Fun Factor: 350Z Roadster vs MX-5 Miata
#1
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Fun Factor: 350Z Roadster vs MX-5 Miata
Many of us have heard the MX-5 Miata described as the most fun roadster to drive. I'm aware of the 'chick car' perception that it carries too.
All this aside, I'm hoping for some unbiased comparisons from 350Z owners who've driven both, as to which is truly more fun to drive & why.
All this aside, I'm hoping for some unbiased comparisons from 350Z owners who've driven both, as to which is truly more fun to drive & why.
#2
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I own both as do a few more other members here. I find the Miata fun to drive but miss the torque, power, and sound of the z. The Miata feels like a go kart, literally. You can take sharp corners with confidence, I don't feel the weight of the car like I do with the z. I used to own a s2000, the Miata has a similar feel, with less power and refinement.
#3
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MY350Z.COM
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When my brother got married, he owned a Miata and I drove him around so he could concentrate on other things. It was fun and handled nicely. As a ZR owner it's apples and oranges for me. The Miata is a fun car to drive, but not a performance car like a Z.
#5
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I have both and like others have said, Miata handles better and but the Z has more power. I daily drive my Miata because its actually more enjoyable on my commute. In highway traffic or stoplight to stoplight traffic, the Miata being 2200lbs is more enjoyable getting off the line. The Z is a little stripped down and is more of a weekend/track car now but when I do take it out it's refreshing to feel over 100ft-lbs of torque again.
I'm 5'8" 175lbs with a 32 waist so i fit perfectly in a first gen miata. I'm highly considering the ND with 150hp and 2300lbs. Lots of great cars coming out. Tough decisions.
Take a test drive. I have a feeling you'll enjoy it. The stereotype exists, but it is the best selling roadster for a reason. From the clubroadster forum, oregon has a pretty good miata community.
I'm 5'8" 175lbs with a 32 waist so i fit perfectly in a first gen miata. I'm highly considering the ND with 150hp and 2300lbs. Lots of great cars coming out. Tough decisions.
Take a test drive. I have a feeling you'll enjoy it. The stereotype exists, but it is the best selling roadster for a reason. From the clubroadster forum, oregon has a pretty good miata community.
Last edited by Voboy; 03-21-2015 at 10:24 AM.
#7
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The Miata is a responsive, nimble car around town. Spot the only available parking space for miles around, except it’s on the opposite side of the street, no problem, the Miata can execute a lightning fast u-turn from the centerline and nose right into the tiny parking space. The Z roadster needs every inch of the road to pull off a u-turn and then must pull forward of the parking space and back into it. On the other hand at 70 mph the little Miata is a noisy, rattling, bussing, vibrating thing. It’s impossible to carry on a conversation as you’re being buffeted around in that raucous environment. On the other hand, a cross-country trip or a couple of hundred miles on the interstate to get to the backcountry canyon roads is pretty effortless in a Z roadster.
You’re right about the larger cabin space in the Z, There’s a locking compartment behind the seats as well as a bunch of extra space to stuff soft goods. On the passenger side my dog can share the foot well with your legs. The hatch that stores the top when it is down can also be used as a generous luggage space when the top is up. Access into it is easy and the goods are safely locked away out of sight.
You’re right about the larger cabin space in the Z, There’s a locking compartment behind the seats as well as a bunch of extra space to stuff soft goods. On the passenger side my dog can share the foot well with your legs. The hatch that stores the top when it is down can also be used as a generous luggage space when the top is up. Access into it is easy and the goods are safely locked away out of sight.
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#8
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MY350Z.COM
MY350Z.COM
PDX,
Drive both cars and let your instinct and wallet decide. GL
Drive both cars and let your instinct and wallet decide. GL
#10
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I bought my 04 z in July after driving a 1st gen miata for four years and 40k miles. The z for me is a miata on steroids, more power better handling and a larger more appointed interior. I really enjoyed my miata but I LOVE my z...
#11
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As others have said, Miata handles better and easier to throw around, and the 350Z has more power.
2 things:
1. I absolutely had the reputation the Miata has outside of the car enthusiast world. They don't appreciate what a great car it truly is.
2. I have driven and been driven in some amazing cars. High horsepower Supra, 911, Evo, STi, BMWs, etc. I will never forget the ride I got in a LS swapped Miata. The car was an absolute animal. Not the fastest car I have been in, but probably in the top 3 in terms of fun factor.
With all of that being said, if I was to get a roadster with the price budget of these cars, I would either get a old Miata and LS swap it, or if I was going to keep the stock engine, I would go with the S2k.
2 things:
1. I absolutely had the reputation the Miata has outside of the car enthusiast world. They don't appreciate what a great car it truly is.
2. I have driven and been driven in some amazing cars. High horsepower Supra, 911, Evo, STi, BMWs, etc. I will never forget the ride I got in a LS swapped Miata. The car was an absolute animal. Not the fastest car I have been in, but probably in the top 3 in terms of fun factor.
With all of that being said, if I was to get a roadster with the price budget of these cars, I would either get a old Miata and LS swap it, or if I was going to keep the stock engine, I would go with the S2k.
#12
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Miatas are great cars as others have said, I can't add much.
I think you'll be happier with a z33 roadster however, I'm partial to z cars, the only other roadster I would consider is an s2000.
I think you'll be happier with a z33 roadster however, I'm partial to z cars, the only other roadster I would consider is an s2000.
#16
At 6 foot tall a Miata wasn't even a possibility. I drove a few and having to rest my elbow OUTSIDE of the door made me realize it was way too small, looked like a Clown car. An air cooled 911 was also crossed off the list because they dont have tilt wheel and my knees coundn't fit under the steering wheel. I bought a 350Z convertible because I could fit inside and I loved it. I had very few choices so it was kind of easy.
#17
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At 6 foot tall a Miata wasn't even a possibility. I drove a few and having to rest my elbow OUTSIDE of the door made me realize it was way too small, looked like a Clown car. An air cooled 911 was also crossed off the list because they dont have tilt wheel and my knees coundn't fit under the steering wheel. I bought a 350Z convertible because I could fit inside and I loved it. I had very few choices so it was kind of easy.
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