New Here, With an age old topic

Hi guys! I've been a lurker on the boards for a while now. I'm a long time car nut but I am very new to wrentching and my ask questions with obvious answers from time to time.

Now for some back story. I had finally bought a 94 Miata for my first car after years of saving. I had it for only about six months before a brand new (had his license for maybe a month) driver wasn't paying attention and plowed into the back of me at a stop light after school got out.

The car was totaled, but insurance payed out enough money to put me into early NB territory. So what would you do? Get a nicer, later NA, or go for the NB?

I really liked how fun my 94 was to drive. I felt so connected to the road. But it was definately bad on the highway. I'm wondering if NBs are just as fun to drive and better on the highway.

Thanks for your help!

I've owned two 1.8 NAs. Get the NB.

Common wisdom, the NB is a better car, the NA is a better Miata.

Go for the NB.

Now it depends how you fit too. Having owned both generations, The NA is much roomier than the NB. Plus there are no cost tricks you can do to make it even roomier. The NB feels much more sturdy and I liked how it felt better than the NA. You also get better motors in the NB. Some draw backs are if you live in an emissions tested state, You have much fewer EMS options with the later NA's and the NB's due to ODB II requirements.

All that being said, if I fit better, my NB would still be in the garage. Instead, It's now a MR2 Turbo.

I'd go with an NB, but then I have one as my only car.

I'd go with a P71.

What was the problem on the highway?

The NA is a much nicer car to drive on the highway with a hardtop....so maybe you have enough money for a NA with a hardtop. I just think the NA is a much cooler looking car. Go for a 1.8L with the Torsen.

I fit pretty confortably in the NA, so I don't think the NB will be a problem. I'll find out soon.

N Sperlo: There was a Magnaflow exaust and sketchy top on my old one. It would get pretty loud on longer trips. I don't do too much long distance stuff on the highway, so that's not a big deal.