The latest NC version of the Miata doesn't have that cute look, it's meaner, more muscular. It's a great fun car to drive and I would suggest getting the hardtop retractable, it only weighs around 40 more pounds than the soft top and it increases rigidity, reduce wind noise, and you don't have to worry about worn/damage soft top.
The Miata has great performance potential as well, with some modification it could be very fast around corners. A Japanese tuner from Kobe put in a 2.3L NA engine (190hp) from a mazda 3 and beat out a previous gen stripped out, race prep lotus Elise running 2zz (from current Elise) in this video: (sorry I can't find the actual battle clip but you can find the full video and download it from where):
土屋*市SPECIAL ホットバージョン Vol.89「*最強伝説 グランプリ2007開幕！、RE雨宮RX-7 2007*仕様 シェイクダウン、SUPER GT エースドライバーの条件」- BestMOTORing.JP
Here is a modified one in Japan racing around Tsukuba circuit, very mean looking:
