This is apparently intended to be a copy by the Japanese of the British rear-wheel drive roadsters of the '60s. The looks suggesting strongly the Lotus Elan, and the driving feel (IMO, anyway) that of the MGB roadster. A less faithful company than Mazda would have given this car front wheel drive for the benefit of modern car drivers. However, it has rear wheel drive, a slightly stiff, very direct gearchange (very close to the feel of the MG), and very precise steering. The flip-up headlights are a cool feature; a shame they were dropped for the subsequent model. The engine is powerful enough to make it a fun car, reasonably torquey, without the need for more than 4 cylinders. Truly stole the crown as the "new MG", a couple of years before MG realised this was a good idea and brought out the MGF.