So, do you

Buy a very expensive Corvette, or 2 grand's worth of an MX-5 and turbo it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VSkQTjDcF0&t=31s

I'd take the Mazda any day.

I sat in a Miata one time a few years ago. Too small of a car for me. I felt like Edd China in a BMW Isetta.

Very nice....If I had the choice of any car Id have my old Trans Am back or another like it even though it would not be able to beat the Mazda for handling it did very well. I am just a horsepower nut myself. My old 75 TA had a .30 over 400ci V-8 Pontiac with huge cam, ram air heads and exhaust manifolds from a earlier year one, balanced engine assembly(crank,pistons,rods)...I miss that car every day still since I had to sell her off after my accident....

One of my mates is 6 foot 3 Dan, he could fit in it, mind you he couldn't believe it!

Memories of fave cars in the past (and ones we never could afford) are the savings in our memory banks! I have a friend a bit over 6 feet tall, who rode in a Miata and hit his head on one of the roof support bars after passing a low spot in the road, nearly knocking himself out! Not a car for a tall guy. He had a Mustang for a while as well, but got rid of it after finding out how it handled in snowy, icy Midwest Winters. In truth, all cars handle better than in the old days, but then something like 50% of Americans drive SUVs, vans or pickups...go figure!

Yep hit my own head on the same bit H, the original NA versions had a bit of Sprong (technical term..) when the rear end could hit the bumpstops if you hit an unexpected dip at a good clip.

What I couldn't stand about the Miata is how far up the kick panel went. It stopped just short of my waste. I've not sat in a modern Corvette, but  imagine they are the same way.

I bet if you put the Miata driver in the Corvette he would be faster.

I'd imagine your right Mitch, I had a guy behind me for miles in a 5 Series BMW years ago when I was out in the MX-5, I assumed he was trying quite hard in a 520i, he couldn't get past on our twisty backroads. We hit a dual carraigeway eventually and he blasted past. It was a 540i, I was amazed when I heard the V8 revving out.

When I win the Lotto, it's getting an LS6. LOL

You hit the nail right on the head. The "sports car thing" isn't so much about acceleration and top speed, it IS about nice handling. What often is called a sports car is really a grand touring car, safe at high speeds for long drives. The MX-5 was a rebirth of the idea of a small affordable sporty machine, going way back thru MGs, Sprite, and back farther to cute "vehicle tax" saving 3 wheelers like the Morgan.

Having enough money to buy anything your heart could desire would be an impossible task !! Look at Jay Leno's garage !!
Realistically, for me, I would maybe settle for a classic real metal hot rod. Beater (rat) or not.

Ditto that, Clay.