Buy a first gen Miata that needs a clutch for a few hundred dollars to play with (autocross, road rally teaching my ladyfriend to drive stick?)

 

ya, then slap a small block v8 in it.

 

LMAO, I think it would be more fun and more economical to supercharge it.

 

Hell yeah I'd do it! That'd be fun ****.

 

The trunk is 'stuck' and it has some miles, and it's not in mint condition, so, I'm pretty sure that it will $300-400. It might have some tranny problems, too, but I'm pretty sure it's just the clutch and maybe some notchy syncros.

 

Sure, why not. You could probably have some fun and install the clutch yourself. If you messed up, no biggie, you're only out a couple hundred bucks. Do it right and you'll have a fun car for less than $600. If it runs ok you could probably even sell it for a little more.

 

Yeah, I'm gonna do it. I guess a new gun is going to have to wait a little bit longer but I don't want to pass this up.

 

There are plenty of people in the world who need to be shot, but only a select few bargains like that Miata.

 

Yeah, I'm gonna do it. It has the 1.8, which is the best displacement for any engine, a 5-speed, and if I supercharge it, I could kick some 2.8 A4 ***. Haha, if it ever happens, a s/c is a looooooong way off.

 

You hit upon a real find, even if it doesn't run good right now.
--- Cheap
--- Fun to drive (except for long distances)
--- Parts VERY inexpensive
--- Lots of aftermarket support (suspension / engine / mods, etc.)

Get it running reasonably well, then check into your options.

(Personally, I'd look into dropping a turbo 13B into it.)