When I first test drove our '99 leather package Miata, I knew that we would be a great team. Sitting in the creamy beige leather felt like home, and each smooth gear change was an old friend's handshake. I was in love.

The Miata elicits a kind of symbiosis with its driver, which the Japanese called jinba ittai. It hearkens back to a time before electric throttle and steering, when a person could actually /drive/, not content to simply force data into a computer. It's a good bit of fun too.

The cornering is excellent and the stalwart 1.8l engine, though slightly under powered, feels as if it will last forever. It's only been a year since we came together, but every drive feels like the first: beautiful, engaging, bordering on eroticism.

I would recommend this car to anybody who isn't content with a simple A-to-B econobox, who wants to have the thrill of a great driving experience without sacrificing essential limbs for payment.

Wonderful car, this.