antenna, cruise control and headrest-mounted radio speakers on board. The Leather
Package, which adorned our test car, does the same, while adding hide-trimmed seats
(tan only, with a matching tan top).
Mazda also does a special edition Miata each year with special paint and various
goodies, but these cross the $25,000 frontier.
Serious--as in racing-minded--owners can order the R Package, which consists of
limited-slip diff, aluminum wheels, air ducts for the front brakes and Bilstein shock
absorbers, plus modest side sill extensions and a small rear spoiler.
While the spoiler doesn't really add anything to performance, the rest of this
equipment does, something the Miata R demonstrates weekend after summer weekend in
Sports Car Club of America amateur racing events.
Every Miata we've sampled has displayed better-than-average attention to details.
Paint is smooth and consistent, gaps between panels are even and narrow, and materials
inside and out are of good quality. The only complaint we've heard in this area has to
do with the plastic rear window in the convertible top, which in some cases
deteriorates rapidly. Careful handling and regular cleaning will help a lot. Next Page