changes to the optional alloy wheels and some minor revisions inside. It remains

cheeky and chunky, with only a few details--the pop-up headlamps for example, a

throwback to the days before flush-fitting lamps were feasible--to date it. But never

mind; a simple, direct design carries its age well, and the Miata has lost none of its

appeal. It looks like fun even when it's sitting still, and fun is precisely what it

delivers.

Some convertibles lose a good bit of their attractiveness when the top is up; the

Miata doesn't. Nor does appearance suffer with the base steel wheels. The only way to

make a Miata unattractive is to dent it or add aftermarket body kits that detract from

its uncomplicated lines.

One drawback: The truncated tail means minimal trunk space. Miata's driver and a

companion had best be prepared to travel light.

Miata is a one-model offering that can be personalized with options packages. The

Popular Equipment Package brings aluminum wheels, limited-slip differential, power

steering, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, power windows/mirrors/door locks and

antenna, cruise control and headrest-mounted radio speakers on board. The Leather

Package, which adorned our test car, does the same, while adding hide-trimmed seats

(tan only, with a matching tan top).

Mazda also does a special edition Miata each year with special paint and various

goodies, but these cross the $25,000 frontier.

Serious--as in racing-minded--owners can order the R Package, which consists of

limited-slip diff, aluminum wheels, air ducts for the front brakes and Bilstein shock

absorbers, plus modest side sill extensions and a small rear spoiler.

While the spoiler doesn't really add anything to performance, the rest of this

equipment does, something the Miata R demonstrates weekend after summer weekend in

Sports Car Club of America amateur racing events.

Every Miata we've sampled has displayed better-than-average attention to details.

Paint is smooth and consistent, gaps between panels are even and narrow, and materials

inside and out are of good quality. The only complaint we've heard in this area has to

do with the plastic rear window in the convertible top, which in some cases

deteriorates rapidly. Careful handling and regular cleaning will help a lot.