Some things never change. Let’s go back to March 1990 and I am in Greece for the press launch of the Mazda MX-5.

We are all eager to get behind the wheel of this sixties style roadster, a dead ringer for the Lotus Elan, and with pop up headlights to add a bit of pizzazz.

I take off with driving partner Fred behind the wheel for his stint. Roof down, sun beating down.

At a crossroads Fred dabs the accelerator for a sharp right and the back snakes wildly, fortunately the Yorkshireman knows his stuff and catches it. We are not the only ones to get caught out and back at base the PR team put it down to the baking hot slippery road surface.

In the event the roadster turned out to have pretty solid handling on our roads, you needed to be aware of rear end slippage but not concerned about it.

Back to the here and now and coming off a wet roundabout I dip the accelerator and my bang up to date MX-5 starts squirming. I like to think I caught it but it was more likely the stability programme doing its job. There was no real drama but deja vu brought back happy memories.

Reading the press notes I see my 2-litre if fitted with dynamic stability that slightly delays anti skid intervention adding a bit of thrill to the driving experience. Sounds like a clue to my back end slide.

The MX-5 has rocked the world for 35 years and built quite a CV racking up countless awards and records. It has an unbroken record as the world’s best selling two seater roadster, and last year outsold all convertibles across the globe.

Why has it been such a success? Because it has all the ingredients for a no-fills wind in your hair roadster. Great looks: tick. Hard ride: tick. Barking exhaust rap: tick. Thrill a minute drive: tick. Sheer delight: tick.

You don’t just sit in the MX-5, you become part of it as soon as you slide into the snug cockpit. And don’t waste it on the motorway, find some twisting roads and have a ball.

There is a choice of two engines, 1.5 or 2-litre and my advice is to go straight for the big guy, you want all the horsepower that can be mustered. Cracking sixty in under seven seconds is not furiously quick but sitting low and with the exhaust tuned to sound like a sixties roadster it certainly feels quick. And what about 40mpg. That deserves a round of applause.

A nod to the old roadster comes through with traditional dials, and, of course, the large rev counter takes centre stage. What is missing though is a digital speed readout, it is so easy to get caught out these days and there is a perfect space in the lower right hand corner of the speedometer. Take note Mazda!

Not that MX-5 tries to live in the past, more a case of sixties fun meets 21st century technology.

There are plenty of switches but the infotainment screen has been increased to 8.8 inches and can be navigated through a rotary controller which saves prodding the screen icons.

They have also gone to extraordinary lengths to reduce weight; lighter pistons, connecting rods and suspension elements have saved 100kg. No one can accuse Mazda of not trying.

With such a tight cockpit there is little room for odds and sods but at least the soft top gives a bit more boot space over the retractable hard top. It is reasonably deep and I managed to stow three large shopping bags so there would be room for a couple of carry on cases.

The retractable hardtop is a work of art, but the canvas top completes the roadster story and can be dropped, or put back in place in five seconds. I know because I timed it.

My 1990 review predicted the car would sell like hot cakes and was the most significant car of its time. At least I have got something right.

Is the MX-5 the best value for money roadster out there? For less than 30 grand I can’t think of one to match it.

I have been fortunate to have driven many miles in all four MX-5 models. It knocked me out back in 1990 and it is still knocking me out now. Some things never change….

Fast facts

MX-5 Homura

£35,815 (starts £28,585)

2-litre petrol; 181bhp

0-62mph 6.5secs; 136mph

41.5mpg combined

153g/km. 1st tax £1,360

Insurance group 33

Boot: 130 litres

Warranty: six years