btw, what's a spec miata?

 

The 2001 Miata alway's gets the nod for a warm summer nights cruise. The S is the daily driver. Tough decision glad I didn't have to make it.
You could get a used Cooper and a used Miata.... Just a thought

 

Man, you guys want to talk about a HOT 2 seater conv. for those warm eve cruises......how about a 93 Metro Conv. . miata's hate on ol Chico all da time, they've proved to be faster than him so far.

 

Ah, you know you want to chase em around!

 

http://www.specmiata.com/specifications.htm


spec miata info

 

for the spec. info. I'd say I have a spec'd MCS. Miata's are a lot lighter though. I wanna see what they can do, anyone have one already?

 

I just sold my '99 Miata w/ the sport package. I autocross and it is faster than the Mazdaspeed. I am replacing the Miata with an '05 MCS w/ just a couple options including the LSD. After test driving a MCS w/o the LSD I must say that no MINI is going to be able to replace the fun factor on a curvy road provided by the Miata. If you can fit into the MIata and want a car that is an absolute blast to drive, go for the Miata.

If you have even one practical bone in your body you have to go with the MINI. There isn't a practical thing about the Miata. I have to open the door to put on/take off my seatbelt. In the rain, you get a few onces on spilled in your lap every time you open the door. Driving the car with the top up is only about half as fun as going topless. The sound is half the fun and with the top up you can't hear it. It's not a very safe car. If you like to keep your car really clean the Miata's interior will drive you crazy. The insurance is high. And my biggest problem, only two seats.

That being said, I Love my "99 sport package equipped Mazda Miata. No car ever put a smile on my face like this car. In the Appalachian Mountains, were I live, few cars can keep pace and the ones that can cost allot more money.

My hope is that my MINI, with the heavy wheels/tires replaced and a LSD from the factory, will make up the considerable difference in these two choices. I think it will, but if it doesn't, an '05 w/LSD should be real easy to sell wothout taking a beating.

Good luck with your decission! I hope I made the right choice. My MCS should be here around late Feb.

 

a Wiggles, right on for your input. I'm sure you'll have more to say once you gain experience driving your MINI. Please share more later.

No doubt the miata is fun, I like that it's RWD, but I think MINIs are better still.

 

I know I like our mcs better..unlike a miata I can sit in it and be comfortable.

 

I see them as different, but both excellent choices. I prefer the handling of the Miata and the engine in the MINI. I will write an indepth comparison after I've had the MINI for awhile.

:smile:

 

Schweet

 

I'd mostly agree. I autocrossed my Mini back-to-back with my buddy's 94 R package Miata a couple times this summer. The Miata has great grip, but in comparison to the Mini, the engine is really rough. I drive a Cooper, though, so the Miata has more power than my car, it's just not as smooth.

His miata is in need of a big fat swaybar up front, though. It is a little bit more oversteery than I like and has a lot of body roll.

 

I've got a '91 Miata with M45 S/C (at a lowly 6psi) not a Spec, but much quicker than stock - almost joined you guys on the wine trip (assuming I wouldn't be shunned ) but had house projects to do. Would love to join in on a run some time. I'll have that MCS one of these days...

 

If you could have hung with Campos and I thru some of those roads, I would've given you the big for sure. We're heading up in the same area again this Saturday if your interested. Check out the Norcal section in here.

 

We had a 2000 Miata with Sports package, koni adjustables and a Rollbar which we autocrossed extensively and did Track days. We traded it in on a Mazdaspeed. The Miata is a very underrated and unappreciated car, except by those who have owned one. It handles beautifully and perfectly neutrally. For a daily driver, trip car and track car the Mazdaspeed is better in all ways than the '00. Nothing beats driving passes in the Sierras with the top down in the summer or the PCH/ Rte 1 in Indian Summer (sunroofs don't make it). As an autocross car the Mazdaspeed is a wash with our 2000 sport but is in a faster class. I'm 6'3" and have no problem driving the Mazda. They are also bullet proof and virtually trouble free, although that is the history of the non-turbo cars, the turbo's reliability remains to be seen.

The room in a Mini is phenomenal for its size and they are a blast to drive. They're definitely more luxuriously appointed but everything in a Miata is well thought out and just right. My other car was a Caterham Super Seven, which was great fun to autocross but tiring on long drives (we used to drive from Reno to Monterey for the Historics every year). I wanted something halfway between a Seven and a Miata and bought a 315 H.P. M Roadster. I've never been so dissapointed with a car in my life. The engine was incredible but everything else (besides the heated seats) sucked. Whenever I drove it I had a mental tally list comparing it with the Miata and the Miata was ahead in all but those two areas (including build quality). I got rid of it as soon as I could.

I've got a '05 MCS with LSD on order for a daily driver and my wife uses her Mazdaspeed for a daily driver. Both are great cars, in different ways. I suspect we'll continue to use the Miata for long drives, we love being topless. My only complaint about the Miata is the limited adjustability of the seat. There isn't enough thigh support for me and I carry a little lumbar support pad that I place under my right leg, otherwise I used to get a pain in my knee on long drives, but the Mazdaspeed seat is better in this regard than the '00.

If I were you I'd make the decision based upon whether you love convertibles, with a convertible MINI you have virtually no trunk space. But they do seem to be available at a slight discount.

If you want to do track days a rear drive, or mid-engined car is more fun than front wheel drive.

Last time I was in S.F., about two years ago, it seemed that there was at least one Miata per block. Obviously they're not as unusual as a MINI but it does tell you that it must be ideal for the Bay Area.

 

Oh lefty, how the advice never helps :smile:

I have the same thoughts you seem to have about both cars. That Mazda is so perfect in its drive, there really isn't anything better out there for a great day of driving for the fun of it.

And then theres the rest of life, when you want that sporty ride, but a little more cush, a little more room, and a little more lux.

Every day I stand differently on this whole thing. I have my MINI all spec'd but haven't said "do it" yet. Then the next day i wake up and think, save my bucks, snag a 95-97 1st generation, smack on a BRP MP62 supercharger and love life. And the next day, its MINI time again.

Thanks for the input tho!

 

Well, I think I have decided.

I am going to order a MCS. Deposit is totally refundable and the wait will be about 6 months.

I plan to pick up a used Miata in the interim. I shouldn't get too smeared on price/depreciation, only sales tax in that time. If the Miata is something I really enjoy, I will pass on the MINI and keep the Miata.

The side benefit is that the all new Miata should be at the auto shows by March, and if all rumors are correct on the lots by June/July. If I think it is a car I will love even more, I can purchase it.

I appreciate all the help.

 

Good choice! I know you'll enjoy the MINI, and the used Miata will be great fun in the meantime. We love ours. Who knows, you might end up keeping that, too.

Keep us posted!

Mark

 

Just returned from a two week, 2700 mile road trip through Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. Took my MCS with sport suspension, 16X6.5 lightweight wheels with lightweight 50 profile tires, a K&N airfilter and a Miltek exhaust. Had just done a Miata Club drive in our MSM with 17" SSR Comps and a FM exhaust system. Here are my impressions: the MSM handles MUCH better on the twisties with its lower CG and rear wheel drive. The MINI is a much more comfortable ride and better on highways. The shifter is smoother, too. Obviously one can carry MUCH more luggage in the MINI. If one is 6', or over, the seating in the MSM will not be as comfortable. The FM exhaust gives the MSM more power and a broader power range but the MCS SC still allows better low end acceleration.

Two things I'd like to have from the MSM: the 6 CD in-dash changer and the twin trip odometers. I can't understand why MINI doesn't provide the latter.

I'd like to try the MSM with 16" 50 profile tires to see how that affects the comfort of the ride. I'm going to check offsets to see if the wheels can be swapped.

 

I heard great things about the MSMiata... but they didn't sell quickly at first because it was so overpriced for most people's tastes.

I went from a miata to a mini... i miss the miata's handling all the time. It was very nimble, turned on a dime, and convertible was great.

on the same token i love the practicality of the mini... it handles fine, and theres still a huge fanbase. I do NOT miss the miata in bad weather... but i doubt you'd have that problem. I wanted both of them when i went car hunting. I went for the miata because of price and no credit, but i didn't hesitate trading up for a mini when i had the chance. Don't worry, i'll be getting a miata again, one day :P My boyfriend still has his 01, so i get to drive it. He's the one that got me into the two cars. (he's in my signature too)

 

I believe they are close enough. The 16" Panasports on JerseyGirl's MCS were originally marketed for the Miata.

 

I tried putting a Miata wheel on a Mini, although both wheels are 4x100, the center hub of the Miata is smaller than the Minis.

IMO, the Mazdaspeed Miata is not "all that", I think a better comparison will the new NC.

 

If i could afford it, i'd be all over the NC. That's one hot piece of machinery

I kept up on the progress on it for a year before the unveiling. It turned out AWESOME.