ryan2949

iTrader: (2)

Please chime in with your experience of both and what the largest differences are and what you disliked about each and loved about each more-so than the other. I'm trying to trade my '91 N/A with 99,600kms for an NA Miata due to the fact I drive 100% city and because I like to go WOT between lights, etc to make my day more exciting, I average 10-11mpg per fill-up. I've filled up 3 times since moving here and every single time I've gotten under 10.7mpg. It's too expensive as a college student.

Spirit-RE

iTrader: (25)

Hmm. Miata is newer, more reliable, easier to drive at limits, very nimble/excellent handling even in stock form, parts are easy to source and way more aftermarket support. Miata community is pretty awesome too.
Mazda did a great job with the car, its no more complicated then it needs to be, everything is laid out in a logical spot, making it easy to work on(FC's are good here too). No common mechanical issues, besides for the early 1.6(pre 92) short nose crank problems. Show me how many sports have no common flaws/issues. These really are solid cars.

I average 32mpg hwy in a 1.8 manual, with mixed driving, I like to enjoy my drive and let the car stretch its legs from time to time.


The down side of the miata, well there really isn't one. lol. They are pretty expensive(at least in this area), 5k and up for a clean, low mileage one. And society seems to think your gay if your a guy and drive one. So if your an egomaniac, this isn't the car for you. And the interior is pretty tight. Aftermarket seats are a research project for ones that fit. If you're taller than 6', you might have a bit of an issue. I'm 6' even, and I wouldn't want to be any bigger.





Both the miata and n/a FC's wont be breaking any sound barriers in stock trim, but both are a blast to drive, both have just enough power to be fun, and the handling completes it. Acceleration wise, I think an n/a fc and 1.8 miata are about the same. I like a lower powered sports car that you can drive hard on the back roads, and not kill everyone. Try that in a 400hp car, you spend more effort trying to hold the car back.

For your situation, I think a miata is a more logical choice. Nothings better then going out to your car every morning and turning the key and going. Pop the hood to do oil changes and that's it.


But I would still choose the FC over a miata for a fun/project car.

ryan2949

iTrader: (2)

Well in some cases they aren't (if I got a '90 or '91.) I have the option of trading my FC for a '91 in silver(IMO best Miata colour), with 82,000miles from a dealership in Michigan. I've read about the short-nose crank in the early models. I've been a member on Clubroadster for probably around a year now, maybe more.

The Miata is the logical choice in my situation, which is why I want one so bad. I want a 94-97 for the 1.8+LSD, but I'd settle for a 1.6 and do the swap later on. I'd eventually do a 13bt swap in my RX7, but that's in 3 years from now, so I don't see why I'd own this car for three years when the amount of money I'd save in gas alone over the next few years could buy me another RX7, ahaha.

Spirit-RE

iTrader: (25)

If your going to spend the money, I'd suggest spend a bit more and get a 94+ with the 1.8. Do some research on crank failures on the pre 92 models if you're looking at one.

ben.farnath

I miss my na6 mx5. And like nate said the problems are only really the crank (which did go wrong on mine, chipped the keyway slot but fixed it with liquid metal) and replace all the cooling system hoses and the tee-fitting in the thermostat housing. Soooo much fun to drive and even slide. Just seemed to take abuse all day every day. Only downside being the gay comments you WILL get.

ryan2949

iTrader: (2)

I could care less about the homo comments, aha. 90% of the time my girlfriend is in the passenger seat.

I raced a Cavalier Z24 the other day and lost. I only started around 2k rpm because I didn't think we were racing and then I couldn't catch up. That alone made me disappointed owning a car that looks like an RX7 that can't keep up with a Crapalier. Atleast everyone knows Miata's are slow, aha.

NA Miata + coilovers + wheels/tires = perfect car for me. The aftermarket possibilities are endless.

ben.farnath

I've always wanted a 13bt bp or n/a 13b pp mx5. So if you do end up leaving the 7 for the mx5 that's always an option. But obviously mpg will be down the crapper again.haha

ryan2949

iTrader: (2)

But by then I'll have a real job and not be in college. I want a 20b in a Miata...

ben.farnath

Na 20b to avoid upsetting the the balance. But hell yeah!

ryan2949

iTrader: (2)

Of course I'd stick to N/A. 20b bridgeported, itb's and a tune would be one hell of a weekend and track car.

beachFC

iTrader: (13)

**** man. I'm with you on this. I've been battling my self in my head for about 3 months now, on whether or not i should get a NB Miata(and turbocharge that bitch) i'd have power reliability and mpg. i just think it would be so much of a hassle starting over and having to learn all about a new car, and never get to use what knowledge i have gained over the past couple years. it makes me sad to think I'd be leaving the rotary community, which i have grown to LOVE. there's no downsides to a miata, but there is definitely some downsides in that aspect.

even as i typed this comment i went back and fourth about 3 times. in the beginning of the comment i wanted a miata, and now, as i am about to click the "post quick reply" button, I can't imagine getting rid of my baby

ryan2949

iTrader: (2)

I've been on clubroadster.net a lot longer than here and browse it every day, so I do know a bit about them. I've been on s2ki for over a year now and have never owned an S2000, but still have ~700 posts and now here. You can always still be a part of a forum without owning said vehicle.

The thing is that I don't "love" my RX7. My first car was given to me by my parents. It was a '97 Civic SI coupe with an automatic transmission and 97,000kms. I put 100,000kms in 2 years and love that car. I treated it like **** and it never let me down, aha. The RX7 I do take care of though. I've washed it more in 2 months than my Civic in 2 years. But it doesn't feel special. It looks bland because I don't have any wheels or springs/coilovers and can't afford them until spring.

My plans for spring are selling RX7 and buying either an SW20 MR2 (t-top) or turboing an NA8 Miata. I wish I could sell the RX& sooner, but it's not going to happen since winters coming up.

Don't think of it being a hassle to start over. I would think about it being a new beginning, new project, etc.

flipkc

All I'm going to say is, you're missing out.

You have obviously never seen the limits of your FC even in stock trim.

As someone who has driven many different vehicles, from 07' Porsche 911 Turbo's to Evo 9 MR's to R32 GTR's and so forth, I have to say, I love my 91' JDM FC T2. Everything from the interior styling (stitched dash, gauge cluster, etc.) to the defined body lines of the car.

Not only does my FC3S compare in handling and capability in the corner to those vehicles but the feedback and feel that you get in an FC is unique to the RX7 chassis.

I have only suspension (Megan Track Coilovers) and braking modifications (Fluid Flush and fresh pads front and rear) on my T2 and have left the motor stock aside from a 3" catback, and having owned for for a combined total of 3 years now, I couldn't imagine owning another "fun" car. FD's don't feel as fun "out of the box" like my car is right now with very few modifications. I also daily'd my FC3S for 2 years without doing more than 1 alternator belt, 2 vaccuum lines, a coolant flush, and regular 3000km interval oil fluid and filter changes. In TWO years of hard driving, that's all I've had to do.

I'm not going to try and win you over on the FC chassis, but if you're looking for a FUN car with affordable modifications and infinite possibilities, you're missing out. WHO CARES about fuel mileage with a FUN car.

If you want fuel mileage, buy a $300 Honda beater and drive that daily and keep your RX7 for track/auto-x days and summer time.

SAMSHIZZLE

You sir, is what makes the rotary community so passionate. I personally will never get rid of mine. I wanted it forever and now that she's almost done, I drive with my pinkys up, LIKE A BOSS. ****, gas mileage, **** practicality, **** if the girls have no clue what it is. When that idle settles and she begins to purr, I grin from ear to ear.

Spinning triangles FTW.

ryan2949

iTrader: (2)

See, I haven't driven other sports cars, so I don't have anything to compare it to. I have drive my car to it's tires gripping limits since I drive it like I stole it on a daily basis. I honestly feel like it still rolls way too much in the corners. But compared to the other cars I have driven it's a go-kart. The mods for RX7 are not affordable at all. To do anything to this car you need money and lots of it. A Miata has affordable mods, anything from interior to performance. To make my RX7 any faster I'll need to get a T2 engine, transmision, drivetrain and then somehow manage to do that work myself when I have no clue what I would be doing and don't have even close to the funds to have someone else do it. Then I'd have a ~200hp car after the swap and thousands of dollars when I could sell my '7 and buy an MR2 which already weighs the same, has 200hp turboed or a Miata and turbo it for ~250whp reliably for less than it would cost to keep my car and do the swap. It's just not a logical choice for me. I live in the city, and I've finally started noticing how much a high-revving car sucks for that, a slow one at that.

And yes I understand I shouldn't care about fuel mileage, but c'mon 95$ and I get 330kms out of it? I'm not going to change my driving style, otherwise I'd buy a four cyl sedan if I wanted to be bored to death.

FelixIsGod29X

iTrader: (50)

My farther has a 01 miata. I ******* love that car, full of fun in everyway. If i could afford it then it would be my next daily driver. But in the mean time i enjoy daily driving an fc.
Shitty gas mileage? OK, just drive to and from work. Shitty wipers? No problem rainx that ****. Loud/leaking exhaust? More fun to **** of the neighbors at 6am! Manual steering rack? Handles the roads like a boss. It can be a hassle driving a car that isnt perfect but it makes it that much more interesting. Doritos on sticks forever! Stay unique my friends.

texFCturboII

iTrader: (17)

Miata's are gay. (there i was the first for ya.)

I actually had a miata as my first stick shift, it was a FUN car! Unfortunately I'm 6'-5" tall and can't fit into many fun cars anymore, including the maita. Heck, back in high school the steering wheel was still between my knees when I drove the thing. That being said, no other car has grabbed me like the FC. I've driven lots of other cars, and while they were amazing and fun, something about the FC excites me. It's almost like driving an old MG or TR6; bare bolts, seat of the pants driving (compared to modern cars at least.) Even my Dad's FD, which is amazingly fun to drive and very fast, just doesn't have the loose dirty feel that I liked about the FC.

If you are worried about affording gas then you shouldn't be getting into modified sports cars anyway, IMO. That's why I sold mine.... Soon I will be able to afford having a fun car again, but it's a hard lesson to learn and an expensive lesson as well. For a college kid, if you want to keep the FC around as a side project / weekend warrior, go get a 98 honda for $4000 and use that to get around.

Natey

iTrader: (19)

I drove a supercharged '01 Miata for years. At one point, I had a Miata and an FC. I dunno if I agree with natenumbers about which car is easier to drive at the limit. The Miata corners better, but the FC is much more "flickable".
IMO, The FD's handling is more like a Miata. Super grip, but not the easiest car to reel back in once it's sideways. The FC is MUCH more forgiving.

If it's an early Miata (89-90) with a 1.6, look out for the short nose crank issue that some of them have. Other than that those little cars are bulletproof compared to an RX-7


EDIT for pic of old Miata:

j9fd3s

iTrader: (3)

the Miata has its good points and its bad points. the good points, its easy, and simple. the cars are reliable, fit everywhere and 90% of the stuff you need to do is easier than the FC. the top goes down, which is a plus. the cars are really light, and handle great, even stock. the suspension is fully adjustable stock too, so you can realign it to something not gay.

for power the 1.6 cars are lighter, so they have the same power to weight ratio of the 1.8's, stock.

the bad points. the other 10% of work you need to do is harder than the FC, getting the engine or trans out of the miata is a PITA. the other bad point about the miata is that the hp/$ ratio is bad, NA mods do almost nothing, and a turbo is $$$. because the miata isn't a factory turbo car you actually NEED to buy the whole package, fuel system, clutch, turbo, manifold, exhaust, ECU, intercooler.

so get one, its perfect to just beat the crap out of going to school. make the FC fast

ryan2949

iTrader: (2)

My wipers work really well and the exhaust is perfect other than a leak. Manual rack is something I plan on doing eventually.

[QUOTE=texFCturboII;11256848 If you are worried about affording gas then you shouldn't be getting into modified sports cars anyway, IMO. That's why I sold mine.... Soon I will be able to afford having a fun car again, but it's a hard lesson to learn and an expensive lesson as well. For a college kid, if you want to keep the FC around as a side project / weekend warrior, go get a 98 honda for $4000 and use that to get around.[/QUOTE]

This FC is my first stick car. I'm not worried about gas mileage but 10mpg is a little ridiculous for a car that can't even keep up with Civic's and old people in their sedans. I'd atleast like I know I can tear other cars apart while getting this terrible mileage. MR2's and Turbo'd Miatas will double that MPG no problem even pushing 300whp, etc and be just as fun and a **** ton faster. Also, I don't have that kind of money, I can only have one car. Buying another car for 1,000 - 4,000 would defeat the purpose of trying to save money. I want to do the swap and will do it come spring time if I don't find something decent or maybe I'll come to love my car then.

1.8 Miata 18lbs/hp
1.6 Miata 19lbs/hp
NA S5 FC ~17lbs/hp

They're not that far off.

NA mods do nothing to FC's as well. I already have an exhaust and will buy Atkins aux sleeves next paycheck, but a rebuild + streetport/bridgetport to achieve the same power as a turbo FC stock, meh. Not worth it at all.

I really want to do a turbo swap, but I'd need it done within a few days considering it's my only car and I will have work to get to. Come spring time I'd be happy to pay gas/fly someone up to come help out. I'm just worried I turn my reliable FC into a nightmare after doing a swap.

ryan2949

iTrader: (2)

Also have a new fuel filter ready to be installed and new spark plugs and wires have just been ordered. Then I'm going to get the atkins sleeves and get my injectors cleaned.

Ryuske

Why don't you just sell your FC and buy another near stock turbo FC?

Instead of spending all that money to make yours faster, why not just trade it for one that's already faster? I bought my RX-7 pushing ~300whp. I haven't done anything to my car except pull the engine to get it rebuilt.

j9fd3s

iTrader: (3)

it really sounds like you want 2 cars. the reliable, fun, good mpg, miata, and then the FC turbo/toy.

ryan2949

iTrader: (2)

But unfortunately I can't afford a second vehicle both on cost and insurance. I want a car that does everything well. MPG, Speed, Handling and outright fun.

The problem with just buying a clean T2 is that if I sold my RX7 I'd most likely not think about getting a T2 and prefer the chance of getting a Miata or MR2, but obviously I'd test them all first. But also considering I am not mechanically inclined, I could probably find an already tuned T2 for 7-8k that will serve all my needs, aha. Other than MPG, of course.

ryan2949

iTrader: (2)

Just for an example of how bad my mileage is... I am broke and only get paid Friday and have between 1/4 and empty. So I put 10$ that my girlfriend lent me last night, drove to school and back twice today and I'm already back to where I was before I put that 10$.