989, the little sports car that could quickly gained notoriety.

One year later, nearly 36,000 sold in the United States. It’s still the bestselling year in the car’s tenure.

Like many other vehicles not pickup trucks or SUVS, Miata sales have suffered in recent years. Fewer than 8,000 sold throughout the country last year, with buyers’ habits increasingly switching to practicality and away from the simple joys of driving.

Sports cars aren’t often gas efficient, but the MX- 5 Miata gets that right. It’s rated at 26 miles per gallon in city driving, 34 mpg on the freeway. It’s the top tally in the segment.

The Mazda MX-5 is available as a soft- top and hardtop convertible.

The former’s top functions with ease. Pull a lever near the rearview mirror and the top is released. The black cloth top folds easily in a few seconds and locks in place flush with a firm push.

Driving the Miata in city situations is a treat. Parking is simplified, maneuvering through traffic and touring the neighborhood while low to the ground makes the experience less stressful. It’s sporty driving even at low speeds, a likely oxymoron for purists.

The MX-5 Miata is at its best on winding country roads. It’s the most affordable way for sports car enthusiasts to experience driving at its basics.

Pick a cool weekend afternoon, put the top down and pull a cap on tight. Lather on sunscreen, securely position your sunglasses and forget the world’s problems — if only for a few hours.