Looking for a sports car bargain: $5K rebate on '08 Miatas!

[Homeslice]

The 1990 miata was much smaller, had almost no creature comforts, was noisy on the highway, and the interior was rather dime-store. Plus the rear window wasn't glass, and it had much more snap-oversteer. Paint sucked and the doors felt kinda like a tin can. With that being said it was probably the funnest car I've ever driven.

There is no comparison to today's Miata. They are 2 full generations apart. Doubt if they even share any parts except maybe wheel bearings and wiper motors.

[pauldun170]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

The 1990 miata was much smaller, had almost no creature comforts, was noisy on the highway, and the interior was rather dime-store. Plus the rear window wasn't glass, and it had much more snap-oversteer. Paint sucked and the doors felt kinda like a tin can. With that being said it was probably the funnest car I've ever driven.

There is no comparison to today's Miata. They are 2 full generations apart. Doubt if they even share any parts except maybe wheel bearings and wiper motors.

In it's defence, a majority of cars from 1990 had dime store interiors and chitty paint.

Totally agree on fun to drive. Once you get over the fact that EVERYBODY is leaving you from a stop light (when driving that first year Miata now in 2009) and they are not even trying...
Holy crap is it fun to drive.

However...in a 1990 Corvette.
Driven in 2009...
Once you get past the "It's got some balls" when leaving that same stop light. It just turns into a series of "damn", "this is just bad".
You gotta constantly goose the motor to keep your mind off the little crappy things and when your done you kinda write it off as "it's just old...I really want a new one!!!"

In the Miata, just when you start getting annoyed at those fucking doorhandles you gotta hold open to lock the door and the motor, the motor that under 4K is just, it just takes a long time to get there but when it does....."Hey wonder what a new set a shocks will do for the handl......hey another corner.....
FUCK YOU MINIVAN I'll CATCH YOU IN THE TWISTIES!!......"
In other words....fuck refinement and decent radios and plastic that holds up in bad weather with the top down...It's just a fun car to drive.

[goof2]

Originally Posted by Triple

You could have built a much faster Miata for less than you spent on this new one.

For example: http://home.comcast.net/~npartist/

For those who think V8 swaps are a detriment to handling, be sure to check out his videos section.

I really would like to do the new 480 hp LS3 in a Miata. It would be OK here (no emissions), but if I had to move I wouldn't be able to pass emissions in most states. I would rather have a $2k track only bike than a $20k+ track only car.

[pauldun170]

Originally Posted by goof2

I really would like to do the new 480 hp LS3 in a Miata. It would be OK here (no emissions), but if I had to move I wouldn't be able to pass emissions in most states. I would rather have a $2k track only bike than a $20k+ track only car.

Around here if you want to have fun with engine swaps it better be OBD-I recipient car or earlier.

[goof2]

Originally Posted by pauldun170

Around here if you want to have fun with engine swaps it better be OBD-I recipient car or earlier.

I think it is that way in most states. Here in FL you can do whatever you want. As an example some guy down here did a Jag V12 in to a Miata for some reason. The most difficult part would be getting insurance. Other states don't let you get that far.

Along the same lines though, I would also like to someday swap Integra Type-R power (with the limited slip) in to an original Mini. That could be a hell of a lot of fun.

[Chris S]

Originally Posted by Triple

You could have built a much faster Miata for less than you spent on this new one.

For example: http://home.comcast.net/~npartist/

For those who think V8 swaps are a detriment to handling, be sure to check out his videos section.

You think I didn't know that? I have a '99, and have thoroughly investigated S/C and turbo kits for it. Problem is that I wasn't getting low enough, and I was at a crossroads of deciding between racing buckets or a new car. The NC has a much lower seating position, and my wife enjoys driving convertibles, so it wouldn't have been nice to make it too hardcore.


When I want to go much faster, I break out the more serious iron:

[Cutty72]

Originally Posted by Chris S

You think I didn't know that? I have a '99, and have thoroughly investigated S/C and turbo kits for it. Problem is that I wasn't getting low enough, and I was at a crossroads of deciding between racing buckets or a new car. The NC has a much lower seating position, and my wife enjoys driving convertibles, so it wouldn't have been nice to make it too hardcore.

[Homeslice]

Originally Posted by Triple

Fairly certain a properly set up LS1/2/etc Miata will slaughter the Beemer in every aspect of performance. Style and comfort, no, but definitely speed and handling.

In speed? Doubtful unless it had a V8. I don't think you could boost the stock 4-cyl enough to beat the M3.

[Cutty72]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

In speed? Doubtful unless it had a V8. I don't think you could boost the stock 4-cyl enough to beat the M3.

Do they make a 4cyl LS1?

[Homeslice]

Yeah well I wouldn't want to put a V8 in that car. People can claim it has no effect on handling, but that's BS. Just because it might acheive the same lateral G's or slalom doesn't mean it handles exactly the same. There is a certain lightness in the steering and tossability that would be lost. Also, personally it's more fun to drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slow. In a V8 Miata your throttle foot would be itching all the time, with almost nowhere to use it.