Cheap Manual Summer Droptop Motoring?

[D4MJT]

I think I probably know the answer to this already, MK1 Mazda MX-5, but.. anything else?

I'm seriously tempted to grab a little roadster for the summer this year, a few road trips, maybe the odd track day, and all I can really come up with is the mk1 mazda mx5. No issues with that, I do like them, but am I overlooking anything? I've already got a diesel workhouse and my weekend toy, so basic requirements are:

Cheap (ideally attainable for between £500-£1k)
Cheap insurance (25 y/o male with clean licence, good area for insurance)
Fairly economic for roadtrips and the like, lates 20's mpg upwards.
Manual
Ideally drop top, I've never had a convertible and fancy it.

What do you reckon? I could probably get a mk2 mr2 for that money but having worked on them in the past I'm in no rush to do so again lol.

[Bluebarge]

MGF VVC

[D4MJT]

Bluebarge said:

MGF VVC

ooooh, good call, completely forgotten about them *dashes to classifieds*

[4sure]

alfa spider (916)..good fun.

[excel monkey]

Fiat Barchetta?

[.:ian:.]

Honda CRX del sol? Much less ubiquitous than an MX5, the vti has 160 vtec horsies from a little 1.6.
FWD and more of a targa than a convertible. Probably less luggage space than an mx5, especially with the trick electric roof.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2591905.htm

[Fossilface]

With your criteria, I think you're right with the MX-5.
I've known several people have one and none of them have ever complained.
Cheap, pretty quick, handles well. No brainer.