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Posted: 4/22/2015 8:44:33 AM EDT
[#1]
Miata. Way easier to live with and cheaper in the long run.
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Posted: 4/22/2015 9:03:04 AM EDT
[#2]
Miata handles better for sure.
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Posted: 4/22/2015 9:26:26 AM EDT
[#3]
Miata, the MINI was a great idea that got much too bloated in development; trying to be all things to all people.
The Miata has retained it's "Japanese Lotus Elan" flavor and although criticized for being small and cramped compares quite well with the cars it was modeled after. Lotus Elan Wheelbase 84.0 in (2,134 mm) Length 145.0 in (3,683 mm) Width 56.0 in (1,422 mm) Height 45.5 in (1,156 mm) Curb weight 1,516.8 lb (688 kg) Fiat 124 Spider Wheelbase 89.75 in (2,280 mm) Length 156.25 in (3,969 mm) Width 63.5 in (1,613 mm) Height 49.25 in (1,251 mm) Mazda Miata *Gen III* Wheelbase 2,329.18 mm (91.7 in) Length 4,000–4,020 mm (157.5–158.3 in) Width 1,720 mm (67.7 in) Height 1,240–1,255 mm (48.8–49.4 in) Curb weight 1,110–1,153 kg (2,447–2,542 lb) |
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Posted: 4/22/2015 11:31:02 AM EDT
[#4]
Seems like miata is the winner all around. However I'm guessing the mini would blow it away in a drag race.
Thanks -Emt1581 |
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Posted: 4/22/2015 11:40:06 AM EDT
[#5]
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Seems like miata is the winner all around. However I'm guessing the mini would blow it away in a drag race. Thanks -Emt1581 They are about the same (Cooper S compared to NC). |
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Posted: 4/22/2015 12:27:48 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
They are about the same (Cooper S compared to NC). Quote HistoryQuoted:
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Seems like miata is the winner all around. However I'm guessing the mini would blow it away in a drag race. Thanks -Emt1581 They are about the same (Cooper S compared to NC). Oh ok. I always thought the mini had a larger engine. Then again I'm basing that off of how fast they looked in "the Italian job". 
Thanks -Emt1581 |
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Posted: 4/22/2015 10:01:50 PM EDT
[#7]
Mini S would blow away a Miata in a drag race. Except when the Mini is riding a rollback to the stealership.
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Posted: 4/23/2015 1:01:02 PM EDT
[#8]
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Mini S would blow away a Miata in a drag race. Except when the Mini is riding a rollback to the stealership. That remains to be seen considering how light the new miata is. |
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Posted: 4/23/2015 1:52:12 PM EDT
[#9]
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Mini S would blow away a Miata in a drag race. Except when the Mini is riding a rollback to the stealership. If you compare the two, you'll find they're similar, depending on trim level. |
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Posted: 4/23/2015 2:30:24 PM EDT
[#10]
I would think the Miata would be more fun just by virtue of being RWD . I know rwd is more fun
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Posted: 4/23/2015 3:41:49 PM EDT
[#11]
When I sat in a Miata, my line of sight goes right thru the sun visor. The top has to be down or my head hits the roof. In order to avoid these conditions, I had to lay the seat so far back it ws not appropriate for driving.
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Posted: 4/23/2015 3:44:43 PM EDT
[#12]
I suspect my MINI is more comfortable, and it certainly can carry far more stuff. It handles like a wet dream and is very quick off the line.
But. The Miata is far sexier, and in convertible form would be oh so much fun to drive. |
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Posted: 4/23/2015 4:03:41 PM EDT
[#13]
They're different cars.
The mini is more practical, but in trade you sit much higher, have wrong wheel drive, and have a significant amount more weight ahead of the wheels and above the ideal center of gravity. Not saying it's bad in these areas, it just wasn't purpose built as a sports cars, it's a well sprung econobox. The miata is probably slower in a straight line, because it's supposed to be. The purpose of the miata is to give you the ability to fling your car into a turn at maximum attack at 40 mph and nail the gas to get the back to ever so slightly come around. When you add more power it makes the car less stable, and the miata is about pure joy and fun in driving, not straight line speed OR super car level cornering, so that's the way it was designed. The miata is not a good car if you have lots of things/people to move around, and generally is very impractical. As the soul of a sports car, that's the way it should be. If practicality is a concern, get a mini. If you want to have a smile on your face every moment you're in the car, wind blowing and sun shining, effortlessly tearing around corners and whipping down country roads, there are few other cars on the planet that can.provide that feeling at the level of the Mazda MX-5, and none of them are economy cars |
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Posted: 4/23/2015 6:13:26 PM EDT
[#14]
Should also add, Miatas are actually quite reliable and maintain resale value well, esp. special edition models.
Minis are very unreliable and value drops like a rock. |
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Posted: 4/23/2015 6:19:12 PM EDT
[#15]
Lol to this thread.
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Posted: 4/23/2015 6:21:30 PM EDT
[#16]
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Lol to this thread. LOL @ you. You talk a good game, but I think you're full of it. |
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Posted: 4/23/2015 6:22:30 PM EDT
[#17]
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LOL @ you. You talk a good game, but I think you're full of it. Quote HistoryQuoted:
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Lol to this thread. LOL @ you. You talk a good game, but I think you're full of it. My Miata is all one color... (Mostly, Japanese Racing Pink bumpers not withstanding). 
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Posted: 4/23/2015 6:23:47 PM EDT
[#18]
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My Miata is all one color... (Mostly, Japanese Racing Pink bumpers not withstanding). Quote HistoryQuoted:
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Lol to this thread. LOL @ you. You talk a good game, but I think you're full of it. My Miata is all one color... (Mostly, Japanese Racing Pink bumpers not withstanding). Racial purist. |
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Posted: 4/23/2015 11:22:54 PM EDT
[#19]
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Posted: 4/23/2015 11:25:33 PM EDT
[#20]
Quoted:
I have experience with Miatas but none with Minis. Which handles better? Which is the better all-around vehicle...which may be just personal preference. Thanks -Emt1581 WRX |
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Posted: 4/23/2015 11:32:28 PM EDT
[#21]
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WRX Quote HistoryQuoted:
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I have experience with Miatas but none with Minis. Which handles better? Which is the better all-around vehicle...which may be just personal preference. Thanks -Emt1581 WRX YOU JUST DID THIS |
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Posted: 4/24/2015 9:12:41 AM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuote HistoryQuoted:
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I have experience with Miatas but none with Minis. Which handles better? Which is the better all-around vehicle...which may be just personal preference. Thanks -Emt1581 WRX YOU JUST DID THIS Kind of, but a new WRX is only about $2k more than a new Miata. And I love me some WRX. But it's not really in the same category as a Miata, handling wise. Unless we are talking snow, ice, and gravel. |
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Posted: 4/25/2015 10:40:17 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
When I sat in a Miata, my line of sight goes right thru the sun visor. The top has to be down or my head hits the roof. In order to avoid these conditions, I had to lay the seat so far back it ws not appropriate for driving. Same here. Drove my aunt's Miata. I figured my head was the first line of defense in a rollover. |
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Posted: 4/25/2015 11:53:28 PM EDT
[#24]
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Same here. Drove my aunt's Miata. I figured my head was the first line of defense in a rollover. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
When I sat in a Miata, my line of sight goes right thru the sun visor. The top has to be down or my head hits the roof. In order to avoid these conditions, I had to lay the seat so far back it ws not appropriate for driving. Same here. Drove my aunt's Miata. I figured my head was the first line of defense in a rollover. Originally I was planning to buy a pristine 94 or 95 that my son and I could supercharge and then he could have it at 16. But my wife pointed out that he's got her family's height. Some of them are 6' 3" and 6' 4". No way in hell he'd fit! So now I figure ill spend considerably less on one with a little rust, drive the hell out of it and get rid of it in a few. Probably trade up to a mustang that WILL fit him. -Emt1581 |
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Posted: 4/25/2015 11:59:56 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Same here. Drove my aunt's Miata. I figured my head was the first line of defense in a rollover. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
When I sat in a Miata, my line of sight goes right thru the sun visor. The top has to be down or my head hits the roof. In order to avoid these conditions, I had to lay the seat so far back it ws not appropriate for driving. Same here. Drove my aunt's Miata. I figured my head was the first line of defense in a rollover. Out of curiosity, what year and how tall. |
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Posted: 4/26/2015 12:33:45 AM EDT
[#26]
I know in 1st gens i have to lean forwards to see traffic lights.
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Posted: 4/27/2015 1:37:16 AM EDT
[#27]
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Out of curiosity, what year and how tall. Quote HistoryQuoted:
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When I sat in a Miata, my line of sight goes right thru the sun visor. The top has to be down or my head hits the roof. In order to avoid these conditions, I had to lay the seat so far back it ws not appropriate for driving. Same here. Drove my aunt's Miata. I figured my head was the first line of defense in a rollover. Out of curiosity, what year and how tall. Third gen. 2006, I believe. 6'3 with a long ass torso and huge head. (I can only wear "tall" shirts and have to order the largest helmet possible) I can fit myself in a Spec Miata with a racing seat bolted to the floor. Still not comfortable. |
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Posted: 4/27/2015 1:46:01 AM EDT
[#28]
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Third gen. 2006, I believe. 6'3 with a long ass torso and huge head. (I can only wear "tall" shirts and have to order the largest helmet possible) I can fit myself in a Spec Miata with a racing seat bolted to the floor. Still not comfortable. Quote HistoryQuoted:
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When I sat in a Miata, my line of sight goes right thru the sun visor. The top has to be down or my head hits the roof. In order to avoid these conditions, I had to lay the seat so far back it ws not appropriate for driving. Same here. Drove my aunt's Miata. I figured my head was the first line of defense in a rollover. Out of curiosity, what year and how tall. Third gen. 2006, I believe. 6'3 with a long ass torso and huge head. (I can only wear "tall" shirts and have to order the largest helmet possible) I can fit myself in a Spec Miata with a racing seat bolted to the floor. Still not comfortable. 6'3" seems to be about the threshold of comfort (depending on body type) according to most folks. I asked due to the tendency of folks to lump Miatas into one group when the NC's are significantly more roomy (and more powerful). |
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Posted: 4/27/2015 11:11:44 AM EDT
[#29]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
6'3" seems to be about the threshold of comfort (depending on body type) according to most folks. I asked due to the tendency of folks to lump Miatas into one group when the NC's are significantly more roomy (and more powerful). Quote HistoryQuoted:
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When I sat in a Miata, my line of sight goes right thru the sun visor. The top has to be down or my head hits the roof. In order to avoid these conditions, I had to lay the seat so far back it ws not appropriate for driving. Same here. Drove my aunt's Miata. I figured my head was the first line of defense in a rollover. Out of curiosity, what year and how tall. Third gen. 2006, I believe. 6'3 with a long ass torso and huge head. (I can only wear "tall" shirts and have to order the largest helmet possible) I can fit myself in a Spec Miata with a racing seat bolted to the floor. Still not comfortable. 6'3" seems to be about the threshold of comfort (depending on body type) according to most folks. I asked due to the tendency of folks to lump Miatas into one group when the NC's are significantly more roomy (and more powerful). Yep. I dont have a problem with either width-wise, though I feel claustrophobic in any second gen wearing a hard top and sporting any sort of roll cage. Mind you, my head damn near hits the ceiling of many 4 door sedans equipped with a sunroof. Oddly sized torso, after all. |
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Posted: 5/17/2015 12:41:58 AM EDT
[#30]
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When I sat in a Miata, my line of sight goes right thru the sun visor. The top has to be down or my head hits the roof. In order to avoid these conditions, I had to lay the seat so far back it ws not appropriate for driving. I an 6' 1" 255 lbs. I have leg room, head room and my arm stretch is good. The only problem with my NB is my right knee hits the console. Placed a computer wrist pad on it with Velcro. Miata gets a bad rap for not fitting a big guy. But there are many ways around it. |
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Posted: 5/27/2015 12:50:29 PM EDT
[#31]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I an 6' 1" 255 lbs. I have leg room, head room and my arm stretch is good. The only problem with my NB is my right knee hits the console. Placed a computer wrist pad on it with Velcro. Miata gets a bad rap for not fitting a big guy. But there are many ways around it. Quote HistoryQuoted:
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When I sat in a Miata, my line of sight goes right thru the sun visor. The top has to be down or my head hits the roof. In order to avoid these conditions, I had to lay the seat so far back it ws not appropriate for driving. I an 6' 1" 255 lbs. I have leg room, head room and my arm stretch is good. The only problem with my NB is my right knee hits the console. Placed a computer wrist pad on it with Velcro. Miata gets a bad rap for not fitting a big guy. But there are many ways around it. Word. I'm 6'3" and have been driving an NA for more than 24 years (bought it new in '91) without issue. (I did remove the OEM sun visors completely, FWIW.) The 100 pounds I've put on since I first bought it has made much more comfort difference than my height, to be honest, but I still fit. 
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Posted: 5/27/2015 11:37:47 PM EDT
[#32]
miata for sure. they are very popular in the autocross / road course community.
I owned a very good condition NA when I lived out in vegas as a fun second car. I miss that thing almost every day. Im 6'-2" so it was a little cramped but it was SO much fun to drive around int he desert / up in the mountains around vegas. I will own another one someday. edit - don't even think about getting an automatic... manual is an absolute must |
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Posted: 5/28/2015 10:18:31 AM EDT
[#33]
It's probably been mentioned already, but reliability and resale value of the Miata is much higher than it is for the Mini. The mini drops off a cliff once the factory warranty is done.
I know that doesn't answer OPs original question, but it would be good to know. |
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