Someone talke me out of trading my 240sx for a Miata....

[Natty]

Okay, I love my 240sx, it's the perfect car for me. Everytime I see it and drive it, I smile. It get the very same feeling driving now that I did 2.5 years ago when I bought it, sheer joy.

However, lately I have been looking into Miatas for 3 reasons. It's convertible, it's has the same characteristics that made my buy the s13 (rwd, weight, 50/50 dist, disc brakes, reliable, etc), and it's alot cheaper to mod. Theyc an be found with 5 speed and LSD's quite easily around here.

I will never be able to afford to turbo my aging KA or swap in an SR. I can get an older, early 90's miata, turbo kit, and hardtop for $5k. The other mods would come later on down the road.

The only thing that keeps me from selling it is that every last single person who has sold their 240sx has regretted it. I'm looking at my car right now, and it still looks damn good.
Any thoughts or input?

[JasonNagra]

I say keep the S13. Miatas are great cars, I got to drive one at Willow Springs and it felt nice. However I like my S13 A LOT more. I preffer the longer wheelbase too! S13 is a better looking car IMO.

[Natty]

Yeah, I agree, the S13 is alot better looking, but that's very subjective. I love the fastback

[old_s13]

If the S13 is the perfect car for you, then you wouldnt sell it.. and you wouldnt be asking us for advice.

If the Miata is a car that you like, you would own it already.

For me, the Miata is a fun car but the older models are too unsafe for my taste. Actually, I dont even trust the newer models in terms of safety. But safety aside, I love the car and very much appreciate its size and light weight chassis. However, what else IS there to the car? There's really no sense of practicality, its just a small commuter car for 2.. and 2 SMALL people at that. I am 5'8" and it fits me fine, but there are plenty of people I know who wouldnt be able to fit in that vehicle.

So if you want a Miata buy one. If you want a 240SX, keep yours -- it should be as simple as that.

- Mike

[matlock]

If you could keep your S13 and get the Miata that would be cool, you should try to do that, so that way you don't give up anything and you gain another car. I almost got a Miata and I am glad I didn't and im glad I went with the 240, this way I can actually carry like a 24 pack of soda and a friend in my car lol, jk but those miatas are so small I would get sick of the smallness after a while I think.

[joho101]

I own both a 240sx with an sr20 and a 2001 miata. They are both great cars and I love driving both. I also work at a racetrack and get to cruise around in spec miatas and they handle great but they could use a little more power. If i had to choose between a N/A 240 and a turbo miata I hate to say it but I would probably choose the miata. But not being able to fit that much stuff in the car does get kindof old. So if you dont mind sacrificing a little practicality then I say go for the miata and if you have to have your room dont even think about it.

[driftz240sx]

I remember reading that the miata was like #4 on the top 5 gayest cars. I think the beetle came in 1st

[joho101]

I dont think that you would say that they are gay when you see what kindof times they run on the track.

[typhoonslippery]

I want to get a miata as well ...I say do it

[Doriftomodachi]

if you ever get a sex change then you can buy the miata

[Natty]

I'm secure enough in my straightness to drive a Miata, but thanks for the heads up. I really don't ever carry anything around, so I figure a 2 seater with a small trunk should be enough space. I'll test drive one first, obviously.

[thx247]

I'm looking at the miata for very similar reasons, easy on tires and brakes and I can get a CARB legal turbo kit on it for relatively little hassle. The only problems I have seen with Miatas thus far is that there is no space in them. I can take the 240 to the track and have in the back hatch area all my tires and tools and things I need. With the Miata I'm going to have to get a trailer or load up my crap in other peoples cars. Not too cool imo.

[clean]

your gonna get bias answers here since it is a 240 forum. just weigh out the pro's and con's and then decide. why cant you afford and sr20? if your gonna sell your 240 and get a miata you can afford an sr20. do whatever you want. and anyone who relates cars to thier sexuality is fucking stupid, saying someone is gay for owning a certain car is damm weak. either way its gonna cost to go fast.

[Natty]

Originally Posted by clean

your gonna get bias answers here since it is a 240 forum. just weigh out the pro's and con's and then decide. why cant you afford and sr20? if your gonna sell your 240 and get a miata you can afford an sr20. do whatever you want. and anyone who relates cars to thier sexuality is fucking stupid, saying someone is gay for owning a certain car is damm weak. either way its gonna cost to go fast.

Yeah, I figured someone would bring up the whole "gay car" stigma
I know it will still cost to go fast, either way. I can get a Miata for $3.5k and a greddy turbo kit with an intercooler for another $2k.
I've honestly never researched SR's, but I always figured it would cost at least $4k. I already have put up a list of pros and cons of each, but it always helps to get an outside opinion

[NervGS]

Only idiots care if a car's "gay" or not. Insecurity at it's worst.

I owned a 97 S14 back in 2000, now thats gone, I got a 90' Miata in 2002. Ever since then, got suspension (KYB Buzz Spec, Mazdaspeed springs, JR sways) and a variety of wheels I've been borrowing from people here and there. I'll say this versus the S14, the Miata is 10x's more funner to drive just because of the handling alone. Sure, mini-van's will beat you from a stop, but after driving the car for a few weeks you won't care because you can out handle most things on the road (even at stock levels). It's fun to keep up with cars 2x's your power on twisty roads.

I say, keep the 240, save up for a Miata. I'm getting back into 240's again, and am doing the same thing, I got the SR in the backyard, and saving up for suspension, transmission parts and chassis.

Miata are cheap, I got mine for $2,350, it had 135,000 on it, top wasn't in the greatest condition, and paint sucked, but you can find much better ones in that price range (I was forced to buy one fast because school started the following day). Suspension I spent was $500 for everything, and I got a used Greddy turbo for $1,200 (including i/c piping, timing/knock controller, blow-off valve), spent a long time looking for a cheap Starion i/c ($70!), and 1.8 injectors for a carton of sake. Keep in mind this is for the 1.6, and the Greddy kit is only available in the 1.6. ALSO, used low-milage 1.6 blocks go for about $500 from Soken other engine shops out in SoCal, so they aren't very expensive. The stock 14's are really light and good, and also go good with Azenis (like $45 each), so its super cheap... Hehehehe.

I dunno what else to say, its a fun car, very reliable, and women like it. Kind of unpractical (live with it), but there are always ways around stuff like that.

Email me if you want more details.

-glenn

[thx247]

Originally Posted by clean

your gonna get bias answers here since it is a 240 forum. just weigh out the pro's and con's and then decide. why cant you afford and sr20? if your gonna sell your 240 and get a miata you can afford an sr20. do whatever you want. and anyone who relates cars to thier sexuality is fucking stupid, saying someone is gay for owning a certain car is damm weak. either way its gonna cost to go fast.

Since the SR is an illegal motor, its hard to put a price on the fact that the greddy kit is legal and the SR is not.

[justeno_heat]

Originally Posted by thx247

Since the SR is an illegal motor, its hard to put a price on the fact that the greddy kit is legal and the SR is not.

Since when is the SR20 an illegel motor?

[NervGS]

Originally Posted by justeno_heat

Since when is the SR20 an illegel motor?

Since the RWD variation was never sold in the US, it is illegal to swap into 240's and such for street use... But swapping them into smog exempt cars (510, 1500, 1600, 2000 Roadsters, etc) are an exception.

-glenn

[thx247]

Originally Posted by justeno_heat

Since when is the SR20 an illegel motor?

Mr. Technicality! You got me there!

I get you for spelling.

[brokenben]

miatas are nice.. but i will always be scared in one. if i bought a miata.. the first thing i would buy is a roll bar and a hardtop...

[TheTicTac]

if you want a turbo miata wait for the mazdaspeed version to show up. I hope the new coupe comes to the states, saw it at sema and it looks awesome.

[thx247]

Can't afford to wad up a nice new car on the track! A crappy used miata = who cares

[goodjuan]

[nightwalker]

I was owned by a miata on the touge. Those things are insanely fast. Get one and keep the 240. I secretly want one too.

[No Motiv]

night walker... dont you have a miata?

[old_s13]

I was owned by a miata on the touge.

Ah yes, I love it when people use JDM words. What about larger mountain passes? While the Miata may be a great handling car on lower speed turns, I doubt the car performs well on larger canyon roads where you can hit speeds of 80-100mph. I mean I agree that its a great canyon car, but words like "touge" are just so silly to use.


I remember reading that the miata was like #4 on the top 5 gayest cars. I think the beetle came in 1st

Its called small penis insecurity.. thats why there are still lots of "macho men" who drive Camaros and Firebirds and think they are not gay.

[nightwalker]

touge, mountain roads, whatever. It's all the same to me. Yes, miatas, are fast, no I don't own one. touge touge touge touge. wangan wangan wangan.

old s13, the average speed on this "touge" that I was owned is about 70mph. Don't doubt the "gay man's" car.

[old_s13]

What do you mean by doubt? The Miata is a slug in terms of accelleration in stock trim, what is there to worry about? I like the Miata, I think its a fun car but just like the 240SX, Corolla GT-S, and various other cars. Lets not forget, these cars are typically pretty weak until tuned. (Not modified, TUNED).

Second, I just think its silly to use Japanese words on a US forum.. zenki kouki touge blah blah.. its one thing to UNDERSTAND another language, its silly to start using words as if they are cool. Its like people calling their 240SX'es "RPS13"

- Mike

ps: In my opinion, the Miata is pretty weak at higher speeds. If someone raced you in a Miata at higher speeds and you lost, you should look into retuning your S13.

[Grant]

Originally Posted by old_s13

What do you mean by doubt? The Miata is a slug in terms of accelleration in stock trim, what is there to worry about? I like the Miata, I think its a fun car but just like the 240SX, Corolla GT-S, and various other cars. Lets not forget, these cars are typically pretty weak until tuned. (Not modified, TUNED).

Second, I just think its silly to use Japanese words on a US forum.. zenki kouki touge blah blah.. its one thing to UNDERSTAND another language, its silly to start using words as if they are cool. Its like people calling their 240SX'es "RPS13"

- Mike

ps: In my opinion, the Miata is pretty weak at higher speeds. If someone raced you in a Miata at higher speeds and you lost, you should look into retuning your S13.

yup. technically we got the RHS13 (89-90 fastback) and the RMS13 (91-93 fastback)..

so should we start calling 240sx coupes TWO-VIAs now?

[Doriftomodachi]

Originally Posted by old_s13

What do you mean by doubt? The Miata is a slug in terms of accelleration in stock trim, what is there to worry about? I like the Miata, I think its a fun car but just like the 240SX, Corolla GT-S, and various other cars. Lets not forget, these cars are typically pretty weak until tuned. (Not modified, TUNED).

Second, I just think its silly to use Japanese words on a US forum.. zenki kouki touge blah blah.. its one thing to UNDERSTAND another language, its silly to start using words as if they are cool. Its like people calling their 240SX'es "RPS13"

- Mike

ps: In my opinion, the Miata is pretty weak at higher speeds. If someone raced you in a Miata at higher speeds and you lost, you should look into retuning your S13.

This is America, espeak espanish! Seriously, it's a FREE COUNTRY. He can use whatever word he likes. If you think it's ghey that's your opinion