I’ve endured a torrid time these last seven days. The little MX-5 that I had been so looking forward to driving has toyed with my emotions, leaving me with both an aching heart and body upon its departure.

Since its launch into a sports car-shaped void in 1989 I have been itching to spend a prolonged period behind the wheel of Mazda’s little roadster.

What I wasn’t quite prepared for was just how much pleasure and pain I would go through while that sports car was part of my life.

It is bigger and heavier than it was 25 years ago, but then it’s also more refined, better built and safer. Mazda have gone some way to negate that weight gain by fitting more powerful engines in 1.8 and 2.0-litre guises.

That’s important because this is, and always has been, about the driving experience and, I’m pleased to say, the MX-5 remains one of the best handling sports cars on the market. In fact, it’s so quick to respond to even the slightest of inputs on the steering wheel that it can be a little disconcerting at times while the grip levels are not far short of astounding.

As your confidence grows - and it will - a whole new world of possibilities opens up and you find yourself savouring every twist and turn in the road. The beautifully balanced chassis and excellent feedback makes driving quickly along country lanes easy and is guaranteed to leave you with a big smile on your face.

Given the focus on handling it’s understandable that the ride is on the firm side but, given its sporting intent, the Mazda still does a remarkable job of coping with most of the lumps, bumps and undulations that lie in wait on Britain’s roads.

Now I know you’re expecting a but and, not wishing to disappoint, here it is: Despite its accomplished handling and spirited performance I have to admit that, after driving the MX-5 every day for a week, it’s not a car that I’d want to drive every day.

For a start I’m 6ft 1in and I didn’t find it particularly easy to climb in and out and, once in the car, there’s limited scope for adjusting the seats to find the perfect driving position. With the roof up I often found myself scrunching down in my seat trying to avoid spoiling my expensive hair-do while, with the roof down, I just had to let the wind do its worst.

Speaking of wind, it’s quite intrusive with the roof up which was a little disappointing. It actually improves with the roof down which, at the end of the day, is the MX-5’s natural state.

In order to use the sun visor which, incidentally, completely blocked my view of the road when down, I had to move the rear view mirror out of the way. So I didn’t. Use it, I mean.

The MX-5 is well-built and, although the materials in the cabin aren’t quite a match for its more upmarket rivals, it all looks and feels solid enough.

Unlike many coupe-cabriolets where the roof folds away into the boot, and so impacts on capacity and accessibility, the MX-5’s has its own storage area, which means you’re free to use all 150 litres of the boot with the roof up or down.

The MX-5 is built to a very specific brief and that means making compromises. Possessing one has always meant making compromises of your own and I’m not sure that, on a daily basis, I would be lithe enough to do that. However, on a thrills per pound basis there probably isn’t a better value car on the market and that’s why, despite my aches and pains, every time I stepped out of the little convertible I’d immediately wish I was back in it eagerly awaiting the next bend in the road.

Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe 2.0i Sport Tech Na

PRICE: £23,295

ENGINE: 2.0-litre petrol

TRANSMISSION: Six-speed manual

POWER: 158bhp

ACCELERATION: 90-62mph): 7.9sec

TOP SPEED: 136mph

URBAN: 25.9mpg

EXTRA-URBAN: 46.3mpg

COMBINED: 36.2mpg

EMISSIONS: (CO2): 181g/km