This. I have avoided two wrecks that would have been nasty while driving our Miata that would have been unavoidable in just about any other car - on stopping distance alone. The first time (both were the same place, same situation),
@2-Bit Speed and I were on the highway at speed, heading home, and a pick-up truck pulled out in front of me from the interstate exit ramp when he really should not have. I really thought I was going to t-bone him but I shoved both feet to the floor...and did the fastest controlled deceleration that I'd ever experienced in my life. We were both really bracing for the impact and were very surprised when it didn't come. Keep the brakes in good shape, and you can basically go from 65 to 0 in less time than you can blink. If she is at all a competent driver, the Miata should not be that scary for her to have as a daily driver.