The sad state of our time is that "driving" has taken a backseat to straight-line boulevard bruisers. The task of piloting these cars, from AMG-light C-Class Benzes to 4 Series Coupe Bimmers, involves positioning the shifter to "D" and pushing the foot to the floor. Under no circumstances, when lined up with any such cars, will a lightweight two-seater roadster take the lead. And unless the roadster is heavily modified, the driver probably has no desire to participate anyhow.

Driving a lightweight two-seater roadster requires skill and talent, and when done right, the satisfaction that flows through the driver is like a good buzz. These endearing characteristics of the Mazda MX-5 are why more than one million have been sold worldwide.

Mastering the Mazda MX-5 is nowhere near as hard to conquer as a BMW M3. Using the 6-speed gearbox in the Mazda MX-5 is a matter of going through the motions, with every gear change falling neatly into place. Almost everyone who has owned manual cars and automatics will tell you that driving a manual is far more pleasurable. It's a tactile, engaging experience. It's a connection between driver and machine.

This is the reason why the Mazda MX-5 has become the best-selling two-seater sports car of all time. It's a true driver's car.