Well the miata and an S30 are very close in most of the measurements, and in my opinion handle very much the same. Both have independant rears, and sit low to the ground, but this is not the full experience.
I don't know many miata owners that get thumbs up every time they go for a drive. You can't take an S30 any where without hearing someone's life story at the gas station. Little kids drool in their windows staring at the Z (in almost any condition).
It's a very different experience.