Z3 or Miata?

[alas]

::Revival::

So, what car was chosen!?


-E

[2mAn]

I think ill go with the rwd. Its hard for me to own or drive a car thats not rwd

sound advice right here

[Hooffenstein HD]

I think ill go with the rwd. Its hard for me to own or drive a car thats not rwd

All poll options are RWD.

[Motorsports]

I think ill go with the rwd. Its hard for me to own or drive a car thats not rwd

[Hooffenstein HD]

y no jv6?

http://www.superfastmiatas.com/JV6%20Miata%20Kit.html

Crazy price for the kit and it's not a Mazda motor. KL V6 are an amazing motor, capable of 11,000RPM+ and only weigh around 100-120kg.

[Julien]

I voted Miata. Seriously looking at NA Miatas with a KL V6 swap for a next fun/project car.

y no jv6?

http://www.superfastmiatas.com/JV6%20Miata%20Kit.html

[Hooffenstein HD]

I voted Miata. Seriously looking at NA Miatas with a KL V6 swap for a next fun/project car.

[charlie2309]

I've had a couple miatas and a couple z3's (none for any great length of time, I flip everything). I swapped an s52 into the last z3 I had, and it was fun.
Having said that, miata all the way. That mazda engine is freaking bulletproof, ZERO issues with that thing, and the shift action is kindof the benchmark by which all other linkage is compared. If you're into posturing and spending lots of time on preventative maintenace to keep your ride up to snuff, z3's have lots of options from which to choose.
It doesnt get much more organic than the miata, really. Z3 is not that.
And as far as interior quality- e36 interior is complete crap. Miata is WAY better quality, even if the plastic quotient is just as high as the z3. the overall build quality is vastly better inside. The miata seats better by every metric.
Z3 is an e36/e30 parts bin compromise, in some ways. Not that thats necessarily a bad thing. But in driving the miata it is hard not to feel the singularity of puropose/ clean sheet design that absolutely hit its mark in every way. Honestly, dynamically the two are not in the same league.
If you like to really wring a car out, you won't miss the extra power of the z3.
In a lot of ways it takes balls to be seen in the miata, because it has such a "waffleswaffleswaffleswaffleswaffles" car stigma attached to it. The z3 aint much better in the machismo category, but its less likely to get you laughed at by other guys for driving one. (get some mma certified instructor decals for the bumper and maybe some nra propaganda, ppl will mind their business)
Tough call.

[lti_57]

NA's are cool fun cars
We had one lowered, KYB, Eibach. Roll bar.
handled like on rails wife and i drove it for 8hr once not bad comfort wise but was ready to get out. Parts are cheap, They raced them for years. a lot of support.

http://clubroadster.net/vb_forum/home.php

this site reminds of R3V Limited
enjoy

[Julien]

I'm 6'6" and I love my na miata. never been more than "eh" about z3s.. except s54 m-roadsters

[lcoleman]

Interiors are comparable....they both suck.
The BP engine in the Miata is OK. Better than an M44, but not as good as a nice straight six.
The Miata is lighter.
The Miata has a vastly superior suspension design, especially in the rear.
The Miata has all of the aftermarket support you could ever want in a car, and then some. All parts (both repair and modification) are cheaper, too.

I'm a BMW guy, but if you want a 2-seat convertible, the Miata is the obvious choice.

[mlbryant8]

I had a Miata for 6 years and never had to fix anything on it. Just gas and oil changes. Gave it to my son and he drove it for another 2 years and never had to fix anything on it and I mean anything. I took some ribbing from some people saying it was a girl's car but the fun factor is off the chart! The only thing that made me give up my Miata was getting my first e30.:D I'd say go with the Miata. There is no comparison for the maintenance cost factor. Even if you had to do the same repair to both cars, the Miata would cost you half as much if not even less. Now you've got me missing it.:(

[CENTURION]

has*

[CENTURION]

I DO NOT LIKE MIATAS.

that being said, get the miata.



but on a serious note, it's for your wife correct? ok it handles nice, forgiving for her, assuming she doesn't drive aggressively. very economical. z3 is great, but maintenance will be more.

have she driven both vehicles and decided which one she likes more?

[TRAK WDW]

maintenance-wise/cost effective --> Miata. most of my buddies track the crap out of these little cars and they just keep going and going. Miata parts are much cheaper than bmw parts.

this is coming from a guy with 3 bmw's :up: