When first introduced, the Miata brought back the memories of the roadsters of the past, particularly the Lotus Elan; small and nimble and full of fun, but now with Mazda reliability thrown in the mix. You could drive this little roadster to work and back all week then spend all weekend working out the kinks of the curviest roads you could find. Sure the Miata was cute, but any driving enthusiast who got behind the seat immediately became a fan. It didn’t take a ton of horsepower to provide excitement, it’s the whole package that make it a nimble joy to drive. These desirable traits are courtesy of precise steering and a supremely shift-able transmission. Thanks to Mazda’s rebirth of the affordable roadster, letting the sun shine in never felt so good.

Cars can’t have biological parents, but it’s safe to say that Bob Hall is as close to being the father of the Mazda MX-5 Miata as a person can get. As an employee of Mazda’s American R&D department, Hall virtually single-handedly promoted the idea of a classically British sportscar to the Japanese company, appealing to their history of producing excellent sportscars. With the help of several sympathetic employees both stateside and in Japan, Hall got his wish, and Mazda approved production of the kind of car Hall wanted—a rear-drive, two-seat convertible with a peppy conventional inline piston engine (rather than the Wankel rotary that Mazda used in its higher-end RX-7). Devoid of the heavy gadgetry and gimmicks of sportscars of the time, the Miata debuted as an instant hit, and has gone on to be far and above the highest selling two-seat convertible ever produced. By 1994, the Miata received several upgrades, including better chassis bracing, an available limited-slip differential, and a new 1.8-liter DOHC engine. What didn’t change is the Mazda’s fun-to-drive factor, which recalls the classic roadster while providing a modern driving experience. The MX-5 Miata is also the foundation of a popular one-make series, Spec Miata, and a quick drive in the tiny but nimble Mazda will make it clear why it’s a favorite of drivers everywhere.

Small, low, and very fast, the third-generation RX-7 is light-years away from its distant ancestor, the Mazda Cosmo of the 1960s. Mazda is well-known as the only company left still developing the Wankel rotary engine, and while the Renesis engine in the RX-8 represents the latest evolution of the concept, the FD-generation RX-7 represents the ultimate street performance variation. The high-output 1.3-liter 13B-REW under the sculpted hood is the first mass-produced sequential twin-turbo design, co-developed with turbo manufacturer Hitachi. The first turbo, active from 1,800 to 4,000 RPMs, produces 10 PSI of boost, but after that the second, larger turbo provides an additional 10 PSI—resulting in 261 smooth-as-silk horsepower and staggering performance. The 13B series of engines is essentially modular, and stacking four rotor housings together produced the powerplant of the 787B, the only Japanese car to ever win outright at Le Mans. How’s that for performance heritage?

When you have something as tried and true as the roadster formula that makes up the Mazda MX-5, it has been worthwhile to tread lightly with updates. However, add a factory-built turbo to the mix, and things can only get better. And it does, the Mazdaspeed MX-5 sprints to 60 mph in under seven seconds and turbo-lag is nearly non-existent. All around, the Mazdaspeed treatment stiffens the ride and accentuates the stability that the Miata has built a reputation for. MX-5 plus turbo equals fun factor multiplied. It’s a formula for success that any car enthusiast can figure out once you get behind the wheel of this pocket-rocket.

For 2010, the much-loved Mazdaspeed 3 both changes and stays the same. What’s different is the revised sheetmetal that brings a distinctive trapezoidal grille to the entire Mazda 3 range as part of the new “Nagare” design language—although in the Mazdaspeed version, the 3 gains a large hoodscoop to keep the intercooler cool. As you would expect, the Mazdaspeed 3 comes with stiffer suspension than the normal version, as well as a new torque management system to deal with the twist produced by the 2.3-liter four cylinder that is turbocharged to the tune of 263 horsepower and 280 ft-lbs. of torque. The result is just a hint of torque-steer, although not nearly as much as there would be without the limited slip differential. Thanks to these technologies, the Mazdaspeed 3 is quick off the line, and pulls hard out of corners, almost as if it was equipped with all-wheel drive. It’s not; but for a front-driver with this much power on tap, the results are highly impressive. Also of note is the new boost gauge, an LED indicator vertically sandwiched between the tachometer and speedometer—just the kind of little sporting touch that Mazda is known for.

When the first MX-5 Miata hit dealer showrooms in 1989, it sold like hotcakes and early buyers endured waiting lists and over-sticker pricing for a chance to own the “Mazda-Experiment Project Number Five.” The cars official name “Miata” was coined by product planning head Rod Bymaster. It was based on the German translation of “reward” and it’s fitting since the Miata is certainly a rewarding drive. After 20 years of market success, Mazda put together the Super20 to show off at SEMA. The Super20 was shown in 2010 in medium gray and repainted a muted yellow for 2011. Taller tires on Enkei rims, coil-overs, and front and rear anti-roll bars give the Super20 an improved ride and smart stance. The real treat is under the hood, where 200 horsepower are ready to excite, compliments of a Cosworth supercharger, ECU tune, and Racing Beat header and exhaust.

Though the 2011 Mazda RX-8 will be the last production model of the RX-8 series, it appears to be going out with a bang. The 1.3 liter engine is capable of 232 horsepower, a top speed north of 130 mph, and a 0-60 time of around seven seconds. The six-speed manual transmission and light weight make for a responsive ride and there’s no denying the pleasing whines of that rotary engine. It might be going away, soon to be replaced by Mazda’s next sports coupe, but you’ll be able to enjoy the RX-8’s swan song in Forza 5 for years to come.

The Mazda MX-5 doesn’t have to be the most powerful roadster ever made to remain one of the best choices for spirited driving and all-out fun. It’s been almost a quarter of century since the Miata was introduced and other roadsters have come and gone while the Miata remains with very few changes overall. Fun can be found at any speed in a Miata and the handling will make any driver feel like they are one with their car. Steering is communicative and handling is intuitive. Power from the reliable 2.0 liter inline four-cylinder, while not immense at 167 HP, is ample to keep you stuck in your seat and grinning madly with an earful of its delicious exhaust note. As the saying goes: don’t fix it if it ain’t broken. Aside from a slight styling refresh, the MX-5 just keeps getting it right.

After 25 years in production, the Miata is still doing things right. So right, in fact, that the driving experience of the latest Miata is nearly identical to the original, and that is a good thing. Sure there is more power – 155 horses vs. 116 in the original Miata – and the new model is a bit heavier, but the intuitive steering, danceable rear end, and impeccable transmission are all still there. It’s no wonder the Mazda Miata is one of the most popular and affordable paths to racing; it’s built for the role. The 2016 Miata combines the best of the modern with what’s made the MX-5 such a reliable favorite for more than two decades - a credit its identity as an instant classic from day one.