Convertible sports cars have always held a fascination with Australian drivers thanks largely to our wondrous climate and multitude of beautiful, scenic winding open roads. For many years it was the MG that best captured the romantic thrills of driving topless through the countryside or along the rugged coastline. While the MG still holds a warm place in the hearts of many Australian drivers, it's the Mazda MX-5 that has taken over as the popular choice in affordable sports motoring on Australian roads.

The Mazda MX-5 first hit the highways of Australia in 1989. And it made its mark in a big way, winning Wheels Magazine's Car of the Year. This new convertible sports car with its classic sports car styling and able handling and performance made it an instant hit with Australian drivers. Today, the MX-5 is still going strong and, thanks to its classic thoroughbred sports car styling, has required only minor cosmetic changes over the years. The latest, in 2005, has an updated interior and is a little roomier, but it still retains its classic, timeless styling.

As the Mazda MX-5 is a true sports car, it's strictly for one or two people to enjoy. This is obviously not a car to take the kids to their weekend soccer match. While you'll get a couple of soft bags in the bag for a weekend away, there isn't a great deal of room. But that's exactly what you'd expect from a sports convertible anyway. Another important aspect of convertible sports car driving is the ease of taking down the canvas top. While the MX-5 has a manual soft-top, it's easy to remove for topless driving. In fact, you can even drop it down while you're wasting time sitting in traffic or at a red light.

If you're in the market for a used oneowner car, look for a Mazda MX-5 made after 2000 as the engine was improved over earlier models. If you can afford to pay a little more for your used car, look for one of the post 2005 models. Make sure you check over the car thoroughly as there is an obvious temptation for owners to drive the MX-5 hard. Also, make sure you check under the carpets for water damage from leaky soft-tops and remember to look over the dashboard for any signs of sun damage.

When you buy your Mazda MX-5, you might consider joining one of the Mazda MX-5 car clubs around Australia. These clubs are full of MX-5 enthusiasts who love taking their cars out for fun weekend drives on open, windy roads. You can find a club in each state except Tasmania and the Northern Territory.