Considering 2007 Miata (EDIT: got it!!)

[43st]

I'm looking at 07 Miata Grand Touring, 6 speed MT, with 20k. Price is 16,800 currently. It's a one owner car from a corporate lease.

This seems like a fair deal.. but what do you guys think? This would be my main commuter, which is about 6 miles one way. I'd have to get steelies and winter tires in the fall as well.

I'm also 6' tall, which from what I've read isn't so much a problem.

Any comments or advice?

EDIT: Got it.. http://imgur.com/L6eIY.jpg

 

[Zap]

I've test driven a new 2007 Miata back in 2007 when I was shopping for my Mazdaspeed 6. It was totally loaded and had the power hardtop. I'm 5'10" and I drove it with the seat all the way back. Headroom was fine but not very much. I don't know if the ragtop version has more headroom.

 

[StageLeft]

Drive it and find out if you like it first.

 

[43st]

Yeah.. I've read that the 2008 model added a new seat design that could be adjusted vertically. I think I'm ok, most taller people say it's fine.

EDIT: Yes, I will test it before buying.

 

[thedarkwolf]

My only problem with them when you go that new/expensive is that I start thinking s2000 instead. I own a 95 miata and love it and use it as my daily 3/4s of the time. I'm 5'10" and have plenty of room. They aren't the fastest in a straight line but overall it is the most fun car I have ever owned. Going to yet another autox event tomorrow.

 

[43st]

To get an S2000 in this area it would be a much higher mileage car, and a few years older for that price. There aren't many of them either.. mostly in Jersey it seems. I'll look around some, thanks thedarkwolf.

 

[LordMorpheus]

Another thought re: S2000 vs Miata. Miata has more room for tall people. At 6'6", I could drive a Miata, I couldn't drive an S2000. I'm basing this on sitting in both at various car shows.

 

[Excelsior]

Another thought re: S2000 vs Miata. Miata has more room for tall people. At 6'6", I could drive a Miata, I couldn't drive an S2000. I'm basing this on sitting in both at various car shows.

The front legroom on the s2K is an inch greater than the miata. You adjusted the seats in both?

 

[thomsbrain]

I only paid about 25% more than that (out the door) last year for my 06 S2000 with 17,000 miles from a Honda dealer. But they are probably less rare here in California.

 

[43st]

Something about the Mazda seems more "daily driver" to me, which is how I will use it. I'm not sure how I would explain it. The S2000, while pretty sweet, seems to be more of a boutique car for occasional use. (this could all be based on how I see those cars being used now, and not on any facts per say.)

I'm sure in January/February around here I'll drive the SUV, but I'd really like to drive the Miata as much as possible.

 

[StageLeft]

Something about the Mazda seems more "daily driver" to me, which is how I will use it. I'm not sure how I would explain it. The S2000, while pretty sweet, seems to be more of a boutique car for occasional use. (this could all be based on how I see those cars being used now, and not on any facts per say.)

I'm sure in January/February around here I'll drive the SUV, but I'd really like to drive the Miata as much as possible.

Maybe take an S2000 for a spin first and then see how much more you like it than the Miata. It is a better, nicer car, but it is more expensive. I think either one will be suitable for a daily driver, both will suck in the snow, both will be extremely fun to drive. The S2000 doesn't have even a 1/10th of the "gay Miata" vibe that the Miata has, though. That obviously doesn't matter to most Miata owners.

Without checking specs I imagine that the S2000 has more carrying capacity, so for example instead of being limited to two small grocery bags you could probably carry three.

 

[43st]

This is pretty much the car (same year and color) that I'm looking at. I really don't see anything about it that makes me question my sexual preference. I can maybe see how someone would say that about certain pre-NC models, but not this.

I also have nothing to prove anymore.. so I just want a car that I like to drive and that's all that really matters. If I was younger and/or had more ambition to impress others then I'd probably be looking at quite a different group of cars. :hmm:

 

[overst33r]

It's a nice car. The only way I'd get it over an S2000 is if it was the hardtop version and if free tires were included for the life of the car!

 

[T2urtle]

its a nice car. i would say one thing, s2k might be a higher thief magnet VS the miata.

I've been looking/considering picking up a NA 1.8 miata myself for 60-70% of the year. i say that because i'm in chicago... we get some really windy and rainy days and when it snows it REALLY snows... i dont think i will EVER be caught in the snow with a miata. I highway commute daily and i've seen porshes set STUCK on the highway when there are like 3 inches of fresh snow.

 

[ballmode]

Get the performance hard top or sit yourself in a Z4 or S2000

 

[Throckmorton]

Maybe take an S2000 for a spin first and then see how much more you like it than the Miata. It is a better, nicer car, but it is more expensive. I think either one will be suitable for a daily driver, both will suck in the snow, both will be extremely fun to drive. The S2000 doesn't have even a 1/10th of the "gay Miata" vibe that the Miata has, though. That obviously doesn't matter to most Miata owners.

Without checking specs I imagine that the S2000 has more carrying capacity, so for example instead of being limited to two small grocery bags you could probably carry three.

Keep in mind the S2k is a generation older than the NC Miata. I don't know why you assume the S2k is a better car.

 

[Howard]

Keep in mind the S2k is a generation older than the NC Miata. I don't know why you assume the S2k is a better car.

Why wouldn't it be?

 

[thedarkwolf]

Miata trunks aren't that bad. I can fit a 40lb bag of dog food in there with a bit of room to spare. Had a full sized tire in it last weekend thanks to a blow out. They aren't even bad in the snow thanks to their 50/50 weight distribution and the torsen rearend helps if you oped for one. I don't drive mine in the snow on purpose but have been caught out in it a few times and even on summer only tires I never had any problems.

150k miles on mine and I was bouncing it off the rev limiter a lot at today's autox and it didn't mind too much.

 

[alfa147x]

I only paid about 25% more than that (out the door) last year for my 06 S2000 with 17,000 miles from a Honda dealer. But they are probably less rare here in California.

25% @$5 is not a lot of money but 25% @ $15,000 is

 

[alfa147x]

I think the S2K is a better car
But I also think the S2K is in a different league...

 

[PricklyPete]

BUY IT!!!!

As long as you can deal with not having much storage space, there is barely a car more fun to drive.

 

[LordMorpheus]

The front legroom on the s2K is an inch greater than the miata. You adjusted the seats in both?

The steering wheel in the S2000 doesn't have tilt adjust. I got in the car but couldn't work the clutch because of my knee hitting the steering wheel. I probably could drive one but I'd have to have my legs in really awkward positions.

 

[MiataNC]

I loved my '07 Miata Touring.

I traded it in for an '08 RX-8, because I needed seating for 3. I have been looking for the right deal on a replacement Miata ever since (1990-97).

 

[43st]

Drove it this evening, what a perfect day for it. I actually needed to move the seat up a bit, I'm slightly more lengthy in my torso than in my legs. Trying to make some headway on the price now..

 

[TwinsenTacquito]

+1 on the no knee room with non-tilt wheels. The old miatas had no tilt wheel. It better come off or adjust. I see the Miata as a real car and the s2k as a massive fail.