Just took possession of a 2012 Mazda miata. Drove from the dealership to my home - about 135 miles. Car handles beautifully but I was a bit wobbly. This is the first manual I've driven since my Porsche 914. This car reminds me of the Porsche. Porsche shifted more smoothly but it was probably my clumsiness as a driver. Very pleased with my choice.

 

Hmmm, either something is wrong with your Miata or something is wrong with my memory of the 914; I don't remember ever thinking the 914 (I never got a chance to drive a 914-6) was smooth shifting, certainly not in the same class as a late 1970s Mazda RX-7 (which reminds me very much of driving a Miata). The only thing I really appreciated about shifting the 914 was the old school "Dog Leg" shift pattern where first was down and to the left.