Plugging the sound tube and adding a good axle back sure makes it much better, at least from my point of view. Plugging it in alone would be a good first cheap step. I totally get what OP is saying, the sound inside the cabin is tinny, hollow and nasal. By putting a fart pipe out the back, the cabin is filled with more low end tone, depending on what you get. Depending on RPM and windows up, I think theres some of that boxer left over, but with much more character.
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chrisngn
Regarding your list, let me go over it, as I was in similar boat, this was my first MT car, I got it new. I did have a few lessons with manual, but let me tell you, my first 2-3 months of driving it was pretty stressful, to the point that I would come home, but my mind would be rewinding and going over my commute experience of the day. My wife sometimes caught me being totally out of situation, cause I was so in it. Best thing I can advise is to get someone who drives MT, drive your car to get a feel for it and then teach you or tell you the tricks.
1. At first I thought so too, but no after 3 years it is so natural to me, I don't think about it. I think I become comfortable after a year or two, but I drive little, say by 10k.
2. Traffic was my worst nightmare, as I would stall quite a bit at first. Learn to get into first, try double clutching, rev matching. It is absolutely necessary, especially for emergency cases. You got to learn how it goes, you cant force it, but it does need a good push with revs at appropriate level. Its possible.
3. 900-1.5k rpm totally depending on how fast you want to take off. Yes, a little bit of gas helps.
4. Needs to be warm, will be worse when winter/cold temperature sets in. It does clunk etc, but there are explanations, depending on the case. Its normal imo unless its absolutely horrible sound.
5. As I initially mentioned, plug in the sound tube in passanger foot well - cheap first mod. Then see if you would go for an aftermarket axle-back/cat-back.
Miata may be different in some regards, I have not driven one, but I am fine now, so no problem. If after a few months you still don't enjoy it, just trade, if Miata works for you, great, its not worth it if it isn't fun. But don't give up right away, give it a try. I find it rewarding when you really nail the shifting, up shifts, all this mental, pedal and shifter masturbation... Its definitely not for everyone. The car seems to be designed to be clunky/mechanical in nature, I was actually blown away, coming from softer run of the mill cars.