Yeah, definitely. Speed 6 woulda been more popular I think if it's original price point was lower. When it came out it sorta got lost in the mix and didn't really stand out in any area or have a decisive price advantage. If I had gotten a speed 6 I might not have sold it- AWD would have solved all my complaints with the speed 3. Hatch was very nice touch for the speed 3 though, many times I surprised myself what I could fit in there (that's what she said?).

elabroate.

turbo seals were fudged on the gen 1s. at least there were quite a few people who had problems with the turbo eating oil.

we also ran out of power uptop at about 5500 rpms which sucked. I think they improved midrange torque some on the gen2.

Lol

it makes like 280tq at 2800, cant imagine how it used to be :)

The turbo seal issue was PCV system related, when you threw on a catless 3" downpipe, often times you'd start smoking if you idled for a long time. TSBs and such should have this fixed for gen1s, but genpus, it got taken care of from the get go. Keeping a high flow cat in mine seemed to keep it from smoking, was really never an issue for me.

Stock tune did kill power past 5500 on gen1, but throw on the Cobb AP and gen1/gen2 all the same, both making power decently to around 6k, give or take depending on what other bolt ons you have. I have a feeling Brain would wanna tinker around with the AP.

I think I've read the stock suspension/damping is a bit better. Gen1 got a little floaty at high speeds (140+). IDK, they are similar enough that it's more down to personal preference. Drivetrain is the same, gen1 is a wee bit lighter.

But yeah, low end torque was awesome. It was pretty cool and nice to never really have to ever shift out of 6th gear on the interstate. My buddy and I were goofing around one day on I-95...he had a Jetta 24v VR6 (200hp stock + tune + exhaust, whatever that makes). Did a quick highway pull, except I just kept it in 6th gear the whole time... I was able to stay with him at part throttle, just to mess around with him, then when I went WOT I pulled away pretty strong. I can't recall what RPM you'd be running at 6th at 70 or so, but gearing wasn't as short as the miata 6 speed.

I have driven the MS3 at 140 mph, can't say its the most comfortable speed to be at. I certainly did not feel confidence at that speed, but its not a speed I visit too often.

drive a miata, with PS and stock 1.6L sized brakes, at 140 and tell me if you're comfortable :)

haha, you would need to be rolling down a looooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnggg hill. or have a churbo!

Either way, I would not want to be on that death trap. I am not sure I would be comfortable at 140mph with NB brakes. Maybe the sport brakes, but nothing less.

PS is over rated really.

Now try 160 in a cobra. Never again