Miata vs 370Z

Dirk McGurck

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

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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.

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