New Accord V6 and a new Kawasaki 6RR

 

Nice!

I had a 1996 black with popular equipment package that looked a lot like that (I had BBS mesh wheels but no roll bar and the cloth interior). Great little cars, Miatas.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Da Hapa
[B]

Nice!

I had a 1996 black with popular equipment package that looked a lot like that (I had BBS mesh wheels but no roll bar and the cloth interior).

 

Amazing... Out of all of you, only Da Hapa and Arvin would've gone with the Boxster S??? That would've been my choice.

Although, like Brant, I simply would've kept my Miata, I think. The Boxster S, while gorgeous, is too expensive.

 

93-96 RX7, purchase for 20,000 put 20,000 in mods! I was going to do this, and it almost came to a flip of the coin, but I decided at the last second to go with convertible, and reliable with warranty. Although 500-600 HP would have been alot of fun.

Ron Smith

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by nastinupe1
[B]What would you have bought if the S2000 didn't exist?

 

Absolutely.

My sister had a 1990 base model in Mariner blue. She bought it new and drove it for 12 years and 160K miles. It was absotluely bullet proof and perhaps the best car anyone in my family has ever owned. No power steering, no power windows, no power locks, you get the point. Nothing but smiles per mile.

My 1996 was slightly more powerful (as I recall it was the first year with the 1.8L engine and the dual airbags) but also slightly more heavy. My sister now drives it (after finally retiring old blue) and its got 93K miles on it now. It hasn't been as trouble free as the 1990 (no problems, just recurring squeeks, rattles, etc.) but it still runs strong, puts a smile on the drivers face every time its driven and gets great mileage on regular unleaded.

I really had a tough time when I bought my first S2000 (a MY 2001) in deciding whether to buy a new M2 Miata or spend another $7K and get the S.

I don't regret my decision (hell, how could I? I went and bought another S2K a year later!) but I understand why some buy the Miata.

I know I'm in the minority here but I have nothing but respect for Mazda and the little MX5. Its a fantastic car that can be enjoyed by cruisers, weekend racers, posers, etc. Its a raging hoot to drive and a damn great sports car/roadster.

 

Da Hapa,

You sure about the no PS on the '90 Miata?

Anyway, lets not forget that the Miata totally rejuvenated the roadster segment. If Mazda hadn't built that car, I dare say we'd never have seen many of the other cars people mentioned above.

Mazda rocks!!

(Anyone see the new RX-8 yet? Dying to here some first-hand info... The specs/price in R&T this month make it look like sure fire competition for the S -- forgetting the hard top and 4 doors for a moment.)

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Da Hapa
[B]I know I'm in the minority here but I have nothing but respect for Mazda and the little MX5.

 

Guinness (my Miata) has 132,000 miles on the clock and the previous owner did a compression check last year and it was near perfect! It's got power windows and power steering, but lacks a lot of the extra bracing (and weight) that the later years added on. However, with the Koni shocks and the rollbar to stiffen things up she's almost as responsive as the best cars I've ever driven...including the S and a couple Porsches.

Yes, Chaz, the base models Miatas of that era came with power nothing. I test drove one w/o power steering and liked the feel...but the car was a mess unless I wanted to go straight to Spec Miata...

Anyway, just got back from a quick spin around town and you're right about the smiles per mile. I dig this car!

However, if I had the money for an S laying around right now and the S didn't exist, I probably would probably consider dropping the money on a mid-80s Porsche 911 Turbo...