Pontiac invited the Canadian automotive media establishment to take part in a ride and drive event in and around the hot, sunny,

Ironically the hotel chosen was right next door to one which hosted many such journalists the week prior, during the 2006 Mazda Miata, or should I say MX-5 press launch. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

desert-like locale of Kelowna, BC, the centerpiece of that westernmost province's rich, fertile, wine soaked and Ginseng rooted Okanagan region. Ironically the hotel chosen was right next door to one which hosted many such journalists the week prior, during the 2006 Mazda Miata, or should I say MX-5 press launch.

Why bring up the now legendary Mazda? As if I need to explain myself. Since the bargain-basement drop-top debuted in 1989, and by so doing ignited what has commonly been referred to since as the "roadster renaissance", it had enjoyed a rather open field in the entry-level category. Only Toyota's final-generation

Since the bargain-basement Mazda Miata debuted in 1989 it had enjoyed a rather open field in the entry-level roadster segment, but this has now dramatically changed. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

MR2, only available in the U.S., put up much of a fight. Mercury's ill-fated Australian-made, front-drive Capri (also only available south of the border), was a hapless also-ran that found a smattering of tasteless owners, offence intended, while both Honda and Nissan have brought roadsters to market but at base prices well north of Mazda's entry, even when the Miata was fully loaded in "Speed" guise.

Getting back to the MR2, I also find it ironic that in the very same year that it has been pronounced officially dead in the U.S. market, the only company to put up a fight against the original Toyota wedge is now back in the compact sports car market. And by all intents and purposes, the Solstice looks to woo more buyers and hopefully enjoy a longer tenure than the mid-engine Fiero ever could have even if Pontiac had kept it in production.