Somebody talk me out of..., ...selling my 914 for a Miata Options

[campbellcj]

My vote is to sell the 'burban -- unless you really need it for work or other "mandatory" reasons -- and get something practical but smaller & more efficient and extremely reliable for commuting and bad-weather work. Perhaps a Subaru wagon or Toyota RAV-4 kind of thing?

FWIW I can relate too as I cringe every time we fill up the Land Crusher. It's a great vehicle but has travelled 25K miles in the last year and it runs on super unleaded which is ~$2.50/gal around here. Plus it has a small tank. So $300/mo for gas...for just the wife's car!

[DuckRyder]

Somebody talk me out of..., ...selling my 914 for a Miata

UMM. You don't want to do that.

The fun will wear off and you'll be left with a moderately aged asian car.

Much better to have a very aged, but german car.

I'll change my tune if ya say you're going to buy a new Mazda Speed Miata, but not before.

Cheers, glad we got ya strightened out.............. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_flagge6.gif)

[wheelo]

Duuude Where's My Car ?
Do what you want, but, know this....
You'll be baaack ! happened to me not so long ago !
Agree with the other posts, sell the V8 gas monger, and get yourself a commuter mobile! I was in your same shoes, rang-up 300k on two Ford Escorts (in 5years), still missed my 914. Had the same experience with motorcycles, Huummm, must be a need -for-speed !
Good Luck, (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[914werke]

Try a motorcycle (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)
Fuel economy is outstanding, performance is PHENOMINAL (depending on the model) And communting is actually fun. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clap56.gif)

[aircooledboy]

that gay car thing is crap. Just feeding a very stupid stereo type.

That's EXACTLY what the guy who cuts my hair says about his miata. At least I think that's what he's saying. Between his terrible lisp and the squeaking of his leather pants, I can't always understand him. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

[JFJ914]

Oh.. yeah I forgot about the all important *Gay* factor. It really play's into effect when living in the south. Here in SF it doesnt matter.. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)


B

See lots of them driven by guys around here, Atlanta. Most with "Trophy Babes" next to them. Can't all be Gay! Some even have roll bars and AX tires.

[BIGKAT_83]

I've got a 90 miata with 110K miles,just replaced the engine with a 95 1.8 liter. If you get a early car 90/91 watch out for the crankshaft problem. Mine was great on gas almost 40 on the highway.

Bob

[Hi_Fi_Guy]

After years of owning 914s, Fiats, Alfas, etc. I got married and bout a sensible new car... a Miata. Blah, aweful little car with no soul. It worked well, but was absolutely no fun to drive.

Mazda'z Rx-7 have soul and would get my vote over a Miata any day. I owned a 1981 Rx-7 and to this day it was one of the best cars I have ever owned.

As always, your milage may vary.

[tat2dphreak]

a miata or mr2 are good choices... you may even be able to keep the 914 if you get an older one... they are great fun to beat around in... there's also other cars like the Mitsu Evo, WRX, and the RX-8(I looked at one of these last week, very sweet (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif) ) I totally understand what you are saying... i love my teener, but it not practical daily, when it rains every other week...

My thing is this: I love working on cars, but I don't like HAVING to work on a car to get me somewhere... if I don't want to work on my 914 for a month (or 3 like the past winter) I don't want to feel OBLIGATED... I gripe about my POS Chrysler, but it gets me anywhere... the 914 hasn't been outside the garage under it's own power in a year!

as far as a car "being gay": no such thing... that's just BS! a miata is no more gay than an Z3 and no more likely to have a gay driver... there are plenty of gay guys driving Pickups and Camaros too... a car is a car... it doesn't make you look gay... now, if you have the top down, blaring elton john on the stereo, with a poodle in the pass. seat...

the COLOR of the car CAN hurt you masculinity though (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) a PINK car will never look "tough"

[SirAndy]

Somebody talk me out of it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

naaa, just sell the NARP and buy the meowta ...

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif) Andy

[airsix]

... there's also other cars like the Mitsu Evo, WRX, and the RX-8(I looked at one of these last week, very sweet (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif) ) I totally understand what you are saying... i love my teener, but it not practical daily, when it rains every other week...

My eye is starting to wander as well. But if you're going to look at these cars (WRX/EVO/RX8) why not get a Boxster S? I'm starting to see a lot of Boxster S's in the $25,000-$30,000 range. (And I'm starting to say "Hmmmm......")

-Ben M.

[SirAndy]

That's EXACTLY what the guy who cuts my hair says about his miata. At least I think that's what he's saying. Between his terrible lisp and the squeaking of his leather pants, I can't always understand him. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

and that's why you go back to him over and over again, right?

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif) Andy

[thesey914]

That's EXACTLY what the guy who cuts my hair says about his miata. At least I think that's what he's saying. Between his terrible lisp and the squeaking of his leather pants, I can't always understand him. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolling.gif)

[Scott S]

I sort of understand your dilemma. I litterally had Brads email address up in a message window to ask him if he ever gets a stripped and repaired body shell where the owner is having second thoughts to give me a call. My end result was going to be a GT replica that was so clean it would make you sick. I love my little 2.0, but then someone will post a restoration pic where the bottom of the car has as nice of a paint job as the top - I really want that. However, after spending the afternoon in my car, I realised that other than seat of you pants speed, it would be almost the same as driving what I already have. I am now fighting with the idea of replacing it wath a boxter. I have seen them as low as 20 grand - thats cheaper than a nice 6 conversion. I hate to admit it, but the creature comforts are starting to appeal to me. I have seen some boxters with the updated GT-3 or turbo nose front bumper and a nice set of wide wheels that look mean as hell...
It's a tough decision... I need to drive a boxter to see what they are really like.

[tat2dphreak]

... there's also other cars like the Mitsu Evo, WRX, and the RX-8(I looked at one of these last week, very sweet  :wub: )  I totally understand what you are saying... i love my teener, but it not practical daily, when it rains every other week...

My eye is starting to wander as well. But if you're going to look at these cars (WRX/EVO/RX8) why not get a Boxster S? I'm starting to see a lot of Boxster S's in the $25,000-$30,000 range. (And I'm starting to say "Hmmmm......")

-Ben M.

I don't call a boxter as practical as a jap car... the insurance alone makes a big difference... besides, I don't know if they will be reliable enough to drive daily, including the rainy and slushy winter days... but I may have to look into that now that you mention it... I really hadn't looked at used cars, since this one has been a bad experience... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

[fiid]

My girlfriend has a '99 Miata with the sport package.

Good:
It's quick, it handles nicely (16" rims and Michelin Pilot SXs). It is a little rough on city streets, but any car worth a shit is. It's reliable.

Bad:
I have 4 mostly minor complaints with the car-
1) not much trunk space. The trunk on the miata is about the size of the reat trunk on the 914 (without the roof). Maybe even a little smaller. The front runk on the 914 is very handy if you are carrying just about anything.

2) Legroom. I am 5'10" and I find that the miata seats don't go back quite far enough.

3) Brake fade. One of the few cars in which I have actually noticed and been suprised by brake fade. I have done this twice now on the north end of skyline drive on the peninsula (norcal).

4) My legs tend to cover the speaker grilles when I do get comfy in the car - which degrades the sound quality a bit.

I say: go for it, but make sure you think about and/or test drive the MR2 Sypder, Boxster, and Elise before you make a final decision. Early used Boxsters might be an option if cost is a big factor.

Fiid.

[MattR]

Keep the 914, buy a new moped for $1500. 100mpg. When it's too cold to ride the moped, it'll be fall and gas prices will be lower anyway. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clap56.gif)

LOL, flashbacks of Dumb and Dumber...

I like the 90-92 MR2s. They are mid engine, designed by Lotus, have AC and stuff too. I considered getting one, but I wanted to rebuild a car instead. If you get one, go for the turbo though...

[Trekkor]

What do you think about the Honda S2000?
Rode in one the other day. I must say, I was impressed. They redline above 9,000 rpms and handle like crazy without any mods. Scary car.

I felt like my hair was on fire and may have wet myself (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol2.gif)

That 2.0 ltr-4 makes 240 hp! No turbo. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

trekkor

[MattR]

I think its kind of a joke when the Japanese try to make a roadster. Look at the first generation MR2... it was a complete copy of the Fiat/Bertone X 1/9. The miata was made to be a chick car (sorry guys), and they all are lacking the spirit of a good ol' American, Italian, or German roadster. Go drive a 55 T Bird, 72 Alfa, or a 61 356 and tell me it isnt far superior to any Honda S2000 or Mazda miata. I mean yeah, you compromise air conditioning, reliability, safety, blah blah, but its a roadster, not a commuter. If you want a car with good mpg and that starts every morning, dont get a roadster IMHO.

[Brett W]

Skip the gay ass miata and pay 1500-3000 for a 4th gen Civic Si hatchback. Big ass trunk, huge aftermarket support, great drivability, stealth mobile, etc. I picked up one for $240, put $600 in it and now have a car that gets 35-37mpg on the highway, can haul a bunch of Porsche parts, and will handle awesome. By the way the car blue books for $3500. Not bad for a 12 year old car.