The MX-5...and you., Dig into your inner auto enthusiast. Options

[SwissFerdi]

Ferdi. Stop floating in the sea of clouds where everything is wonderful. You are concerned about reliability so old car is a MUST NOT for you. You also, somehow, want a "regular" version even though that is what you are trying to get away from a "regular version". Do yourself a favor and buy yourself a brand new 15000 car. Well you can actually buy a 3 year old car and avoid the 40% price plunge.

But having seen you giggle like a little girl getting a kick out of my swapped car I think you need to get yourself a sport car. In which case you need to stop looking at "normal cars". I cant tell you to go out there and just find something because it is likely that you will be involving your folks in the buying process. So. To make them happy and to make you happy let me give you a list of "reasonably priced" cars that do not cost a ton and will make you a very happy and fast panda.

Sport Sport cars cost a pretty penny and insurance is an arm and a leg so you need something like:
subaru (insert name of all the quick non wrx models they have).
VW GTI and all them rabbit like versions
Mazda miata sport version
Mini Cooper Sport
Yes a Scion
Mitsubishi something
Honda something

The list could go on. I think you need to target 2000-2005 cars that have some kick and are affordable.

You're spot on in that first sentence, but I drive an "old" car now with no issues. Now, I realize that my Celica's condition is probably a bit of an outlier and therefore, I should expect issues with another car of this age, so I'm planning on having cash left over to put into maintenance as soon as I get the car. The NA goes up to 1997, so if anything, I'd only be going back a few years. And yes, you are right, I do like speed. But tell me, where is that usable in FL? Nowhere. So, might as well get something that handles well but is relatively slow. Also, I like that list you've compiled but keep in mind that as of right now, I'd be buying a replacement with the value of my current car, so that puts all of those options out of range. Also, the only FWD I'd consider is a GTI.

But you're most likely right, I could be thinking too optimistically. But this is why I started this thread at this point, so I have plenty of time to research and plan. And, as aforementioned, I'd say I'm too young for big power. I'd rather get something that will enable me too learn without being overly complicated, and then step up to something different later in life.

I thank all of you for your input.

This post has been edited by SwissFerdi: Aug 29, 2010 - 5:58 PM

[yarik83]

I dont know about the rest of the kids here in florida but I exercise my right to have fun when necessary ;-p

[HectortheRican]

I feel that they look girly, but they are fun enough to not care. When I test drove an RX8 last summer, I was informed by the salesman that Mazda's are notorious for needing to be warmed up before being driven. Other than that, they are golden.

Let's do this.

Only the Rotary powered ones. Seeing as how they have a huge seal, warming up would be a good idea. Same with any piston motor.

[epocsirhc]

If I wasn't 6 3or4 I would own a miata right now! They are fairly easy to work on(I work on my knees and can reach all around the engine compartment). They are dirt cheap, good looking imo, and great to learn to drive fast(on the track I mean). When I was at a local roadtrack I had the opportunity to go for a ride along at racepace in a spec miata, and it was pretty cool however I had my head cocked at a terrible angle with my helmet on and I still hit the hardtop. I say go for it!

[darksecret]

I would go for it. I'll always think the Celica has a better style but it's hard to beat a RWD 2 seater in sheer fun, but that's exactly what they are built for.

[richee3]

I agree with the post above mine. The Celica has more curb appeal, but less fun. NA's are good little cars. You know the rules of thumb of used car buying- check the tires, check the pedals, check the oil before you let anyone start the motor, blah blah blah.

[Johnnyny]

MR2 is all this and better and dont give me the i cant do the maintenance crap...

[darksecret]

IMO the 2 is a great car with a lot of potential but you can go as far as shoving an LS motor into the MX-5. The aftermarket following will be around for much longer on the 5 which comes in handy if you need to replace things or upgrade.

Another good option in a similar league as the MX-5 is the first gen RX-7. They're cheap (I got mine for $400), easily modded, have a similar power/weight ratio, and have a decent aftermarket (nothing like the MX-5 though).

[Hanyo]

Excellent.

that is so wrong. I actually really like the new mx5.

[Supersprynt]

I wouldn't daily it.

This post has been edited by Supersprynt: Aug 30, 2010 - 9:40 AM

[saleeka]

The best looking Miata ever- the 1996 M coupe concept. Such a shame they didn't put this one into production.

[mak5603]

I like a slammed miata, even seen a couple boosted ones that got my attention. But the convertibles are way too girly imo. Make me think of

[azian_advanced]

they look like chick cars when stock, but look great when they're nicely done up.



it's like a bad-ass chick car

[yarik83]

Unleash the inner girl within you

[SwissFerdi]

MR2 is all this and better and dont give me the i cant do the maintenance crap...

You saw Matt's thread here about changing the water pump? That's not something I can do. It's out of the question. I cannot risk having the car out of commission when it's my daily.

IMO the 2 is a great car with a lot of potential but you can go as far as shoving an LS motor into the MX-5. The aftermarket following will be around for much longer on the 5 which comes in handy if you need to replace things or upgrade.

Another good option in a similar league as the MX-5 is the first gen RX-7. They're cheap (I got mine for $400), easily modded, have a similar power/weight ratio, and have a decent aftermarket (nothing like the MX-5 though).

Aftermarket concerns me less...I want a good DD, so I'm not shoving an LSx in there at any point. What I will do is gradually build the car from a handling standpoint. Main thing is to get one in reliable state first. Concerning the RX-7, from what I've heard and read, that 1.3 is not very reliable, and expensive to work on. Not an option whatsoever.

I wouldn't daily it.

Reasoning for this? If it's comfort, that doesn't really matter...I'd want to go for coilovers eventually. Wind noise is just to be expected. My commute consists only of about three miles to school and thirty miles of highway driving between my parents.

This post has been edited by SwissFerdi: Aug 30, 2010 - 4:14 PM

[richee3]

So convertibles are girly? I have to disagree. Yes, I think Miata's are girly, but to say all roadsters are girly is silly.






I could go on. But you get the idea. Just a stock Miata is girly, MR2 Sypder and the Pontiac Solstice are super gay and girly.

This post has been edited by richee3: Aug 30, 2010 - 10:43 PM

[Chhaos]

To Ferdi, I actually test drove a 2nd gen Miata when I was looking for a new car. To me, it felt like nothing I had ever driven before. Personally I have always loved the Miatas and have always wanted one so I am kind of biased on this topic. The only reason I went with the Celica was because it came down to $2.5k vs almost $10k. I know, it was ridiculous. Personally, since you are in college and have a perfectly running car, I would say DO NOT get rid of it while you are still attending. It makes life so much easier when you don't have to worry about your car. I have actually been in the market for a new car lately, my Celica is having way too many problems right now for me to rely on it much longer without a lot of work. And it sucks because I have a 60 mile drive each way to campus. Anyway, some other touched on the scariness of older cars. I thought about getting a mid 90's vehicle but don't know if I want to go through all the bs I am going through again. Like my friend said, "It's a 94, in perfect condition. Yeah, when it is sitting still not being driven." And as others suggested, MR2's. I thought this too. I also found out that MR2's can actually be quite hard to come by in good condition in Florida. As for the pros and cons of Miatas,

Pros:
Two seater (I had a 1987 Honda CRX Si as my first car and I really honestly miss having only two seats)
Convertible
RWD
Not too pricey
Easy to park (I know this is picky, but my Celi barely fits in some of the spots at USF)
Look damn good if done right
Handle well

Cons:
Older car

Sorry if this was a bit scatter brained, woke up way too early today. Anyway, just my .02

[SwissFerdi]

^ Nope, all valid points. I'm going to try to find one in close to excellent condition for its age, and if I don't, with the Celica I stay.

[SwissFerdi]

Okay, I drove this example. Now, I was going to copy and paste the review I wrote somewhere else saying that I was slightly underwhelmed and blahblahblah, but it's since hit me that I really want to drive it again, and I really really really want to drive the piss out of it this time.

The shifter is just perfection...I don't regularly drive a manual and I was used to this thing within minutes. It doesn't even need a short shifter kit, it's perfect in OEM form. Clutch pick-up is predictable, travel is fine, although it could be a bit stiffer. But the throws are short yet perfect, and the whole thing just goes snick-snick-snick. It's awesome. The only slight disappointment is the body roll, but I do drive a lowered Celica after all, so I think some nice coilovers, light wheels, and sticky tires would fix that issue. It was comfortable in town, but nothing necessarily special until I took it in the turns. The steering isn't much more special than the Celica's, but the chassis is ultra-communicative. I'm not a pro driver by any means and I was able to wheel it around fairly well, mostly because the tires pretty much speak directly to the driver.

I'm going to try to drive as many as possible and look for a good example in the meantime. I liked this one for its new-looking top, clean interior, and mostly clean body. Dislikes were a faded rear bumper, peeling steering wheel, a few miscellaneous dings, and a missing cupholder piece.

This post has been edited by SwissFerdi: Aug 31, 2010 - 4:03 PM

[blu94gt]

Glad you liked the one you drove.

I used to have a 90 Miata and loved it, even my friends who knew nothing about cars loved to ride in it. I put Tokico springs and struts on it and that made a HUGE difference in how it handled. It was a great car, even though it was that old it only had 90k on it. The previous owner wouldn't admit it but the car had been tracked, you could see under it where there used to be a straight thru exhaust, and the car had a brand new top and frame on it because they had removed it when the car was new. It only gave me trouble once when the ECU went bad, but that's because the car had sat outside with no top on it and the ECU had gotten wet multiple times. I DD'd it, even in 6 inches of snow it got around like a champ. Very easy to work on, and there is a ton of aftermarket support out for them.

Got rid of it for the Celica and wish I hadn't. I'm actually looking at selling my Celica pretty soon and picking up another Miata and maybe an old 4x4 4runner or truck. There's a 93 Miata for sale in town here with 83k on it and a few mods such as a roll bar and de-powered steering, I may have to go test drive it this week.