That's a hairdresser's car," were the first words uttered to me when I announced I was test driving the Mazda MX5 for the weekend.

The cheek of it! Did they not know that this iconic convertible has won a string of awards? This year alone its accolades include What Car? magazine's Best Open Top' and Roadster of the Year' from BBC Top Gear Magazine. We're not dealing with some fly-by-night sports car here, the MX5 has been around since 1989, which means the latest model is third generation and its popularity just keeps on growing.

Having the MX5 for the weekend formed part of a grander plan for me, namely I was going to pose at the wheel driving through London on my way to a five-star hotel for the night I had to look the part!

I had what they like to call the entry version', 126bhp with a 1.8-litre engine. Did I feel short-changed not having the 2-litre? Certainly not, a gentle press on the accelerator and I took off from the dealer's forecourt, a totally different drive to what I am used to.

Somehow I managed though, and the longer I spent behind the wheel, the more my face began to hurt from the permanent smile spread across it. This car is worth the £15,000 price tag for this alone nipping in and out of the London traffic was a breeze, I would even go so far as to say it was fun!

The MX5 is attractive inside and out: alloy wheels, body coloured bumpers, metallic paint and cheeky curves that tease passing motorists. Inside it is classic sports car territory; a piano black finish instrument panel; sporty leather steering wheel and BOSE sound system with six-CD autochanger.

On our way back from London, we risked the weather and put the top down (simple enough for even a girl to manage). Expecting to be blown away, I was pleasantly surprised when the clever windbreak protected me from a bad hair fiasco, so I was left to enjoy the ride with the sun beating down, passing every car on the M3 before taking a scenic diversion cross country idyllic.

On returning to Oxford on Monday, I was ready to hand over my car keys as part exchange, never have I so seriously considered such a purchase on a whim. What stopped me? Willpower. But I don't expect to hold out much longer, destiny says that the MX5 will one day be my second car, after all, the only luggage I can fit in the boot is my hairdryer, Velcro rollers and hairspray!

Price: From £14,350 to £19,600 Engine: 1798cc in-line 4-cylinder, 16-valve, 126bhp Performance: 35.8mpg. 0-60 9.1 seconds; top speed 122mph Transmission: 5-speed or 6-speed manual.

Rear-wheel drive