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Comments
The Miata is more practical, with a lot more cargo space, and the turbo is also quicker.
The MR2 is more fuel efficient, but access for servicing is more difficult, and it has almost no room for gear.
I drove an MR2 with SMG and would recommend you avoid that SMG at all costs. It felt jerky and diminished the performance, too.
The other thing I didn't like about the MR2 were the high cowl and door lines. I felt like I was sitting in a bath tub.
Visibility out of the Miata is a lot better, it feels much more open to me, and that's the entire reason you get a roadster.
I drove one to see if I'd consider an MR2 next time around, but nope, I'll get another Miata for sure.
-juice
I'm not an audiophile, so I just wanted a simple CD player, maybe a changer if it's priced well. I'd prefer something easy to install, I can get behind the dash but I'd rather not splice wires.
Any recommendations for a replacement head unit, say, for less than $200?
Another option I saw a while back was a 6CD changer out of a Mazda Tribute, supposedly those fit right in. Anyone seen those on Ebay lately?
Open to suggestions. Thanks.
-juice
Why not? I thought it would be a given since the Mazdaspeed Miata is the highest-end model.
Also, aside from Cruise Control, what are the major differences between the Mazdaspeed and the LS (with all the candy)?
They had another Alpine unit for $139 that would have been good as well, but I wanted the dual pre-amp outlets just in case I added speakers, amplifiers or a subwoofer later on.
Anyway, I highly recommend an Alpine unit. Great sounding units without the bells and whistles, or the need of an amp to make it sound good.
As for why there is no cruise, I don't know. Ever since the first "factory tuned" Mazda that came out (Protege MP3), Mazda has not had cruise control. The MSP didn't have it, and now the MSM doesn't have it either. I guess Mazda figures that people that buy these cars are into driving, not steering and the cruise is for wussies...who knows.
My 1990 A-package does not have cruise and I have not missed it. My 02 LS had it and I found myself using the cruise very rarely. I use cruise control all the time in my 04 Matrix XRS and my wife's Civic...go figure.
FWIW I have cruise control and I think I've used it once, to test out if it worked! This isn't the type of car that needs it.
-juice
If you can find the Tribute unit the install is fairly straight forward. Heck even I could do it.
Maybe a search of Mazda recyclers will find you one.
If you would like the link to a great set of instructions e-mail me. Forum rules & all.;-)
Chuck
-juice
Actually, she looked a lot better in it than I did (me not being a cute teenager), and fit better at about 5'5" or so.
Someday, if I move to a state with cheap insurance and a bigger garage, I may get a replacement, but I would move to an older one for smaller $$, if it is going to be a weekend toy that only does a few K miles per year.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
-juice
The Mazdaspeed is really cool to drive and may even be a bit too much car for me until I get used to it. It also has lots of standard features that I don't care about (if only they could remove them and reduce the price!). The LS is just like my old car and I love it too, and it comes in more color choices!
My question is winter driving in the Mazdaspeed. The salesman made such a thing out of the performance tires and suggested snow tires for winter. He even got to the point where they would throw in another set of rims and tires (plain old 15" tires like my old car) that, although not snow tires, would be what I'm used to handling. But the odds of me actually gettting the tires changed twice a year are slim to none.
So, how bad are these tires in the winter? I'm a one car person so a second car isn't an option. I like the LS model and that seems like it'll be slightly worse than my current '91 and slightly better than the Mazdaspeed in bad weather. Or am I wrong there?
I live in northern New Jersey, so there's usually snow in the winter, but not anything major. And if there is, I'm staying home anyway!
Any ideas out there?
My advice would be to spring for snow tires and separate rims if you ever plan on driving any Miata (that includes your NA) in the snow.
As for you not changing them 2 times per year...well you do get your tires rotated avery 5-10k miles don't you? Just have the shop slap on the snow tires / rims for you at the tire rotation. If you don't want to pay someone to do it for you, do what I did and go to Autozone (or whatever) and spend <$40 on a good 2-3 ton floor jack and some jack stands and change the tires yourself. Even if you are mechanically inept, you should be able to do this in well under an hour.
Either way, it will surely beat the thousands of $$$ spent when the first dusting of snow appears and you spin out on the NJ turnpike. :O
BTW, if you really don't know how to use a jack or a tire iron or anything, just drop another post and we'll be more than happy to help you out.
~c
I forget now but the lug nuts are 19 or 22mm, something like that.
Once they are loose, I have a cordless drill that I bought a 3/8" drive attachment for. So I pop the socket on that and the wheel is off in no time, very little strength or effort required.
I have a floor jack like thel recommends.
Still, when it snows I take my Subie. Even in the rain. Huge advantage in traction, plus better protection. I'm not worried about me, I'm worried about inattentive drivers behind the wheel of all those behemoths.
-juice
The Miata handles very well in the snow when equiped with snow tires. Actually, it outhandles my four wheel drive Honda CRV. The only time I wouldn't drive it is when the snow is deep or a storm is expected that might leave body height snow. Then I take the four wheel drive. On packed snow or shallow loose snow it's fine.
If you order tires and rims from Tirerack.com they will mount and balance them for free. I've done this about 8 times. UPS drops them in your driveway in two or three days. I autocross the Miata in the summer on performance tires. It's a great all year car that fullfills a lot of needs.
MR2s are less common, but that doesnt make them cooler. They're less common because the styling is quirky and dooesn't appeal to many people. Also the trunk space is much less than that in the Miata.
By the way, I like the MR2, just not as much.
That, and rarity.
-juice
The front windshield looks almost the same. If you squint you see Mazda's new corporate headlights, kinda like the Mazda3.
I'm guessing those rims are 16"?
Check out those integrated roll hoops, nice.
Door handles look huge.
The rear end seems to taper off a lot more, and they moved the fuel filler back a little.
-juice
LOL
Poor Richard
It also appears that these spy photos represent an advanced prototype. So this is the best look so far, but the production model will still probably be a fair bit different.
-juice
Musty interior is a red flag for a leaking top.
-juice
Either way, check the top for sure, also check to see what kind of tires he's got on it. You'll be wanting some high performance summer rubber right?
I hope it's not being mis-represented as a Special Edition when it's not. That does affect the value.
-juice
-juice
they probably have no idea that the British Racing Green is a different color. and that's weird anyway, since that color belongs on Jaguars... LOL
~Colin
I say if they're smart enough to know what BRG stands for, they know theirs is not the real BRG.
I've seen a lot of people misrepresent C packages as LE models. LEs only came in certain colors each year but it still takes a pro to de-bunk that myth. I'm sure some sellers get away with it.
-juice
Richard
-juice
Will the MSM Miata hold its value better than its normally aspirated cousin? It depends on how deeply discounted they are at the dealers, and also how reliable they prove to be after 60, 80, or 100,000 miles.
Richard
Maybe it feels like more than that?
I guess the price isn't really any higher than before so why not.
-juice
So far, the one I like the most is the 2000 Miata in black/black. It has 50500 miles and clean body except that the rear bumper paint was in oxydized condition (not smooth, it wasn't peeling but it felt rough). It's manual w/cloth interior so not much option. The owner originally listed at $10700 but got the price down to $9000. Do you think it's good deal? The tires are not matching and needs to be replaced but engine seems to be in great shape and it's immaculate in/out. Anything else I should check before other than CARFAX? I did check for accident in front and rear but looks like all original fender/bumper. Any input will be greatly appreciated from my fellow Miata owners.
trying to protect the RX-8 sales doesn't seem to make sense because they're not very similar cars.
and regarding the popular "the chassis can't handle 200 (or whatever) HP", that's bull. I've driven a turbo '99 and it was awesome in every sense and not dangerous or scary.
~Colin
Miata values vary widely depending upon where you are in the country. $9000 sounds like a decent deal for around here (mid-MO) where Miatas are relatively scarce. In SoCal it may not be such a great deal.
Don't let the fact that it is a manual make you think that it is a base model...it's a sports car, not a Camry...it's supposed to have a manual!
Only things I would check would be the condition of the top and if you're really serious, try taking it to a mechanic for a more involved inspection (ie. AC check, etc.)
-juice
~c
nitto is not a very good brand of tire. belts do not often break in any quality brand of tire though unless you hit something.
~c
Right now: Wife wanted Odyssey, got her a used one. I still have wrx, and of course the mazda 6.
I really want a convertible (have always wanted one). I want to trade in the 6i for a miata w/ sport suspension package. The 6i is on a 0% for 60 mos, and they have miata for 0% same term. i'll have negative equity, but i can do 1000-1500 to pay for neg equity... i've drive miatas, and they're a blast.