[masraum]

My first sportcar many years ago was an '88 911 targa, bone stock. It was an amazing car and no other car has had the character. I loved the HVAC and the bottom hinged pedals (miss those in the Boxster) and other quirky things. I'd give a nut for a perfect one today (but it would cost both nuts). On the highway from FL to Texas many years ago (2000-ish), I ran the 911 up to redline in 5th gear, that's 150mph. A Honda S2000 was right behind me.

When I sold that 911, I bought a '97 miata which is the last of the 1st gen, and IIRC, 133hp. The little 4 cyl felt pretty torquey. It wasn't fast, but it was tons of fun. I stiffened up the suspension a bit and went from 14x6 to 15x7 and was very happy for many years.

When that was a bit long in the tooth and my finances were better, I bought a 2004 Mazdaspeed (factory turbo). It was a much better car than the '97. Stock the '04 wasn't getting the boost that it was supposed to. I put a manual boost controller on it and was able to turn it up to where it was supposed to be or maybe .5# over. I also sold the 17" wheels and upgraded to 15x8" wheels. The MSM comes with LSD, Bilsteins and upgraded springs and anti-roll bars. I didn't feel the need to upgrade the suspension in that one.

My wife had a '99 miata which was the first of the 2nd gen. It had LSD and was otherwise very stock. The suspension felt stiffer than my '97 had been, but not nearly as stiff as it was after my upgrades. It was a great little car. I would have liked it a tiny bit stiffer, but it was great for her, and she loved it. I much preferred the cars having the LSD to the open diff.

When I got rid of the MSM, I bought an '08 Boxster S. It's a special edition and the first Boxster or Cayman to have over 300hp. It's a fantastic car. It's much better than all of the rest with higher limits and higher everything (except that the old air cooled 911 had way more character).

I wouldn't trade the Boxster, but I have been looking at the ND miatas and thinking, "man, that's a good looking little car, and seems to have gotten back to basics." Maybe I can talk the missus into another miata.