2007 Mazda MX-5 PRHT - Love At Last

Despite all the gay rhetoric about Miatas and the men who love them, I've always been a fan of the very capable mountain carver (rainbow sticker notwithstanding). The immersive cockpit, additional refinement and linear, silky-smooth power delivery of the latest MX-5 make it even more irresistible. Had Mazda put a solid roof on top and somehow added more luggage space, the MX-5 would easily make it onto my list of everyday, affordable fun cars to buy.

With its 2007 MX-5 PRHT (Power Retractable Hardtop), Mazda's one step closer to making that list. Only 75 pounds heavier than its rag top brother, the PRHT only sacrifices a bit of performance for an immeasurable gain in comfort and practicality. After releasing the centrally mounted latch, the two-piece, 3/4-inch thick body-colored composite top automatically retracts and completely conceals itself under a rear cowl in less than 12 seconds.

When up, the hard top adds a harder, more aggressive edge to the MX-5's silhouette with a rounded top shape much like an S2000 shell top. It also seals and insulates like no soft top ever could. Even at triple-digit speeds, most wind noise is kept out as effectively as in similarly priced sport coupes. It's even nicely lined on the inside.

Dynamically, the PRHT remains identical to the standard convertible, with the same sphincter-pinching cornering ability made possible by the Buick-like body roll and awesome suspension travel.

With the roof up, it also feels more rigid than the soft top over high-speed undulations, giving the car less of a flimsy rock-crawler feel. What still annoys is the drivetrain's featherlight clutch and shifter feel. Chalk it up to talent (or lack thereof), but I've ground the synchros more than a few times on a third-to-second heel-toe downshift, or just completely failed to engage second gear. But that's something that gets better with more seat time or synchro wear, whichever comes first.

The only thing we need to do now is figure out how to put a roll bar in without blocking the hardtop's retraction.

By Jay Chen

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