After driving a 1999 Miata for nearly six years, I got the itch for a new car.
The problem was finding a car that is responsive and fun as the Miata. The replacement was to be more practical but just as satisfying to drive as the Miata. I wanted a light, agile, reliable, driver's car that I could fit a bicycle into. The choices out there were slim. Here's what I considered and test drove:

Acura RSX:
210 horse power, It was fast enough, but lacked that connected to the road feel of the Miata. The steering was light and vague. The driving experience had a layer of insulation from that raw thrill of driving a Miata. The tuned roadster exhaust note was absent. Also missing was the feel of engine RPM vibrations through the soul of your accelerator foot and through your shifting hand as you work through the gears.

The RSX is a sporty car with a desirable luxury interior and a nice sound system. It has plenty of room for my bicycle with the back seats down. But, it wasn't enough to replace my Miata.

Mazda 3S:
I was hoping this car would work since it was a Mazda. But no, this car left me with the same impressions I felt after driving the RSX. I did like the styling inside as it gives you a more upscale feel versus the economy car look of other small cars.

Honda Element:
My practical side liked being able to put three bikes inside and carry two of my biking buddies to Centuries around Southern Californina. I liked the idea of Honda reliability. I even showed it to my wife. The radical styling kind of grows on you and the EX has a kick *** stereo. But I could just not see myself driving the Element to work every day for pleasure.

Mini Cooper S:
I kept coming back to this car. It's visually exciting. I read all the forums and asked a cycling buddy who has one. Reliability has improved. It's a hoot to drive. My test of the convertible S confirmed my Mini decision - although I did choose a hard top.

I held off a year thinking the prices or the waiting list situation would improve - only slightly. So, I finally bit the bullet and ordered my 2006 MCS in fear of the unknowns surrounding the 2007 redo.

I've had the MCS for two months and last week I sold the Miata. I thought I might feel sad, but I didn't. I debated keeping the Miata but that would leave me maintaining five cars in the family. Here's my driving comparison:

2006 MCS versus 1999 Miata:

Acceleration - Yeehaw!!! More torque, faster acceleration - I gotta watch it or I'm gonna get a ticket. I drove the car home to San Diego from Salt Lake City and out in the boonies I decided to breakaway from a pack of cars travelling 89 MPH. I did a quick but safe weave and hit the accelerator like in the Miata. There was a rush of acceleration. When I looked in the rear view mirror, the pack was gone. I checked the speedo and I was over a 110. Whoops...not used to acceleration that fast.

Cornering - The MCS is harder to master than the rear drive Miata. I gave the MCS a little too much throttle coming out of a corner and it nearly pulled me right into the curb. I had to do a quick steering adustment to straighten out of the turn. Front wheel drive with a lot of low-end torque - very different than the Miata. Mental note - I gotta re-learn taking corners at speed.

Ride - The MCS with run-flats has a stiffer ride than my sport touring Miata with 14 inch wheels. This only becomes apparent on poor roads. When the run-flats wear out, I'll put on a set of Yokohama ES AVS100's which should eliminate some of the harshness.

On the other hand, the MCS is a better long distance travel car. The windows go up, the A/C goes on and the ride is quiter and more civil than the buzz bomb Miata. Roll down the windows, open the sun roof, and enjoy the wind and tuned exhaust. It's not quite the open roadster feel of the Miata, but it is still enjoyable and a trade-off I made to gain a back seat.

Shift Linkage: - The Miata linkage is just a tad better feeling. I had to get used to six speeds and a slightly more complicated down-shift pattern.
But I really like the mechanical feel. It has the right tactile feel as you feel the gears slide into place. Yes! Excellent.

Verdict: - Yep, no doubt about it - This car puts a grin on my face every time I drive it. I love it! I sold the Miata. I wasn't sad. It more than replaced the Miata.

The practical side of me keeps track of gas mileage. Around town I average 24.3 MPG manually computing the average with a calculater. This confirmed my suspicion that the dash computer average was reading on the optimistic side of 26.4 MPG. It uses premium gas which should in theory hurt, but I find myself not caring. I figure I better get my ya-yah's before we all end up on motor scooters.

Driving the MCS leaves my bean counter sub-conscious in the dust. But I do have to answer to the ultra-practical, tight laced types in my circle that ask me if I'm having a mid-life crisis or a second childhood?

The answer? Yep, I schedule one every five years these days.

 

Miatas are fun & have 50/50 weight distribution

 

Great write-up! Glad you joined us!

On the twisties we have a lot of respect for the Miatas and the Miata drivers have a lot of respect for us. The cars are certainly different, but both are true driver's cars.

 

Nice to see a fellow San Diegan!

 

Great comparison. When I was ready to move on from the Pathfinder toward something small, more gas-friendly, and fun, I was looking at things like restored MG's, Triumphs, a Miata, or the Solstice that was just coming out. I had always coveted the classic Mini's, and when the new MINI came out I was drooling, but didn't think I could spend the money. I was also thinking of getting a motorcycle. But I found everything I was lookng for in the MCS- fun, sporty, fast, better gas mileage, fast, safe, fun, mostly practical, affordable (payments spread out so far I can't see, but worth it), fast, did I mention fun? I sometimes call it my 4-wheeled motorcycle.

Never regretted it. My girlfriend was impressed that I didn't wait until 70 to get my dream car. And my mom is glad I'm going 110 inside airbags, not leather skin.

Am I speaking to the choir when I say I think it's a darn-near perfect car?

 

BOTH CARS ARE ADMIRABLE IN MANY WAYS...CHOOSING THE MINI..
SETS YOU ABOVE 'THE REST'..!!!

 

The new Miata, (MX-5?), is coming out with a retractible hardtop in Sept.. Looked great in the Road and Track Sept. issue picture.

 

should've tried the CivicSI's instead of the RSX's.

regardless funny stuff.

 

Yep, I wanted to test drive the new Civic SI but the local saleman was a jerk. He seemed reluctant to even unlock the door and let me sit in the car. Then he kinda acted like he was screening me to see if I was even qualfied to be in his showroom. Jeez, since when did Honda's get so exclusive?

Test driving the car was out of the question unless I actually sat down and filled out a loan application. I didn't want to do that - too much time. I just wanted to see if I liked the car.

This guy pissed me off so much, I just walked out and said I was gonna buy an MCS. His attitude caused me to cross the Civic SI off the list. Then as I walked out, he started insulting the MCS as an inferior car.

Where do they get these guys?

So is the new Civic SI any better than the MCS?

 

Retractible hardtop on a classic roadster? Heresy!

 

Very well thought out comparison. I too have a Miata & a MINI. On those top down days I'm glad I kept my Miata, but on other days I'm glad I've got the MINI. I love them both & both cars are just wonderful. Different horses for different courses. Now we are up to four cars for me to care for. Seems as though the MINI & Miata get most of the TLC in my garage.

 

that sucks dude.... some car salesman are like that regardless of
car brand. it's sad to hear that they totally messed up presenting
Honda as a whole to you.

I have a 06CivicEX... when i walked into the Honda showroom
some younger sales-dood looked at me (our eyes met) but
then he looked away. so i just kept walking further into their
showroom...hell, i didn't care, i was buying a product from Honda,
not from some dumb college drop-out looking kid. and then another
salesman came up, this time a true car sales professional, with a
big smile and the attitude to help. i was in and out the door
within 2hrs with a brandnew car and great deal.

 

My GF has a BMW 330 conv that she wanted to keep the miles off and wanted something fun to buzz around town.... I suggested a Miata and we started looking ....she bought a 99 in beautiful shape and I have driven it a lot..... very connected to the road and lots of fun .... great car and for what they sell for used a real steal..... I really enjoy driving her car and we usually take it at night and put the top down ... but, for many of the reasons you stated, if I had to pick just one...it would be the Mini....

 

Excellent write up, garyklee! Had I read it before consulting Consumer Reports in 2005 I wouldn't have consulted CR, lol... The Miata was my other choice for new car as my wife and I do not want children (we leave that task to our respective siblings) and interior cubic footage isn't really an issue with us.
Coming from the ultimate, gas guzzling convertible, Jeep Wrangler, I decided to get back to a hard top car so I could carry the surfboard, the skis... Can't with a Miata. I absolutely love my MINI and you have just set into STONE any old thoughts I had on buying the Miata. Plus, we can carry our luggage in the MINI on the way to the airport.
When I pass a Miata on the road these days I'll give them the nod of approval (thank you, non SUV driver). But not a MINI wave. Glad you're happy! :-)

 

Hey Kenchan, what dealer did you go to?
My wife just got one from Schaumburg Honda and they were great.
Of course, my mini came from next door at Patrick.

 

Great write-up, makes me want to go out and look at the Miata again .
I think most MINI enthusiasts feel a kinship with the Miata folks, we seem to be a like minded group. Both are great drivers' cars that are affordable and a joy to behold, what's not to like!
Way back when (in the mid-late 80's, you Miata people would know when) my boss went to a focus group for a new convertible roadster. When she came into the office the next day she couldn't stop talking about this car that she had to have when it came out. A little less than a year later she saw the first pics of the new Mazda Miata and got on the first waiting list. When it finally came in she was ecstatic and was totally in love with this car. She had 60+ mile commute every day, so she kept her Honda Civic so she wouldn't put too many miles on her new baby. Back then I thought she was a nut, but I completely understand her now . I wonder if she still has that red Miata?
Annette

 

What you were saying about the Miata, is why I still have my MGB. Sometimes you just need a primitive, well handling roadster that you can drop the top on and feel all the wind on spring or fall days.

 

I have a 03 MCS and one of my good buddy has a 03 Miata. Sometimes we trade cars for the weekend for fun~ The Miatas are great cars, I LOVE the 6speed shifter for the miatas, It's way better than the MCS imo. Both cars are great, but I still like my MCS better~ :P

 

i got mine from Lisle. Sch Honda didn't have ANY EX sedans in-stock
when i went in. they had a lot of LX's..but i didn't want the LX cause
only $1200 more and you can get the EX which is so much nicer.

I got my car repaired at Sch Honda (yes,,,, my dreaded rant over
in the Off-Topic Auto's...had both front struts and motor mount
replaced already only 1500miles due to noise... one of the
notorious bugs on these new CivicLX/EX's) and they took an entire
week to fix it. regardless, they were able to fix it completely and
i usually shop there myself (and PatrickMINI next door )

other then that ordeal, i am quite happy with the Civic. if i had my
hands on a Si sedan it may be able to do double duty... meaning,
taking over my fuel efficient commuting needs and perhaps even
my MCS.

..ok, just kidding about the last part. 2 reasons:
1. i hate driving MT to work.
2. MCS is not replacable with another car.

btw, on your Civic, i recommend running Polk DB650's up front
and a small Bazooka 6.5" self powered sub in the trunk. the stereo
sounds sooooo good from such a small upgrade. i love listening
to my MP3's on that car during the commute.

im probably going to end up lowering it and getting some Weds
wheels on it.

 

BoCRon, Mazda Miatas were first released in 1990.

It has been the most successful car for Mazda in the past 16 years.

 

nice writeu-up. and congrats on the Mini

 

also a miata to MINI convert. Your write up is spot on...

And, I also really thought that I would miss the miata, but I really don't. Not that I still don't grin every time I see one (becasue I do) but for day to day life the MINI is perfect for me. Just about as fast as my turbo 95, but no issues or problems to worry about. I think a 15% pulley will bring the MINI right to about where the miata was power wise.

As for the shifter, I have to agree with you. I added the Helix shift extention kit. FOr about $50 it makes a WORLD of difference.

enjoy!

-jac

 

my lil' stable...we think alike

02 S - dark silver club ..... my son nearly cried when he thought I'd traded, but I kept the....

'95 Miata - red of course: convert' MINI - THAT's heresy...when I want a top down day, it is time to roll out the Miata. 2 seats and the top down in a rear wheel drive sports car...it don't get Mo Betta dan dat. And what better way to spend a Saturday then to buff out that un-clear coated, love to fade - red paint! Mine still shines...garages, clay bars and Mother's wax to thank.... Great car for a new driver too - he couldn't pile 6 friends in it....and if you can get a girl in trouble in a Miata yo are a contortionist! Esp if you are 6'1"

03 Element - there is nothing with more back seat leg room short of a stretch limo. For a family of 4, an almost ideal hauler

and...cz ya just gotta have one...a very not stock, MK-4, 79, RHD Mini


BTW - I don't recall what the first model year of the Miata was (but be heading to Miata pages to check...) but I VIVIDLY recall the first time I ever saw one. It was on I-95 north bound, in north Georgia, in Aug of 1989. I was en route Cape Canaveral to D.C. in my convert' Rabbit (a damn decent car, and perhaps the best convert you could buy then), when a blue Miata passed me. I chased it for couple a miles to get a GOOD look....it was something to behold and I knew I had to get one. Took a few years but one day the wife said "why don't you buy something small that gets good gas milage....you don't need a car we can all fit in, we already have one of those" I was home in 2 hours with a Miata.....

 

1st Miata I saw was in San Diego in August of 1989. We were down there for a convention, and I about pulled a neck muscle turning to look at it.

 

Same thing happened to me although I called to see if I could schedule a test drive. The salesperson told me I could test drive it if I signed a purchase agreement and I was like, doesn't that defeat the "test" portion of the drive? He asked me if I would like my new car to have someone elses miles on it. I said no, and I guess that's why I'm getting a MINI and hung up.