From what I know, Mazdas are the most European Japanese cars: more fun and less reliable. I was considering an MX-5 / Miata once, and... they rust quickly (maybe the current model doesn't).
The Mk1 Miata was prone to rust - I had one of those. But I think the more recent ones are better. It was a good car though - 15 years old when I bought it, 30 when sold and only needed to go to the garage about once a year.