Opinions on Mazda Miata.

[minendo]

How practical is it as sole car for single guy?

Extremely practical if you are a man seeking another man.

 

[BeauJangles]

As long as you can deal with how small they are (although the trunks aren't bad), Miatas rock. Like Vic said, they drive and handle so well and are inexpensive for what you're getting.

I would say, get it and enjoy! You'll be driving a car that's loads more fun than the Civics and Camrys that most ATers drive.

 

[SuperTool]

By practical I mean livable. I understand that by definition 2 seats and small trunk is as impractical as it gets short of MR2 with no trunk. Is it only doable as a second car. I reallly don't want to pay insurance on 2 cars.

 

[GreenGhost]

You're getting opinions from guys who don't even know how to drive a stick. Figures...

Miatas are a joy to drive. That's point no. 1. Everything else is secondary. I'd love to have one, but I have an MX-3, which is close, although FWD (the V6 compensates for that!). The only problem is that the top of the windshield stays lower than the top of my head (I'm 6'3").

Get this top gear episode to convince you you should buy the damn thing. You're getting old, buy it.

http://www.betanexus.com/downloads/pafiledb.php?action=file&id=15

 

[SuperTool]

Originally posted by: SuperTool

Originally posted by: vshah
iloveme2 has a miata. that is incentive enough not to get one.
how much were you looking to spend? i'm sure there are much nicer choices in the used car market within your budget.

-Vivan

Around 15K. What are the nicer choices under 40K miles?

*Crickets*

 

[KEV1N]

I don't really see how this is gay: http://autoz.org/w/mazda/Mazda_MazdaSpeed_MX-5_2004_006.jpg

 

[SuperTool]

linky not worky

 

[Zim Hosein]

KEV1N's link works for me

 

[JSang]

Originally posted by: kermalou
good for a single gay guy...especially red or yellow

hot pink thx

 

[Lvis]

Are any of you calling this car gay over thirty? How the hell can a car be gay? It is a traditional sports car.

Small, rwd, covertable, stick shift, two seats... men, real men, have driven them for years.

You all ought to drive one before you bash it. You would be amazed at how many ladies would love to go for a ride in one, too. Much more than going for a ride in a riced up civic.

 

[GTaudiophile]

I drive a 1992 Miata with 44K miles on it. I don't give a sh!t about gay this or gay that. It's only those who are uncomfortable with who they are who worry about such sh!t.

What do I care about?

It's fun! It puts a smile on my face every day I have the top down.
SUVS? No problem! Just scoot around them with more agility than they can imagine!
Mine was built before Ford bought Mazda, so mine has been VERY reliable.
Efficient. I get at least 27mpg in city driving. It goes up to like 40+ with consistent highway driving.
Tuning? There are tons of things you can buy aftermarket for the Miata, and it's all at a reasonable price. (www.miata.net)
Did I mention that it's a blast to drive? The best 5-speed I've ever touched. Extremely communicative steering! I approach corners with an evil grin!
Only on uneven surfaces and bad roads can the suspension feel a little harsh.
The biggest downside? Utility! The trunk space is pretty weak, but if you're single, the passenger seat helps from time to time.

Yes, I love my Miata, and I'm not too chicken to admit it!

Edit: I am 5'5", so it's not cramped for me at all. I bought mine in 2001 with 15K miles for $7K.

 

[Shawn]

Originally posted by: SuperTool
How is it a gay car again? Can someone fill me in, I am out of touch with the times. I am not sure what's so gay about a 4 cylinder RWD manual sports car?

Ok, first of all consider the source. You'll find the people here posting that the miata is a gay car have front wheel drive automatic 1985 honda civics with 85hp, no car at all, or something else equally sh|tty and have never driven another car before, let alone a roadster. Secondly you also have to consider that half of members on this site are 14-15 year old virgins and have probably never seen or touched a real woman's body before. And anyone else just likes to say miatas are gay because it's the "in thing" right now on these forums. Sure women like the miata. Having a car that girls like is a good thing. You'd be supprised at how many times girls have asked me for a ride in my car.

That said I love my 94 miata. My car cost me 5 grand 2 years ago and believe me there is no car in existance that is anywhere near as fun to drive as my car for that price. For a 10 year old car it is extremely reliable. I added a superchager at 90k miles and have had no major problems. Blew a few old brittle hoses. No big deal, replaced them all with new silicon hoses. The car runs great now and it actually has some balls. It takes off from a stop like a bat out of hell. This is all at only 6psi of boost. I plan on bumping it up to 8.5psi a little later when I can afford to buy a stronger clutch. If you like to tinker with cars the miata is extremely easy to work on and there are so many aftermarket parts available for it. I got my supercharger used for only $1600 and installed it myself. Yoy can safely run at 6psi with everything else stock if you wanted to. The engine was originally designed with forced induction in mind.

As far as how practical it is, it really isn't all that bad especially if you are usually the only one in the car. The trunk is small but not too small. If you travel on the highway a lot the road noise may get annoying though. Of course my performance tires make a lot of extra noise and I usually do 90+mph on the highway so that could be why. Road noise really isn't a problem below 70mph. If you'd like to add a bike rack you can get one from either http://www.miatamania.com or http://www.gomiata.com as well as lots of other aftermarket parts. If you wanna know anything else PM me or ask at the Miata.net Forums. They are always extremely helpful.

 

[GTaudiophile]

I'd like to echo a few things iloveme2 said:

1) Lots of girls have had their first convertible ride in MY Miata and have loved it! Like him, they tend to come up and ask for a ride.
2) Although I have not added a supercharger or anything too fancy, it is an incredibly easy car to work on. Nothing fancy. It just works!
3) As for highway road noise: I just drive 90% of the time (unless it's actually raining) with the top down. No noise! Just Wind!

 

[boyRacer]

Originally posted by: KEV1N
I don't really see how this is gay: http://autoz.org/w/mazda/Mazda_MazdaSpeed_MX-5_2004_006.jpg

The car isnt gay. It got that reputation because a lot of gay guys drive it. Just like Z3s, TTs, SLKs, etc.

 

[sillymofo]

This is obviously flame baiting.

 

[SuperTool]

Finally some people who actually have jobs are coming home to post in this thread

 

[SuperTool]

BTW, I am looking at this one, and it seems way under private party tmv, even below blue book:
http://www.craigslist.org/sby/car/39843919.html

 

[Nitemare]

Not planning on reading the entire thread, but is this for a straight or a gay guy?

 

[vi edit]

I think it'd be an awesome weekend car (assuming I found it comfortable), but couldn't live with it as a daily driver.

I've seen a miata with some suspension and minor engine mods in action in some mountain passes. Holy crap. That thing is devistating on a winding road. :Q

 

[SuperTool]

Originally posted by: Nitemare
Not planning on reading the entire thread, but is this for a straight or a gay guy?

Asexual with hopes of becoming heterosexual. :laugh:

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: SuperTool
BTW, I am looking at this one, and it seems way under private party tmv, even below blue book:
http://www.craigslist.org/sby/car/39843919.html

Where is the rainbow bumper sticker?


j/k

but seriously though why a Miata?

 

[SuperTool]

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: SuperTool
BTW, I am looking at this one, and it seems way under private party tmv, even below blue book:
http://www.craigslist.org/sby/car/39843919.html

Where is the rainbow bumper sticker?


j/k

but seriously though why a Miata?

Reliable, Affordable, Sportscar. What else fits the bill?
I am bored of driving my Maxima. It's getting long in the tooth, and I don't think I want to replace it with another FWD car. I'll have all my life to drive boring cars, I want a fun car when I am young. At the same time, I don't want to spend more than $20K on a car. I test drove Mazda3, Scion tC, Honda Accord Coupe, and they are not better than my Maxima. It's not enough of a change to justify buying a new one. I guess I could wait for the new Mustang. But then I have to wait a couple more years because I couldn't in the right mind buy a new one and take that depreciation. The only other car that is appealing and reasonably new is 240sx, but those are overpriced and overabused as a used car.

 

[flot]

Originally posted by: SuperTool

Originally posted by: Nitemare
Not planning on reading the entire thread, but is this for a straight or a gay guy?

Asexual with hopes of becoming heterosexual. :laugh:

Getting a miata will NOT help.

In all seriousness, Miatas are decent, fun cars. HOWEVER, owning one will definitely do nothing to achieve a manly image, and isn't very practical, either.

 

[FrustratedUser]

Originally posted by: SuperTool

Originally posted by: elektrolokomotive
Should be a lot of fun when you head over to IKEA with the other metros. How you gonna get all that stuff home?!

OK, now I am totally confused. IKEA is gay too now? I just bought a carpet there last month. Also, are perceptions different in CA than in redneck states? What do CA people think of the Miata?

Well most of the guys here have no clue as usual. It's easy to follow the 15-year old crowd and say that the Miata is gay just to be cool. They probably drive an old POS anyway and can't even afford IKEA because their daddy cancelled their weekly allowance.

It's a fun car to drive. Being cool is being independent.

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: SuperTool

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: SuperTool
BTW, I am looking at this one, and it seems way under private party tmv, even below blue book:
http://www.craigslist.org/sby/car/39843919.html

Where is the rainbow bumper sticker?


j/k

but seriously though why a Miata?

Reliable, Affordable, Sportscar. What else fits the bill?
I am bored of driving my Maxima. It's getting long in the tooth, and I don't think I want to replace it with another FWD car. I'll have all my life to drive boring cars, I want a fun car when I am young. At the same time, I don't want to spend more than $20K on a car. I test drove Mazda3, Scion tC, Honda Accord Coupe, and they are not better than my Maxima. It's not enough of a change to justify buying a new one. I guess I could wait for the new Mustang. But then I have to wait a couple more years because I couldn't in the right mind buy a new one and take that depreciation. The only other car that is appealing and reasonably new is 240sx, but those are overpriced and overabused as a used car.

An S2000?