Hi gang! I recently joined this group as I’m interested in all things Miata/MX-5. I’m a first time owner who bought my car in 2021. I have a 2021 GT soft top. I searched around for a few months until I found the combination I wanted. This particular configuration (color, model, top, etc) wasn’t available locally, so after making a deal online, I flew to California to pick up my new car and begin my 1900 mile drive home. It was a great decision and road trip (the first of many)!
New Miata road trip (1 of 48) by Russ, on Flickr
Flew into Long Beach, which is much better than LAX. Took an uber to Mazda of Orange to pick up the car. That’s me in the white shirt.
New Miata road trip (3 of 48) by Russ, on Flickr
Told Google Maps to avoid the highways and I picked the squiggly roads heading east over the mountains. Turns out, I picked the road that Mazda North America used to develop and tune the Miata prototype in the late 80’s. Almost like I was meant to be there!
New Miata road trip (8 of 48) by Russ, on Flickr
New Miata road trip (9 of 48) by Russ, on Flickr
New Miata road trip (11 of 48) by Russ, on Flickr
In Arizona, I swung down through Tucson to see the cacti. Plus, Tucson is a nice town.
New Miata road trip (15 of 48) by Russ, on Flickr
I blasted through New Mexico (this time), though I did stop here and there.
New Miata road trip (16 of 48) by Russ, on Flickr
Heading back to Texas, I enjoyed the open roads of west Texas and the 85 mph speed limits. 
New Miata road trip (17 of 48) by Russ, on Flickr
I had planned to swing down into the Big Bend area along the border with Mexico as I love that area. Plus, there’s a road (FM170, aka “River Road”) that runs along the Rio Grande and is regularly listed as one of the top drives in the country. I heartily agree and was looking forward to running it with a proper car.
New Miata road trip (18 of 48) by Russ, on Flickr
New Miata road trip (19 of 48) by Russ, on Flickr
I did stop for a quick shopping trip but the store was closed. (This is actually an art installation out in the middle of nowhere called “Prada Marfa”.)
New Miata road trip (22 of 48) by Russ, on Flickr
You may have heard the stars at night are big and bright, deep in the heart of Texas.
New Miata road trip (27 of 48) by Russ, on Flickr
Then I wound along the River Road, really enjoying the open roads and beautiful weather. (Rio Grande in the background. US on the right side, Mexico on the left side.)
New Miata road trip (43 of 48) by Russ, on Flickr
I stopped to say “Hi!” to the longhorn, and also stopped by Willie’s place, but he wasn’t there.
New Miata road trip (45 of 48) by Russ, on Flickr
New Miata road trip (46 of 48) by Russ, on Flickr
And finally after 3 wonderful days on the road (and 1900 miles), I made it home to Houston.
New Miata road trip (47 of 48) by Russ, on Flickr
I’m a member of the Houston Miata Club. We have 4 main clubs in Texas. Dallas has the Lone Star Miata Club, Austin has the Tejas Miata Club, and San Antonio has the Bluebonnet Miata Club. We get together every two years for a state wide round up. Last one was in central Texas where we had some runs on a series of farm roads known as the Twisted Sisters.
A little more about me. Bought the car just before I turned 62 (65 now). First Miata, though I came close to buying an NA when they first came out. But I didn’t, then life moved on, and then I was looking for a new car, and Miata showed up on a “most reliable list” (I was selling an Audi that let me down). Wife said I needed to buy it while I could still get in it. So far, I’ve been from the west coast, to the Gulf coast, to the east coast (twice). This summer, I’m planning a drive to northern Michigan and the upper peninsula.
I tip my hat in respect
for your fabulous trips