So for $5000 I can get a pretty nice Miata or 944....
03-31-2004, 06:29 PM
#31
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Sam, your trying to say a Miata is safer than a 944?
03-31-2004, 09:20 PM
#32
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Michael is correct about the turbo conversions, they are really fast!, and fantastic bang for the buck.
However, I've been lapping w/ my old stock 951 (about 130k miles at that time, on street rubber) with a full race prepared ICSCC class leader Miata (the older, smaller displacement Miata, but w/ motor .30 over, race parts etc.) on race slicks. Two different guys driving the Miata, both class RR leaders; my 951 would just barely pull away lap after lap, if I took it a little easy on the brakes the Miata guys would catch up, if I did a good job of late & threshold braking I could start pulling away again, -same w/ my friend and his '86 951. Autocross would definitely favor the Miata on a tight course.
If PCA auto-x didn't work so well for my needs, I'd probably strongly consider a Miata for auto-x, I like the idea of a $300 clutch too...
However, I've been lapping w/ my old stock 951 (about 130k miles at that time, on street rubber) with a full race prepared ICSCC class leader Miata (the older, smaller displacement Miata, but w/ motor .30 over, race parts etc.) on race slicks. Two different guys driving the Miata, both class RR leaders; my 951 would just barely pull away lap after lap, if I took it a little easy on the brakes the Miata guys would catch up, if I did a good job of late & threshold braking I could start pulling away again, -same w/ my friend and his '86 951. Autocross would definitely favor the Miata on a tight course.
If PCA auto-x didn't work so well for my needs, I'd probably strongly consider a Miata for auto-x, I like the idea of a $300 clutch too...
03-31-2004, 10:19 PM
#34
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I never liked the looks of the original Miata all that much. When they went to the fixed headlights version I started taking notice of them.
My next door neighbor had an '03 Miata, with more problems than I've experienced with three 944s. So the idea that a Miata will be problem-free is off. Another friend of mine had an earlier version that IIRC he didn't have any problems with. FWIW, he paid his dues as an Army Ranger, and he's not very feminine.
I guess I've always considered the Miata is the MG that MG never built.
IMO, either one would be fun to own.
My next door neighbor had an '03 Miata, with more problems than I've experienced with three 944s. So the idea that a Miata will be problem-free is off. Another friend of mine had an earlier version that IIRC he didn't have any problems with. FWIW, he paid his dues as an Army Ranger, and he's not very feminine.
I guess I've always considered the Miata is the MG that MG never built.
IMO, either one would be fun to own.
03-31-2004, 11:08 PM
#36
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Well, back on topic...for $5k, which should you buy?
That's the only question here.
Personally, it's 944 for me. Been inside both, driven 944's, never driven a Miata (save for in a parking lot but that doesn't count as driving IMHO).
Stock vs stock, I just ran a few tests on my CarTest 2000 program. Cars chosen were '94, '96, and '98 Miatas, and then '86 and '89 N/A 944's, and an '88 944-S.
1/4 mile results were all about the same...16's and low to mid-80 mph traps...the only car that left the pack was the 944-S, with 15's and high-80 traps.
Road course...simulated runs at various tracks.
Laguna Seca (Mazda Raceway):
1- 98 Miata
2- '88 944-S, +1.2 secs
3- '89 944, +2.3 secs
4- '86 944, +3.7 secs
5- '96 Miata, +3.9 secs
6- '94 Miata, +3.9 secs
Nurburgring:
1- '98 Miata
2- '88 944-S, +4.0 secs
3- '89 944, +9.5 secs
4- '96 Miata, +17.7 secs
5- '94 Miata, +19.9 secs
6- '86 944, +25.3 secs
Ontario Motor Speedway:
Same run order as above, only 5.6 sec spread from 1st-6th.
Silverstone, UK:
Same run order as above, only 7.2 sec spread from 1st-6th.
So there you go...in my opinion, these cars are VERY close performance-wise. Both in a straight line, and on a road course. I think the win would go to the better driver almost every time no matter what.
As far as styling...I prefer the 944.
As far as overall feel...I prefer the 944.
As far as the interior...I prefer the 944's seats and dash layout over the Miata by far.
My vote goes to the 944. Miatas aren't bad by any means, but I would rather spend my hours driving in a German car for all of the above reasons...road feel, interior design, etc.
That's the only question here.
Personally, it's 944 for me. Been inside both, driven 944's, never driven a Miata (save for in a parking lot but that doesn't count as driving IMHO).
Stock vs stock, I just ran a few tests on my CarTest 2000 program. Cars chosen were '94, '96, and '98 Miatas, and then '86 and '89 N/A 944's, and an '88 944-S.
1/4 mile results were all about the same...16's and low to mid-80 mph traps...the only car that left the pack was the 944-S, with 15's and high-80 traps.
Road course...simulated runs at various tracks.
Laguna Seca (Mazda Raceway):
1- 98 Miata
2- '88 944-S, +1.2 secs
3- '89 944, +2.3 secs
4- '86 944, +3.7 secs
5- '96 Miata, +3.9 secs
6- '94 Miata, +3.9 secs
Nurburgring:
1- '98 Miata
2- '88 944-S, +4.0 secs
3- '89 944, +9.5 secs
4- '96 Miata, +17.7 secs
5- '94 Miata, +19.9 secs
6- '86 944, +25.3 secs
Ontario Motor Speedway:
Same run order as above, only 5.6 sec spread from 1st-6th.
Silverstone, UK:
Same run order as above, only 7.2 sec spread from 1st-6th.
So there you go...in my opinion, these cars are VERY close performance-wise. Both in a straight line, and on a road course. I think the win would go to the better driver almost every time no matter what.
As far as styling...I prefer the 944.
As far as overall feel...I prefer the 944.
As far as the interior...I prefer the 944's seats and dash layout over the Miata by far.
My vote goes to the 944. Miatas aren't bad by any means, but I would rather spend my hours driving in a German car for all of the above reasons...road feel, interior design, etc.
03-31-2004, 11:35 PM
#37
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Re: Re: So for $5000 I can get a pretty nice Miata or 944....
Originally posted by *Michael.*
As a 944 and Miata owner I will comment on this. You guys that are saying that the Miata is a chick car, well I guess you are more concerned about image. I have a total of about $6500 into my Miata and it will completely destroy a n/a 944 and will slowley walk away from a stock 951 or 968. I have put 25k miles on the Miata in 1 1/2 years. A lot of that is at the Nürburgring and auto-x racing. I have never had to fix one thing on the Miata and even if I did it would be cheap! I have put $400 into the suspension on the Miata and it will easily leave my 944 which had about $800 in suspension work. The only downside to the Miata is the storage space. You can fit a lot of crap in the 944 when you fold the seat down!!
I have spent $2700 on a turbo setup for the Miata, has about double the original horsepower. This is not possible in a 944. You could maybe get about 30% more power for over $3,500!!
[IMG]
As a 944 and Miata owner I will comment on this. You guys that are saying that the Miata is a chick car, well I guess you are more concerned about image. I have a total of about $6500 into my Miata and it will completely destroy a n/a 944 and will slowley walk away from a stock 951 or 968. I have put 25k miles on the Miata in 1 1/2 years. A lot of that is at the Nürburgring and auto-x racing. I have never had to fix one thing on the Miata and even if I did it would be cheap! I have put $400 into the suspension on the Miata and it will easily leave my 944 which had about $800 in suspension work. The only downside to the Miata is the storage space. You can fit a lot of crap in the 944 when you fold the seat down!!
I have spent $2700 on a turbo setup for the Miata, has about double the original horsepower. This is not possible in a 944. You could maybe get about 30% more power for over $3,500!!
[IMG]
Yes, you can turbocharge Miata for a mere $2700. Give the Miata 20K and can it ever pull the F355s or any 911 Turbos?
03-31-2004, 11:38 PM
#38
Three Wheelin'
next to jettas?
Seriously, though - I have a friend who had a 97 Miata. Fun car, handled well, although maybe for the same reason a 924NA handles well - just not enough power to do anything else.
I couldn't fit into it, and had to look over the windshield. In a straight-line, very underpowered if that's what you're looking for. Of course the Turbo'd Miata folks have come in already... sure, turbo it and it is as fast as an unmodded early 951 in a straight line. Write home to mom.
Anyway, if money is an issue then get the Miata. It's hard to find a 944 that won't need at least $1000 worth of work in the next year to get it up to snuff. I think the 944 is more solid, certainly faster (stock vs stock) in a straight line, and considerably more steady at speed. The Miata is a bad-*** little AutoX car as it looks like many folks have already stated.
Micah
03-31-2004, 11:57 PM
#39
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Have both, both in black... If you don't care about space get a Miata, if you're not some HS freshman thinking what others would think of you based on your investment get a MIata. if you want to have fun for fraction of Pcar maintanance cost get a MIata. That said, when i come back from Air Force i Might live on my own and the i'll have to sell the Miata due to impracticality. I have yet to hear some ***** call it a gay car in front of me, or even make such notion by mimic. The 6 foot firefighter/x-boxer will sure put that lowlife in his place. I don't care what others think about it, i love it do death, driven everyday and my insurance is only $490 for 6 month.
On the other side i used to drive 280whp+(APR stage 3) 02 GTI 1.8T with buckets, colilovers and stripped interior. EXTRERMELY fast. When i got my Miata i never really wanted to drive my GTI anymore... it still stands in the driveway and is for sale
Also i didn't have too much time to drive the 4. It's something in between Miata and GTI.... not as crazy but somewhat practical and comfy
Anyways... drive both and pick.. i bought my 92 SE with 55K for $4350... only thing i regret is not buying it right away as my first car.
944 is my wife, MIata is my mistress
Vlad.
p.s. I would only pick 944 over MIata if it was 2500 pound turbo S with quick spooling turbo and 300hp/300tq... but that's a lot of mula
On the other side i used to drive 280whp+(APR stage 3) 02 GTI 1.8T with buckets, colilovers and stripped interior. EXTRERMELY fast. When i got my Miata i never really wanted to drive my GTI anymore... it still stands in the driveway and is for sale
Also i didn't have too much time to drive the 4. It's something in between Miata and GTI.... not as crazy but somewhat practical and comfy
Anyways... drive both and pick.. i bought my 92 SE with 55K for $4350... only thing i regret is not buying it right away as my first car.
944 is my wife, MIata is my mistress
Vlad.
p.s. I would only pick 944 over MIata if it was 2500 pound turbo S with quick spooling turbo and 300hp/300tq... but that's a lot of mula
04-01-2004, 12:42 AM
#40
Race Director
Originally posted by Micah Jones
That hurts me, Sam. Inside.
Seriously, though - I have a friend who had a 97 Miata. Fun car, handled well, although maybe for the same reason a 924NA handles well - just not enough power to do anything else.
I couldn't fit into it, and had to look over the windshield. In a straight-line, very underpowered if that's what you're looking for. Of course the Turbo'd Miata folks have come in already... sure, turbo it and it is as fast as an unmodded early 951 in a straight line. Write home to mom.
Anyway, if money is an issue then get the Miata. It's hard to find a 944 that won't need at least $1000 worth of work in the next year to get it up to snuff. I think the 944 is more solid, certainly faster (stock vs stock) in a straight line, and considerably more steady at speed. The Miata is a bad-*** little AutoX car as it looks like many folks have already stated.
Micah
That hurts me, Sam. Inside.
Seriously, though - I have a friend who had a 97 Miata. Fun car, handled well, although maybe for the same reason a 924NA handles well - just not enough power to do anything else.
I couldn't fit into it, and had to look over the windshield. In a straight-line, very underpowered if that's what you're looking for. Of course the Turbo'd Miata folks have come in already... sure, turbo it and it is as fast as an unmodded early 951 in a straight line. Write home to mom.
Anyway, if money is an issue then get the Miata. It's hard to find a 944 that won't need at least $1000 worth of work in the next year to get it up to snuff. I think the 944 is more solid, certainly faster (stock vs stock) in a straight line, and considerably more steady at speed. The Miata is a bad-*** little AutoX car as it looks like many folks have already stated.
Micah
04-01-2004, 12:47 AM
#41
Three Wheelin'
I was just kidding, of course, big guy 
Of course it's a chick car... but if I told you that I was looking at last gen cabrios would you think I was less of a man? Truthfully, I've been trying to find a later gen cabrio for Les... but the prices don't want to seem to come down.
Micah
Of course it's a chick car... but if I told you that I was looking at last gen cabrios would you think I was less of a man?
Truthfully, I've been trying to find a later gen cabrio for Les... but the prices don't want to seem to come down. Micah
04-01-2004, 01:01 AM
#42
Three Wheelin'
So if you are looking for a car to keep stock or lightly modd, have low maint. costs, and don't mind a small car, go for the Miata.
If you want something that doesn't handle as well, will need thousands of dollars of maint over the years, and will break down every now and then, get the 944..
(just messin' with you guys)
Here is a video of my Miata - Right click save as...
There are more on www.turbo-miata.com
If you want something that doesn't handle as well, will need thousands of dollars of maint over the years, and will break down every now and then, get the 944..
(just messin' with you guys)
Here is a video of my Miata - Right click save as...
There are more on www.turbo-miata.com
04-01-2004, 02:45 AM
#43
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Yes, you can turbocharge Miata for a mere $2700. Give the Miata 20K and can it ever pull the F355s or any 911 Turbos?
I think the 944 is more solid, certainly faster (stock vs stock) in a straight line...
As far as the chick car business goes...well, it's silly. And I also had a Jetta gosh darn it. :P Call the Miata a chick car all you want...but the fact of the matter is, if it weren't for the Miata, you would NOT have all of the convertibles and cabrios you see today. The Miata is credited with resurrecting the ragtop world-wide, and it's success resulted in manufacturers adding ragtops to their lineups over the next decade. Who knows...the 944/968 cabrios may not have existed had it not been for the Miata...the fox-body Mustang ragtop (a la Vanilla Ice) and LeBaron ragtops were a direct result of the Miata's success according to Ford and Chrysler reps, as were many others.
04-01-2004, 07:18 AM
#44
Three Wheelin'
I am not to sure about the 944 being more stable at high speed. The 944 is heavier and of course more insulated for sound compared to the Miata. The noise and ect. gives the impression of being unstable. I have had the Miata's *** end hanging out at 70+mph around a corner before. I would never want to be in that situation in the 944!!
