1st Gen Miata or 1st Gen RX7 GSL-SE???
05-01-13, 05:38 PM
#26
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I got to say I would buy no Mazda besides an Rx model. I am only interested in rotaries. Any other Mazda is just another car. I knew a girl in college with a miata, and I thought "that is a perfect car for her.". I know if she ever got in the seat of my car she'd wreck it in about 10 seconds, TOO MUCH ***** for her.
Good luck on your choice, but you wont find much support for Miatas on this site.
Good luck on your choice, but you wont find much support for Miatas on this site.
05-01-13, 07:48 PM
#27
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Thanks so much for all this Feedback ...I actually might go the Miata route ...i just today went to go see a Silver 1990 Miata .... was a north carolina car all its life NO RUST at all ! the silver paint was still shining with very few dings and scratches here and there ... The car only has 59,000 miles !!! I actually never drove a Miata ..and let me tell you ..i fell in love instantly 
once i was driving it around ..loved the exhaust sound and actually was pretty quick for a 1.6 liter engine ...it has the Package A plus it had the power steering option ..plus the Limited Slip Diff option too ..the guy had the original window sticker ! the price seems to be right for the low mileage and very clean exterior and interior of the car ... the guy was asking 5900 its a small local Dealership that sells quality used cars ..but will sell it for 5400 ..what do you think is that price worth it ??? im thinking it is .... actually the guy knows alot about Miatas since he has one too ...and was telling me lots of interesting things about the car ..i never knew that the Miata engine was a mazda Truck engine to begin with .... i asked him how much he actually paid for it and he was honest and told me they paid 4000 for it plus another 500 to ship it to NJ (thats where the car is located currently)and another 500 to recondition it new brakes and tune up ...so he was honest that they will be making only a 10% profit on it .... It was awesome with the Top down and driving it around it reminded me of my 2004 Mini Cooper S i use to own 
in any case im seriously thinking of buying this car ..What do you guys think ? Should i take the plunge ?? im sorry im asking this in a First generation RX7 Forum ....lol Hey at least they are both Mazdas ..and im thinking the Miata would be much more reliable than the RX7
once i was driving it around ..loved the exhaust sound and actually was pretty quick for a 1.6 liter engine ...it has the Package A plus it had the power steering option ..plus the Limited Slip Diff option too ..the guy had the original window sticker ! the price seems to be right for the low mileage and very clean exterior and interior of the car ... the guy was asking 5900 its a small local Dealership that sells quality used cars ..but will sell it for 5400 ..what do you think is that price worth it ??? im thinking it is .... actually the guy knows alot about Miatas since he has one too ...and was telling me lots of interesting things about the car ..i never knew that the Miata engine was a mazda Truck engine to begin with .... i asked him how much he actually paid for it and he was honest and told me they paid 4000 for it plus another 500 to ship it to NJ (thats where the car is located currently)and another 500 to recondition it new brakes and tune up ...so he was honest that they will be making only a 10% profit on it .... It was awesome with the Top down and driving it around it reminded me of my 2004 Mini Cooper S i use to own in any case im seriously thinking of buying this car ..What do you guys think ? Should i take the plunge ?? im sorry im asking this in a First generation RX7 Forum ....lol Hey at least they are both Mazdas ..and im thinking the Miata would be much more reliable than the RX7the miata is newer than the 7, but reliability really is about the same, @59k miles it needs a timing belt/waterpump/ etc which isn't hard.
on the plus side, it sounds like a really nice car
05-01-13, 08:14 PM
#28
At the end of the day the Miata is light, stiff, RWD and there are parts galore out there for it. There are SO many quick Miatas. Visit Flyin' Miata's site sometime and check out some of the goodies available. The 1.8 BP engine was originally designed FOR boost (anyone remember the 323 gtr?), so it's a stout little engine.
I had a supercharged '01 before I bought my FD. It was nearly as quick around the track as the '7, and twice as forgiving to drive at the limit. For me it was the perfect car to learn how to drive fast (well, fast for me, lol) in.
I had a supercharged '01 before I bought my FD. It was nearly as quick around the track as the '7, and twice as forgiving to drive at the limit. For me it was the perfect car to learn how to drive fast (well, fast for me, lol) in.
05-01-13, 08:39 PM
#29
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Pre'92ish models had a kind of weak crank snout. They're easy to bork.
05-01-13, 11:24 PM
#30
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At the end of the day the Miata is light, stiff, RWD and there are parts galore out there for it. There are SO many quick Miatas. Visit Flyin' Miata's site sometime and check out some of the goodies available. The 1.8 BP engine was originally designed FOR boost (anyone remember the 323 gtr?), so it's a stout little engine.
I had a supercharged '01 before I bought my FD. It was nearly as quick around the track as the '7, and twice as forgiving to drive at the limit. For me it was the perfect car to learn how to drive fast (well, fast for me, lol) in.
I had a supercharged '01 before I bought my FD. It was nearly as quick around the track as the '7, and twice as forgiving to drive at the limit. For me it was the perfect car to learn how to drive fast (well, fast for me, lol) in.
mario's car is frightening, and the bill was astounding
05-02-13, 12:14 AM
#31
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I got to say I would buy no Mazda besides an Rx model. I am only interested in rotaries. Any other Mazda is just another car. I knew a girl in college with a miata, and I thought "that is a perfect car for her.". I know if she ever got in the seat of my car she'd wreck it in about 10 seconds, TOO MUCH ***** for her.
Good luck on your choice, but you wont find much support for Miatas on this site.
Good luck on your choice, but you wont find much support for Miatas on this site.
05-02-13, 08:58 AM
#32
Really?
Really? What is it with Mazdas and that damn front bolt. At least on an RX-7 you can push the clutch forward, how do you loosen the bolt? I'd pretty PO'd if I loosened that bolt and the crank snout broke off. JB weld the bolt back in place and go trade it in for a different Miata.
05-02-13, 09:05 AM
#33
Please tell me you're joking
hmmm your response is pretty sexist ..im sure if Dancia Patrick drove your RX7 she would run your ***** over with that stupid remark ...LOL and if you have read most of the responses to this post you would see there is alot of support for Miatas on here ....How about a 13 b motor in a Miata ! That would be the best of both worlds
Too many people get offended, I've read the constitution and the Bill of rights and there's no right not to get offended.
As for a 13b in a Miata, oh yeah, I could go for that and it has been done a lot of times. That car would fly and handle great.
I don't know where the idea that the Miata is a girl's car came from, after all, it's modeled off of the typical British roadster and the only chick I knew who drove one of those is my wife and the chick that used to own my Spitfire (her brother kept it running).
05-02-13, 09:33 AM
#34
Really? What is it with Mazdas and that damn front bolt. At least on an RX-7 you can push the clutch forward, how do you loosen the bolt? I'd pretty PO'd if I loosened that bolt and the crank snout broke off. JB weld the bolt back in place and go trade it in for a different Miata.
As for bang for the buck ratio, I can't even express how much easier and cheaper it was to work on the Miata compared to my FD. I know this thread isn't about 3rd gen RX-7s, but the simple fact that the 'yata has pistons makes it so much more...accessible to work on.
05-02-13, 09:46 AM
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Really? What is it with Mazdas and that damn front bolt. At least on an RX-7 you can push the clutch forward, how do you loosen the bolt? I'd pretty PO'd if I loosened that bolt and the crank snout broke off. JB weld the bolt back in place and go trade it in for a different Miata.
05-02-13, 05:08 PM
#36
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The 1st gen impresses me daily. I see those Miata often, and could never see me having fun in one of them. I guess that is unbiased as possible. Have fun in your Miata!
RX7Lives is right though; if you think that is hurtful, buckle your seatbelt.
RX7Lives is right though; if you think that is hurtful, buckle your seatbelt.
05-03-13, 07:11 AM
#38
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Sounds like a nice car to me. Has the right package, that's for sure. The only thing that would hold me back on that purchase is the fact that it is the 1.6, and I think I would look hard for a low mileage 1.8 94+ car.
It's my goal to own all the (fun) cars possible in my lifetime, and Miata is on the short list. I say, if you drove it and love it, then go for it!
It's my goal to own all the (fun) cars possible in my lifetime, and Miata is on the short list. I say, if you drove it and love it, then go for it!
05-03-13, 09:36 AM
#39
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05-03-13, 01:35 PM
#40
Is it an interference engine?
It's not that hard to change the timing belt (I've never done one on a Miata but I have on a few other Mazda models and on lots of other makes as well and the last time I looked under the hood of a Miata, it has what appeared to be pretty good access.
If you're just getting the car and it doesn't have a service history and has enough miles, change the belt just for peace of mind. Also, you should start a service/maintenance history folder if it doesn't have one and if it does, ensure you keep it up to date.
05-03-13, 01:56 PM
#41
Which part breaks, the pulley or on the crank?
Which part breaks, the pully or on the crank? Well, if it doesn't wipe out the entire keyway, you could just put a long enough key to engage the good parts. When I first read that it had problems, I envisioned the crank snout snapping off.
Even if the keyway is destroyed, you could still put the pulley on although you might have problems if it also has a harmonic balancer plus your timing marks would be worthless unless you lined it up perfectly and it never moved. If there is also magnets for the ignition pickup you would really have a bad day although I highly doubt that's where it gets its ignition and fuel injection timing from.
Does the keyway go all the way to the timing pulley? I assume it does.
This is a great thread, It's got me looking at Miatas and I still love them, their prices are good and most of the ones I've seen pictures of look to be in decent shape. Mazda did it right although a twin turbo 20b engine from the Cosmo would have been nice.
Even if the keyway is destroyed, you could still put the pulley on although you might have problems if it also has a harmonic balancer plus your timing marks would be worthless unless you lined it up perfectly and it never moved. If there is also magnets for the ignition pickup you would really have a bad day although I highly doubt that's where it gets its ignition and fuel injection timing from.
Does the keyway go all the way to the timing pulley? I assume it does.
This is a great thread, It's got me looking at Miatas and I still love them, their prices are good and most of the ones I've seen pictures of look to be in decent shape. Mazda did it right although a twin turbo 20b engine from the Cosmo would have been nice.
05-03-13, 03:24 PM
#42
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Is it an interference engine which as you probably know, means that if the belt breaks or strips some teeth, some open valves are going to kiss a piston and you don't want that. I'm pretty sure it is.
It's not that hard to change the timing belt (I've never done one on a Miata but I have on a few other Mazda models and on lots of other makes as well and the last time I looked under the hood of a Miata, it has what appeared to be pretty good access.
If you're just getting the car and it doesn't have a service history and has enough miles, change the belt just for peace of mind. Also, you should start a service/maintenance history folder if it doesn't have one and if it does, ensure you keep it up to date.
It's not that hard to change the timing belt (I've never done one on a Miata but I have on a few other Mazda models and on lots of other makes as well and the last time I looked under the hood of a Miata, it has what appeared to be pretty good access.
If you're just getting the car and it doesn't have a service history and has enough miles, change the belt just for peace of mind. Also, you should start a service/maintenance history folder if it doesn't have one and if it does, ensure you keep it up to date.
05-04-13, 06:53 AM
#43
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My grandmother had a first gen Miata. Beautiful little car. But did I mention is was owned by my GRANDMOTHER? They are neat little cars, but not as unique as the RX7. And, if you get an RX7, you won't have to trade your ********* in as part of the deal : )
05-06-13, 02:16 AM
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Miatas are good, fun cars. I think you will be happy if you buy the one you test drive. But if you love RX-7s you'll always be looking for one. Rotaries are too unique to forget about.
05-22-13, 10:31 AM
#47
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I'd get a GSL-SE
You should be a able to find a decent one. I see unmolested ones pop up here in Phoenix, Cali and TX all the time. It's worth getting a good one shipped.
There is plenty of time to pick up a Miata, there are billions floating around.
Most of us are in love with the feel of the Rotary so it's a no-brainer lol
You should be a able to find a decent one. I see unmolested ones pop up here in Phoenix, Cali and TX all the time. It's worth getting a good one shipped.
There is plenty of time to pick up a Miata, there are billions floating around.
Most of us are in love with the feel of the Rotary so it's a no-brainer lol
05-22-13, 11:18 AM
#48
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a friend of mine picked up a 92 miata the other day, and its FUN. the pedal on the right doesn't do much but you do get a really pleasurable driving experience.
05-22-13, 02:01 PM
#49
In the 90's when I was auto crossing my fb in csp and later fp, I had about a dozen opportunities to drive different miatas for post event "fun runs". I never went slower than the owner of the miata, and often beat my own time. Miatas are great handling cars and easy to drive fast.
That said, I'd take the GSL SE every time. A miata is meant to supplement, not replace, an Rx7.
That said, I'd take the GSL SE every time. A miata is meant to supplement, not replace, an Rx7.
05-22-13, 02:08 PM
#50
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This is an easy answer
At the end of the day the Miata is light, stiff, RWD and there are parts galore out there for it. There are SO many quick Miatas. Visit Flyin' Miata's site sometime and check out some of the goodies available. The 1.8 BP engine was originally designed FOR boost (anyone remember the 323 gtr?), so it's a stout little engine.
I had a supercharged '01 before I bought my FD. It was nearly as quick around the track as the '7, and twice as forgiving to drive at the limit. For me it was the perfect car to learn how to drive fast (well, fast for me, lol) in.
I had a supercharged '01 before I bought my FD. It was nearly as quick around the track as the '7, and twice as forgiving to drive at the limit. For me it was the perfect car to learn how to drive fast (well, fast for me, lol) in.
Buy a 1st Gen Miata and retrofit a 13B into it. Best of both worlds.