Miata vs 370Z

felix0121

* I hope this thread would be acceptable here in this forum. No unnecessary trouble please.

I just wonder why and how can the new Miata series get pretty good scores on those some famous reviews.

Can current Zs compete with them ?

Actually I'm an ordinary driver, but just curious about that Miata's potentials. If it is true that Miata is so good, I want to know exactly what factors contribute to its fame.

Personally I have no idea about its manufacturer Mazda. Does Mazda produce good cars with advanced technologies .. ??



Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

Firebase99

Lightweight, eager engine, smooth tranny with a fun to drive factor. Though all things being equal it's a 86 competitor, not in the same league as a 370. IMO way too much money too. I've driven a few and for $30 large, no way it'd be my DD.

__________________
'14 3.8 Genesis Coupe, '13 Volvo S60, '04 Honda Accord, '13 370Z-sold, '05 350Z Touring-sold, '92 300Z Twin Turbo-sold, '82 280ZX-gone, '79 260Z-gone

barncobob

I haven't seen a guy driving a Miata yet or one of those VW bugs

Nixin

Firebase99

Mock it all you want, it's THE most tracked vehicle in the Northern Hemisphere. It's just quick enough to get you into trouble but so forgivable to get a novice to intermediate. Plus, it's cheap to maintain. But yea, I'd never DD one as is. Lol

__________________
'14 3.8 Genesis Coupe, '13 Volvo S60, '04 Honda Accord, '13 370Z-sold, '05 350Z Touring-sold, '92 300Z Twin Turbo-sold, '82 280ZX-gone, '79 260Z-gone

somms

They're a lot of fun to drive, almost like a go-kart. I rented one for a month and loved it. Really, really tiny car though, and I missed the torque of my Z.

Pearl zed

My last fun car was an mx5. Motor swap with supercharger.. quicker, better shifting, better in tight corners. More of a go cart than the z. But I like:the z better as a whole package.

ramoszx12r

__________________


Tony Ramos

YzGyz

The MX5 is a fun car. I would drive one anytime. I wouldn't buy one at MSRP but if it was a steal of a deal, practically giving them away, I would.

YzGyz

__________________
http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...gyzs-turn.html

YzGyz

jliu

I actually have an 2012 Miata with power hardtop. This would be my 4th Miata. The Miata and the Z are completely different cars. Miata is fun and easy car to drive. All I did was changed out the stock shocks/springs and sway bars. It handles like a car on rail. Yes, it is not a fast car, but the way it handles will always put a smile on your face.

I also have a 2014 370z. Much heavier and less connected than a Miata. It is much more powerful. I do enjoy driving it as well.

Dirk McGurck

If I was considering a Miata I would go buy an S2000 and end up with a better car.

__________________
2009 370Z Touring with Sport

breitwbo

I test drove the new mx-5 and was very disappointed. I had read all the great reviews and expected much more from this car. The mx-5 does not compare very well with the 370Z in my opinion. I didn't hate the car, just wasn't for me.

Pros - quick acceleration, body style, price, steering, fun to drive short term, top down, fuel economy

cons - you had to shout to have a conversation, ride quality over bumps, very hard to get in and out, very tight cabin and not very comfortable, a long trip would not be much fun

I'm sure this would be a fun car driving through the north GA mountains, and you can't argue the history of the car. It really comes down to preference, the car was just not right for us, the Z however definitely was.

kntrider

I did that over 10 years ago and my S2000 is still in my garage, it's such a special car! I'm never going to sell it and it's my garage queen while my Z is my DD.

That being said, the wife really wants a second "fun" car in addition to her SUV as well and wants the previous gen mx5 automatic because she refuses to learn manual. I've been seeing them for around 10K with not that many miles on them.

But considering we have our first child on the way, it doesn't make any sense to have 3 2-seater sports car and only 1 family car.

That being said, the previous gen miatas were a blast to drive and hear this gen miata is even better.

The handling makes up for the lack of power and it's a lot of fun driving that thing on the streets near it's limits while not worrying about getting a ticket or arrested. In the Z, can drive at 5/10 and you're near getting arrested!

ChopsZ

Actually, the S2000 is not the better car. Been there, done that, and seen it a lot of times at the auto-x. The Miata is still smaller and lighter, and still eats up the S2000 in the corners. Plus on the street, the S2000 is no faster than a Miata anywhere below 6000 rpm when VTEC kicks in. The seat, though a lot more supportive are also a lot more uncomfortable. And that instrument cluster is just butt ugly.

On larger, faster courses, the Miata lags behind the S2000.

As for the Miatas, they are fun cars to drive, both on the track and on the road. My first one was a 2002 NB that I had for 5 years and nearly completely stock. The second one I had was a 1991 NA with the smaller 1.6L. That was the better Miata, with a more rev-happy engine, was quicker and faster (I added a lot of lightness to it - ended up right around 1900 lbs), and it was just a much better connected car. Especially after I installed fully adjustable coil overs, light weight flywheel, full exhaust, and a super nasty aggressive alignment.

With a set of Dunlop Direzza II's on it and that alignment, I couldn't get it to break lose in the corners at all. At the auto-x, I was constantly blowing away the S2000's as well as the little Lotus Elise's. And on the streets, taking on ramps and off ramps were a blast, as well as one S-curve down the street from where I live. The speed limit around that S-curve is 25 mph, and after driving that road for the past 20+ years, I was able to get that Miata going through there at nearly 70 mph, staying in my lane! Scared the $h!t out of me every time I did that too!

Cars like that however can not be compared to the Z. They're just totally different animals. And for the record, I would much rather have the Z over the Miata now that I've had a Z for about 6 weeks. I'm getting more accustom to its abilities in the corners and am quite surprised considering its weight. I've been slowly testing its limits around those same S-curves, and I've managed a max of 52 mph so far without issue.

My brother was bragging because he was taking his Sport Z through there around 45 mph. He hasn't said much since I took him through there in my base at 50+ mph! LOL

What I like more about the Z over the Miata is its styling, its power and torque delivery, the exhaust note, and the fact that its handling in stock form is quite impressive. Then again, maybe widening its track width by 1.5" (with the addition of 20mm spacers at all four corners) has helped out in the handling department some.

Would I get another Miata again? Yeah, sure I would, but as a secondary car, and the Z as the very fun DD.

__________________
She's For Sale! PERFORMANCE: Aero Workz | Akebono | BC Racing | EcuTek | HKS | MaxBore | Motordyne | Nismo | RJM | SPL | StopTech | Z1
AUDIO: Arc Audio | Bazooka | Helix | Pioneer | Stereo Integrity

Threadlocker

Car journalists love the miata because mazda has always known what it is and hasn't strayed from it. It's a lightweight, RWD, 2-seat, open top sports car. It's biggest compromise is offering an automatic transmission as an option. The Z isn't a competitor in this segment, although some would argue the Z was originally rooted in it. It's probably closer to a GT, than an all out sports car roadster, which is fine - the Z has more soul and character than the miata.

__________________
Not the alpha male, go ask someone else.