 I bought this car as a summer toy and alternative commuter vehicle instead of my gas guzzling SUV.  I had also considered the Pontiac Solstice, but found the level of fit, finish and refinement greater in the MX-5. It's obvious that improvements in the 19 years of production put the MX-5 as the front runner of affordable roadsters.  It doesn't have the performance of a Porsche Boxster, or the panache of a BMW Z4, but at less than half the price, who cares!  Popping the top down in 3 seconds for the drive home on a sunny day is priceless.