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Comments
Sorted from the lightest (base models, per Edmunds):
2195 MR2
2387 Miata
- - -
2778 Boxster
2809 S2000
2899 Z3
2909 CLK
And keep in mind the MR2 resorted to struts at all four corners to keep weight down. Plus, no real trunk.
-juice
If you are selling, disregard the prices Edmunds and Kelly Blue Book has for private party, and add 20%. Maybe it was due to being red and a 5 speed.
It was a fun car to drive for about 10 minutes, but after 6 years (bought it used) and driving it only 24,500 miles, it was too small, slow, not much fun on the freeway, hard to see out of in heavy traffic, terrible in snow (one try was enough for me), and still depreciating (though not terribly so, maybe $1,000 a year). It did get excellent gas mileage, and it did corner and handle wonderfully.
I'm putting the money for a weekend cruiser into something that will hold it's value, a restored 1966 Pontiac convertible. Obviously a different car, but not many canyons to drive through in the midwest, I can take my friends with me in that, and it sounds and accelerates scarily. That, and it can be maintained by the average Joe with a screwdriver and a wrench. It is far simpler than the admitively simple Miata.
I would skip getting the a/c, I almost never used it in 6 years.
http://www.miata.net/garage/tsb/tsb014_00r.gif
I'd be more worried if Mazda denied problems, rather than acknowledging and fixing them.
In fairness, I think every complaint you had about the Miata should be obvious to anyone from the get-go. You don't even need to test drive it to come to those conclusions.
You should have kept it and just owned two vehicles. A restored classic is going to require more work than a Miata would. Don't let nostalgia clowd your judgement.
-juice
I have used the A/C a couple of times, even with the top down it can make a hot day bearable.
-juice
I've borrowed a 300ZX until I get it back. It really carves the road amazingly well, but boy does it feel heavy.
I think that auto magazines have polluted the concept of the real sports cars with all their penciled it statistics and numbers that don't really affect most people. I'm sure this Nissan can do most things better then the Miata, but I've realized that I don't even care, because it's not nearly as much fun to drive (for me).
It also took me a hundred times longer to take off and store the T-tops, then it takes to throw down the hood, but that's a whole other issue. ;-)
I want my car back!
Different type of fun, I guess.
-juice
The size really bothered me. The car was a dream on the few stretches of smooth pavement I drove it on, but most of the road was pretty bump and the Miata didn't feel very stable, as though its light weight was holding it back. Has anyone noticed this, or is it not a problem? I felt as though the tires needed some glue on the rubber.
Anyway I really really like that car. I just need to find a halfway decent one for about $5k.
I modified my seat tracks to change the angle of the chair, and some people even go as far as removing some of the padding on the seat.
You probably tried the 16" wheels and suspension package. Some folks find it stiff. You'd probably prefer the base suspension and 15" rims.
But honestly, I doubt you'll fit comfortably in an older one.
-juice
PS My tip: drive barefoot. Any shoes with heels and it's far less comfy.
'92 Brilliant Black LE
44k miles
sphinx99: It depends what you want the car to do of course, but I actually put on slightly less sticky Yokahoma's because I like to be able to slide the car around, it's a lot of fun. Good sticky tires will hold the road better and give more G forces, but they tend to loose traction much more abruptly when they reach their limit.
Jeff: the next Miata is supposed to move to the new RX chassis, but not sure they'll use a rotary. If they did, I doubt it would be the affordable sports car it is now.
-juice
The current issue of Road & Track offers a few insights into what may come of an "enhanced-performance" Miata. I, for one, hope Detroit's idea of what it should become doesn't come to pass (too much weight up front ruins the chassis). I'm not as optimistic as Mr. Sam Mitani that they could sort it all out with a few calibrations. Once you mess up the balance of a car, you can't get it back with simple adjustments. My $.02...
If the rotary proves to be reliable, at least, then its packaging could make it a good candidate. But it's risky - any teething problems would scar the Miata's nearly impeccable reliability record.
-juice
Also, can you also fit one of those rolling carts with the bag?
Paul: congrats and welcome back!
-juice
I think the Miata is just fine as a 150hp (give or take) machine. If you want to give it S2000 acceleration, you'll probably have to give it S2000 tires and weight. Opinions?
The power and price will put it in the big leagues where the name "Mazda" cannot (should not?) compete with BMW, Mercedes, and Porsche.
Don't believe me? Look at the Millenia. Like it or not, it was a huge dud in the market. Rebates hit a ridiculous $6 grand at one point.
The S2000 should probably have carried an Acura label. They could have priced it higher if it did.
-juice
-juice
Anyway, I plan on saving a large sum each month to put down on the car in March or April. Any feedback appreciated.
The S2000 is a sweet car, cudos to Honda on their first try at the roadster. It comes with a much stronger image, and it out out-performs the Miata in every possible way.
But on the other hand with the Miata you get a car that is more public street friendly, and while it's performance limits are more limited, the handling has exactly what you want in a sports car, like perfect balance and precise steering. The difference is that to push the Miata you don't have to travel at suicidal speeds. But then, I'm in it for the driving and not the image.
Joseph: most Miata owners are male, actually. 63% per Auto Pacific's data. You're thinking of the Cabrio, which is a whopping 69% female.
You'll love RWD. It rewards a skilled driver. FWD is for grandmas.
Freddy: thanks for trying.
-juice
Thanks for your input. This car is great fun.
I assume you mean one of the headrest speakers is blown. It is a simple job. Above is a link for a replacement set. Max-5 headrest speakers at $70 for a set of four are quite good. No sense in replacing just one of the four, plus these are a big improvement over stock.
Yeah, time to change the timing belt. The Miata engine is a non-interference type. When it goes, it won't take any valves with it, the car will just stop without any engine damage. It is best to be in control of you own destiny and not get stranded. Find $350 and get it changed. My $0.02. Have fun shorty11, I can't wait till fall!
One, even if the Miata is a 'chick car' it's still a good thing for a guy. Sure you'll have to defend your choice to all the guys you know, but that's a small price to pay for drawing admiring glances from every woman on the road, no?
Two, based on what friends have told me, the Miata is far and away the most livable of the cars you mentioned, especially in terms of cost, reliability and peace of mind. I don't know what you're living conditions are like but keep in mind that the Miata is the kind of car you can park outdoors in an apartment complex, the kind you can take to a grocery store and not grab too much attention, that you can park downtown in Chicago and not worry too much about. Cars like the S2000 are much, much higher maintenance from this perspective.
I think Mazda has used two whites on the Miata. The first is Crystal White, as on my 1993 model, also with tan leather interior. Not sure when then 2nd white came along, or what it was called.
The bar behind the seats is a structural brace that ties the chassis together, to make it a little stiffer. I think it appeared for 1994, because mine does not have it.
Do you have tweeters in the doors, like mine? I haven't fiddled with them so no idea how hard they would be to change. I imagine they'd be easy.
Enjoy it. White over tan is beautiful!
-juice
L.
In the end all I get are compliments, surprisingly frequently.
-juice
Sonny