Back in Heaven

***This is a long-ish post, just to warn ya'!!!***
Ok, back story time. I am currently on my 14th Miata but I have to say that I have gradually been falling out of infatuation with them over the years. I have accumulated newer and newer Miatas as time went by. I currently have a 2007 Highland Green GT (retractable hardtop) that I bought new. I hardly drive it though as I prefer to drive my BMW (325ci Convertible). I just haven't been feeling the Miata (deep sigh). However, a month ago my Uncle (also a big Miata guy) asked to borrow my BMW for a couple of days and offered me his 94' Laguna Blue C-Package to drive around. I had a MAJOR revelation!! I have not fallen out of love with Miatas, I have just been buying the wrong kinds of Miatas. I don't just love Miatas, I love the M1 / NA!! Driving my Uncle's car was the first time I had driven an M1 in about 4-5 years. It felt like it was the first time I had ever driven a Miata, all over again. I was instantly infatuated with it and had to get back to my roots (my first three Miatas were M1's). I knew I had to get one of these amazing cars again......immediately. So, after a fairly brief search I came across THE one for me. She is a 1997 Classic Red, Leather Package. She has ALL major factory options (MPSS Sound Package, Hardtop and Tonneau Cover) and a few nice additional add-ons. The previous owner (who was the original owner) kept her basically stock except for a couple of tasteful touches. When I got her she had been outfitted with a Moss Grill, Borbet Alloy Wheels, Painted Brake Calipers, Slotted amp; Drilled Brake Rooters, Brembo Braking System, Kamp;N Cold Air Induction amp; Filter, Emblem Deletion (front bumper emblem and rear two emblems), Custom Fitted Red Car Cover, probably more but I just can't recall at the moment. The only things I have done myself at this point are a VooDoo Shift Knob and a Short Throw Shift Kit with Ferrari Gated Shifter assembly. The car only has 70K miles on it and is immaculate in every way. There is not a ding, chip, faded spot or anything else to be found!! The top and window are the original and are also mint. This is the 1st M1 with OEM leather that I have seen that has an immaculate original interior. There are no scuffs, rips, tears or marks on it!! Over a month after purchasing it, I am still looking for faults and blemishes and I am not able to find a single one!! I am in heaven here! My 07' is great far a classy, cushy and modern ride but my M1 is by far and away my ultimate favorite. Every-time I drive the 07', I wish I was in the 97'! Here are a few pics for you all, what do ya' think?

dammit
another red one, so tempting

Very, very nice. Can you tell me about the gated shifter? Did you add that, and if so, where did you get it?
Your story reminded me of the line, quot;The more things change, the more they stay the samequot;.
Congrats and ENJOY. There is indeed something mystical about the M1.

Thanks all! Normally I am not a Red car guy, but one with a good, rich lustrous paint job is pretty darn sexy looking and hard to ignore!
The Ferrari Shifter is totally awesome!! Your shifts have to be flawless to make it practical though or the shift lever will slam into the gate! Not only does it add an exotic flare, it makes you a better shifter and it incorporates a Short Throw Shift Kit. Some Miata Catalogs (like MM Marketing) used to sell these kits but this accessory has been discontinued since 1996.

I've owned every generation and sub-generation of the car and the NA is still my favorite.  The NC is a great boulevard cruiser but there is a reason Mazda took the nameplate off the car .  Welcome back to the fold.

Originally Posted by Dustin N' Andrew
I had a MAJOR revelation!! I have not fallen out of love with Miatas, I have just been buying the wrong kinds of Miatas. I don't just love Miatas, I love the M1 / NA!!

Amen!  Welcome back!

Ah, the Lord works in mysterious ways!

I went from NA to NB to NC (a free NC at that) back to NA.  The NA is the BEST Miata!!

When I was in SF I rented an NC for the weekend to drive down Highway 1. While it was certainly the best car available as a rental, I really wished I could have taken my NA. (They won't let me take it on a plane ). I decided there and then to keep my NA running as long as I can.
It was an automatic, which didn't help, but it just felt so... disconnected. The same way I feel about driving my parent's A6 or A4 convertible. Excellent cars but I just fall asleep behind the wheel... always so happy to get back in my own '91

Originally Posted by tom4416
I've owned every generation and sub-generation of the car and the NA is still my favorite.  The NC is a great boulevard cruiser but there is a reason Mazda took the nameplate off the car .  Welcome back to the fold.

Tom: I'm not that familair with the NC. Was it the Mazda nameplate that was removed and if so, what is your conjecture to why?

Originally Posted by miata54
Tom: I'm not that familair with the NC. Was it the Mazda nameplate that was removed and if so, what is your conjecture to why?

The Miata name (and nameplate) was removed. Officially because the deal for using the trademark ran out, but here in the NA forums we know better than that

Nice!  I'm not a big fan of the shifter though.  Makes it look cheap imo.

I loved miatas ever since it first came out.  Looked at a bunch and test drove a few (always an NA) though out the years.  Loved the car but always thought that I didn't look very good in it (seemed somewhat girlish...).
When the NCs came out, I thought to myself 'hmmmm...that doesn't look so girlish any more...' and bought one.  Drove it for about 9 months and didn't like it too much... so I went and purchased a 99 BRG.  My initial response was 'This is better!'.  But after a few months in the 99, I found a great deal on a silver 91 and went for a test drive...and fell in LOVE!!!  And now that I'm older, married w/a kid, looking girlish doesn't bother me so much.
Long story short, YES, I do think NAs are the BEST!!!

Thanks all, it's nice to be back in the original revelation. My NC stays put in the garage nearly all the time now...hehehe.

I need that shift gate... that looks awesome!! And like a great replacement for my wearing boot.

Yeah, the gated shifter is so cool and very unique (I have never seen another Miata with one). I also like it because it forces you to have perfect shifts (not that I have any problems driving manuals, all my cars are sticks). That all being said, if you are just looking for a cool replacement for a worn shift boot, you may want to re-think it. Although cool, the gated shifter (when it was still available new) was $600-800, depending on the source!! Only two companies ever made these and they are now discontinued items. K.G works still had them on their web site but they no longer sell them (they just forgot to remove it). I was able to track one down, after an exhaustive search. If you choose to go forward with finding one, I wish you the very best of luck!!!
: )