Mk1 MX-5’s aren’t exactly ‘fast’ as stock but they’re fun to drive. Mine wasn’t exactly as it came from the factory – I know looks were a bit marmite:
As well as body, interior, suspension, brakes etc, it’d had some work done under the hood. Kept it normally aspirated but twin Mikuni carbs, lightened fly, JDM skimmed racing head etc, 4-1 manifold, ECU upgrade. Made for a lively drive…
Some of the Japanese tuning houses are doing crazy things with 5’s. Maruha Motors had a 2.1 litre NA (wonders off to find details on google)