Obviously the only way to enjoy open-top driving is on a warm and sunny summer’s day through leafy country lanes. So when my MX-5 was delivered on a wet, cold and windy day, you will perhaps understand I was slightly miffed to say the least.

Nevertheless, I ventured out into the countryside to put it through its paces and soon discovered the weather actually plays no part in the total driving enjoyment of this stunning little car. I say little, but while the boot comprises just 150 litres of room, you would be surprised by just how many bits and pieces you can stash in the cabin’s plentiful cubby holes.

The rear-wheel drive, 2-litre, 16-valve petrol engine gives a very useful 160bhp, which gets you to 62mph in 7.9 seconds from a standing start as well as delivering the power beautifully, using it’s 6-gear manual box through the aforementioned leafy lanes as well as in town.

Road holding is spot-on thanks to fully independent double wishbones at the front and multi-linked independent system to keep the rear in shape and steering is wonderfully direct. Braking is pretty much on a sixpence with 290mm ventilated front discs and 280mm rear.

Thankfully during the second day the sun came out, so the power-folding metal roof was dropped and in 12.7 seconds I was on my way back to the country with the heated seats switched on and the blower keeping the rest of my extremities nice and cosy.

To look at it the MX-5 is just another two-seater convertible, but first impressions here would prove you wrong. It has cruise control, Tom Tom sat-nav, integrated Bluetooth for hands-free calls and rather stylish black leather seats with contrasting stitching which is matched on the steering wheel and hand brake.

The exterior beauty of this car is matched by the simplicity of its design behind the wheel. Everything is within easy reach and straightforward to use from dropping the roof, the easy sat-nav and the cruise control.

For just a few times in my life being under 6ft proved to be a bonus as, so I am reliably informed, for anyone over that height the roof is in touch. Six footers also lose when the roof is down, as the low screen doesn’t give as much protection against the elements as it does for those vertically challenged like myself. So, if you’re a hairpiece wearer and over 6ft, you have been warned.

Until then it can get more than hairy when you put your foot down on what you think is the clutch and discover you can’t change down at a junction with your foot on the footrest.The only minor niggles, from my point of view, is that there is no forward or backward adjustment on the steering wheel and the nice, shiny retro-styled footrest block tends to get in the way when attempting to depress the clutch pedal. In fact it feels that the pedals are a little off centre, and it’s not until after the third or fourth outing that you naturally adapt your leg positions to suit.

All in all a fabulous drive and, for me, much better for having a metal roof, instead of a flappy cloth cover, as it not only keeps the draughts and cold out, but reduces the road noise significantly.

I don't know what it is about the Mazda, but every time I drove it, I just had to smile. Perhaps it's because it was such a good fit for me (I've had suits which didn't fit so good), or that it was all about fun - a bit of both I reckon.

Facts

Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe 2.0i Sport Tech Nav

Price: 23,295 on the road, metallic paint £520 extra.

Kerb weight: 1248kg

Fuel consumption: 36.2mpg combined.

Engine: 2-litre petrol

Gearbox: 6-gear manual

Co2 rating: 181 g/km