Originally Posted by
kung fu jesus
“A package” cars did not have VLSD. 30 years on, it can be difficult to tell if the car has it without inspection, because the LSD swap is relatively easy and common (though not exactly cheap). These cars have updates/backdates for a lot of components across the 1989-2005 models.
Documentation for the car is going to be key, as is condition. An early, ORIGINAL, low-mileage car in great condition can fetch a nice price, with certain options. Some of those early NA Miatas had a flaw in the crank snout that required an engine replacement. There are certain tells if it was a factory replacement engine or just a junkyard swap.
Agreeing with a previous post, Mazda Customer Service is the easiest way to decode a Miata’s original build sheet options.