Mazda Miata

**dark_star** · 09-21-2014, 07:57 PM

My girlfriend just picked up a 2006 Mazda Miata from her brother, and last night I drove it back from Baltimore to Boston (taking some "back roads" detours along the way

). I am not a sports car aficionado (never owned one, drive a 4Runner) and my "sports car" driving experience is limited to a 2012 BMW 330i convertible that I drove a handful of times.

I've heard from folks who know cars that Miatas are the shit, and I am happy to report that the Miata is fucking FUN AS HELL. Steering is as tight and precise as I've experienced, cornering is stupid easy, six-speed transmission rocks, took it up to 95 with no problems on the highway- I want to drive it everywhere. Makes something as stupid as turning into a parking lot fucking fun as hell. I can't wait to take it on mountain back roads!!!! It was MUCH more fun than the BMW.

Do they look girly? Maybe a little. But I don't care. I want one bad.

Miatas fuckin' rock. That is all.

**irul&ublo** · 09-21-2014, 08:20 PM

We need naked pics of the GF before we can properly respond. Ullr demands it.

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**LightRanger** · 09-21-2014, 08:30 PM

What irul said.

And, I've driven my buddy's 2001 M Coupe (with coilovers and other stuff) and his Miata of roughly the same vintage. Many BMW engineers consider the Coupe the best car they've made for fun driving. I liked the Miata better. Not nearly as fast as the Coupe, but just more fun.

**stfu&gbtw** · 09-21-2014, 08:37 PM

I had a '94 M Edition in '97 and '98. They are incredibly fun. Who gives a shit what it looks like.. It's a great drive. Bought one of those instead of a 993, and am probably still alive because of that decision. It's a toy, and it's easy to push it harder than it wants to go, but it's reasonably legal fun.

**adrenalated** · 09-21-2014, 09:00 PM

I have a '96 as my beater commuter car. It makes commuting much more fun, that's for sure.

**Benny Profane** · 09-21-2014, 09:04 PM

Best value in sports cars, hands down, especially used with low mileage. After a lot of experience, my number one rule is to keep good fresh tires on it that excel in the rain, and never, never drive it in the snow.

**booner** · 09-21-2014, 09:18 PM

**irul&ublo** · 09-21-2014, 10:08 PM

I'm hoping that is not dark star's GF. Ullr will not be happy.

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**MakersTeleMark** · 09-21-2014, 10:25 PM

Can you call a miata a sports car? Great car, but a sports car?

**Mazderati** · 09-22-2014, 01:28 AM

It's the definition of a sports car.

**MontuckyFried** · 09-22-2014, 02:52 AM

Originally Posted by MakersTeleMark

Can you call a miata a sports car? Great car, but a sports car?

Take a look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sports_car and please tell us what the first picture you see in that link is of.

**dark_star** · 09-22-2014, 05:44 AM

Originally Posted by irul&ublo

I'm hoping that is not dark star's GF. Ullr will not be happy.

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Hey man, don't judge, we're in love.

Best value in sports cars, hands down, especially used with low mileage. After a lot of experience, my number one rule is to keep good fresh tires on it that excel in the rain, and never, never drive it in the snow.

Hmmm, yes of course I was worried about this, since it's her only car. I know it's super light, but do you think with really good snow tires it's still a horrible idea?

**Benny Profane** · 09-22-2014, 07:12 AM

Well, if she lives in a low snow place and gets good snow tires and fill the trunk with cat litter or something, she'll survive, but most most Miata owners park it for the winter.

**Benny Profane** · 09-22-2014, 07:13 AM

Originally Posted by MakersTeleMark

Can you call a miata a sports car? Great car, but a sports car?

I'm seriously confused by this post, so, please explain. What do you consider a "sports car".

**frorider** · 09-22-2014, 07:33 AM

He's probably thinking something like this:

**Benny Profane** · 09-22-2014, 07:43 AM

Buddy of mine in the 90s had a t top 6 speed Camaro that wasn't much different than that car. That was also a great value. Awesome car for the money that he spent on it used.

**dark_star** · 09-22-2014, 07:47 AM

Originally Posted by frorider

He's probably thinking something like this:

Funny, in my fantasy dream world of cool car buying, this car (in this model) was also near the top of my list.

**I've seen black diamonds!** · 09-22-2014, 08:19 AM

I had a '94 for a while. Doubt I'll ever own a car I enjoy as much.

**Tippster** · 09-22-2014, 09:09 AM

I don't think Camaros were ever considered a sports car, but a muscle car, especially since they're 4seaters. Heavy, over-powered, and relatively large. AFAIK the only true American "sports cars" are the Corvette and Viper.

**Benny Profane** · 09-22-2014, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by Tippster

I don't think Camaros were ever considered a sports car, but a muscle car, especially since they're 4seaters. Heavy, over-powered, and relatively large. AFAIK the only true American "sports cars" are the Corvette and Viper.

Mark Donahue and Roger Penske would differ.

Steve McQueen would protest from the Ford camp, also.

**Bobby Finstock** · 09-22-2014, 09:41 AM

**LightRanger** · 09-22-2014, 09:52 AM

Originally Posted by Benny Profane

Buddy of mine in the 90s had a t top 6 speed Camaro that wasn't much different than that car. That was also a great value. Awesome car for the money that he spent on it used.

Buddy in HS had a 94 Camaro with the six. Thing was slow as balls. We clocked it at something like... 11 seconds 0-60. Maybe I'm misremembering, but it was at least 9 and I swear it was 11. My Cherokee did 0-60 in under 8. That car definitely had a number of down years. They looked cool, and maybe the 350/454s were fast, but the model you saw most often on the road sure wasn't.

**stfu&gbtw** · 09-22-2014, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by Tippster

I don't think Camaros were ever considered a sports car, but a muscle car, especially since they're 4seaters. Heavy, over-powered, and relatively large. AFAIK the only true American "sports cars" are the Corvette and Viper.

There aren't any sports cars built by American manufacturers. Covette et al. are muscle cars. They're not bad cars, but there's no balance between handling and power. Closest contender might be the Ford Focus.

**stuckathuntermtn** · 09-22-2014, 10:31 AM

Corvette is a muscle car? I know it has a lot of power, but it also has a fiberglass body, big brakes, independent sports suspension, etc. Never driven one, though.

Never driven a Miata, either, but I've always heard great things about them, and they've been a lot less feminine the last few gens. Isn't there that billionaire who buys one every year?

**Sirshredalot** · 09-22-2014, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by stfu&gbtw

There aren't any sports cars built by American manufacturers. Covette et al. are muscle cars. They're not bad cars, but there's no balance between handling and power. Closest contender might be the Ford Focus.

The newer vettes actually do handle very well. But it's more akin to driving a Ferrari or a fast BMW or Mercedes than it is to driving a miata.