2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Part of that noise is the appealing growl of the 2.0-liter, I-4 engine, which Edmunds.com calls "respectably quick." It's not the fastest car out there, but experts say the rear-wheel-drive MX-5 Miata handles like a pricey sports car. It "connects you to the road better than anything this side of a Lotus," Car and Driver says.

Reviews usually judge the MX-5 Miata against other two-seat convertibles in its price class -- a contest the Mazda easily wins. The Pontiac Solstice convertible (*Est. $24,275 to $29,485) and its twin, Saturn Sky (*Est. $27,595 to $33,680) offer sexier styling and more powerful engines, but critics say the Miata outclasses them in just about every other way. If you're interested in a distinctively styled small four-seater, experts say the Mini Cooper convertible (*Est. $23,900 to $34,300) delivers a spirited drive and great fuel economy, like the Mazda.

All 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miatas are powered by a 2.0-liter, I-4 engine that makes 167 horsepower with the manual transmission and 158 horsepower with the automatic. The entry-level MX-5 Miata SV (*Est. $21,750) comes only with a five-speed manual that delivers 24 mpg in combined driving (22 city and 28 mpg highway). It lacks air conditioning, but it includes most other common features such as power windows. The CD stereo adjusts automatically to top-up or -down conditions, and a retractable wind blocker comes standard. The SV is the only trim that doesn't offer the optional retractable hardtop.

The step-up MX-5 Miata Sport (*Est. $22,750 to $25,390) adds an optional six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters that delivers similar fuel economy (21 mpg city, 28 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined). It includes air conditioning and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Opt for the automatic transmission, and you'll also get power locks, keyless entry, cruise control and a few more features.

The MX-5 Miata Touring (*Est. $25,090 to $27,890) makes all of these features standard and offers a six-speed manual transmission as well as the automatic (both get the same fuel economy). The MX-5 Miata Grand Touring (*Est. $26,350 to $29,290) adds more upscale options like Bluetooth, satellite radio and xenon headlights. It's also the only trim that offers optional stability and traction control.

The 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata had not been crash tested when we checked for this report. It does enjoy good reliability scores, however, and it comes with a three-year, 36,000-mile basic warranty and five-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Testers at Edmunds.com, TheTruthAboutCars.com and Car and Driver do the best job describing what it's like to drive the Mazda MX-5 Miata. ConsumerReports.org, Cars.com and ConsumerGuide.com also test the MX-5 Miata and rate it against rival cars, but these reviews don't contain very lengthy descriptions. Kelley Blue Book's reviews are shorter, but editors do test the cars, and they also predict their resale value. We found fuel-economy estimates for the MX-5 Miata at FuelEconomy.gov and reliability ratings at J.D. Power and Associates.