My husband (SB) owns a Mini Cooper S, I really like it. On the rare occassions I actually get to drive it, I've had alot of fun. I have always driven trucks but after driving the Mini and a few other cars (while my truck was in for service) I think I'm ready for a smaller, fun car.

We drove the Miata yesterday. At first we tried the regular Miata and I had to pass. The Mazda Speed Miata caught my attention though. It looks great, it was fun to drive, and the price is okay.

I searched the 'net for some info on the car. I really couldn't find good answers to some questions, SB told me to post here and ask. So if you've ever owned a Miata:

How does it do in the rain?
Why does it have no roll bars (every other convertible I drove has them)?
Would you reccomend it to a loved one (As far as safety is concerned)?

I'm not attempting to compare the Miata to the Mini. I loved the Mini convertible. However, I don't think I want to be a "Mini familiy", I wouldn't buy something I couldn't test drive, and I really don't like having to take a car from Alabama to Nashville if I have a problem.

Anyway, TIA for any input on the Miata!

 

How does it do in the rain?

It's rear-wheel-drive and I would guess the Mazdaspeed version probably has "summer" dry-weather tires, so it wouldn't be great. On the other hand, it isn't that powerful, and you could get rainy-season tires to compensate. Does it have traction control? That would help.

Why does it have no roll bars (every other convertible I drove has them)?

I'm sure if it needed one, it would have one. Since the Miata was designed as a convertible from the beginning, I assume it was designed to withstand rolling over. Most convertibles were originally coupes, so they need extra structures after they have their roofs chopped off. I doubt your Miata would ever roll over, though!

Would you reccomend it to a loved one (As far as safety is concerned)?

Yeah. My dad has a 1991 Miata that he drives like a maniac (an under-control maniac, but a maniac nevertheless) on weekend runs through the mountains and it is a fantastic car. My uncle had a huge accident in his 1994 Miata - spun, went off the road backward, possibly flipped, then landed on its wheels. He was okay, his wife suffered a cracked vertebra in her neck and is okay now. All things considered, the car performed well (to be honest, it performed better than the driver).

I think the next generation Miata comes out next year, so that may be worth waiting for. I'm sure there are Miata forums online that are buzzing with speculation!

 

SB,

I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for the structural integrity that Mazda puts into the Miata. In October of 1993, my wife and I were struck from behind at 60 or so mph by a drink driver. As I was doing about 50, this wound up being the least of our problems. The impact drove us out of our lane and head on into a concrete retaining wall along a bridge. Then a 4x4 T-boned the Miata, also at significant speed. Long story short, be both survived with only minor injuries. The car is very sound and I wholeheartedly recomend the Miata for those seeking a modern roadster. You will love the way it handles too.

 

I think there is a turbo Miata on the way. I saw a BestMotoring video
a while back and the pro-drivers said the car felt very good...the redline
was little low on the proto type so I think the engineer are
changing (or changed) gear ratios and tweaked the motor.

Ive seen a few Miata's modded with rollbars, etc and they look very cool.
I think its a pure sports car at a bargain and will test your real driving
skills in the rain (in a fun way, that is). :smile: If I had the extra cash,
I'd like to get one too, to learn FR driving.

 

Wow couldn't let this thread go by without saying something. Everything I say is bias because the Miata is an awesome car in my mind. It is without a doubt the best sports car ever made... for the money. Bullet proof. The car simply can't be driven hard enough. You can't break it. The MazdaSpeed version is the version with the new ball bearing turbo. 0-60 in 6.5s. Check out the following link for another opinion: http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/pdf/...les_eprint.pdf

How is it in the rain? Terrible... Just the way a true rear wheel drive sports car with performance tires should be! Seriously this car is for the driving purist. There are no electronic gadjets to save your *** when you screw up. What they will give you is a properly set up sports car with neutral handling until you decide you want otherwise (one blip of the throttle will cause the rearend to happily step out for you).

Rollover in a convertible is a problem. Yes the car is designed to not flip with the CG being very low. However every car will flip given the right circumstance. I would get a rollbar. Harddog makes some great rollbars.

Check out www.miata.net for more info. There are many more Miata nuts like me over there that can answer any questions you may have.

Sorry for the biased review! Can't help it! I was a Miata nut before I became a MINI nut!!!

...putting on flame suit... Don't flame too hard! I love the MINI and belieive it to be the best FRONT wheel drive sports car on the planet. But it's in a different category than the Miata.

 

A Miata is a nice little car. Could you say less about a car than that? A Miata is OK if you get the removeable hardtop. Winter in a soft top car is not for the weak. I have had some sort of convertible constantly since 1973, and they were all a pain in the winter. Only my 1973 Thing, with a gas heater made sense. Two seconds to warm up, and then jet exhaust all over the car - you could cook chickens in there. My 91 Capri Turbo with removeable hartop was OK - there is no substitute for a heated glass rear window.

 

I owned a Miata and it was great during the winter. The Miata also has heated rear window. . Also the turbo model is already out. The 0-60 is 6.7 sec I think. Ofcouse the Mini Cooper S is 6.9 So Miata MazdaSpeed (the turbo) gets .2 second faster to 60. After I saw this post I did some research on the two cars . www.kbb.com is a great place to get car info. :smile:

 

I've had 4 Miatas and now have an S2000 with a MINI in between. The S2000 is a great car and has roll over hoops behind the seats (a little more money than the MSM). I loved every Miata I've owned and just wanted more power. Saying that, I looked into the MSM and did not like the redline coming up so fast on the 6 speed. The Miata is a great car and I highly recommend it, but drive the S2000 before you get the Miata esp since you say the NA did not have enough power. (make sure to hit VTEC on the S2000 or it will feel like a Civic convertible.) I bought my S2000 (used) and saved $4000 over a new MSM. Not to stir the pot too much but a Miata will out handle the MINI or MCS everyday and twice on Sunday (at the Autocross ).

 

I had a 1st gen Miata and it was a blast. I'd still have it or a newer one if we didn't have kids to cart around or had the garage space to support a 3rd car. I fully expect to have another inthe future. Rollbars and superchargers are readily available for the car, and the motor and mechanicals are bulletproof. I give it 2 thumbs up

 

Same here! I plan on buying a 96 M Edition sometime in the future.

 

I've done a few Ohio winters (snow, slush, freezing rain) with nothing more than a tonneau cover for my MGA.

No roll up windows either, just side curtains, that are completely worthless without a decent top.

I don't suffer from insanity; I enjoy every minute of it.