Smooth, seamless, linear power is available throughout the 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata’s powerband. This new motor is a gem, a big improvement over the previous-generation’s rather rough 1.8-liter engine. The two-liter loves to rev, is extremely refined, and seems to beg for abuse, yet returned an impressive 24.4 mpg during our week behind the wheel of a Sport model equipped with a six-speed manual transmission.

That six-speed featured a light clutch and a fluid shifter, and even the most ham-handed drivers never missed a shift. There’s also more room in the footwell for folks with large feet to perform heel-and-toe downshifts.

One test driver, when asked if the new MX-5 is fun to drive, replied: “Yeah! Crazy, stupid, @!&#-eating-grin fun. The MX-5 can be driven right at the limits because it remains forgiving, but it’s just as much fun at low speeds where it’s a drop-top, point-and-shoot traffic mauler.” He’s on Ritalin now, and much calmer.