I will be stationed at Pope AFB, NC in a couple of weeks and would like some opinions on which car you'd like to have. Since I don't own an apartment or house, I have absolutely no need for practicality . I'm leaning towards the MX-5 (2006 model, 170 hp) since this will probably be the one time in my life I'll be able to have a convertable with a tiny trunk. I'm not really familiar with the weather in NC, or what it's like driving a convertable with the top up, so experience is welcome

 

i'm not really familiar with the weather in NC...
http://www.ibiblio.org/uncpress/hurricanes/nc_book.html
or what it's like driving a convertable with the top up.

rented a miata a few years ago durring some january storms and drove up the CA coast. a little breezy and some water blowing in at hiway speeds, but liveable.
good luck at POPE

 

Get the MX-5...

You're posting on a MINI owner's forum, what do you think everybody is going to tell you to do?

 

If I didn't have two kids and need the rear seat, I'd get the Miata. No contest, imo.

 

Both are fun to drive. I test drove a turbo miata before I got our MCS. The MCS won because is has more character, is quieter, is tighter/feels better made, as fast or faster, has useful practicality (that you will miss), gets better gas mileage, better stereo (hk), really feels better around the corners, supercharger whine, great w/ the LSD, rides much, much, much better, seats are more adjustable and much more comfortable (I have had our MCS for just over 1.5 months and it has 5200 miles...did the first 3900 in two weeks going cross-country. Was always comfortable and never got worn from sitting), xenons, etc., etc., etc..

 

 

Well I figured most of you needed the MINI for practicality, so that was the obvious choice. I was dead set on a MINI untill I found out I would be stationed in such a warm(or so I think) climate.

 

Miatas don't do well in snow but if there is no snow then that's something not to be concerned about. Trunk space is very limited but I do believe you can fit a set of golf clubs in & you learn very quickly how to stuff things in small places. Hopefully the new Miata will be more comfortable especially for long trips. My 97 Miata makes you feel like a punching bag after a couple of hours.

For me, my MINI Cabrio is the best of both cars. A convertible & a lot of fun to drive. Plus I feel much safer in the MINI. Now having said that, I still have my Miata after 8 years & I understand they've made a lot of improvements on the 2006 Miata. Wait until the MX-5 comes out & then drive both. Be sure to take both on some twistiy roads

Lois

 

I don't need the practicallity of the MINI and I still don't own a Miata. I sat in one two years in a row at the international car show..one of them was a mazdaspeed and the seating position just didn't feel good to me and the steering wheel was in my knees. I was looking for the tilt steering lever but I found one so I assume that it's fixed. I felt like I was sitting quite high and the materials felt lower grade, even compared to the MINI(funny, cause the MINI is not the greatest in that department).

I guess my question to the op is, have you driven either of them yet? Opinions are nice but the only opinion that really counts belongs to the person buying xyz car. The Miata doesn't work for me but it could work for you.

P.S. I see that you are referring to the 06 model. Is it even out yet?

 

When are they gonna put the rotary engine in the miata?

 

Some specs on the '06 Miata:


2.0 L Naturally aspirated engine
170 hp
140 lb/ft of torque
2460 pounds
Spring loaded roof thats VERY easy to put up or down with one hand

 

get an older Miata and do the 5.0L Mustang engine conversion

 

The Mazdaspeed version of the Miata is a very sweet car. It would make a very good second car (as it is totally impractical for anything other than fun). I've always liked Miatas, they emulate the British roadsters of old very well, and has great reliability as well.

 

In the Miata vs. the MINI??! Just parked next to each other, the MINI is loads higher than the Miata. FWIW, the wife likes the MINI because she sits higher and doesn't feel like she's lying down in the turns. Call me biased since I had a Miata first, but the MINI *is* more practical, and you've got to try the MX-5 at least once. Then keep it, and get the MINI as a second car. :smile:

 

Sitting position is high relative to the windshield not the height of the car. And just sitting in the car I can tell I will not enjoy driving it. As far as a second car, the MINI is already our second car. I'll probably have a for a couple more years and then it's off to the land of the P-car.

 

What makes the Miata so fun in the dry is what makes it so bad in the snow and ice (and you WILL get some in Fayetteville). Rear wheel drive. I have had three Miata's (or is that Miatae?). One M1 and two M2's. I feel that Ford now has WAY too much influence with Mazda. My M2's felt cheap and not screwed together very well. Rattles galore.

But it all depends on what you are expecting and want in a small car. My wife and I have been to the outlets at MB many times in one of our Miatae, and had the salesperson throw the shoe box away because there wasn't enough rom in the trunk for shoes and the box. Carry space in the MINI wins hands down with the rear seats folded.

And welcome to NC. You will be right down the road from where I work in Southern Pines (okay, Aberdeen).

 

Rev. Limiter is right. I had a M1 and had tons of rattles. I replaced the whole sound system (with good stuff) and I still thought it sounded bad, top up or down. The trunk is super small and I did ride home a lot with stuff piled all up in the car just to get it home. It's all ways fun to ask your girl freind to hold some of the groceries on her lap. A few time I had to put the top down and have things sticking out the top when the weather wasn't great. The car wasn't wonderful in bad weather either. It is a hand full to drive in real wet conditions.

That being said I loved that car! When you are out driving for driving sake it is fun all day. The Miata is one of my favorite cars and I'm sure I will get another one day.

Now I have a 2004 MCS and I would have to say it's more fun to drive (especially on the way back from the store). And now I don't have to leave my dog at home when I have a passenger. The stereo sounds pretty good and I haven't done anything to it yet. I just when Autocrossing for the first time and it was pouring down rain all day The MINI is amazing. I knew the handing was great but . The Miata would have been scary it that condition and I would never would have had that much confedence in it. There were two Miatas out there with me and they were having a hard time. The MINI allows you to have great fun driving and still get your life done. And you don't have to sit next to every person that gets in your car like your dating. On that note I would recommend taken one of your larger friends and go test drive both. I always hated the Miata when I was driving with a bigger person and we were almost rubbing shoulders and their heads touching the roof. The Miata leaves your passengers no where to put there arms. I always felt bad when I noticed how uncomfortible they were.

I just think the MINI is better for everything with out giving up any of the driving fun. But you can't go wrong with either.:smile:

 

So get the best of both worlds and get an MCS convertible! I have an '05 on the way (should be here this week!) to replace my '94 Miata. I love the Miata, but it only makes sense (to me) as a second car. And as a second car, it doesn't get driven as much as it should.
So out with the Passat and the Miata, in with the MCS cabrio!

The MINI will give me more safety, better all-weather capabilities, room for 4 passengers (sorta), and loads more cargo space. Not to mention far more amenities than my old Miata. And driving pleasure should be comparable, so what's not to like?

 

Speaking impartially (I'm going to make some enemies here) reviewers have been pretty unkind to the MINI convertable. Personally, I feel removing the top of a MINI kind of misses the point- it loses some of the squirtiness that made the MCS famous.

I'd say go with the Miata. It's your one chance to own a truly impractical fun machine. The RWD is a blast too.

 

I have a miata and my wife has a Mini on order. Both cars are a blast to drive. The trunk of the Miata in not THAT small. We packed for a weeks trip to NC from Philly for two of us and I still brought my clubs and a laptop and all fit in the trunk. As mentioned, take a look at the current Mazdaspeed Turbo. http://http://forum.miata.net/ubb/ul...c;f=7;t=005036 is a link talking about 04's being offered for $17,995.00, thats one heck of a deal.

 

Best deal out there right now is the 04 Mazdaspeed leftovers
I have an 01 ls and an 03S if I had to give one up, the S goes and the 01 Miata stays

 

Your right. The 04 Mazdaspeeds are a great deal. But he's talking the new 06 & I understand they are going to be priced upwards around 24-25K.

Lois

 

Oh man, I've been tempted and I'm not sure if I'm strong enough to resist...

The 18k Mazdaspeed is evil and must be bought. I was reading on that thread and they said a new downpipe yeilded another 40 HP!!! That's 220 rwhp for $18,195....

Being in SoCal, being a college student with no need for practicality, and owning an 03 MCS worth probably 21k, do you think I should switch over??

I feel so disloyal!

 

I understand, but such as if I was looking at a 04 MSM, I wouldn't pull the trigger on one until I drove the 06. He shouldn't pull the trigger on the 06 untill he drives the MSM.

 

Good idea. I think I'm going to like the new top, though. It just has a single latch and there is no tonneu cover for the top when it's down, which would really annoy me on the NB. Maybe I can live with it though, if it saves me $4,000. (When I make the decision in late summer, only '05s will be around still)