Actually from Southern Florida, the land of swamps, heat, humidity and starving mosquitos (don't forget the Lovebugs!!!).
With absolutely no experience in Miatas, nor Mazdas, I bought a 1990 Miata in fairly good shape. The engine and transmission are perfect. The suspension just OK. I had to install new bushings and rear shock absorbers. Now it runs OK, except that the two rear wheels are bent a little bit and vibrate ugly at 37 mph. Taking them today to a place that fixes rims. Will see how that goes, otherwise will have to buy a set of new wheels.