Hey guys i dont post very often but cruize the boards almost everyday.i'm looking for some opinions. i'm selling my 84 camaro with some major mods and i'm looking two cars that are reasonably close to me. first there is a black '87 TII and then there is a '90 miata both 5spds. i'm wondering what car would you get and why perhaps and maybe even a pro/con list if someone has got the time. i know being a rx-7 forum opinions may be biased but based on other "which car" questions it normally isnt too bad.

 

Since I own both cars you mentioned, I thought I'd post a reply.

I've got a highly modded '87 Turbo II, and a decently modded '92 Miata. The RX has just about everything done to it...60-1 turbo, Haltech, JIC suspension, etc. The Miata has a Greddy turbo kit, Tokico suspension, etc.

Miata Pros
Reliable
Excellent (better than TII) handling
Turbo kits are plentiful and some are cheap
Can boost safely to 15 with correct engine management
Great gas mileage, even turbo'd

Miata Cons
'90 - '93 models have weak rear ends, needs a $1200 Torsen LSD swap to handle anything above stock power
Small interior and small trunk
Older models usually have leaky rain rails and/or convertible tops...leading to rusty interiors/trunks
The "infamous" short nose crankshaft issue with pre '92 years

RX-7 Pros
Unique sports car
Unique & awesome engine
Excellent handling and balance
Makes incredible power when done right

RX-7 Cons
Can be unreliable at times
Can be expensive to make power from
Gas mileage sucks
Older styling

I'm sure others have better points than I do. Just calling it as I've seen it for the past 3 years.

As far as reliability, my Miata has been turbo'd for 4 years now. I've replaced the engine as a PM measure (and to fix oil control issues). Other than issues with the diff, the car has never left me stranded. I'm a consultant so whatever I drive gets driven frequently.

A side note, there is a known issue with the pre 1992 Miata, involving the crank nose. Some people have needed the crankshaft replaced due to someone replacing the front crank oil seal (usually during a timing belt change) and the pulley bolt comes loose, destroying the Woodruff Key and machined slot in the crank. The symptoms of this are unstable idle, incorrect timing and a visibly "wobbly" crank pulley. You can find more info on this at http://www.miata.net , under the Garage section.

 

i say go fc i dont like the miata dam maz u know u stuff props

 

thanks for the info mazpower didnt know about the crank probs. there is also a 97 miatia in my price range but it has some rear body damage not sure how much though cant they didnt even put up a pic of the rear. i'm gonna call the seller tomorrow. also anyone no what the hp and some tracktimes of each car are. i know that the t2 will be faster but i'm wondering how much faster.

 

Stock '90-'93 Miatas come with the B6E 1.6 liter DOHC 4, which makes a butt-warping 117 hp. The series 4 Turbo II makes I think 183 hp and has a higher flatter torque curve than the Miata.

You will never be able to get the Miata to match the RX in power and torque. There are a few people with later Miatas (which have a 1.8 liter 4) pushing around 500 hp, mostly these are 1/4 mile monsters. But they don't last long.

A properly tuned 1.6 liter Miata, with a good amount of boost, can see around 250 hp at the wheels on pump gas and be reliable. 250 may not sound like a lot, but that's more power than you'll need for what the car was intended for.

I think the Miata runs a 1/4 time in the high 16/low 17 second range. This is not its designed usage so it sucks here unless you modify the hell out of it. A stock series 4 Turbo II runs high 14s/low 15s. Minimonster, a 500-hp Miata, is capable of 11-second passes with a somewhat stock engine (mechanicals only) and something like 25 psi of boost. So it is capable of good track times, but like I said its much better at autox & handling.

 

Ya i want a car for handling and a manual tranny if wanted just straightline i'd keep my camaro(with a 350 instead that crap 305 it came with). i just wanted to know sometimes b/c no matter how much i like the handling i wont be able to stop myself from the stoplight wars.

 

Where at in NC are you?

I'd say go with the 7, but I'm a bit bias

I've always thought of the miata (pre 98) a girl's car... yes you can make power from then nicely, but they're just TOOO small for me, and too girly lookin.

 

ya i do think that pre 98 miatas arent much to look at but i dont think they are that bad. and i'm in landis nc since most ppl dont know where that is i'm bout 15-20 min away from rotorsports racing since most ppl tend to know where that is.

 

Got no clue where that is

What's the closest city you in? Asheville, charlotte, greensboro, raleigh, coast?

 

i'm about 20 miles north of charlotte.

 

just go fc and drift and u can still do ur stoplight wars

 

Mmmm. I have two words:

**** Miatas.

Okay actually eight words total:

And those stupid Miata grill teeth.