The miata's interior is where a true Anglophile can really get nostalgic. The instrument panel has a classic British roadster look thanks to the large, round gauges trimmed with a narrow band of chrome. The miata's vents also are round.
Cabin space is tight, and the driver and passenger are situated extremely close to each other. Because you can't help but get to know your companion better in such intimate quarters, this makes the Miata a great first-date car.
As one would expect in such a small car, there is little storage space. The tiny bit of shelf space behind the seats is virtually useless because of the stress bar that obstructs it.
Our only complaint with the interior has to do with the vestiges of modern technology. Switches for the electronic mirror and power windows were tiny and difficult to use because of their size and location. The power window controls, for example, were minuscule and situated too far back from the driver's right hand on the center console to be readily accessible. Old-fashioned hand cranks would be more useful; the interior is so narrow, it's no problem for even the shortest person to reach across from the driver's seat to open or close the passenger-side window.
Interior illumination was also lacking. The only light we could find was illogically placed on the center console.
Three major option packages are offered on the Miata in 1995: the aforementioned Popular Equipment Package, the R Package and the luxurious Leather Package. The R Package is an extremely attractive one featuring sport suspension, rear deck spoiler, front air dam and rear skirt, and limited-slip differential. Dual airbags are standard, as is an AM/FM/cassette system, which is an easy-operating and good-sounding unit. A CD changer is available as a stand-alone option.
In terms of price, the Miata represented a fantastic value when it was introduced five years ago. For $12,000 to $13,000, you could buy a fabulously fun-to-drive car. The Miata maintains its fun appeal but is somewhat less of a great value today thanks to the shift in the Japanese yen compared with the U.S. dollar.
Although a sports car first, the Miata isn't blindingly fast. The performance of the zippy 1.8-liter, 128-hp 4-cylinder never disappoints, largely because of the miata's low weight. The Miata won't keep up with the Ford Mustang GT or Chevrolet Camaro Z28, but it never feels sluggish and the engine willingly winds up to its lofty redline. The smooth-shifting, standard 5-speed manual transmission mates perfectly to this engine. A 4-speed automatic transmission is offered, but we suggest you pass on it.
Despite the miata's diminutive proportions and short wheelbase, the ride is much less jarring than expected. Unfortunately, our test drive took the Miata over some of the worst roads Michigan has to offer - which is saying a lot. On such potholed and broken surfaces, the Miata bounced and shook its passengers. No rattles or other unsavory noises were heard, but the limited wheel travel and firm suspension certainly unsettled the little convertible and, frankly, left passengers longing for a larger car.
The Miata cruises comfortably at highway speeds. It isn't unsettled by tire ruts and doesn't wander between lanes or feel otherwise frenzied the way the last Alfa Romeo Spider we drove did.
For the best driving effect, though, find the most serpentine road on the map and point the Miata directly down it, for that is where this car makes its home. The little convertible can hold its own on any stretch of brisk, winding two-lane blacktop. The power steering is light but communicative, always letting the driver know what the front wheels are doing. The stubby shifter is a joy to move, and we found ourselves changing gears merely for fun.