JUST my luck.  A Mazda MX-5 arrives during our worst weather of the winter so far. Heavy snow and freezing temperatures - not ideal conditions for a rear-wheel-drive roadster.

As a result it spent most of its time in the driveway under a blanket of snow.

A good job then that just about everything has already been said about the world's best selling two-seater which has dominated the sports car scene for over 25 years.

The iconic Mazda MX-5 is a true classic and it has seen off many rivals.

It continues to sell well on both the new and used car scene and an all-new model will arrive this summer.

The current model is totally reliable and offers fun and thrills in abundance at a fraction of the cost of many alternatives

Surprisingly it is also reasonably practical and the boot in the coupe version I tested allows three soft bags to be carried - or a fair amount of shopping.

The electrically folding metal roof  in the coupe closes or opens in seconds at the touch of a button and  does not reduce luggage space.

Open top driving is a delight in the summer as you can enjoy the scenery, sounds and smells.  It can also be pleasant in the autumn and spring thanks to the MX-5's powerful heater and heated seats but there was no chance of me dropping the lid at -7 degrees.

The cabin is tight but the leather seats are firm and supportive, while the interior is well made and functional but a little bit dated.

Dials and instrumentation are clear and concise with all instrumentation handily placed.

The driving seat is limited in its adjustment and  the steering wheel does not adjust at all but most drivers will be able to find a position that they can enjoy.

Powered by a two-litre engine that kicks out  just over 160bhp, the MX-5 has decent pace, accelerating from 0-62mph in just 7.9 seconds. It enjoys being worked hard and has a top speed of 136mph.

The six-speed gearbox provides precision close ratio changes and is a delight to use. The handling is superb and is not matched by anything else for the same money.

At times the MX-5 feels like it is running on rails and its balance is superb.

Stability and traction control programmes provide an excellent safety net if the driver pushes things beyond the limit.

The ride is obviously on the firm side but it is worth it for the driving experience.

The car is well equippeed and features front fog lights, alloys, heated leather seats, climate control air-con and a powerful Bose audio system.

The Sport Tech Nav adds cruise control, iPod and Bluetooth connectivity, alloy pedals and a navigation system featuring a colour touchscreen.

Safety kit is comprehensive with ABS, driver and passenger airbags and front seatbelt pre-tensioners with load-limiters.

Standard kit also includes Thatcham Category 1 anti-theft alarm and engine immobiliser and remote central locking with deadlocks.

With 960,000 models already sold and the all-new model due to go on sale in July, the MX-5 is certain to dominate the roadster market for many more years.