Young Version — April 1998

The body rigidity is outstanding—Mazda knows how! Whether you like convertibles or not may change your impression of the Roadster. But even if you focus only on the fun of driving, this car is a joy, and after the test drive I was reminded that it has the ideal qualities for learning driving technique. Now, how successful is this major redesign after eight years? The sportiest model in the series…

I took the 1,800 cc RS flying along a winding road. What strikes you first is how solid the body and suspension feel. The previous Roadster was fairly tight, but with the caveat that it was impressive 'for a convertible.' This one can hold its own against a closed-body car. It doesn't shudder or bounce when crossing bumps at speed or tackling hard cornering. The suspension moves beautifully, giving it a much more refined feel.