Educate me on small coupes/convertibles that are fun and handle well

Fenixgoon

Lifer
Jun 30, 2003
32,645
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So I currently have a 2010 genesis coupe 2.0T R-Spec and I'm considering selling it in favor of a miata. also include pontiac solstice/saturn sky, 350z maybe?

looking for something around 10k, hardtop, manual transmission of course. a brief autotrader search shows that to be around pre-2008 model years.

any particular issues/problems with certain generations? i know the early 90's ones had the short-nose crank issue.

thanks in advance!
 
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ballmode

Lifer
Aug 17, 2005
10,246
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Its easier to find one without the hard top and scour Craigslist for the extra hard top.

For 10k I would try to search for the Mazdaspeed model it's turboed but it has a wimpy intercooler, however since most of the ground work has been done you could just upgrade the parts and ecu tune it for some decent power!

Coming from your car you will notice that the miata will have a ton less storage space, cupholder/glovebox/side door pockets/leg room, etc.

If this is your only car I would suggest going on a longer car ride or placing a bunch of stuff currently in your car into the miata and see what you can and can live without (if it all won't fit)
 

iamwiz82

Lifer
Jan 10, 2001
30,772
13
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Its easier to find one without the hard top and scour Craigslist for the extra hard top.

For 10k I would try to search for the Mazdaspeed model it's turboed but it has a wimpy intercooler, however since most of the ground work has been done you could just upgrade the parts and ecu tune it for some decent power!

Coming from your car you will notice that the miata will have a ton less storage space, cupholder/glovebox/side door pockets/leg room, etc.

If this is your only car I would suggest going on a longer car ride or placing a bunch of stuff currently in your car into the miata and see what you can and can live without (if it all won't fit)

An MSM MUST be tuned as well. The factory tune was absolute garbage.
 

JCH13

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2010
4,981
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http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/articles/mazda-miata/

http://www.miata.net/faq/usedmx5.html

Personally, I'm partial towards the NAs 90-97 (and not just because I've got one)

All of this!

Also, 1990 to mid 1991 was the short crank issues. About 1% of cranks failed because the key would be reinstalled incorrectly after a timing belt job. It's not the giant explodely engine issue many think it is. I had a 1990 w/ 216k on it, no crank issue.

Edit:

This clip from the GRM article is all you really need to know:

"Many Spec Miatas also take part in endurance events like NASA’s 25 Hours of Thunderhill, where the tough nature of the little car means the 25th hour can look like a Miata parade."

Also, if power is your goal, MSMs fetch a bit of premium, consider the price of a MSM and a clean NA/NB+turbo kit. The former is faster to put together, the later will usually be lighter and sometimes more powerful.
 
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ballmode

Lifer
Aug 17, 2005
10,246
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I still think for 10k you could get a 2000/2001 S2000 with about 80-120k miles. Will need nothing but new tires/pads/fluids.

Save you the money of having to mod it to get to the power you want. S2000's did the 1/4 in 13.8 but you'll destroy your differential if you try too much. It's safer out the box with the roll bar and super strong windshield if it flips over.

Safer on side impacts up until the 2006+ NC miata models.
 

Fenixgoon

Lifer
Jun 30, 2003
32,645
11,791
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All of this!

Also, 1990 to mid 1991 was the short crank issues. About 1% of cranks failed because the key would be reinstalled incorrectly after a timing belt job. It's not the giant explodely engine issue many think it is. I had a 1990 w/ 216k on it, no crank issue.

Edit:

This clip from the GRM article is all you really need to know:

"Many Spec Miatas also take part in endurance events like NASA’s 25 Hours of Thunderhill, where the tough nature of the little car means the 25th hour can look like a Miata parade."

Also, if power is your goal, MSMs fetch a bit of premium, consider the price of a MSM and a clean NA/NB+turbo kit. The former is faster to put together, the later will usually be lighter and sometimes more powerful.

I've actually seen a couple of turbo or supercharged miatas for sale on autotrader. Is it worth looking at those or buying a Miata and then having the turbo being done by a shop later on?
 

skyking

Lifer
Nov 21, 2001
22,544
5,590
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I still think for 10k you could get a 2000/2001 S2000 with about 80-120k miles. Will need nothing but new tires/pads/fluids.

Save you the money of having to mod it to get to the power you want. S2000's did the 1/4 in 13.8 but you'll destroy your differential if you try too much. It's safer out the box with the roll bar and super strong windshield if it flips over.

Safer on side impacts up until the 2006+ NC miata models.
except I can't sit in an s2000.
Definitely less shoulder room in the Honda.
 

tweakmonkey

Senior member
Mar 11, 2013
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tweak3d.net
So I currently have a 2010 genesis coupe 2.0T R-Spec and I'm considering selling it in favor of a miata.

looking for something around 10k, hardtop, manual transmission of course. a brief autotrader search shows that to be around pre-2008 model years.

any particular issues/problems with certain generations? i know the early 90's ones had the short-nose crank issue.

thanks in advance!

I was looking at the 2007 or so Miata with the folding power hardtop, and found some in the $10-12,000 price range I believe around 50-70k miles. I think it would be a really cool car for driving every day and that's a steal for such a high tech hardtop on a sports car IMO. Trade a little racey-ness for the security and longevity of a hardtop. That's all assuming it works well/doesn't leak and is reliable.

I would think it's a lot nicer than the pretty bare bones / old school feeling 90-92 etc. now. It's heavier and more luxurious than previous generations but I'm sure it's a more modern/mature feeling car.
 

JCH13

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2010
4,981
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I've actually seen a couple of turbo or supercharged miatas for sale on autotrader. Is it worth looking at those or buying a Miata and then having the turbo being done by a shop later on?

You can save some money and effort buying one already boosted, but this requires careful selection. There are a lot of ways to boost a Miata, some ways are a lot better than others. If you want to send me the link for ones that you're considering I'd be happy to offer my opinion.

If you're going to have a shop do the install I would look for a Miata that is already boosted because a kit install can run 25-30 hours of labor.

MiataTurbo.net has a few pretty good cars FS right now: http://www.miataturbo.net/cars-sale-trade-6/
 

Vdubchaos

Lifer
Nov 11, 2009
10,408
10
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I know I will get a bunch of panties wet here but...

a) I can't fit in one
b) they are underpowered
c) unless you are racing on the track, RWD is WAY overrated/overhyped
 

jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,518
223
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I know I will get a bunch of panties wet here but...

a) I can't fit in one
b) they are underpowered
c) unless you are racing on the track, RWD is WAY overrated/overhyped

a) Irrelevant
b) Easily fixed.
c) Or autocross, or drag strip, or enjoying twisty roads, or if you'd rather have your back tires have something to do than just roll along with almost no purpose. ():)
 

JCH13

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2010
4,981
66
91
I know I will get a bunch of panties wet here but...

a) I can't fit in one
b) they are underpowered
c) unless you are racing on the track, RWD is WAY overrated/overhyped

a) My 6'4" brother can fit in mine, seats can get foam-ectomies or be replaced to buy 2-3" of height
b) So easily fixed, they also only weight 2,000-2,500lbs
c) That doesn't make RWD not fun, there are things RWD can do that FWD just can't, and I notice them on the street frequently
 

Vdubchaos

Lifer
Nov 11, 2009
10,408
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a) My 6'4" brother can fit in mine, seats can get foam-ectomies or be replaced to buy 2-3" of height

Yes that's the standard answer I hear every time. I've been in one, I simply don't fit in it and I'm not comfortable.

b) So easily fixed, they also only weight 2,000-2,500lbs

And go carts weight WELL under 1000 lbs. Your point?

c) That doesn't make RWD not fun, there are things RWD can do that FWD just can't, and I notice them on the street frequently

And there is things FWD can do that RWD just can't.

You notice them on the street ONLY if you break the law and push your car to it's limits....
 

Vdubchaos

Lifer
Nov 11, 2009
10,408
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b) Easily fixed.

I know, like adding a turbo. Look where that got you.

c) Or autocross, or drag strip, or enjoying twisty roads, or if you'd rather have your back tires have something to do than just roll along with almost no purpose. ():)

Yes Autocross/drag strip are parts of racing ( I already covered that).

And it does not apply to twisty roads unless you are breaking law and putting others in danger. You have push your car to it's limits to notice the difference/benefits of RWD over FWD....to MOST people (even car enthusiasts....on the street.....they are so small they are not even WORTH discussing).

So leave that one for you irresponsible self.....

Regardless, Miata is a great car. Not for everyone but still. I'm not exactly sure I would take it over Genesis....but different strokes for different folks.
 

jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,518
223
106
Are you deliberately a dumbass or does it happen by accident? Care to point out what Miata I turbocharged?
 

Sulaco

Diamond Member
Mar 28, 2003
3,825
45
91
And go carts weight WELL under 1000 lbs. Your point?

Maybe the fact that....the less it weighs, the less power it needs to go, and the more power and speed you will get out of relatively minor power boosts.

And that's just the power train performance boosts. If you can't see how much of a difference a truly lightweight sports car can make even in just everyday spirited driving, like handling and cornering, please don't advertise that ignorance here for all to see.
 

slugg

Diamond Member
Feb 17, 2002
4,723
80
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I'll sell you my 99 Miata with a color matched hard top + everything you need to win in autocross for $10k. :)
 

Phanuel

Platinum Member
Apr 25, 2008
2,304
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Are you deliberately a dumbass or does it happen by accident? Care to point out what Miata I turbocharged?

Let's be honest, is there anything you wouldn't turbocharge if given the chance? :awe:
 

unokitty

Diamond Member
Jan 5, 2012
3,346
1
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And it does not apply to twisty roads unless you are breaking law and putting others in danger. You have push your car to it's limits to notice the difference/benefits of RWD over FWD....to MOST people (even car enthusiasts....on the street.....they are so small they are not even WORTH discussing). .

I traded in my '86 Civic Si on a '93 Miata. I put over a hundred thousand miles on each.

To me, the difference in driving the FWD SI and the RWD Miata was readily apparent at all speeds.

Implying that you have to push a car to its limits, or break the law, to notice the difference simply isn't true.


Uno
 
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Fenixgoon

Lifer
Jun 30, 2003
32,645
11,791
136
hmmm i did some more thinking tonight.

what about a pontiac solstice/saturn sky or nissan 350z? i know the Z is the biggest of the group, and much heavier by a large margin.

there's a guy selling an 2004z with 70k miles right where i live. looks pretty clean.
 

zCypher

Diamond Member
Aug 18, 2002
6,115
171
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I have a soft spot for the Genesis. Out of curiosity, what made you decide to start looking?