JasMazda

All pros/cons of them in comparison, without regard to price as they are very close.


So far I've got:


RX8 pros: 13B, great handling, awesome interior, great styling, safer
RX8 cons: bigger/heavier than miata, less fuel effecient, 13B


Miata pros: Tiny, light, convertible, better effiency, great handling.
Miata cons: Nowhere near as sexy, two seater, not as safe.





What else should I consider?

I couldn't find any comparo's between the handling aspects of the two cars but I do hear that they are both great.

Mikelikes2drive

theyre really not in the same class... rx8 is a sports coupe and the miata is a roadster.

a better comparison would be like.. a s2k or a miata or a z3 or a miata. it just depends on what you want. do u want a small convertible or a roomy hardtop coupe?

Audioslave8

If you are going to get a Miata, i suggest the Mazdaspeed version

NomisR

These 2 cars aren't direct competitors so I wouldn't expect you to find any. However, I remember seeing a comparo of all the top sports cars out on the market with opinions written by race car drivers.

However I have to differ with you on the aspect of safety. IMO, smaller, lighter better handling cars are always safer in an emergency situation, better chance of avoiding crap.

But, I didn't fit too well into a Miata, can't really find a comfortable seating position and the top part of the windshield just blocks a lot of my view

XDEEDUBBX

before i drove the 8 i came from driving two NB miata's...there is no comparison at all... the miata is a slow car but once you get it going it stays there especially on some good winding roads...but i feel that the rx8 is just like driving a bigger and better miata...

liqiud

I actually had the same decision to make...

I went with the RX8 for a lot of reasons...have you driven both of them? I did, and ended up prefferring the RX8...

Good luck.

dmp

Like the others - hard to compare the two.

The Miata; at least the miata I just sold last week, handled MUCH better than my RX8. It was over-all more fun to drive, too.

However...I'm enjoying the power of the RX8 - it's like the power increases as speed does, like a jet

The RX8 tends to be more exotic-looking. Where my miata was 'cool lookin', the RX8 is more upscale.

I'd buy a new miata, but never the Mazdaspeed version. 150-160whp? Naw...

If you want a Miata with 150whp, buy a 1.6L Miata for $2500, then $1000 on a GReddy turbo.

If you want a 240whp Miata, buy a new, non MS version...spend $5,000 at FlyinMiata.com


NomisR is right on target with regard to safety - the best way to survive an accident is to avoid one.

:D
:D

jayfish

U guys are retards the rx8 is the shiz

end of story

1.3L

After I gave up the idea of replacing my Nissan pickup with another pickup, the MazdaSpeed Miata was one of the vehicles on my list ('05 Mustang, RX-8, Miata). The performance specs looked good, but it felt too small when I sat in it. My left shoe got hung up between the side panel and clutch pedal when resting on the dead pedal. Also, the trunk was way too small for my liking. Otherwise, it's a terrific sports car.

1.3L (happy 8 owner) :D

khtm

RX-8 = straight man's car
Miata = gay man's car

Now, I know this is a vast generalization, but after watching the movie "Go" that's all I can think about when I see a dude driving a Miata. And from reading other forums where people compare their cars to the Miata, it seems as if I'm not the only one who thinks about this.

Apologies in advance to any Miata owners on this forum,.

dmp

You're high...and so what? I abhor homosexual behaviour, however I don't mind homosexuals...at least gay guys know how to dress, and have mannors!

:p

:D

my10ae

I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who has a Miata and my 8. No comparison of the 2. I have done many suspension mods to my Miata, I seriously think it could run circles around it in the handling dept. As far as HP, yes the 8 wins hands down.

Both a great cars out of the box, and with some tweaking can be made even better. I was fortunate enough to keep my 10AE Miata and purchase my 8. My wife also owns a Miata so even if I had to give up my Miata, I'd still have access to drive one.

XDEEDUBBX

i wouldn't mine buying a 1st gen NA miata...i was actually thinking about one as my daily driver....easy to get around town in....but my girlfriend hated it...no space there...try buying a new microwave and have your gielfriend hold it on her lap...see how she likes it..hahha

khtm

Touche
Sorry again, dmp. Your car is very nice, and I'd love to drive it. I would just never own one since my opinion has been irrevocably tainted

dmp

No appologies required... :p I wish I still HAD my miata, frankly..was sad to see it go

hehe

khtm

Oh I didn't know you sold it! I remember you had it for sale and posted that picture of it on the highway...damn that looked nice.

Tigster

I traded in my 2002 Miata for my rx-8. I loved my Miata it was one of the most fun cars I 've owned for driving. As for safety the car was rear ended twice and it held up great. If you look up the crash test ratings the miata and the rx-8 are both rated very high.

The reason I traded in my Miata are simple,
1. it got hit twice
2. I am starting a new career and needed a bigger flashier car
3. we are thinking of having kids next year and the back seats come in handy

MI_FamilyMan

The Miata is such a smaller car and its purpose is a lot more specific.

With the 8 you will get a lot more looks than in a Miata (unless you are driving with the top down in a torrential downpour...)

Xlorn

I drove my 94 miata until I purchased my 04 rx8.

What I loved about the miata:

* Noise free cabin for the entire 10 years of any squeeks, rattles, or mystery noises
* Spark plug cables are the only thing that gave out on me in those 10 years.
* Handling felt better than the 8. (Think go cart)
* I enjoyed having to take someone else's car when there was more than just me and/or my wife. So the 2 seats didn't bother me at all. :P
* The sound of the exhaust with the top down.
* Everyone should have a two seater at least once in there life. And a covertible. And make it RED while your at it. (Well I had a black miata but my 8 is red)
:p

I worry a bit that the 8 will not accept as much abuse as the miata did (specifically in terms of boost). Flyin miata is worth a visit. But maybe time will change my mind on that one. ? The miata from my experience, at least, is a bullet proof decision if you want to SC or turbo.

My miata was stolen from my office parking spot and pretty much used as a parts bin for some fools. I'd still be driving it if it hadn't been stolen.

I'm exicited to see what the 8 has in store for me. I've been to just 3 autocross events hosted by the local S2K club and I'm just realizing how much I have to learn.

:D

TopGear

Purchased a new Miata in '92 - no other good convertibles around worth looking at which is why so many were sold at that time. Traded it in for a 2000 Z3, just got an Rx-8

Miata Pros:
lightweight so fun to throw into curves
VERY reliable - no problems in 7 years of driving, no squeaks in the interior
felt "faster" than you were actually going - common in small 2 seat cars

Miata Cons:
lightweight / light power - not much torque to play with, Rx-8 has much more once you get into 2nd or 3rd
have to drive defensively, especially around SUV's - had several close calls where SUV's just about wiped me out, never drive beside one, one almost backed over me once.

Z3 Pro's
More fun coming out of turns - lots of acceleration out of the corners
Just as reliable as the Miata - 5 years of trouble free driving, no rattles or squeaks
Styling - personal preference

Z3 Con's
Plastic rear window (same as my '92 Miata) - real pain to keep clean
BMW factor - if you care about other people's opinions - people either respect you for driving one as a status symbol or think you are a snob for having one - I always found that interesting as the Z3 was less expensive than a Pathfinder.

Rx-8 Pro's
Fun to drive - I'd say more fun than the Miata due to increased power but the convertible factor would make the two equal in fun.
Space for kids - best sports car that can take little ones

Rx-8 Cons
Gas mileage - only got 320km for each of first two 50L tanks (15.6L/100KM) - will see how next 2 tanks go and get the flash upgrade before my first oil change if necessary - driving very gently during break in

Can't think of another con - so far so good...

Overall it comes down to space and convertible requirements - I agree with Xlorn - everyone should have a red 2 seater convertible at least once in their life. I had two and really enjoyed both of them. The Rx-8 meets my sports car needs plus allows me to take my wife and kids with me. Even with young children you can have a 2 seat car as long as your second car is a family mobile. You have to get 4 seats when your kids are around 8 to 10 when they get involved in more sports and you get involved in coaching.

Good luck with your decision - you'll enjoy either car.

Chrisbert

Manor - Large domicile
Manners - Personality traits; particularly with regard to social situations
Mannors - Many large domiciles?

Wankeler

My Sis-in-law sold her Miata when she moved from Sunny Calif to a snowy mountainous state. When I first got my 8, she was home visiting and I gave her a ride to the airport. I let her drive herself to the airport and she said my 8 was like her "Miata on steroids"

As someone said earlier, the two cars you chose to compare against each other, normally don't get tested against each other as they are in different categories.

Good Luck

AQA101

Completely different cars.

Miata Pros:

- The Miata is probably one of the most refined cars concerning quality you can get, because Mazda worked 15 years of constant improvement into it.
- Convertible roof, great ride for a picnic in the summer.
- Probably ultimate gearbox.

RX-8 Pros

- The RX-8 is one of the most innovative cars you can get. The whole concept is completely new.
- Perfect crossover of 4 seat coupé and sportscar. Best everday ride you can get for the money if you think driving is more than getting from A to B.
- The car is different from anything else and always will be - I guess no company has the nerve to develop another rotary.

Miata is great for people who want a small, supreme quality, overall fun second car.
RX-8 is great for people who want only one car, but one that is completely different.

Go48

I love this discussion!!

I had a '92 Miata for about 4 years and REALLY like the car--especially with the hard top installed for greater rigidity. Go-kart-cornering ability is a good analogy. I beefed up the suspension a bit and man that car was the flattest cornering vehicle I have ever driven, other than a go-kart. Just ask my passengers. :-) Hated to get rid of it, but needed some carrying capability for a period or time so traded it for a Tacoma.

The RX-8 is a fantastic car, and I enjoy driving it every time I get behind the wheel. But I know Miata, and the RX-8 ain't no Miata. Nor should it be. It's a different animal, plain and simple. It's not as nimble or as flat-cornering as the Miata, but it has other attributes that the Miata doesn't have. Smoooothnesssss for one. But also uniqueness, passenger capacity, power, looks, state-of-the-art engineering, and much more.

Gord96BRG

Nope, apology not accepted. I guess from your generalization, I must be bi? Sorry, but how stupid do you think it looks for someone to state that they let some screenwriter, knowing nothing about cars, who picks a car at random, determine their perception of a vehicle? Even further, you would let the average moron who fouls the internet car forums and knows next to nothing about real cars (read Honda riceboy) influence your opinion?

Miatas carry on and resurrected the rich tradition of small roadsters - following Triumph, MG, Lotus, Fiat, Alfa Romeo. The Z3/Z4, S2K, MR2, Boxster, all owe their existence to Mazda's daring in introducing a roadster when everyone else assumed the market had died. Miatas became famous for their precise, nimble handling and sports car attributes, and for 15 years have dominated autocross competitions and SCCA track events because of their performance. Spec Miata is the fastest growing racing class in the US, bar none, because of the affordable cost and the tremendous amount of fun and learning the class provides. Note, none of those have anything to do with the slurs of an idiot screenwriter about the sexual preferences of a driver. A Miata is one of the most fun vehicles you could ever hope to drive, period. Even better - girls love them (which is one of the primary reasons why non-Miata drivers like to make slurs about them, because their girlfriends are always drooling about them and they're threatened).

For your gross assumption and admitted stupidity, you are sentenced to attend a meeting of the Calgary Miata club. preferably one of our track day events, and after you get soundly beaten on the track, you'll maybe be able to beg a ride or even a drive and find for yourself what a great car a Miata is (and what great people Miata owners are).

Oh, and go read some road tests from magazines the actually know about cars, not lame sport compact magazines. Find the road tests from the past 15 years from Road & Track, Car and Driver, EVO, Car, Automobile, Sports Car International, and see what they have had to say consistently about Miata - the best affordable small sports car in the world. Widen your horizons, don't settle for letting yourself appear to be so ignorant and uninformed.

Regards,
Gordon