I was talking to a car collector friend last week. It seems that Miatas have finally passed through the Yacht Rock window (started cool, then everyone though they were dorky, then got cool again). and non-Grassroots types are interested in them. He asked me what I would get if I were going to buy an original one in collector condition and keep it completely stock.
I think for me it would be the 95 M edition in Merlot Mica. Pop-up headlights, fantastic color, slightly more powerful 1.8L motor, and 15" BBS wheels which are my favorite wheels to ever grace a Miata. What would you pick?
I had a 95M, but that wouldn't be the one for me.
I've never owned a 1.6 Miata, but the 1991 BRG would be my choice.
Yup, 1991 BRG or 1993 LE.
Probably not the answer you;re looking for but the only Miata I've ever driven that I wanted to leave stock is the ND RF. The rest of them just absolutely beg to be playe with somehow. The RF is never going to bee the best performing Miata because of the additional mass, but it does all the Miata stuff extremely well as well as doing the real car stuff extremely well.
My 99 Hard S. I still have the original shocks, floor mats, and front sway bar that came with the car, plus it's original hardtop, so easy to put back to original.
Unfortunately, have to sell it.
1993 LE "black and red". It's the most distinctive with a unique interior, wheels and it premiered the R-package suspension.For bonus points, get one of the 150 (or so) Canadian ones, called a 25th Anniversary Edition. They came with a unique rear wing that wasn't on the US cars. I don't think it was ever replicated elsewhere in the world - unlike the 1991 BRG, which became a standard color combo in much of the world including Canada.
Second choice would be the 1992 yellow. Wasn't really a special edition, but they're rare (1500 in the US) and they're fun. Ideally a Canadian car again because of the lack of an airbag, which means nicer switchgear and a more delicate wheel.
Of all the Ms, the 95 is the one to get.
If you want an ND, get a 30AE RF. Mostly because they're the only bright color Mazda will ever put on the ND, and nobody collects cars with boring colors. The RF only carries a penalty of 100 lbs, BTW, and it's all on the rear wheels. Still a good performer.
Things like the Hard S or the (very rare, 47 cars!) 1997 R package or the 2003 Club Sport (50 cars!) are only interesting on paper, they don't draw the interest in the same way.
I've always wanted a Sunburst Yellow NA...
Tom1200
PowerDork
11/18/24 10:41 a.m.
The 95 M would be my collector pick.
My personal pick would be an early 90 white 1.6 car.
Rodan
UberDork
11/18/24 10:47 a.m.
As much as I like NAs, I think the special edition Miatas I might actually buy would be the 25AE or 30AE....
NickD
MegaDork
11/18/24 11:10 a.m.
The '93 LE is my immediate answer.
But I also really like the color of the '96 M-Edition (Starlight Blue Mica)
