Best years for Miata?
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I wouldn't call the new Miata slow anymore, does 0-60 in under 6 seconds and runs a 14 second quarter mile. Its faster than its nearest competitor, the Subie BRZ/Scion FR-S/Toyota 86
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To put that in perspective, 14 seconds was considered about average for a 60s-vintage American muscle-car. Even the 427 triple-carb Corvette did 13.7 fom the the tests I remember.
i had an '07 grand touring 6 speed. just an absolutely delight to drive. i didn't expect it to be lexus quiet at highway speed, and it never bothered me except one time i did a pretty long drive (3+hrs) and it got tiresome, but hey, just add some time in to stop for a nice lunch and take some back roads you don't know and thank me later. 
Lead Lap
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i had an '07 grand touring 6 speed. just an absolutely delight to drive. i didn't expect it to be lexus quiet at highway speed, and it never bothered me except one time i did a pretty long drive (3+hrs) and it got tiresome, but hey, just add some time in to stop for a nice lunch and take some back roads you don't know and thank me later.
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Trust me (I lived through those years)...............1975 was a whole different world from the 60s, when Detroit was King. Because of emission controls. engine de-tuning, unleaded gas, and engine downsizing, HP/torque levels dropped dramatically between 1970 and 1975. Almost none of the Detroit muscle-cars, by that time (at least what was left of them) could run with an exotic like a Lambo.
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Mine was an '06 Grand Touring 6 speed. It was the best car I've ever driven for local errands with the top down. However, heading out on the highway with heavy traffic the drone of the engine made me want to poke my eardrums out and the constant shifting in stop-and-go traffic just got to me. I guess I'm getting old.
Funny thing is, I traded it for an '06 SC430, which was quiet but drove like a Japanese Buick. I went from one extreme to another.
my brother still has an sc430. he's about 6'6" and i'm not sure how he fits in it.
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Of all the Miatas, I think the NB (99-05) may be the Goldilocks of the bunch. If you're lucky, you can still find clean examples, with relatively low mileage and since they're older, they can be had fairly cheap.
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BTW, while I respect your opinion, I disagree with the LOL remark on that Mariner Blue color....I think it is a gorgeous shade of blue. Some recent Mustangs have also used it.
Well, the Boxster is more comfortable, more refined, and has more features on it, as would be expected at twice the Miata's price. But I wouldn't call it any more of a blast to drive....and, unlike the Miata, it has a sealed-off engine compartment with almost no access at all without a multi-stage process.. Don't want to take the thread too far off-topic, but here's how to get to a Boxster's engine....a PITA.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24ztrUhQEL8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24ztrUhQEL8