NA (94 or 95) Miata vs. Mazdaspeed Protege

[BradC]

Guys (and gals),

Share your opinion with me please!

I have recently picked up a new DD and have pondered selling off my MSP for a Miata, either a 94 or 95. Since I have a new DD, the second car doesn't need to fit a practical role (which is what has always stopped me short of Miata-dom in the past).

What are your thoughts?


Keep the MSP?
Finish building it up (goal of around 250ish whp) and do the suspension

OR

Get a Miata
Turbo it? Go for some Fuji Racing IRTBs?

[DPancoast]

Miata all the way. I have driven a couple (stock, but still) and they are a BLAST. Not as cool as my MR2 (though I'll always be biased....plus Im sure a worked one is better anyway) but defiantly a fun car.

[grmreapr]

:iagree: and you can always boost the miata and blow the doors off the msp nothing beats that smiling face

[CleanNeon98]

miata by a mile, i dont care what people say about them being girly. ive been looking for one for a while, almost snagged a white 96 at the auction today. join miata.net and read the buying guide, there is a LOT to check about these cars. it took me nearly an hour to check everything out in the miata i was looking at.

[FlashFive]

i vote u cant lose, either way I would be happy, go with whatever makes you happier

[i like rice]

I prefer RWD so it was an easy choice for me.

One problem with the 90-97 models is the lack of a clearcoat unless you get a special edition model. The paint fades pretty quickly without the clearcoat, especially red.

[92dxman]

My vote is going to go for the Miata. I just spent 3k miles riding from New York to New Orleans and back in one and it sealed the deal for me in getting one in the next few years. It does almost everything right, is very fun to drive, good on gas and you can't help but crack a smile when your behind the wheel of one.

[BradC]

Thanks for the opinions so far guys. Looks like no love for the MSP, lol.

[DPancoast]

haha... I wouldnt take it that far. I like MSPs alot. But I just think you'll spend less in the long run to have a faster, lighter, better handling (??) car with the Miata. The MSP may only hold its value better or be more practical with 4 doors. But it was already said that practicality wasnt an issue. Depends on what you want in the end with whatever car you would decide to move on with. Both have their strong/weak points. Whatever you do, good luck man. If you do get a Miata and you keep it like your MSP, I look forward to seeing a clean, well executed car. Except this time I'll be buggin you to go to auto-x with me :).

[BradC]

If you do get a Miata and you keep it like your MSP, I look forward to seeing a clean, well executed car.


:o

Going to look at a white 94 on lunch :)

[twastheglow]

Take some pics and post them up.
*mike*

[BradC]

Take some pics and post them up.
*mike*

Looking at the car on lunch = fail.

Car was getting a window motor replaced, according to the sales person I spoke with :(

I'll try to look on Monday though!

[twastheglow]

Dude, WTF?!
*mike*

[05OCsrt-4]

i vote for both, MSP daily driver, miata race car :) it can happen

[Gorilla Unit 33]

I vote Miata, although they look like a huge fag car at times. I just dont like how slow the MSP's are. I bet the miata is slower but atleast you can drift it!

[BradC]

I vote Miata, although they look like a huge fag car at times. I just dont like how slow the MSP's are. I bet the miata is slower but atleast you can drift it!

MSPs are slow stock, yes. That doesn't mean things need to stay stock though :wink:

[awdriver]

Was the white 94 in Perkasie ? I went and looked at it .
I ended up snatchin one up for 2300 . Put 400 into it and it's a nice dd

[SovXietday]

Was the white 94 in Perkasie ? I went and looked at it .
I ended up snatchin one up for 2300 . Put 400 into it and it's a nice dd

Just wait for winter, you'll recant that statement post haste. Promise.:-p

[i like rice]

Just wait for winter, you'll recant that statement post haste. Promise.:-p

A set of Blizzaks and they are fine.

http://asianguywithacamera.com/images/misc/snow01.jpg

[dragonfly2k3]

How long was the older one your daily rice?

[i like rice]

How long was the older one your daily rice?

7 years

I drove around on R rubber during the warmer months for 3 years. I didn't expect the Yokohama A032Rs to last 12,000 miles on the street plus at the autocrosses. I was expecting them to wear out after 1 season.

[awdriver]

That headlight conversion looks much better then stock. I made sure I found one with a lsd. B package with A/C.

[DPancoast]

Brad, was the one you're talking about in Lansdale? I don't know any info on it, but there is a white convertible Miata at that little used car place on Cannon Ave right near the 7-11. It has rims and a little trunk spoiler, but that's all I know!

[BradC]

That headlight conversion looks much better then stock. I made sure I found one with a lsd. B package with A/C.

Kyle,

It was the one in Perkasie. What were your thoughts if you looked at it?

How do you like yours? I saw it out this morning, looked good. You enjoying it so far?

Brad, was the one you're talking about in Lansdale? I don't know any info on it, but there is a white convertible Miata at that little used car place on Cannon Ave right near the 7-11. It has rims and a little trunk spoiler, but that's all I know!

No Dan, wasn't that one. I did just see that one too the other day, haven't followed up on it yet.

[awdriver]

The car was pretty clean, except the passenger side rear quarter had some small damage from a dent that was pulled. Car was driven here from Oregon 144k . Nice interior, but cracked windshield . 3900 they wouldn't take 3500. .
I really didn't want red but I got it cheap. Other than that It's so fun to drive.
I got lost in the woods A few times in it already.
But it handles great. 1.6 2100 lbs just a intake / header and stock cat back. It still takes 5k to get anywere. But its fun :mrgreen:

[Cardriverx]

miata ftw.

The 94 is the best year, if you can get one from that year, DO IT. 1.8l engine, OBD1, real oil pressure gauge, etc..

Also, whatever you do dont do ITBs... you could spend 3k$ for just 50 whp...

A NA miata with 200 hp is a freakin blast!

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

I would say "c"- none of the above, and suggest getting a MS3. However Cobb AP came out and is a BIG dissapointment for many. I may be trading it for an 08 LS3 Vette. :)

[pearl]

save your money for rent.

[BradC]

save your money for rent.

I think I'm good to go in that department...

[TommyBDragon]

I owned a MSP (that remained stock) but I have also wanted a Miata for a very long time. For me, with the 4door deal, its the MSP all the way. I dont need to be striaght line fast, as long as at my SCCA events, the MSP lives up to its name...which it does. And around town and on the highway it has enough pickup and go for me to be happy.