Booking a third-generation 2009 Mazda MX-5 Grand Touring PRHT (power retractable hard top) in the Midwest area of the United States during springtime is a guarantee of

The MX-5's retractable hardtop looks good and makes the car as cozy in the rain as it is fun in the sun. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

Murphy’s Law: you know it’s going to rain.

Rain it did during our 1,200-mile (1,900-km) week together, but the weather could not still my love for this machine one iota. The MX-5 is still, pound-for-pound, the heavyweight champion of the two-seat sports car world. It is a fighter and a lover rolled into one with so many positive attributes it is tough to find a reason to complain.

The Copper Red mica paint on the car I tested looks deep and luscious. It accentuates the RX-8-like exaggerated front wheel well opening and the yawing matte black, chrome-surrounded grille.

The heart of the MX-5 is its delightful MZR 2.0-litre DOHC 4-cylinder engine, which produces 167 horsepower, 140 lb-ft of torque and one sweet song. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

Fog lights flank the large grille and draw the eye to the hood bulge. The MX-5’s bodylines draw inward to lighter RX-8-simile rear openings and the lightly upswept rear deck with body color antenna affixed.

The heart of the MX-5 is its lovely MZR 2.0-liter DOHC inline 4-cylinder engine that elicits 167 horsepower at 7,000 rpm, en route to a 7,200-rpm redline. Peak torque of 140 lb-ft occurs at a heady 5,000 rpm under the aluminum hood. Mazda equips this vehicle with sweet-singing chrome dual pipes.

The six speed transmission is a pleasure to use. Controls in the central stack are placed logically and conventionally. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

Mazda’s 6-speed manual is another great piece of work. With its tight shift linkage and gearing, a capable driver can get the most performance out of this lithe rear-wheel-drive convertible while still racking up impressive fuel mileage. Heel-and-toe driving is easily accomplished with superb pedal placement; yes, the MX-5 is truly a driver’s car.

With a front double wishbone/coil spring and rear multilink/coil spring independent suspension that includes anti-roll bars and a tower brace, the 2009 MX-5 is stiffly sprung but never unduly harsh.

Power rack and pinion variable steering has 2.7 turns lock-to-lock together with a 9.4-metre (30.8-foot) turning circle. It is direct, precise and confidence inspiring, as are the all-wheel antilock brakes with vented front and solid rear discs accompanied by aluminum calipers all around.

Mazda doesn’t stint in the safety department with front and side airbags installed on the MX-5 Grand Touring. There is also a tire pressure monitoring system that came in handy when an Indianapolis pothole attacked the soft and short sidewall on one of the Bridgestone Potenza P205/45R17 tires riding on 17-inch, 10-spoke alloy rims. A quick local repair had the MX-5 back on the road.

The interior is simple but far from Spartan, with heated leather seats, Bose audio and automatic air conditioning all included in our test car. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

The MX-5 weighs a miserly 1,182 kilograms (2,593 lbs) with the power hardtop, just 37 kilograms (70 lbs) heavier than the drop-top version. The hardtop, with its glass rear window with electric defroster, gives the MX-5 a decent 939 mm (37 inches) of headroom. There is a generous 1,095 mm (43 inches) of legroom in this little car, enough to satisfy most anyone.

Fuel economy is rated at 9.7 / 7.1 L/100km for city and highway driving respectively, and premium fuel is required in the 48-litre tank. During my long distance trip from Indianapolis to Bristol, Tennessee and back, my consumption averaged about 7.4 L/100km. I found the MX-5 most comfortable at 120 km/h (75 mph), when the engine is turning 3,500 rpm.

The upswept rear deck looks good and means that the MX-5 has a usable, if not gigantic, trunk. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

My best economy was just over 6.7 L/100km; the worst was an around-town 8.4 L/100km. Was I light on the throttle during this time? Absolutely not!

The Grand Touring edition of the MX-5 is not Spartan. Rather, it has comfort and luxury amenities that make it whole. Beige leather heatable seats are comfortable and supportive, with manual controls for all adjustments. The central stack is conventional in nature, with the Bose audio controls at the top and wheeled heating, air conditioning and ventilation knobs below. There is a single 12V plug at the base of the stack, alongside an open cubby and seat heaters.

Gauges are simple, clear and easy to read at a glance. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

The six-CD audio system is excellent, and is optimized for the cabin. The six radio preset buttons allow quick access to three sets of Sirius satellite stations, two for FM, a single set for AM stations. The excellent automatic air conditioning system adjusts to ambient temperature.

The driver’s window has one-touch down operation and there are power door locks controlled by a keyless system. Starting and stopping the MX-5 is accomplished by turning a knob where the key would otherwise sit.

Flip open a latch, press a console-mounted button, and in 12 seconds the MX-5 GT converts from hardtop to roadster. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

Remote for the trunk is left of the multi-function steering wheel (audio/phone left; cruise control right); remote for the fuel filler is a pull-ring in the locking central storage unit behind the seats.

The power top is a little marvel, as is the MX-5’s standard ragtop. To raise and lower, one simply releases the latch and presses a button at the top of the central stack. Just 12 seconds later, it’s time to Zoom-Zoom down the road. The top has its own enclosure and doesn't impede into the thoroughly usable 142-litre (five cubic-foot) trunk, which will easily swallow a 22-inch suitcase and large computer bag.

The trunk will easily hold a 22-inch suitcase and computer bag. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

The cabin is relatively quiet with the top up or down. Sure there's a little less cacophony with the top in place, but the sound barrier isn’t broken with it down, either. Driving the MX-5 in either guise won’t cause driver or passenger to yell at one another and there’s no need to ratchet up the audio volume.

In Canada the 2009 Mazda MX-5 Grand Touring PRHT has an MSRP of $39,995 and comes with a sport-tuned suspension and limited slip differential, antitheft alarm, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, wonderfully accurate Xenon headlights, Sirius satellite radio and dynamic stability/traction control. A 6-speed sport-mode automatic transmission with paddle shifters is a $1,200 option.

Driving back roads through Virginia en route to the Cumberland Gap passage on the return trip, the MX-5 was in its milieu.

With its happy demeanor and excellent driving dynamics, the MX-5 has become a favourite of weekend warriors everywhere. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

On these kinds of roads it can stretch its legs and strut its stuff through twisty asphalt. Even though it has a rather short wheelbase of 2,330 mm (91.7 inches), the MX-5 is fairly compliant over all but the roughest of roads. It loves to be ridden hard and put away wet; the MX-5 thrives with positive input.

Even a monsoon of a storm couldn’t put my little Mazda test car down. While it needed to be driven with delicacy in difficult conditions, there was no complaint when lugged. The rigidity of the power retractable hardtop gives confidence when the weather asks the driver to be on best behavior.

On any given weekend, more Mazda cars are being raced than any other brand, all around the world. The agility of Mazda’s MX-5 has made it a favourite of weekend warriors everywhere. Excellent build quality and a happy demeanor make the 2009 MX-5 a car anyone can enjoy for years on end. Let’s face it: this car gives maximum reward for minimal financial output.