Opinions on Mazda Miata.

[SuperTool]

Originally posted by: flot

Originally posted by: SuperTool

Originally posted by: Nitemare
Not planning on reading the entire thread, but is this for a straight or a gay guy?

Asexual with hopes of becoming heterosexual. :laugh:

Getting a miata will NOT help.

In all seriousness, Miatas are decent, fun cars. HOWEVER, owning one will definitely do nothing to achieve a manly image, and isn't very practical, either.

I am not buying the car for a manly image. I want something that will bring me pleasure from driving it, not fringe benefits. This is for me. I live in Silicon Valley, people aren't easily impressed with any cars here, and there aren't many women here to impress to begin with I don't care about impressing my coworkers, since 95% of them are male engineers.

 

[boyRacer]

Originally posted by: FrustratedUser

Originally posted by: SuperTool

Originally posted by: elektrolokomotive
Should be a lot of fun when you head over to IKEA with the other metros. How you gonna get all that stuff home?!

OK, now I am totally confused. IKEA is gay too now? I just bought a carpet there last month. Also, are perceptions different in CA than in redneck states? What do CA people think of the Miata?

Well most of the guys here have no clue as usual. It's easy to follow the 15-year old crowd and say that the Miata is gay just to be cool. They probably drive an old POS anyway and can't even afford IKEA because their daddy cancelled their weekly allowance.

It's a fun car to drive. Being cool is being independent.

:thumbsup: yeah drive what you want... ive seen Miata do well at Auto-Xs... it makes other cars look gay.

 

[SuperTool]

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: SuperTool

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: SuperTool
BTW, I am looking at this one, and it seems way under private party tmv, even below blue book:
http://www.craigslist.org/sby/car/39843919.html

Where is the rainbow bumper sticker?


j/k

but seriously though why a Miata?

Reliable, Affordable, Sportscar. What else fits the bill?
I am bored of driving my Maxima. It's getting long in the tooth, and I don't think I want to replace it with another FWD car. I'll have all my life to drive boring cars, I want a fun car when I am young. At the same time, I don't want to spend more than $20K on a car. I test drove Mazda3, Scion tC, Honda Accord Coupe, and they are not better than my Maxima. It's not enough of a change to justify buying a new one. I guess I could wait for the new Mustang. But then I have to wait a couple more years because I couldn't in the right mind buy a new one and take that depreciation. The only other car that is appealing and reasonably new is 240sx, but those are overpriced and overabused as a used car.

An S2000?

It costs almost 2x as much. If I wanted to spend that kind of cash, I would have gotten a G35 coupe. I think S2000 doesn't offer that much over the Miata to justify the price premium.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: SuperTool

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: SuperTool

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: SuperTool
BTW, I am looking at this one, and it seems way under private party tmv, even below blue book:
http://www.craigslist.org/sby/car/39843919.html

Where is the rainbow bumper sticker?


j/k

but seriously though why a Miata?

Reliable, Affordable, Sportscar. What else fits the bill?
I am bored of driving my Maxima. It's getting long in the tooth, and I don't think I want to replace it with another FWD car. I'll have all my life to drive boring cars, I want a fun car when I am young. At the same time, I don't want to spend more than $20K on a car. I test drove Mazda3, Scion tC, Honda Accord Coupe, and they are not better than my Maxima. It's not enough of a change to justify buying a new one. I guess I could wait for the new Mustang. But then I have to wait a couple more years because I couldn't in the right mind buy a new one and take that depreciation. The only other car that is appealing and reasonably new is 240sx, but those are overpriced and overabused as a used car.

An S2000?

It costs almost 2x as much. If I wanted to spend that kind of cash, I would have gotten a G35 coupe. I think S2000 doesn't offer that much over the Miata to justify the price premium.

In a straight line it might. But on a twisty road at 45-55mph, where the Miata truly shines, you're right. And I actually find the Miata to be a more comfortable car in terms of elbow room than the S2K.

 

[ElFenix]

i want a miata. no money tho.

 

[Shawn]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile

Originally posted by: SuperTool

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: SuperTool

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: SuperTool
BTW, I am looking at this one, and it seems way under private party tmv, even below blue book:
http://www.craigslist.org/sby/car/39843919.html

Where is the rainbow bumper sticker?


j/k

but seriously though why a Miata?

Reliable, Affordable, Sportscar. What else fits the bill?
I am bored of driving my Maxima. It's getting long in the tooth, and I don't think I want to replace it with another FWD car. I'll have all my life to drive boring cars, I want a fun car when I am young. At the same time, I don't want to spend more than $20K on a car. I test drove Mazda3, Scion tC, Honda Accord Coupe, and they are not better than my Maxima. It's not enough of a change to justify buying a new one. I guess I could wait for the new Mustang. But then I have to wait a couple more years because I couldn't in the right mind buy a new one and take that depreciation. The only other car that is appealing and reasonably new is 240sx, but those are overpriced and overabused as a used car.

An S2000?

It costs almost 2x as much. If I wanted to spend that kind of cash, I would have gotten a G35 coupe. I think S2000 doesn't offer that much over the Miata to justify the price premium.

In a straight line it might. But on a twisty road at 45-55mph, where the Miata truly shines, you're right. And I actually find the Miata to be a more comfortable car in terms of elbow room than the S2K.

Plus it only comes with a plastic window! How cheap can you get? I got a whole new top for my car with a glass window for only $299 off ebay.

 

[PaNsyBoy8]

i'd definately rock a miata its a fun car, they are fun to drive and easy to push, they are also reliable. someone mentioned the mr2, definately not as reliable.

 

[myusername]

While I like the mr2's looks myself, I have mostly seen women (and women's women at that) driving it. Plus not as much (or as cheap) aftermarket support.

Miata's seem to be driven more by men - I would argue older straight men who are reliving their healy/mg/triumph days, but then I don't exactly question the occupants whenever I see them, so who knows.

 

[cchen]

I've owned 2 miatas already, and the link you posted to the car on Craigslist is a decent deal, but I bet if you wait you could find a better one. Are you willing to spend a little bit more? With that kind of dough, I'd be looking to go after the new Mazdaspeed Miata.

The miata is a great little car. A lot of room for modifications if thats your thing.

 

[OS]

As a working guy who lives in CA and pays for his own car, I'd have to say the miata is merely fruity, not gay.

My friend offered to let me drive his, but I didn't fit at all. I don't think I would own one regardless of how fun it is. I mean I'm sure a porsche with a hot pink paint job would be fun to drive, but still I don't think I would own one.

 

[SuperTool]

Originally posted by: cchen
I've owned 2 miatas already, and the link you posted to the car on Craigslist is a decent deal, but I bet if you wait you could find a better one. Are you willing to spend a little bit more? With that kind of dough, I'd be looking to go after the new Mazdaspeed Miata.

The miata is a great little car. A lot of room for modifications if thats your thing.

Is it better to get an older one with more miles for less? Is there a mileage after which reliability seems to go down?

 

[Shawn]

Originally posted by: SuperTool

Originally posted by: cchen
I've owned 2 miatas already, and the link you posted to the car on Craigslist is a decent deal, but I bet if you wait you could find a better one. Are you willing to spend a little bit more? With that kind of dough, I'd be looking to go after the new Mazdaspeed Miata.

The miata is a great little car. A lot of room for modifications if thats your thing.

Is it better to get an older one with more miles for less? Is there a mileage after which reliability seems to go down?

150k Really though people have gotten 200k+ miles out of these things.

 

[cchen]

Originally posted by: SuperTool

Originally posted by: cchen
I've owned 2 miatas already, and the link you posted to the car on Craigslist is a decent deal, but I bet if you wait you could find a better one. Are you willing to spend a little bit more? With that kind of dough, I'd be looking to go after the new Mazdaspeed Miata.

The miata is a great little car. A lot of room for modifications if thats your thing.

Is it better to get an older one with more miles for less? Is there a mileage after which reliability seems to go down?

Depends on how old.... The miata is a Mazda, and is pretty damn reliable. My first one was a 1990 (the very first gen that came out) and I bought it for only $2000.

"Better" is relative.... First you need to look at what generation of Miata you really want because there are differences in each such as power and the look of the body.

If you're gonna go after a mid 90's one, higher mileage isn't that much of an issue. Many people on the Miata forums have miatas with excess of 200k miles on it. Then again, some people don't like used cars with high mileage so its really up to you. But aren't any problems with the Miata's reliability.

 

[volrath]

I drive a 95 Eagle Talon ESi. I live in the bay area. I would MUCH rather be driving a Miata. It is not gay, it just looks stupid before the current generation. I personally would prefer one of the latest generation with a hardtop and the ground effects kit (and 6 speed woo).

Mazdaspeed Miata? Doesn't that retail for like 26k? For that price I would take an Evo RS. More practical, and no questions of manliness.

 

[cchen]

Originally posted by: volrath
I drive a 95 Eagle Talon ESi. I live in the bay area. I would MUCH rather be driving a Miata. It is not gay, it just looks stupid before the current generation. I personally would prefer one of the latest generation with a hardtop and the ground effects kit (and 6 speed woo).

Mazdaspeed Miata? Doesn't that retail for like 26k? For that price I would take an Evo RS. More practical, and no questions of manliness.

oh damn. didn't realize the msrp was so high. that is a bit overpriced

 

[SuperTool]

If I were to keep the Maxima and get a Miata for the weekends, how much more would my insurance be? Anyone have experience with 2 cars for one driver?

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: SuperTool
If I were to keep the Maxima and get a Miata for the weekends, how much more would my insurance be? Anyone have experience with 2 cars for one driver?

call up your insurer and find out

i'm listed on 3 cars and i don't think it's any more than just 1. the problem is that a miata is a sports cars. so your insurance will likely go up, but i guess you'd get the maxima's insurance for 'free'

 

[TechnoKid]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: SuperTool
If I were to keep the Maxima and get a Miata for the weekends, how much more would my insurance be? Anyone have experience with 2 cars for one driver?

call up your insurer and find out

i'm listed on 3 cars and i don't think it's any more than just 1. the problem is that a miata is a sports cars. so your insurance will likely go up, but i guess you'd get the maxima's insurance for 'free'

hmmm a 4cyl (granted, the miata is a rwd platform so :thumbsup: ) sports car? hmmmmmm...i thought that the insurance was a bit higher on convertables in the first place.

 

[3chordcharlie]

A miata is the closest thing to an MGB you can possibly get, and definitely a tonne (or ton, have your pick) of fun to drive.

It's obviously not practical at all, but it's way too much fun to let that bother you. It would be on my short list if I was shopping for a used sportscar for sure. In fact, in the convertible small sportscar class, it might be the only thing on my list.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Meh, go for it, if it makes you happy, who gives a crap about what anyone else thinks...

I tried to explain the whole "gay Miata" thing to my wife & she couldn't see it, just as most women won't think it's a gay car...

It's everything the MGB was, and it's got a big plus, it's reliable.

 

[ElFenix]

bah i just did an insurance quote for a miata and the insurance is cheaper than my se-r

 

[mchammer187]

went to the mazda dealership a couple days ago and the miata MX-5 was one hot car

very nice IMO, i would never consider it girly

steel gray or blue is the way to go

MSRP is pretty high though 25-26K but you can probably get a lot lower

the Mazda 6 i am getting is going to have an MSRP of over 27K

and i'll be paying around 22.5K but i dont know what the incentives on the MX-5 are

 

[blahblah99]

Originally posted by: mchammer187
went to the mazda dealership a couple days ago and the miata MX-5 was one hot car

very nice IMO, i would never consider it girly

steel gray or blue is the way to go

MSRP is pretty high though 25-26K but you can probably get a lot lower

the Mazda 6 i am getting is going to have an MSRP of over 27K

and i'll be paying around 22.5K but i dont know what the incentives on the MX-5 are

I too saw one at the dealership but didn't get a chance to test drive it. The car is definitely HOT. 1.8L turbocharged at (I believe) ~9psi, which leaves a lot of room for turning up the boost!

 

[StageLeft]

It would be great for a single gay guy. I'm not being facetious - as a single person's car it's great, but presumably you want to land a chick, and it's so commonly known as a chick car, that it may reduce your attractiveness as a male.

Of course, how many girls are REALLY going to dump a guy because of his car? Not many. Just try not to drive it on the first couple of dates.

How is it a gay car again? Can someone fill me in, I am out of touch with the times. I am not sure what's so gay about a 4 cylinder RWD manual sports car?

BTW, you can debate it until you're blue in the face. Regardless of any conclusions reached here, the general public does see it as a chick car. It's been shown in a couple of surveys I've read, along with the VW cabriolet, VW bug, etc. so regardless of how you shape things, it's a chick car. That's how most people see it.

 

[SuperTool]

I talked to my friend who has one, and yes some of his male coworkers think it's a gay car, but his female coworkers have asked him for a ride in it.
Noone has ever asked me for a ride in the ole Maxima, that's for sure I guess you have to take the good with the bad. Most people here at work drive either an accord or a camry, so I am not particularly concerned about their automotive opinions.