In reply to:

Also, I really felt this time that the non-tilting steering wheel was set too low--or the seat set too high--or me.



EXACTLY!!! FYI, I'm not that tall either, just a smidge over 6 foot but I have a long torso. When I sit in a stock Miata my eyeline is almost directly into the top of the windshiled! The steering wheel is also of concern, my legs are in almost constant contact with it. The center console also seems to continually "push" my right leg inward...

Oh well, guess I'm just not built for the Miata

Good luck!