There's no disputing the appeal of the Mazda MX-5. It's a superb sports car and that's why well over three quarters of a million have been sold around the world over the years. At the end of 2005, Mazda announced the third generation of its iconic car - icon is an overworked word in the world of motoring but in the case of the Mazda two seater it is justly deserved. While the soft top MX-5 has been selling well since this new generation arrived, the model looks set to get a further lift now there is a folding hard top model available, known as the Roadster Coupe. I think this new iteration of the MX-5 is superb, lifting the car to a whole new level. While the simplicity of the soft top, which can be folded single handed from the driving seat, still appeals, the convenience and attractions of this new hardtop are overwhelming. Even better, it doesn't even impinge on boot space. The car looks so right with its new lid it's hard to imagine it without one. It reminds me of the original, inspired design of the original Lotus Elite from the 1950s, not to be confused with the larger, squared car of the 70s and 80s. One Mazda dealer I spoke to told me the difficulty now with the MX-5 is that he can't get enough of the Roadster Coupe. Everyone wants one. But you can turn that to your advantage and go seeking a soft top, which you could well get at a good price. Now that summer's approaching, the soft top will be just as good and by the time winter arrives again you'll love it so much you'll feel quite warm and snug inside. Getting back to the Roadster Coupe, I think the new motorised folding hard top is a masterpiece. It's only in two sections but it splits neatly and drops into a very small well so that it doesn't take up too much room when stowed. The whole operation is over in seconds after a single clip has been released on the screen rail and while the soft top folds more quickly the hard top is fast enough. It takes just 12 seconds - the fastest roof of its type there is. And the way these folding convertible tops operate still amazes me. I will raise and lower them time and again just to watch. The integrity of the car is boosted by its new lid, and while the soft top feels firm with its roof erected the hard top feels even better. Roof down, they are both the same. It looks even more sporting, wide, and low down than previous MX-5s thanks to the pronounced shoulders over each of the wheelarches. They accentuate the wide track that gives this car such good grip and handling. The car is now also slightly longer in the wheelbase so it can accommodate taller people - drivers my size used to have a job to get comfortable. From the outside the new car is instantly recognisable because it no longer has the "Coke bottle" waistline of the first two generations. However, it still tapers inwards at both front and rear. In the past, the MX-5 has been offered with 1.6 and 1.8 litre four cylinder engines but this has now grown to a choice of 1.8 or 2.0 litre engines, still with four cylinders. In two litre form, as I drove it, it has just shy of 160 bhp on offer and this more powerful engine is probably why more men are taking to the car. The test car was the Sport variant, which comes on the road for £21,000 compared with £18,950 for the soft top. I think both are great cars and the choice is hard. Maurice Hardy Annette's View Mazda's little MX-5 sports car never really grabbed me until now. With this latest generation, I quite like the car and the addition of this new folding hard top model increases its desirability even more. I have some reservations about the hard ride. It seems just a shade too firm for me although it's not so hard that it makes the body shake, as it does on some sports cars. The shape of the latest car is appealing and very modern and it looks great whether you are viewing it roof down or in place. Somehow, the car feels much safer when you know you have the integrity of a solid roof over your head and it's less of a worry when you leave the car that some clown is going to slash the roof for "fun" or to nick your stuff. Driving the MX-5 is great fun. That 2.0 litre engine gives it a great deal of poke. It rockets down the road and shifting through the slick six speed manual gearbox is a pleasure. Chucking it around is also a great experience and the engine note sounds just right when you have the roof down. For me, there's now no choice. It would have to be this new hard roof version of the MX-5. But don't let that put you off. If you are still young, or young at heart, there's nothing to beat the nostalgia trip of a soft top two seater. Car: Mazda MX-5 2.0 Roadster Coupe Sport Does it fit your ego?... 0-62 mph: 8.2 secs Top speed: 133 mph Bhp: 158 @ 6700 rpm Torque: 116 lb ft @ 5000 rpm ...and your wallet?... Price: £21,000 Urban: 25.1 mpg Extra urban: 43.3 mpg Combined: 34.4 mpg CO2 emissions: 193 g/km Insurance Group: 13 Best bits: superb new hard top; handling; fun with the top down.