Parked the Miata next to the R53, and the Miata is a foot longer, but at least a foot lower. An interesting comparison. Have to say after driving the Miata a few days it was great to get back in the R53 and enjoy the differences.
OK, I agree it's small, rough, loud, that I sit a little higher than I'd like to but a lot lower than is good for my lower back, and the engine note doesn't get interesting until 5000RPM, at which point I'm pretty close to redline... but I flat Do. Not. Care. The roof comes off, and my total invested cost right now is still well under $3000, including tax & license.
Availability? Within 300 miles of Pittsburgh there are at least a half dozen very acceptable Miata NA's at any time on Craigslist for under $5k, many under $3500, and some really nice examples in that range. Many have "some miles" on 'em, but that's actually comforting in that they last that long!
I got lucky with a one-owner local car, quite literally only driven by a lady on weekends but not to church, to triathlons. The interior was filthy, the exterior fairly dented & scratched, but mechanically sound with zero rot anywhere (including on the bolt heads on the undercarriage).
I've already begun trolling the applicable Forums, and begun by purchasing a replacement "tombstone" (IP center stack surround) and a cupholder (as rare and expensive as the R53 downtube-mount version), but if anyone has any other suggestions please let me know!
Next up: Trans and rear-end fluid changes, new belts/hoses/timing belt, maybe update the shocks (newer OE, nothing harsh), and just drive the damn thing. No mods, unless the right Hard Dog rollbar becomes to light at a decent cost - that's a "must".
Amazing how many Mini owners also have a Miata. I'd consider the Miata to be "the Mini of rear-drive cars", and the opposite also true. Both are fairly pure expressions on how good each drive configuration can be.
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STILL haven't had a chance to throw the stickies on, just no time! Left for work late this morning, drove the Miata because it had my parking pass and garage door opener in it, top-down because that's how I left it. Halfway to work I the coffee kicks in and I begin to see the world in color.
First I notice the sky is BLACK.
And just my luck, all the stoplights are GREEN!
And there are only 4 between me and the highway.
Hit a red light on Light number 4 (phew!), spin around in the seat, put the top 90% up, zip the rear window, latch the top, roll up passenger windo-o-OFFF we go, with a proper 1 car length gap to the start when the light turns green. Didn't go a mile before someone pulled Heaven's Own Chrome Handle and flushed the clouds! Found out today - top don't leak!
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Since you already have those tires give them a try. Nice that MINI's & Miata's both are 4x100 bolt pattern. Miata's like a light wheel & tire package.
For me I like a skinny tire that lets the Miata dance around a bit. I put wide sticky tires on it when I first bought it & for me it took some of the fun out of driving it. Yes it raised the cornering limits, but for me removed some of the fun dance moves the Miata had before. Just my .02.
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![[IMG]](http://crashton.smugmug.com/Cars/06-05-2014-Miatas-at-Sonic/i-Z8j6QDG/0/M/eDSC_6341-M.jpg)
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