If it should be a car with enormous driving fun as a lightweight and if the road handling and fun on the B roads is the first priority, and if the subjective feeling of being quite great fast on the road is emotionally important, then from my point of view it would immediately be a Mazda MX5 ND with 2 liter engine and 186 hp. (The older 2 liter version had 160 hp). But...it's not just 26 hp more. It is a completely meticulously and lovingly rebuilt machine with outstanding revving ability. The old 160 hp was simply taken over on the ordinary Mazda 3 because they didn't have time for a sport specific 2 liter engine yet. Only the 1.5 liter was from the beginning sport specific tuned to the MX5. But it is too weak for touring with two people and luggage.
Even if you are thinking about a Boxter, give the MX5 a test drive chance. The Boxter, however, is again so big and fast and "safe" and „matured“ that the many beautiful country roads can become absolutely boring if you do not drive much too fast against the rules. In this case, driving according to the law, surprisingly the mid-engine concept turns into something very boring because you feel and "experience" curves even less than with an MX5 with front engine and rear-wheel drive. I know it well from my Elise, it just irons curves straight.
There is a single point of concern with the MX5, it is the passenger footwell, but dependent of how tall you are both (leg length) it is irrelevant. The build quality and that of the interior is top notch. My son-in-law and daughter have their ND MX5 since 5 years (still with the old 160hp engine) and they are as thrilled as at the first day. A great combination for day trips but also for two weeks in Italy because the car is fatigue free on the long haul and mature enough. Mazda does not advertise it so loudly but in ICE engines they are world number 1 and the most innovative manufacturer.
