Are all first-generation, NA-chassis Mazda Miatas the same? Absolutely not.
Here is a breakdown of some of the most important changes that happened during the production run–plus the many special editions released–from 1990-1997.
Not sure about this one. I drove the Silverado Trail in the Napa Valley in a nearly new MX-5 Miata back in 1991 and it was a nice little Japanese car. Later, I drove a 1999 NB Miata and it was a good little car. In 2014 I drove a customized turbocharged NB with a custom fastback hardtop, front & rear spoilers and Lotus Elise seats. I have driven several other Miatas as well. Each time I think that it will be great fun and that I'll want to sell my old British iron for a dependable modern sports car and each time I come away slightly bored and uninvolved with them. No one I know of has ever had that response to a ride in my 1953 Morgan or 1960 Triumph TR3A. Maybe Miata is the answer, but I didn't ask that question.
Relative performance. For all that the Miata was intended to capture the feel of a '60s sports car, it's more powerful and handles better than most of the British and Italian roadsters of the time. As are most '90s and up grocery-getters...a product of more powerful engines, stiffer chassis, better suspensions and fatter tires. So you when you hammer the TR3 around a back road, you can push the car all the way to the limit and enjoy working up a little sweat without offering up your life and your license, even if you've just been passed by some kid in a Kia sedan. But if Mazda (or anyone else) reproduced an exact replica of a (relative to current cars) floppy, cart-sprung, skinny-tired '50s sports car, few would buy one. The answer, of course, is to buy the Miata (which is more fun than a Kia) and don't sell the TR...because it's good to be able to go work up a little sweat when you want. :)
I agree , love both my '93 LE and '60 TR3A for similar reasons...Hard to compare them,they have different personalities, both pleasing in their own way! Problem is one doesn't replace the other , so I guess I need to keep both. (They share the same collector plate here in B.C.)
Another reply to billbrewer59, Warlock, and MDR58:
Hi - I'm the original owner of 97 Miata M Edition, bone stock and original except for the shocks. I've also got a 60 TR3A, as well as a 67 Healey 3000, a 59 Bugeye that I autocross, and a 60 Bugeye that I vintage race. Also a 2022 Toyota GR 86. In the past I've had a 73 MGB-GT, 73 Triumph GT6, 67 Sprite, another 60 Bugeye, and my first new car - a 75 Spitfire. Also in the past a Porsche 356A, two Carrera 4 964s, and a Carrera 4S 993. So I feel somewhat qualified to discuss a driver's comparison of the Miata vs. the TR3A or some other little British car. Bottom line - They are all good for what they are and when they came from. Each has its own personality and driving characteristics. When I bought the GR 86 I had to sell something, so I sold the MGB-GT and thought about selling the Miata, but I couldn't bring myself to do so. It's such a sweet, beautiful little car! So I'll keep my current stable for now and drive them as much as I can - which is the point. Have a fun old or new sports car (or 2 or 3 or ....) and drive it. My only major regret - selling the Porsche 964s and 993 when I did. They're worth a LOT more now than when I sold them.
I agree , love both my '93 LE and '60 TR3A for similar reasons...Hard to compare them,they have different personalities, both pleasing in their own way! Problem is one doesn't replace the other , so I guess I need to keep both. (They share the same collector plate here in B.C.)
The main reason the 1.6 "feels" peppier than the much better 1.8 NA is the weak 4.3 diff, as compared to the 4.1 diff with a Torsen as found in the best NAs made, the R package version. I've owned and road raced both. Why the 99s went back to the 4.3? Raced them too! Yes I've had street and race MGBs, , and not in the same league build quality wise and it took a lot to prep them to do the 24 at Daytona and the 12 at Sebring. So I too know a little about them! Miata is the answer. All cars have progenitors, thanks BMC, but I don't miss you.
8/18/22 9:12 a.m.
Is the Miata a classic? Well, I do have Antique tags on mine...![laugh laugh](https://classicmotorsports.com/static/ckeditor/ckeditor/plugins/smiley/images/teeth_smile.png)
11/9/22 3:47 p.m.
In reply to David S. Wallens :
I dunno, but it IS the answer...
11/9/22 5:45 p.m.
That is very true.
10/16/23 12:39 p.m.
Not sure about this one. I drove the Silverado Trail in the Napa Valley in a nearly new MX-5 Miata back in 1991 and it was a nice little Japanese car. Later, I drove a 1999 NB Miata and it was a good little car. In 2014 I drove a customized turbocharged NB with a custom fastback hardtop, front & rear spoilers and Lotus Elise seats. I have driven several other Miatas as well. Each time I think that it will be great fun and that I'll want to sell my old British iron for a dependable modern sports car and each time I come away slightly bored and uninvolved with them. No one I know of has ever had that response to a ride in my 1953 Morgan or 1960 Triumph TR3A. Maybe Miata is the answer, but I didn't ask that question.
2/5/24 12:07 p.m.
In reply to billbrewer59 :
Relative performance. For all that the Miata was intended to capture the feel of a '60s sports car, it's more powerful and handles better than most of the British and Italian roadsters of the time. As are most '90s and up grocery-getters...a product of more powerful engines, stiffer chassis, better suspensions and fatter tires. So you when you hammer the TR3 around a back road, you can push the car all the way to the limit and enjoy working up a little sweat without offering up your life and your license, even if you've just been passed by some kid in a Kia sedan. But if Mazda (or anyone else) reproduced an exact replica of a (relative to current cars) floppy, cart-sprung, skinny-tired '50s sports car, few would buy one. The answer, of course, is to buy the Miata (which is more fun than a Kia) and don't sell the TR...because it's good to be able to go work up a little sweat when you want. :)
2/5/24 5:48 p.m.
In reply to Warlock :
I agree , love both my '93 LE and '60 TR3A for similar reasons...Hard to compare them,they have different personalities, both pleasing in their own way! Problem is one doesn't replace the other , so I guess I need to keep both. (They share the same collector plate here in B.C.)
2/5/24 11:14 p.m.
Another reply to billbrewer59, Warlock, and MDR58:
Hi - I'm the original owner of 97 Miata M Edition, bone stock and original except for the shocks. I've also got a 60 TR3A, as well as a 67 Healey 3000, a 59 Bugeye that I autocross, and a 60 Bugeye that I vintage race. Also a 2022 Toyota GR 86. In the past I've had a 73 MGB-GT, 73 Triumph GT6, 67 Sprite, another 60 Bugeye, and my first new car - a 75 Spitfire. Also in the past a Porsche 356A, two Carrera 4 964s, and a Carrera 4S 993. So I feel somewhat qualified to discuss a driver's comparison of the Miata vs. the TR3A or some other little British car. Bottom line - They are all good for what they are and when they came from. Each has its own personality and driving characteristics. When I bought the GR 86 I had to sell something, so I sold the MGB-GT and thought about selling the Miata, but I couldn't bring myself to do so. It's such a sweet, beautiful little car! So I'll keep my current stable for now and drive them as much as I can - which is the point. Have a fun old or new sports car (or 2 or 3 or ....) and drive it. My only major regret - selling the Porsche 964s and 993 when I did. They're worth a LOT more now than when I sold them.
2/8/24 9:20 a.m.
Pictures of the ’93 LE? :)
One of my favorite NAs.
6/6/24 5:38 p.m.
The main reason the 1.6 "feels" peppier than the much better 1.8 NA is the weak 4.3 diff, as compared to the 4.1 diff with a Torsen as found in the best NAs made, the R package version. I've owned and road raced both. Why the 99s went back to the 4.3? Raced them too! Yes I've had street and race MGBs, , and not in the same league build quality wise and it took a lot to prep them to do the 24 at Daytona and the 12 at Sebring. So I too know a little about them! Miata is the answer. All cars have progenitors, thanks BMC, but I don't miss you.
![](https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/prod.mm.com/uploads/2024/06/06/1717709899_60457488_10214179797872128_2765816259810426880_o_mmthumb.jpg)
6/6/24 6:05 p.m.
Some comparison pics of '93 LE and '60 TR3
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