I've been lurking here myself for the same reason. From what I can tell, best ticket would be an 03-04 non-PSM car. PSM is too intrusive for AX. And I hear that the late motors have better midrange.
Still think think the ND is going to be the car on 99% of courses, but it might be close enough to give it a shot. Good luck.
I found a thrust chart someone made, little Miatas have some poke where it counts:
