I took one for a quick spin round the track, sorry, the Diplomatic Quarter yesterday. First time I've driven one. 2 litre with the folding metal roof, it was a bit flat straight off tickover but once it spun up it was a hoot. Low, not much roll, and great balance on the slippy roads here, the rear end slides out in a controllable manner. I think this car is the modern MG.
Have her spend some time in it first. I have an old one ('95) and it's a hoot, but it's noisy, cramped and a bit rough on bad streets. Just what I loved about the classic sports cars, but maybe not what she'll want for a daily driver. But maybe so. My 60 year old sister just sold the '95 she bought new. I'm guessing the newer ones are quieter and more comfy.
I have a 90 that I'm going to be dropping a 1.8 from a 94 into later this year. I've stuffed a 4.10 torsen under the rear and even on the stock 1.6 it's like being shot out of a cannon. God help me once it's supercharged. I waited 17 years for this car and I've had it almost five now and it has been exactly what I thought it should be every second I've had it.
The one I drove was a 2009 I think, it was firmly sprung and wouldn't be a lot of fun on potholed roads. Tracks like it is on rails though. Very nice fit and finish, leather, and the folding metal roof is great. I'll recommend a test drive before any purchase.
you do really need to live with one a while, they are great cars, but are not for everyone. You might not realize that until you have one for a while. I have friends that love them and others that got rid of them pretty quick. I will say they are great fun, excellent handling, feel fast even though they are really mid level. And tiny Rod
I've had the same '91 for seven years. Still brings a grin to my face to drive it. It's just...driving. Nothing more, nothing less. Only lately am I finally starting to think about replacing it. Looking at all kinds of vehicles and really coming to the conclusion that I want another lightweight RWD roadster. Miatas are so plentiful, I'll probably end up with a newer one. I'm also eying the MR2 spyder but those are actually pretty rare around these parts.
I've got a '00 NB. Owned it for 3.5 years, bought it in excellent shape as a garage queen with 53,000 miles on the clock. It's been a great car but I've replaced it with the muscle car I've always wanted, and once the weather clears I'll be selling it this spring. My dad liked it so much he bought a 2008 retractable hardtop. I'm sure I'm going to miss the nimbleness. I don't care what I do to the Shelby, it will never feel like the Miata in a curve. In comparing the cars the newer versions are much more refined, as one might expect. To use the MG comparison the OP used, I'd say the farther back you go in model years, the closer you get to that kind of feel. But thankfully none of them seem to have the "quirks" that plagued earlier British cars.
Properly setup they are very quick around an autocross course. DOT rubber on the smallest diam wheels that will fit over the brakes, and shocks make it a lot of fun.
I used the term 'modern MG'. By that I mean a modern relatively cheap small sporty roadster thats a lot of fun. My sister had an old MG with the split screen, it was a rust bucket and pretty unrefined but good fun when it ran. That car cured her of classic car nostalgia for ever
I miss my '94 M Edition. But it went to a good owner, who says I can drive it on a track weekend whenever I like.
Great cars, I sold my 2000 to a 83 year old guy. He liked his older brothers so much, he wanted his own.
Tell me about your ongoing physiological issues. If you're too tall, too oversized, bad hips, back, neck, elbows, feet, etc you're not going to be comfortable. If you're not flexible you're going to hate getting in and out with the top up. Beyond that you have to take the time to adjust everything properly. I enjoy wadding myself up to get in and out, and once I'm in I'm locked in place. I've got the seat just right so i have a clear view, space enough to move my feet, and my arms are just slightly bent with my wrists on the wheel. 40/32 pants, 280#, 5-11.
The track tire mount is awesome! I really like the older Miata's and not the current generation. Actually, I'm looking forward to the Subaru BRZ/Scion FR-S. My Mom bought a '64? MG Miget. Racing Green. I used to sit behind the seats where the top tucks into. That car was a blast when it was driving. The wiring was a mess and would stop for no reason. Then my Dad would have to rewire it on the side of the road. Fond memories.
Wife has a 2000 we have had for about 5 years. Nice little car a little tight for 6'4" frame but fun. Not as much as my 68 TR 250 was, but better than my MGB was. Pretty easy to work on to. I put studded snows on the rear in the winter in case she takes to work and we get a "surprise " flurry. You don't want to drive it in the snow without studs. Grat mileage 30-32 MPG
I'm 6'4" and 180 lbs, and I love early miatas, but only once there's an aftermarket seat in them that lets me move down and back enough. I had the opportunity to drive a CSP miata at an autocross-275-section hoosiers, 200 NA horsepower, 8000 rpm, and a full track suspension and cage. Talk about a car that drives like a go kart... easy to drive, too. I hopped in and my first run was within a 2 seconds of the owner on a 72 second course.