[strat61caster]

1. No, it only effects how aggressively conservative traction control is.
2. Maybe, but unlikely to be a night and day difference, would probably result in a 'minor improvement'
3. You may be able to unpower the power steering assist, but if there are any out there they're pretty quiet about it. The 86 has a true manual rack with an electric motor sitting behind the dashboard adding assistance, true manual steering probably isn't too difficult to get, but you're taking a gamble on if it will 'feel' any better. Many cars these days are designed with power steering in mind so they often feel worse without it.

As above, I got the chance to drive an NC Miata for a bit before buying an 86 (and after) because I also feared 'electric power steering' but imo the differences were incredibly minute and likely mostly psychological. I'd be surprised if anything else seriously contends with the 86 built in the last decade that didn't originally retail for >$50k.

Edit: I'm pretty surprised an early 90's luxury car has more communicative feedback than an 86, pretty much all 90's cars get flack for numb steering with the exception of very few.