Miata or SE-R?

[StraightSix]

I'm sure Porsche and BMW were looking for inspiration from Mazda

And I wouldn't attribute the "revival" of the roadster to the Miata...that's a pretty bold statement. Don't freak out, but it's not quite the Automotive Icon you're making it out to be.

Um, pretty much every major automotive magazine disagrees with you.

Think about it, how many manufacturers offered relatively inexpensive drop top in 1990? It was only after the introduction and market success of the Miata that other manufacturers took note and began build competitors to the Miata. I doubt BMW's Z3 would have been built, or Honda's S2000, among others. The Miata really brought to the fore that consumers wanted a fun, rwd, convertible that wasn't astronomically expensive.

Heh, in fact, I remember when the Miata was introduced, automotive journalists were absolutely smitten with them.

Another thing to think about....in amateur road racing there are now several spec classes...SpecE30, Spec944, SpecNeon, SpecFocus, Spec7 and the one that started the Spec racing craze in amatuer motorsports SpecMiata. As it turns out, the Miata makes a really fun race car, too, whodathunkit.

To the OP: Having driven a Miata a time to two, Miatas are really, really a blast to drive. The handling is pretty neutral, but it is not a rocket in a straight line. Miatas are the epitome of a momentum car on a road course. My vote would be for the Miata, but it's your money and you have to be happy with your purchase. I would recommend test driving all the cars in question and buy the one that "speaks" to you.

[metalman]

And I wouldn't attribute the "revival" of the roadster to the Miata...that's a pretty bold statement. Don't freak out, but it's not quite the Automotive Icon you're making it out to be.

Hahahaha...thats the funniest uninformed nonsense in this thread.

You need to study your automotive history just a bit. StraightSix has it right.
The Miata not only revived the whole class of affordable rear wheel drive roadsters, inspired all manner of amateur spec racing, it has gone on to become the worlds top selling sportscar.
So, like it or not, the ghey little Miata/MX5 is an icon.

[Spectic Tank]

Hahahaha...thats the funniest uninformed nonsense in this thread.

You need to study your automotive history just a bit. StraightSix has it right.
The Miata not only revived the whole class of affordable rear wheel drive roadsters, inspired all manner of amateur spec racing, it has gone on to become the worlds top selling sportscar.
So, like it or not, the ghey little Miata/MX5 is an icon.

I said it wasn't quite the Icon Straight6 was making it out to be. He said something to the effect "...if it wasn't for the Miata the automotive world would be A LOT different...". Now, that IS nonsense. There is a WHOLE lot more to the entire 'Automotive world" than a couple RWD roadsters.

[Elbow]

No, he said the world about rwd roadsters and such. And it did add to the list of RWD cars and the ones that were made after it.

[StraightSix]

I said it wasn't quite the Icon Straight6 was making it out to be. He said something to the effect "...if it wasn't for the Miata the automotive world would be A LOT different...". Now, that IS nonsense. There is a WHOLE lot more to the entire 'Automotive world" than a couple RWD roadsters.

The Miata IS the automotive icon that Straight6 was making the car out to be. I agree with him that the automotive world that we are living in now would be a lot different if the Miata hadn't come along.

I suppose a better question at this point in the thread is what makes a car an automive icon? An automotive icon is something that has a great influence and impact on the market place.

[Spectic Tank]

The Miata IS the automotive icon that Straight6 was making the car out to be. I agree with him that the automotive world that we are living in now would be a lot different if the Miata hadn't come along.

I suppose a better question at this point in the thread is what makes a car an automive icon? An automotive icon is something that has a great influence and impact on the market place.

How? because there wouldn't be as many RWD roadsters? I'm sorry, but I fail to see how that equates to A LOT of difference in the ENTIRE automotive world. Maybe A LOT of difference in one specific category, but the entire Automotive world...not hardly.

I never said that the Miata wasn't an Icon or that it didn't influence the marketplace. It's just the fact that there is a lot more to the automotive industry than sportscars, and I refuse to believe that the Miata had any impact on anything aother than a few roadsters (which is only a small fraction of the automotive industry).

Man, you miata guys are defensive...

[Motivation]

The Miata IS the automotive icon that Straight6 was making the car out to be. I agree with him that the automotive world that we are living in now would be a lot different if the Miata hadn't come along.

I suppose a better question at this point in the thread is what makes a car an automive icon? An automotive icon is something that has a great influence and impact on the market place.

Actually this would be a better question for ANOTHER thread... The original question for this thread was the opinion between two cars and then later on added a third car. The question was not what would have happened if Miata was never manufactured, or what would have happened to the roadster scene, or if it is an automotive icon. I think his answer was already answered. He's already picked up the car.


Good luck with the car you bought man. Hope ya like it and it works out for what ya wanted.

[FlipKing]

Yeah, Got the SE-R. just bought a clutch and tires for it, tranny swap and clutch with in a few days hopefully. Thing pulls pretty damn hard,lol. I think his ad was right about low 15's, feels it anyway. Did a test run the other night, spun in first, second, then broke loose in 3rd. It is rough around the edges but it has potential. I love it.

[Paree4g63]

Se-R FTW!! I used to own one, my bros & cousins all have one! fastest se-r in my family is 13's all motor. So much you can do to a se-r....I've had about 4 cars in my past, so I just wanted one reliable long term car..the EVO! no car searching for me for awhile. Good luck and nice choice!

[JITB]

10lb flywheel + 1.8 = problem solved.

Also,
2001+ BP has a main bearing support cradle
1.8's also get a solid lifter/better flowing head (and can be swapped to ANY 1.8)
Progressive TPS sensor
Better AFM


1.8>1.6

all protege Bp's from 90-95 have mbsc's !

20B>FE3>bp>b6

only thing b6's have over the bp is their thicker rods, and u can throw those in a bp//

BUT, se-r's are one of my favs also..

[Doppelgänger]

I think his ad was right about low 15's, feels it anyway. Did a test run the other night, spun in first, second, then broke loose in 3rd. It is rough around the edges but it has potential. I love it.

I LOL'ed.

Spinning tires only means the thing has PISS POOR grip.... just want you need when bragging about the awesome power of a 15 second car. Since you got mad powers, i'll run you.... i can't even spin 1st gear in my car.

[FlipKing]

What do you drive then?I'm not saying its the greatest car on earth. I said it pulls pretty hard, and I loved it, dont remember saying you had too....hmmm, must of forgot i said that.

[redrumracer]

It isn't just the flywheel/clutch that makes the car rev faster you know - the crankshaft is heavier in the 1.8. I have to agree with Simontibbett, I like the 1.6 engines better. The 1.6 revs quicker than the 1.8, plus the 1.8 isn't much more powerful than the 1.6 despite the increase in displacement. The 1.8 does have more torque, but the 1.6 responds better to FI.

1.8>1.6

just look at how many more people are making more power on stock 1.8's that 1.6's
http://www.miataturbo.net/forum/showthread.php?t=20544

[Doppelgänger]

What do you drive then?I'm not saying its the greatest car on earth. I said it pulls pretty hard, and I loved it, dont remember saying you had too....hmmm, must of forgot i said that.

I drive one of those gay ass girly Miatas.

[Sunny_B13]

so ur the one who got my cousins se-r..hope u do the right things to it to make it where u want it to be..and it seems like most people here don't know the potential of a se-r..my bro's se-r runs close to mid 13s all motor and is aiming for 12s all motor..they're also great for autocross events..but the decision was already made..gl with it

[Elbow]

1.8>1.6

just look at how many more people are making more power on stock 1.8's that 1.6's
http://www.miataturbo.net/forum/showthread.php?t=20544

That link proves nothing...

...and how many times have I beat you?

[Motivation]

That link proves nothing...

...and how many times have I beat you?

uh oh... I hear a call out...

*instigates*

[redrumracer]

That link proves nothing...

...and how many times have I beat you?

once and it was only to about 40 roughly , plus thats when i had my 40+ lbs rims and tires. and that link does prove quite a bit

[N/A EK]

Had both, well still got the se-r... Both cars are fun to drive, but im more comfortable in the se-r then the miata.

[Doppelgänger]

That link proves nothing...

...and how many times have I beat you?

i got a 1.8 for ya

[JITB]

i got a 1.8 for ya

x2~! i got a stock one..

[Doppelgänger]

my engine is stock too.....

[JITB]

my engine is stock too.....

ah ha the secrets out!