http://magazine.windingroad.com/issue/84/

 

Very interesting article, though it really is an apples to oranges comparison. Having owned a current generation Miata, and currently owning an '08 MCS, they're very different cars. I can see why they compared them, but true comparisons are hard to make. Sure, they're both roadsters, but they go about their missions very differently. I don't agree with their opinion of the transmissions. So far, while I like the MCS, I still think the Miata has one of the best transmissions on the market.

I do agree with their final verdict. The MINI is a better daily use car. The Miata is a better roadster. If you're buying a roadster to have fun and didn't need it for primary use, I'd go Miata too. Guess I got myself the best of both worlds. Have my MCS hardtop to commute with, and have a first gen Miata for roadster fun!

 

I'll bet if they ditched the run flats on the MINI for something a little more road friendly they'd have an entirely different evaluation. Also, I doubt they've ever struggled with the drop head of a vintage English roadster. Getting that where you wanted it was as exciting as sorting out the Lucas electrics.

 

I have a Mazdaspeed Miata that has been sitting in the garage, unloved, since I picked up my last MINI in April 2011...

 

That's exactly why I chose the mini over the miata...it is a bit more practical (for me) but a lot of fun. I like the way it drove better as well but that's just my opinion.

 

I'm 6' 2" and could not get into the Miata without seriously bending and twisting. Once in I was not at all comfortable. Not so with the Mini Roadster. For me, the choice was easy.

 

I think both cars also have devout followers that would swear to their car being the "more fun" car no matter what. They both defintely aren't transportation appliances that people have no feelings about.

Had my MINI about 6 or 7 weeks now. Like I mentioned in an earlier post, I also have a first gen Miata ('90). The Miata has 135k miles on it, has hail dents everywhere, needs some suspension updating, etc... but still runs great. Since it's warm outside, I find myself driving the Miata about twice as often as I do the MINI. It's not at all saying I don't like the MINI, because I do. But the Miata just strikes the perfect chord with me in how it drives.

 

I am with the Rev as I can not fit in the Mazda. Just not able to lean the sit back enough. A friend just traded his motorcycle for a 2007. Handles good and not much cowl shake but torque is available at higher RPM. Always liked them though. Great bang for the buck. $.02 worth.

 

There's a standing joke over at Grassroots Motorsports magazine--

The answer to every automotive question is: Miata.

(Unless the question involves moving four people, then the answer is "Two Miatas".)

It really is an amazing car for the money.

....But it ain't no MINI!

 

There's a good reason the answer to every "What car should I buy" question is Miata.

I know a lot of people here would disagree since this is a MINI forum. But for pure driving fun, I'd agree the Miata ain't no MINI...it's better. And that's not a slap at the MINI. I like driving my MCS, it's a lot of fun. Guess I'd say that on a 1-10 scale of driving fun, the MINI is about a 9 and the Miata is a 10.

 

I agree with this 100% If I didn't need the space afforded by laying the back seats down as well as the occasional use of the rear seats I'd likely have gotten a Miata instead. This is not to say that I don't adore my MCS, I do, merely that for outright driving fun, it's very very hard to beat a lightweight drop top RWD car that's as well sorted as the Miata.

 

I test drove an '06 and it was a blast. I love the feel of a lightweight RWD! However, I didn't like the interior, the exterior aesthetics, or the general lack of space in the cabin. I'm not a big guy, and it was a little cramped. I wouldn't replace my R50 with a Miata, but I'd love to buy a 90's Miata and turbo it for a weekend toy!

 

I traded in a 1999 10th Anniversary Miata on my 2010 Mini (justa). The Miata wasn't very practical as a daily driver, but the Mini gave the fun drive along with some versatility the Miata just can't offer. The first time I took my Mini to the Dragon, I thought it would drive like a tank compared to the Miata, but much to my delight, it was probably just as quick as the Miata, and just as much fun. I have since upgraded my 2010 Justa for a 2011 MCS, and it is even more fun. I have owned 2 Miatas, and an S2000, and I think the best of the lot is the MCS.

 

Yeah, I'm not a huge fan of the NC, but I would definitely love to pick up an NA or NB as a track/weekend toy.

 

At 6' tall, I don't fit in NA, NB or NC Miatas very well, but the S2000 gave me plenty of head room. I never tracked my Miatas or the S2000, but I did take the 2010 Cooper to Roebling Rd. twice and had a blast...with only an upgrade of the tires, I was holding my own in the corners with the likes of Boxsters, 370Zs, RX8s and others. My base cooper was just too slow on the straight away, but it was still about as much fun as you can have with your clothes on. I am thinking about going back in October when the Central Florida Porsche club does their next DE. It is a great deal @ about $250 for the weekend, and you get about ten 25 minute sessions. If you are in the green or blue beginner groups you don't even need to pay extra for an instructor. I was fortunate enough to get moved up to the white group that doesn't require an instructor.

 

That's the funny thing about the Miata. Take it to a road course, and it's probably going to turn the slowest lap times of any sports oriented car out there. It'll turn laps slower than a lot of sedans too. But the driver will have the biggest smile on his face. None of the generations are "fast", an MCS would beat it around any road course by several seconds. It's all about the driving experience. That's what draws me too it. My MCS is my first experience with MINI, but I've had a crap load of sports cars. In small cars, I've had 4 Miatas, 4 MR2s and now the MINI. I enjoy them all, but would give the NA Miata a very slight edge.

Yes, the NC is a very different beast then the NA/NB Miata. The NC gave up a bit of the raw feel for a bit more comfort. Still a great car, just not as direct as the NA/NB.

 

I have had two Miatas - a 1995 (NA) Automatic and a 2005 (NB) 6-Spd. Loved them both. They started out as the "third" car. Then ended up being the daily driver. Wife had a Chrysler Pacifica Limited, I drove the Miata. If her car had to go to the shop, she refused to drive the Miata. If I had to go to the "Home Store" (insert any big box building supply) I had to take the Pacifica and be very gentle putting things in the back - like the 10ft 2x4. The Miata went away and was replaced with a Jeep Liberty. Now the Pacifica is going away to be replaced with a Countryman All4. I would love another Miata, but just is not practical for what we do. I have a co-worker who is 6-8, you should have seen him get in my Miata : ) As far as compared to a MINI, think it is Apples to Oranges. A Miata might not go "fast", but you don't slow down for the corners either. We'll see how the MINI stacks up, if the thing will get here from Austria.

 

?

 

The Countryman is built in Austria, not in Oxford.

 

We have an 04 Mazdaspeed and10 Clubman S. Love them both. on a nice su,member day the Miata wins, bit it isn't a daily driver. we have 40,000 miles on Miata, and 36,000 on Clubbie, after putting 90,000 on a Justa in 3 years. I can't imagine life without a Miata or a Mini, but I am now spoiled

 

I had my '09 Cooper out at Roebling this year, too, and had a similar experience. Just good street tires and Camber plates (and the willingness to drive the car hard), and I passed passed numerous "more capable" cars like 300-400 hp Mustangs, C6 Vette, E60 M5, and hung with a Lotus Elise.

As fun as it is in any car, the MINI is so rewarding to drive, and there's something about being the underdog in a 118hp car

Roebling is definitely a good deal. Cheaper than the "big name" tracks like Sebring and Road Atlanta, for instance.

I'm hoping to drive Sebring again this October. Since you're kinda local, let me know if you're going to do any track days. It would be fun to get both of our Coopers out to one together sometime. I rarely see MINIs out at these track days, unfortunately.

 

I too had both. A 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata and a 2005 MCS. Bought both new the same day, but that is another story.

Anyhow, as of May I had 7500 miles on the Miata and 44,000 on the MINI. Love them both but you can see which got more use.

However, I couldn't tell you which I like better...

 

not long ago in my garage I had an 02 MCS, a 95 (GEN1) Miata and a very modified Mini

Was quite fun to take them out into the VA farm country, one after the other, over the same route back to back for direct comparisons . . . .

Today as I look to replace my 07-S I am once again torn 'tween Miata and a MINI. Back in 07 the Miata hardtop was demanding a higher premium then the MINI . . . it might be time to switch back to Miata .... or maybe I should wait for the next version.

Either way - the 79 still has a home and a weekly drive!

 

I sold my 97 NA Miata and my 94 Volvo 850 Turbo wagon to get a used 2010 R57S. The Miata was the daily driver, but I could sell both cause I only need the rear seats when my daughter is home from college. The Miata has a bigger trunk than the MINI (convertible). I think the handling on the Miata was more direct, but I had a lot of suspension mods. Nowhere as much power in the Miata as the MINI. It's hard to say which one I like more, but I think the edge goes to the MINI and the power.

I'd have the say the Miata had a tighter turning circle than the MINI, though.

 

Well, like several here, I live in a mini/miata family. We just bought a 2012 Baker Street "S" for my wife, because she needed/wanted a "back seat" [for the dog]. [most bogus reason as I ever heard, dogs can't A/X, they can't wear a helmet; and Mini's were made to A/X right]

As a result her 2000 Miata LS [61K miles] is now advertised on both M.net and MT.net.

The Mini is great fun, but I still perfer the absoute blast of my 94-M [300 hp, BEGi Garrett GT-2860]

A plus, looks like the Mini wheel pattern is the same 100/4; just the place to mount that set of Hellium wheels with [205/50] S-drives.