Ladies and gentlemen, we did it. Fully paid for, 1999 NB with under 50k miles, LSD, leather, all the niceties, new wheels, recently replaced radiator and master/slave clutch cylinders, new wheels, and a top that was replaced sometime in the last few years. 5MT. Bought a Flyin' Miata shifter rebuild kit and a few bottles of unicorn tears to get everything shifting silky. I haven't had a stick shift car in almost a year, and this is my last little reward for myself as I transition to spend the the greatest part of my time, money and energy going forward on being a dad and husband. I am so grateful for everything today. A wife who signed off on this, a car in such great shape for its age, a friend willing to sell it below market value…I am the luckiest guy on earth.
Great choice! Miata is always the answer.