This is my sons first car. 1997 NA. We got it leaking with a ratted out top and plasti dipped. We are getting it up to snuff together. Its the best $500 dollars I have ever spent. He is highly motivated to improve it and drive it. 1980s motivated. He saved up for the robbins top in a month and we put it on together. We also sorted out the trunk leak. Changed all fluids and did plugs and fuel filter. She runs and drives now with 135k on the clock. The kids so damn excited he walked to winco(grocery store) and got an after school job to buy parts.

I have read all the internet stuff on how to tell if they come with a torsen diff, ie door pockets , tweeters, . My question is

1. Is there some way I'm missing where I can tell by just looking at it or casting or markings?

2. His car came with the door pockets and the tweeters in the doors but does not have cruise control, does that mean it does not have the torsen?

Also I would just get in it and do a burnout myself or drive it myself around a corner when it was wet but the racing seat only fits the kid . Its on our list to get some 04 mazdaspeed seats. For now only he drives it. He's a good pilot and I had him rev it up and drop the clutch to see if it was burning both tires but I just cannot tell. He slid it in the parking lot a few times and said it feels a lot like his go-kart but I just need to be able to know for sure so we know if we need to add it to our list of parts.

I really struggled to connect with the boy during these tennage years. If any parents, girl or boy, are experiencing the same thing for us Miata is always the answer. It might be for you too.