(I previously posted this in The Lounge.)
If it's just you—with no kids and rarely more than one passenger—would you rather have the Mazdaspeed Miata or an RX-8? Thanks!

 

I spent nearly 10 years with a '94 Miata as my daily driver, half of those single. It was great, even here in rain Oregon. The Miata is now in the garage, with the RX-8 as a daily driver, and I must say I'm enjoying it.

But, if I were single again, and I had to have only one car, it would be the Miata. It's just more fun to drive, and that's what pushes my buttons.

But I'm not sure I'd get the MS Miata. A used '01 or later with an FM turbo or BR super would more likely be my choice.

George

 

No rotor no motor....but the turbo Miata is a nice car....

I have never owned a piston Mazda, and I don't plan on it either....

 

I answered your post in the Lounge...and i am single. no kids. just a girlfriend. so look at my post over in the lounge again if you want to.
:D

santino

 

I test drove the Miata. Convertible is nice, small and nifty but I would still choose the RX8. There is something about the 9000 RPM rotary engine and its confident handling, more space, power on the tap that does it for me.

 

I would be on a holding pattern for the new RX-7. Anything for the now would be temporary/interim. For that reason, I would be seriously in search of a good used car. Hmmm... RX-7 (FD)? :D

 

I would buy a used 01 miata and put the RX-8 engine in it. I will be doing this in the next year. But I will still keep the 8

John

 

Drive both and see what you like. Both are fun cars... the Miata has decent mods you can play with now. I highly recommend a hardtop to go with it if you choose that route.

 

I've owned 4 Miatas and love them. The most recent was a '99 Touring Pkg that I sold the same day I bought the 8. There is nothing comparable on the road in the price range of the Miata. The car is so predicatable and connected that it gives you such a confident and controlled feeling.

With nearly 800 miles on my 8, I'm still learning to appreciate the car. At this point, I'm amazed by the smooth refined feeling of the 8. I haven't had much opportunity to put the car through its paces in the twisties. Looking forward to it though.

So, to answer the question.... while I do miss dropping the top on the Miata, the 8 is a new level of performance and refinement that I have yet to have in any other car I've owned. As a single guy who has no real need for four seats, I'd still have to go with the 8 over the MIata, even the MS version.

 

The Miata is a great, fun little car- I had one for 5 years prior to my 8. I find the RX8 a much different experience- especially now that I have autocrossed them both. I miss the drop top, but that's about it... I'm hooked on the rotary now.

However, if I were single and wanted a similar experience to these cars, I would probably get a 3rd gen RX7 for sheer performance, or an S2000 for everything the Miata is plus faster. After test driving the MS Miata, it doesn't have enough oomph for me (for having a turbo)... maybe a slightly used Miata with a FMIII set up instead. The good thing is there are so many great choices out there now...

 

I've got both in the garage....that's my solution :-)

 

That's going to be a helluva challenge making the renesis fit as low as the Miata sits... but sounds an interesting project. I know of only one Miata rotary conversion, and if I recall correctly it was a lot of work.

 

Tough call. If we weren't potentially planning for kids in the next 6 years or so, I probably would have taken a VERY hard look at the MS Miata, and gotten a hardtop. As it is, I'm getting the best of both worlds. Keeping the 93 Miata as a project car, and getting the RX8.

 

I'm too tall for the Miata, so the 8 it is. Truth be told, I would have bought a Miata (maybe two) if I had been able to find room for my left knee in the cockpit.

 

Even if I had kids, I think I'd still keep the Miata around. Don't get me wrong, I love the 8 and give it more attention than the Miata (especially since now, I'm in Germany with the 8 and the Miata is in Florida with my Jeep , but it's still a blast to run around the "baby car" when I get the urge.

 

RX-8, hands down.

 

I had a Miata for 8 years (176,000 miles), and I've had my RX-8 since August (13,500 miles).

I LOVE both cars to death. I still miss my Miata and get a little flutter in my heart whenever I see one on the road. However, it was my first and only convertible, and I wasn't really into dropping the top. So, I don't think I'll ever get another convertible. It seems like a waste to have one and never put the top down.

Anyway, the RX-8 is a bit more powerful and handles almost as well, plus there's a backseat which I use mostly to cart stuff around. If the RX-8 proves to be as reliable as my wonderful Miata was, I think I would choose the RX-8 - just by a nose.

 

I barely fit in the 8 as it is, so a Miata was out of the question. Or else I would have had to get a convertible and drive it with the top down all the time.

 

I'm sure glad I don't have to make that choice.

I love my 8, but I also love my supercharged Miata - for different reasons. The Miata is straightforward fun with no pretentions. It handles great and mine seldom goes out to play with the top up. A sunroof is NOT the same!

The 8 is more sophisticated, quiet, smooth and sorta practical. I do need room for four sometimes. Also I think the car is flat out beautiful to look at.

I do believe I'll keep both.

 

I've got both the MSM and the RX (velocity red twins!)

I'd say that if you make a lot of short trips and live in a mild climate, the MSM is the way to go. Definitely a go cart compared to the RX. Power is much peakier and the redline comes quick. This is my 4th miata, 90/93/01.

If you cruise the interstate or want something to tour in the RX is the hands down winner, only you'll need to fill it more often. The rotary is so smooth it makes the MSM sound like a tractor.

Surprisingly, the MSM has made me appreciate the RX even more because their personalities are so different. If you can't have both, skip the nav system and appearance package and buy an older low mileage miata and the RX. Miata's make great beaters!

 

Five years with a '99 Miata { 2000 model year, Brilliant Black, MT, ABS, Traction Control, tan leather upholstery and top} and I do not miss it...well .. sometimes. While it is a marvelous auto, I simply grew tired of its limitations. The MX5 Mazdaspeed is, as are its unboosted brethren[sistren?] exceptionally well-engineered, and goes like stink, but way overpriced in Canada; in a car to car comparo with my RX8 ~A/C requires a hefty further outlay of $2G's. Interior finish and features are snazzy, boy racerish, but not of the quality or luxury I expect for the money [cloth seats, black vinyl top etc.] Velocity Red is the only colour imported into Canada. Not an entirely bad thing. The Miata's legendary slick shift capability was impaired by a too-high console which required a counter-intuitive, conscious effort to raise my right elbow whether down or up-shifting.. an annoyance. Would I have bought a Mazdaspeed MX5? If the RX8 did not exist, certainly.
The RX8 is the finest automoblie that I have ever owned..and that's the truth!:p

 

I wanted the flexibility of 4 doors and seats. Miata is a fun little roadster, the 8 just met more of my needs.

 

Just me, the Miata. The only thing the Miata was missing was space for kids and more power. If it's just me the kids thing doesn't matter. With the Mazdaspeed version, the power is up, though I think I would like to have it modded for 225 hp or so.

It is hard to beat the Miata's handling which is so tied to its small size and light weight. I drove a 99 miata from 99 unitl 04 when I replaced it with an 8. I thought about going to brainstorm to have the miata turbocharged, along with a clutch, exhaust, suspension, and ecu upgrade, but decided that it was time to be more responsible by moving up to a car that better suited the family.

 

If you don't need the room, I would say Miata. Remember, you'll still be able to have an RX-8 later when you have kids, but it'll probably be much harder to have a tiny 2-seater then.

Better yet, pick up a nice used MIata for cheap, and save your money for when the new RX-7 comes out. I think I know exactly how you feel - you have to choose between having a nice small 2-seater and having a rotary engine. Hopefully we won't have to make that choice for much longer... (come on 4th gen!)