All those who have gone Miata -> FC or FC -> Miata
10-16-12, 07:57 PM
#26
Dude, really, I'm trying to help you out. Unless you've got money to throw at this car and have a means to get around whilst the car is being repaired. DO NOT get the T2. Even if you find a nice one for 8k, it WILL break down and if you don't know how to work on it you will spend good money finding someone who does. Get a miata.... get a honda... when you've got more time and money and can afford a fun car do it then.
10-16-12, 08:02 PM
#27
Dude, really, I'm trying to help you out. Unless you've got money to throw at this car and have a means to get around whilst the car is being repaired. DO NOT get the T2. Even if you find a nice one for 8k, it WILL break down and if you don't know how to work on it you will spend good money finding someone who does. Get a miata.... get a honda... when you've got more time and money and can afford a fun car do it then.
10-16-12, 10:05 PM
#28
I say go for the miata for what you need it for. The older the FC's get, the less practical they're going to be for a daily driver. Plus, if you have no real passion for the car, there's nothing holding you back.
I'm no professional car reviewer, but comparing stock to stock, I have it in my head that the miata is more controllable with the tail out, and the miata is more predictable. FC's always seemed twitchy to me. I compare the miata handling to be very close to the RX-8's handling. I've never driven an FD hard, so can't comment there.
But that is not a fair comparison considering the FC has nearly 10 more years of age on it.
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.
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.
I'm no professional car reviewer, but comparing stock to stock, I have it in my head that the miata is more controllable with the tail out, and the miata is more predictable. FC's always seemed twitchy to me. I compare the miata handling to be very close to the RX-8's handling. I've never driven an FD hard, so can't comment there.
But that is not a fair comparison considering the FC has nearly 10 more years of age on it.
10-16-12, 10:57 PM
#29
I say go for the miata for what you need it for. The older the FC's get, the less practical they're going to be for a daily driver. Plus, if you have no real passion for the car, there's nothing holding you back.
I'm no professional car reviewer, but comparing stock to stock, I have it in my head that the miata is more controllable with the tail out, and the miata is more predictable. FC's always seemed twitchy to me. I compare the miata handling to be very close to the RX-8's handling. I've never driven an FD hard, so can't comment there.
But that is not a fair comparison considering the FC has nearly 10 more years of age on it.
I'm no professional car reviewer, but comparing stock to stock, I have it in my head that the miata is more controllable with the tail out, and the miata is more predictable. FC's always seemed twitchy to me. I compare the miata handling to be very close to the RX-8's handling. I've never driven an FD hard, so can't comment there.
But that is not a fair comparison considering the FC has nearly 10 more years of age on it.
And yeah, the only advantage the FC has in the practicality department is more trunk room, which is useful sometimes when I just get in my car and throw my schoolbag behind me. Would be neat showing up at school with a RR platform car like the MR2 and watch people be confused when I open the bumper to place my schoolbag.
I've only driven a handful of vehicles in my time, Moms Chrysler 300 (v6 -.-), Dads Silverado, friends Ford Ranger, girlfriends Grand Prix (also v6 -.-) and my '97 Civic coupe. So I don't have much experience knowing different cars. I'll have to test drive the Miata before making a decision. I can't see myself buying an NA6 due to the fact it's so slow and I find the RX7 to be a bit too slow. I may even pick up an S2000 come spring. I've wanted one forever now and almost picked up one two years ago.
I'm not a rotary-head like most of you. I bought this car because it was by far the coolest car for sale within a 200km radius. It was either this or a 300zx non-turbo automatic... I didn't really buy it because I wanted it. Basically was the best I could find at my price range that would be reliable. I could have got T2's for 4,000 but not with 97,000kms.
10-17-12, 01:16 AM
#30
Ruckin'AwesomeFC
You obviously do not care about the car itself but rather the image that the car produces for you as well as other factors that don't matter when it comes to liking cars (gas mileage, practicality, etc.).
The RX7 is obviously not for you, neither is a Miata or any turbocharged/naturally aspirated rear wheel drive car for that matter.
That's just the cold hard truth. You are trying to live and breathe beyond your means and it doesn't seem like you'll be making any sacrifices to make any of it work.
The Miata won't be your saving grace. You can't guarantee the workmanship and the reliability of a used 20+ year old car.
There's just too much dreamer talk, my friend. You need to come back down to earth, weigh your current options, and if you have a goal, work towards that goal. Gain the experience necessary to be able to pursue the cars you want.
If street racing and looking cool is what you're after, then please sell the RX7 to someone who will appreciate it, and step away from cars altogether. That kind of mindset is what is ruining cars for young people like you and myself.
You don't need to be a rotary-head to enjoy an RX7, you just need to actually like cars.
P.S. There are people here who have given great advice but you so quickly dismiss their opinions when that's all you've asked for.
My opinion: Buy a cheap 1.5L 4cyl front wheel drive beater and save up till you can actually afford to own a car of a higher caliber...full time job or not. Or just take the bus and stay off the roads till you can understand that driving is a privilege, not a right.
The RX7 is obviously not for you, neither is a Miata or any turbocharged/naturally aspirated rear wheel drive car for that matter.
That's just the cold hard truth. You are trying to live and breathe beyond your means and it doesn't seem like you'll be making any sacrifices to make any of it work.
The Miata won't be your saving grace. You can't guarantee the workmanship and the reliability of a used 20+ year old car.
There's just too much dreamer talk, my friend. You need to come back down to earth, weigh your current options, and if you have a goal, work towards that goal. Gain the experience necessary to be able to pursue the cars you want.
If street racing and looking cool is what you're after, then please sell the RX7 to someone who will appreciate it, and step away from cars altogether. That kind of mindset is what is ruining cars for young people like you and myself.
You don't need to be a rotary-head to enjoy an RX7, you just need to actually like cars.
P.S. There are people here who have given great advice but you so quickly dismiss their opinions when that's all you've asked for.
My opinion: Buy a cheap 1.5L 4cyl front wheel drive beater and save up till you can actually afford to own a car of a higher caliber...full time job or not. Or just take the bus and stay off the roads till you can understand that driving is a privilege, not a right.
Last edited by flipkc; 10-17-12 at 01:22 AM.
10-17-12, 03:13 AM
#32
chasing those red numbers
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ive also had both and can relate to your current conundrum. to be honest tho, as much fun and exciting as my old fc was, i fell in love with my miata day 1. i would say go miata and eventually boost it. you wont regret it.
also, im glad you turned down my miata xD
also, im glad you turned down my miata xD
10-17-12, 11:35 AM
#33
You obviously do not care about the car itself but rather the image that the car produces for you as well as other factors that don't matter when it comes to liking cars (gas mileage, practicality, etc.).
The RX7 is obviously not for you, neither is a Miata or any turbocharged/naturally aspirated rear wheel drive car for that matter.
That's just the cold hard truth. You are trying to live and breathe beyond your means and it doesn't seem like you'll be making any sacrifices to make any of it work.
The Miata won't be your saving grace. You can't guarantee the workmanship and the reliability of a used 20+ year old car.
There's just too much dreamer talk, my friend. You need to come back down to earth, weigh your current options, and if you have a goal, work towards that goal. Gain the experience necessary to be able to pursue the cars you want.
If street racing and looking cool is what you're after, then please sell the RX7 to someone who will appreciate it, and step away from cars altogether. That kind of mindset is what is ruining cars for young people like you and myself.
You don't need to be a rotary-head to enjoy an RX7, you just need to actually like cars.
P.S. There are people here who have given great advice but you so quickly dismiss their opinions when that's all you've asked for.
My opinion: Buy a cheap 1.5L 4cyl front wheel drive beater and save up till you can actually afford to own a car of a higher caliber...full time job or not. Or just take the bus and stay off the roads till you can understand that driving is a privilege, not a right.
The RX7 is obviously not for you, neither is a Miata or any turbocharged/naturally aspirated rear wheel drive car for that matter.
That's just the cold hard truth. You are trying to live and breathe beyond your means and it doesn't seem like you'll be making any sacrifices to make any of it work.
The Miata won't be your saving grace. You can't guarantee the workmanship and the reliability of a used 20+ year old car.
There's just too much dreamer talk, my friend. You need to come back down to earth, weigh your current options, and if you have a goal, work towards that goal. Gain the experience necessary to be able to pursue the cars you want.
If street racing and looking cool is what you're after, then please sell the RX7 to someone who will appreciate it, and step away from cars altogether. That kind of mindset is what is ruining cars for young people like you and myself.
You don't need to be a rotary-head to enjoy an RX7, you just need to actually like cars.
P.S. There are people here who have given great advice but you so quickly dismiss their opinions when that's all you've asked for.
My opinion: Buy a cheap 1.5L 4cyl front wheel drive beater and save up till you can actually afford to own a car of a higher caliber...full time job or not. Or just take the bus and stay off the roads till you can understand that driving is a privilege, not a right.
You're right, the RX7 isn't for me.
And I'm excited to move on into something that will still be as fun, be faster, handle just as well or better, be more reliable and get better gas mileage!
Last edited by ryan2949; 10-17-12 at 11:45 AM.
10-17-12, 12:24 PM
#35
Or do what I did and don't listen to anyone and have a lot of fun and blow a lot of money while becoming a shade tree mechanic.
Either way, it's your life and if you choose the latter route may I recommend: a Ford Mustang. Sure, it's a ******* mustang but parts are EVERYWHERE and CHEAP; they are easy to work on and decently reliable.
10-17-12, 02:00 PM
#36
That's what I'm doing though... I'm selling my RX7 for a Miata. I'm doing exactly what some of you are saying (get a more practical car then buy and tune cars after college). I don't see why you're all saying I'm completely ignoring everything being said. I wanted to get opinions on people who have driven both a Miata and RX7 or owned both. Instead it turned into a "You don't know anything about cars, sell your RX7 and buy something more practical" which was already the whole point of this thread... I don't need four doors or four seats, I only need a fun car that's DECENT on gas. I'd like atleast 18-20mpg...
Never really thought about a fox-body Mustang but 157hp from the 5.0's? I'd imagine you'd need new heads, cams, exhaust, intake, headers, tuning to get it a lot higher.
Never really thought about a fox-body Mustang but 157hp from the 5.0's? I'd imagine you'd need new heads, cams, exhaust, intake, headers, tuning to get it a lot higher.
Last edited by ryan2949; 10-17-12 at 02:25 PM.
10-17-12, 09:08 PM
#37
Ruckin'AwesomeFC
10-19-12, 12:00 PM
#38
I'm no professional car reviewer, but comparing stock to stock, I have it in my head that the miata is more controllable with the tail out, and the miata is more predictable. FC's always seemed twitchy to me. I compare the miata handling to be very close to the RX-8's handling. I've never driven an FD hard, so can't comment there.
But that is not a fair comparison considering the FC has nearly 10 more years of age on it.
10-20-12, 11:53 AM
#40
I've got a new fuel filter ready to be installed, I got new plugs and wires on their way. What else could I do? Clean injectors and new fuel pump?
Last edited by ryan2949; 10-20-12 at 12:09 PM.
10-22-12, 08:46 PM
#41
Stop going to 5500 constantly while daily driving it. Thats your own fault....shift sooner. Your telling me about traffic? Im on a cluster fudge of a island, more hills than you can count, more lights and stop signs than i can handle. Traffic coming out the a$$ everyday. Just fix the damn car and learn how to drive properly and everything will work out in the end. Screw sellin the car, buyin another car, registering it, fixing problems that arise from the new car. Stick with what you got if it runs, drives and is already registered.
Trust me i felt like i was in your boat many many times. If your smart and do all your chores instead of constantly going out buyin food or tp or whatever and doing everything all at once to save on trips to the store it helps A LOT.
Many factors come into play on mpg. If you search you will find some super help threads. Dont get a fuel pump if you dont need it. Wont help worth ****. Clean injectors,new gaskets and orings/gromment may help. Making sure the water thermo sensor is working properly is a big factor. Making sure the o2 sensor going into close loop while in 5th gear after 3min is a factor. TPS settting a factors. How much weight your hauling. Tire pressure, dragging brakes, bad alignment, dirty air filter. Something soooo stupid is wrong with the car. Find the problem, fix it, start getting that better mpg and saving money.
How many miles do you drive a week? I gave you some good valid points/ideas. Do the searching like i have and you will find how to test everything. 3-4 lights in 2.4 miles (4kms)? Boy please, i hit easy double that on a good day.
Trust me i felt like i was in your boat many many times. If your smart and do all your chores instead of constantly going out buyin food or tp or whatever and doing everything all at once to save on trips to the store it helps A LOT.
Many factors come into play on mpg. If you search you will find some super help threads. Dont get a fuel pump if you dont need it. Wont help worth ****. Clean injectors,new gaskets and orings/gromment may help. Making sure the water thermo sensor is working properly is a big factor. Making sure the o2 sensor going into close loop while in 5th gear after 3min is a factor. TPS settting a factors. How much weight your hauling. Tire pressure, dragging brakes, bad alignment, dirty air filter. Something soooo stupid is wrong with the car. Find the problem, fix it, start getting that better mpg and saving money.
How many miles do you drive a week? I gave you some good valid points/ideas. Do the searching like i have and you will find how to test everything. 3-4 lights in 2.4 miles (4kms)? Boy please, i hit easy double that on a good day.
10-23-12, 12:39 PM
#44
Stop going to 5500 constantly while daily driving it. Thats your own fault....shift sooner. Your telling me about traffic? Im on a cluster fudge of a island, more hills than you can count, more lights and stop signs than i can handle. Traffic coming out the a$$ everyday. Just fix the damn car and learn how to drive properly and everything will work out in the end. Screw sellin the car, buyin another car, registering it, fixing problems that arise from the new car. Stick with what you got if it runs, drives and is already registered.
Trust me i felt like i was in your boat many many times. If your smart and do all your chores instead of constantly going out buyin food or tp or whatever and doing everything all at once to save on trips to the store it helps A LOT.
Many factors come into play on mpg. If you search you will find some super help threads. Dont get a fuel pump if you dont need it. Wont help worth ****. Clean injectors,new gaskets and orings/gromment may help. Making sure the water thermo sensor is working properly is a big factor. Making sure the o2 sensor going into close loop while in 5th gear after 3min is a factor. TPS settting a factors. How much weight your hauling. Tire pressure, dragging brakes, bad alignment, dirty air filter. Something soooo stupid is wrong with the car. Find the problem, fix it, start getting that better mpg and saving money.
How many miles do you drive a week? I gave you some good valid points/ideas. Do the searching like i have and you will find how to test everything. 3-4 lights in 2.4 miles (4kms)? Boy please, i hit easy double that on a good day.
Trust me i felt like i was in your boat many many times. If your smart and do all your chores instead of constantly going out buyin food or tp or whatever and doing everything all at once to save on trips to the store it helps A LOT.
Many factors come into play on mpg. If you search you will find some super help threads. Dont get a fuel pump if you dont need it. Wont help worth ****. Clean injectors,new gaskets and orings/gromment may help. Making sure the water thermo sensor is working properly is a big factor. Making sure the o2 sensor going into close loop while in 5th gear after 3min is a factor. TPS settting a factors. How much weight your hauling. Tire pressure, dragging brakes, bad alignment, dirty air filter. Something soooo stupid is wrong with the car. Find the problem, fix it, start getting that better mpg and saving money.
How many miles do you drive a week? I gave you some good valid points/ideas. Do the searching like i have and you will find how to test everything. 3-4 lights in 2.4 miles (4kms)? Boy please, i hit easy double that on a good day.
I go to school 5 days a week, work 3-4 times a week and get groceries once every week or so. I drive 90kms (60miles) MIN. a week. In reality I usually drive double that because I go out for drives when I'm bored or take the long way home. I do enjoy driving the car, but I just wish I could squeeze out some more MPG while still driving the way I do since that will never change. If I buy a Miata I will drive the same way. I really just want a car that's as fun yet doubles the MPG I'm currently getting which a Miata fits the bill perfectly. Even once it's turbo'd I'd still double the MPG while having ~100 more WHP.
Also, people help me because they aren't complete ******** like you, flipkc, "no offense". I've been on a bunch of car forums, I've been bitched at a billion times when I first started posting on all of them, other than CR.net because of little things like not searching, asking questions that have been answered before. But sometimes I prefer to be told how to fix my problem in a different manner than what's already out there on the forum. I asked this question because I WILL be getting a Miata once I find one local. I already have multiple trades up for grabs, but they're all 500+kms away which wouldn't be a big deal if my car atleast got better gas mileage than a Lamborghini Aventador.
I don't have the time or money to continuously fix things on the car until I find that one issue which caused my bad MPG. I know it's not the fact I drive the way I do because even on the highway at 70mph for 3 hours I only achieved 20mpg and I didn't pass anyone and was driving behind my dad who had a trailer behind his truck.
I've got the following:
Fuel filter
Spark Plugs and Wires (Being shipped as we speak)
To do:
-Clean injectors or just buy new ones (clean ~120$, buy new ~200). The reason for just buying new ones is because I cannot have my car down for more than a day since I need it for school and work. Cleaning them requires sending them out.
-Replace coolant lines and hoses. When the dealership fixed my flooding issue they did a check up and everything passed but the coolant system got a "require replacement in near future". My S5's temp gauge is also around 5/8's and not 1/2 like I've been told it's supposed to be at. But I don't have the tools or capabilities to drill and tap into the water pump to put a new temp gauge... I figured I'd just replace everything on the coolant system, but since I spend so much on fuel I only have ~300 a month to spend on the car. Now that winters coming up I have no desire to work on it in -20 weather outdoors.
Many factors come into play on mpg. If you search you will find some super help threads. Dont get a fuel pump if you dont need it. Wont help worth ****. Clean injectors,new gaskets and orings/gromment may help. Making sure the water thermo sensor is working properly is a big factor. Making sure the o2 sensor going into close loop while in 5th gear after 3min is a factor. TPS settting a factors. How much weight your hauling. Tire pressure, dragging brakes, bad alignment, dirty air filter. Something soooo stupid is wrong with the car. Find the problem, fix it, start getting that better mpg and saving money.
Last edited by ryan2949; 10-23-12 at 12:51 PM.
10-24-12, 08:08 PM
#45
I helped my little cousin buy an NA miata, sadly he didn't keep it that long (I'm guessing his teenage friends probably teased him about having a girl's car and he couldn't give them all rides in it.), but the little time i got to drive in it, made me think about getting one.
It had no power steering but it just felt perfect. It had influenced me to depower my steering rack.
Now it is a much smaller car, I didn't feel too safe on the freeways. I would hate to get into an accident in that thing.
It had no power steering but it just felt perfect. It had influenced me to depower my steering rack.
Now it is a much smaller car, I didn't feel too safe on the freeways. I would hate to get into an accident in that thing.
10-25-12, 03:37 PM
#46
I even feel small in an RX7, aha. When I'm on our narrow Sault Ste. Marie roads it's terrifying when trucks are coming up beside you on the right lane and oncoming.
I actually do love this car. I still wish I could get atleast 15mpg city. I just got my plugs and wires in the mail and changing them along with fuel filter this weekend. Let's hope I could squeeze out some more MPG!
I actually do love this car. I still wish I could get atleast 15mpg city. I just got my plugs and wires in the mail and changing them along with fuel filter this weekend. Let's hope I could squeeze out some more MPG!
10-26-12, 01:20 AM
#47
I "lost" my emissions....
This is an interesting topic to me.
I have owned my rx-7 for about 7 years now. only car and daily drove it. about a year and a half ago i got a 91 miata base. i have rebuilt the engine swapped in a torsen, upgraded the suspension, upgraded the brakes painted the car, and a bunch of other misc. stuff to it and through all that in the past year and a half Ive driven the fc maybe 10 times.
Don't get me wrong, I love the fc and there's nothing wrong with mine. but theres something magical about the miata. Its slower, worse equipped, the top leaks, and its not as comfortable as the rx7; but given the choice im always in the miata.
I have owned my rx-7 for about 7 years now. only car and daily drove it. about a year and a half ago i got a 91 miata base. i have rebuilt the engine swapped in a torsen, upgraded the suspension, upgraded the brakes painted the car, and a bunch of other misc. stuff to it and through all that in the past year and a half Ive driven the fc maybe 10 times.
Don't get me wrong, I love the fc and there's nothing wrong with mine. but theres something magical about the miata. Its slower, worse equipped, the top leaks, and its not as comfortable as the rx7; but given the choice im always in the miata.
10-27-12, 06:09 PM
#49
My RX7 is as reliable as a '7 could be. On the highway I got 23 mpg. I was pleased. I got 320kms and was half way between 3/4 and 1/2 a tank. But when it comes to city driving, which I'll be doing for the next 3 years of my life, I can't afford the gas for it. It's the smart thing to do.
10-27-12, 07:08 PM
#50
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I have had a few FC's and a 99 10AE Miata. I honestly enjoyed both for different reasons.
The Miata- awesome around town, good gas mileage, it handled great stock, plenty of power for the size, and the transmission was and still is one of my favorites. The thing I didn't like was highway driving. It wasn't the greatest because at 70mph you are pretty high up in the RPM's.
The FC- I enjoy rotaries so, it is a hard comparison. FC's are getting old and that was always in the back of my mind. The powerband was more fun to drive than the Miata, but I had transmission issues in the FC's. Maintenance is a little more costly, and gas mileage was crap, but that just comes with the territory.
In the end Daily/occasional track= Miata, fun car to own/occasional daily/weekend car= RX7
The Miata- awesome around town, good gas mileage, it handled great stock, plenty of power for the size, and the transmission was and still is one of my favorites. The thing I didn't like was highway driving. It wasn't the greatest because at 70mph you are pretty high up in the RPM's.
The FC- I enjoy rotaries so, it is a hard comparison. FC's are getting old and that was always in the back of my mind. The powerband was more fun to drive than the Miata, but I had transmission issues in the FC's. Maintenance is a little more costly, and gas mileage was crap, but that just comes with the territory.
In the end Daily/occasional track= Miata, fun car to own/occasional daily/weekend car= RX7