ok im sure you have heard these questions before.

im driving a spec v and im starting to get into autocross. i have come to see the obvious limits of a FF car in this sport .
im a previous mazda owner (not a miata) and i know mazda builds a hell of a car. ive driven several miatas andi love them.
ill be buying on as soon as possible, so my questions for you guys is if there is a particular year that is better to own(99-05). i am looking at a second Gen prob a 2004, i likethe body style a bit better. im not asking for opinions of the car because i know that varies by driver and i already know i want one. my question is where there any improvments to the 2nd gen through the years. for example with my specv the newer 2004+ are alot faster than my 02'. same motor, same tranny, just little tweaks nissan gave the new ones as they developed. i have read about the 98-00' having motor problems(metal from the crank i believe, could be wrong)

i would just like to know if there is anything particular i should look out for.