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 and 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 so it's easy to bring one into the US.
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)
Driven5
PowerDork
11/18/24 2:19 p.m.
A sentimentally biased, and probably unpopular, opinion... 2005 Mazdaspeed Miata in the stunning (and <400 made) Lava Orange.
In reply to Driven5 :
As the only turbo factory car (ignoring the aftermarket ones in the UK and Oz), you make a strong point.
But given that a few modifications lead to 30% more power, improved driveability and better reliability- maybe don't keep it stock. Do the FM Little Enchilada and call it period correct. The right period mods can be acceptable on a collectible.
An option pairing that I don’t think exists.
You could get an R with the twin white stripes. Our red ’94 R wore the white stripes. White cars could be had with blue stripes. (I believe these stripes could only come on an R but I don’t have any documentation to support that.)
The paring that could have been cool? White stripes on a black R.
1994 R in REd on Black like the one I stupidly sold.
In reply to Rodan :
An identical NC special edition came up for sale last week way up at the top of Cape Breton of all places.
Made contact and was straddling the fence to pull the trigger for sure.
It sold quick so that solved the how bad do I want it issue lol.
In reply to wearymicrobe :
This is also a 1994 R in red on black :)
If Miatas were collectible like 60's muscle cars, then maybe a slightly obscure option might make one more collectible. But the R package doesn't have anything to set it apart other than a certain combination of normal options and a (IMO) sub-par suspension. Even the extra body parts were ones that were available from the factory as accessories. Same with the Club Sport. But if you're going to tag an R as collectible, it should be the 47 1997 cars simply because there are very few of them. They're not interesting otherwise.
The 151 Laser Blue NBs should also be considered, because they're very attractive. Totally normal cars otherwise. They already pull a premium.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2002-mazda-miata-4/
The 10AE is one that seems to escape everyone's notice. So blue. And the first introduction of the six-speed transmission, which makes it technically interesting as well as very blue. Also (I think) the first Miata to come with a matching watch set and an actual X/7500 numbered badge on the car. I'm not sure why it's not held in higher regard.
Actual yellow 1992 Miata. (Sorry the photo sucks.)
The "leave it stock" thing catches me. I havent driven one that didnt feel like it DESPERATELY needed new shocks and stiffer springs.
I think I would go MSM though as well. I'll go silver, first miata I ever drove. Either that or a clean black 95 like the one I had, but with a torsen
Keith Tanner said:
In reply to wearymicrobe :
If Miatas were collectible like 60's muscle cars, then maybe a slightly obscure option might make one more collectible. But the R package doesn't have anything to set it apart other than a certain combination of normal options and a (IMO) sub-par suspension. Even the extra body parts were ones that were available from the factory as accessories. Same with the Club Sport. But if you're going to tag an R as collectible, it should be the 47 1997 cars simply because there are very few of them. They're not interesting otherwise.
If I was picking for cash then yes the 97, but I had the 94 and it was a fantastic car and I miss it.
That one just had the "fizz" that other Miata's I have owned or driven did not have.
wearymicrobe said:
Keith Tanner said:
In reply to wearymicrobe :
If Miatas were collectible like 60's muscle cars, then maybe a slightly obscure option might make one more collectible. But the R package doesn't have anything to set it apart other than a certain combination of normal options and a (IMO) sub-par suspension. Even the extra body parts were ones that were available from the factory as accessories. Same with the Club Sport. But if you're going to tag an R as collectible, it should be the 47 1997 cars simply because there are very few of them. They're not interesting otherwise.
If I was picking for cash then yes the 97, but I had the 94 and it was a fantastic car and I miss it.
That one just had the "fizz" that other Miata's I have owned or driven did not have.
Well, the original question was about which one to buy as a collector's item. So I assume that's about cash.
Keith Tanner said:
In reply to wearymicrobe :
This is also a 1994 R in red on black :)
If Miatas were collectible like 60's muscle cars, then maybe a slightly obscure option might make one more collectible. But the R package doesn't have anything to set it apart other than a certain combination of normal options and a (IMO) sub-par suspension. Even the extra body parts were ones that were available from the factory as accessories. Same with the Club Sport. But if you're going to tag an R as collectible, it should be the 47 1997 cars simply because there are very few of them. They're not interesting otherwise.
The 151 Laser Blue NBs should also be considered, because they're very attractive. Totally normal cars otherwise. They already pull a premium.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2002-mazda-miata-4/
The 10AE is one that seems to escape everyone's notice. So blue. And the first introduction of the six-speed transmission, which makes it technically interesting as well as very blue. Also (I think) the first Miata to come with a matching watch set and an actual X/7500 numbered badge on the car. I'm not sure why it's not held in higher regard.
The 91 BRGs also had the X/XX number plates, on the ashtray....
In reply to WonkoTheSane :
IIRC those weren't on the car at delivery, you could order one from Mazda. The owner would put it where they wanted - or not. All 10AEs came with a number on the fender from the factory.
I really like the 10AE, it's a pretty car (as NBs go). Or the Merlot M, mostly because I think those are really pretty cars. The R's are doing pretty well value-wise.
I'm feeling pretty good about keeping a shelf full of parts to put my '94 R back to bone stock, those seem to be picking up in value, especially if they're clean and mostly stock. I'm not sentimental about cars, but getting back home after two months and seeing it in the garage put a smile on my face.
