CHEAP two-seater convertibles come and go, but in recent times only the Mazda MX-5 has endured.

Since launch in 1989, the diminutive and lightweight Japanese contender has seen off a horde of rivals like the Honda S2000, Toyota MR2 and Alfa Romeo Spyder on its way to more than 920,000 global sales – a certified record for an open-topped sportscar.

The current third-generation version has now been around since 2005, but with a brand new replacement still around two years away, Mazda has seen fit to give the existing model a minor makeover, bringing small price rises and spelling the end for the slow-selling fabric-roof version.

Mazda took us for a drive along the Gold Coast in a bid to prove that it still has what it takes to compete against cheaper, rear-drive coupe pseudo-rivals like the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ. The conclusion? It might be showing its age in some areas, but there's plenty of life in the old dog yet., , However, we can't help but feel that the deletion of the soft-top from the range - slow sales or no - takes away a part of its 'soul'.

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