I may be in the position to purchase a convertible within the next year as a fun car (the 8 will still be my daily driver). After having had the 8 for over a year, i am of course leaning towards a mazda

What do you guys think I should go for, rx-7 convertible or used MX-5? Which is better in your opinion as far as ride, handling, reliability, etc?

One more factor - I have to drive an automatic due to some medical issues. I actually enjoy shifting myself in the 8 with the manual mode, but the issues make it pretty much impossible for me to use a clutch pedal. I realize the car will not have the greatest acceleration or have the "connected" feeling that the manual cars have, but I'm looking for more of a cruiser in this car anyway. Although it does seem like there are superchargers for the older MX-5 automatics; I don't believe there is a FI kit for the second gen rx-7 automatic.

What I really would like is one of these cars with a renesis with the paddle shift automatic... but the only rotary conversion i've read about with a MX-5 is the one that Scott did that showed up in the Mazdasport article.

My initial budget for this might be anywhere from 4k to 10k, depending on the circumstances and how the chips fall (boring financial stuff).

Thanks in advance!

 

I say the Miata for reliability. The FC verts aren't getting any younger. You can get a turbo kit for the FC RX-7, or a Jackson racing SC for the MX-5.

And if you need power, both can take power upgraedes including V8 installs, so you could always get the platform you want and play from there.

 

Mx-5

 

Solstice GTP or sky redline

 

^^ Right, because those are Mazdas. Troll.

The Miata is the way to go.
The convertible FC is going to be a maintenance nightmare.

 

RX7 FTW! MX5 is a chicks car! Nothing about it says I'm a man! Even if you drop a fast engine in it the overall impression you will get is Just kidding it's just my opinion and that is all. Good luck with your choices.

 

You should have made this thread a poll.

Anyway, Miata. You can get a really nice one in your price range. Even the newest FC vert is 16 years old now.

 

Yep, you got it right.

FC3C is much more a man's car than a girly MX-5

The Miata will handle better, but the Rotary engine in the RX-7 is a better engine, and driving the RX convertible, your buddies and most women won't think you are gay and driving a cute car.

and you want to find either a 88 (S4) or 89 (S5) convertible. The 90, 91 and 92 convertibles all got SRS air bags, extra dash support and weigh more and are slower than any RX before or since.

 

Most people will think you are cheap and jive if you drive an FC unless it is modded to the teeth and super clean.
The Miata is only a "chick" car if you are already gay. It won't make you that way, so if you are worried, you are already gay.

 

HHAHA..i love that.

 

I'm suprised the same homo-meter debate didn't start with this quote......Ba-zing!

 

Well, the solstice GTP and the sky red line would be great, but will certainly exceed my 10k max.

The thoughts I'm hearing kind of echo my own. The 7 would be a cooler car and would have the rotary engine, which i have become a fan of. But the miata would be more reliable and have better handling.

If anyone has any other ideas for a good sub 10k convertible, let me know. I would like something that has a car club following. I'm already a member of the rotary club here in chicago, so either i could have two rotaries, or i could join the miata club, which is supposed to be really active.

As far as gay styling goes, what's important is that I like the styling. I'm happily married so i'm not really worried about those kind of perceptions unless they are my wife's I'm hoping to be able to swing a 2nd gen mx-5 (NB) as opposed to a NA. From what I understand the NB is a more refined car, and I like the styling better.

 

By the way, I'm glad MazdaManiac posted - I'm always happy to see your avatars

 

I don't know, I'd be worried. Once you get a MX-5 it will slowly turn you away from your wife and family. And because only gay people drive it, that's the only type you will meet at the Miata clubs...and I think we all know that gay people eat little children, but it gets worse because I also hear they don't pay their taxes and often have numerous outstanding parking tickets...and once they've got you - they've got you - and before you know it you'll stop coming home after meets and staying out later with the guys, and then what??? Only the Scientologists will be able to save you, that's what.

 

How tall are you? if you are tall you wont fit in the miata and be comfortable

your 3 main concerns are ride, handling and reliability, the mx-5 has a better ride, better handling the mx-5is much litter, and is more reliable, so I think the mx-5 woul be better for you

 

I am 5 feet 9 inches tall.

 

Well, i don't have any children to eat, but I suppose I could just eat random children. And kittens too.

 

I think youll do fine with an mx-5, try to find a NB

 

it sounds like the MX5 would be a better choice for you. In my case I would choose the RX7 because:
Its a fun car so I wouldn't mind wrenching on it every once in a while.
Its much rearer than the miata.
I've owned both a FC RX7(not convertible) and a Miata NB and the RX7 was way more fun. (not that the miata wasn't a blast)
with both cars if you plan on doing any SERIOUS driving (auto X, track) you will have to get chasis braces and or a roll cage. both have considerable body flex compared to the RX8 (and still they have less body flex than most current sport cars. The 7 will have more flex than the miata but it will have more power also.
Finally it might be a lot harder to find a RX7 in verry good conditions, compared to finding a Miata in good conditions which might be relativeley easy.

 

5'9" is fine in a Miata ... I can't stand the past generations though cuz my head sticks up a couple inches over the roofline. With your height though it should be fine.

And since you need an Auto, definatley get a Miata. Nothing sucks more than an Auto on a rotary.

 

Ain't that the truth!

 

Exactly. MX-5 Miata all the way!

 

Gotta agree with everyone here.. MX-5 all the way. I'm 6'2" and I'd still go with the MX-5, even if I had to drive it with the top down all the time!

 

If you must have an AT you should at least give an MR2 Spyder a test drive. It's probably the best choice since it has an SMT, handles really well, is faster than an MT Miata from the same time, and is 2200 lbs. of mid engine RWD fun. If you've never driven one don't discount it as just a girly car, they're a blast.

 

I have owned both cars, 1988 RX7 convert and a miata. both are fun cars, but if gas is a problem i would go with the miata. trunk space is pretty much the same between both cars. since u already have a rx8 rotary, i would go with the miata for other daily stuff. no sense in having 2 crazy gas guzzling rotarys. good luck on the buy.