Many gearheads prefer manual over automatic as it offers increased enjoyment behind the wheel, but stick shifts can often offer better performance as well.

While everyone likes a car with some power, not every car needs tire-shredding speed to be fun. Many of the best sports cars thrill drivers with their balance and feedback, rather than insane outputs.

Another constant remains: a four-cylinder engine. Mazda has always used one for the Miata, way back to the NA, and it’s never really strayed. Sure, there was the turbocharged NB-generation Mazdaspeed, ...

Miatas can wink with their pop-up headlights, and Porsche owners have their own waves, but only for the right cars.

It's hard to find an unreliable Mazda 3, but some are more reliable than others.