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+--- Thread: Miata as first car? Suggestions? (/showthread.php?tid=10613)
Miata as first car? Suggestions? - Senor_Taylor - 03-09-2014
Hey guys! I've got the itch. I REALLY want a car. DDing a truck is awful, and since I plan on making this a trail rig, I can't rely on this. I'd love better gas mileage, I'd love to be able to take turns without feeling like I'm going to flip, I'd love a TRUNK.I also want something that's a little cheaper to go back and forth to JMU and work with and cheap to insure. Hopefully I can drop my truck down from $500 quarterly, which is insane.
I also want to be able to go with MM to Auto-crosses and track days and stuff and drive. I do not like driving other people's cars. I figure I can save up a little over $3000 by the end of the summer if I work my ass off.
I want something RWD, cheap, easy to maintain, gas mileage doesn't really matter as long as it's better than 20, which is the highest I'll ever get in mine.
I'm thinking either a 944 or a Miata. I'm leaning towards miatas. A 944 would be my dream, but the reliability just is not there. I don't have much money cushion now, but I just got moved up to serving at work, so I see more money in my future.
What should I look for in a miata? I'm sure Jake should chime in here. Should I try to find a 94 with the 1.8, or does it matter? I'm around 6'2" with shoes on; how well will I fit? I would go test drive one right now, but there aren't any local that I know of, and what's the point if I won't have the money forever?
I would put this in WTB, but I'm not buying just yet.
If anyone says E30, I'll punch you in the dick. Thanks!
Re: Miata as first car? Suggestions? - *insertusernamehere* - 03-09-2014
Search hard enough and you can get a solid e36 :-)
Re: Miata as first car? Suggestions? - Senor_Taylor - 03-09-2014
I'm going to try to stay away from bimmers. I guess. Just doesn't seem like a good idea. Not very simple to work on. Expensive parts.
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Re: Miata as first car? Suggestions? - Scott - 03-09-2014
This:
Senor_Taylor Wrote:cheap, easy to maintain, .
And this:
Senor_Taylor Wrote:944
Do not go together.........
My first track car was a 944, and now I have Miata's..... Any other questions?
Re: Miata as first car? Suggestions? - Senor_Taylor - 03-09-2014
Scott Wrote:This:
Senor_Taylor Wrote:cheap, easy to maintain, .
And this:
Senor_Taylor Wrote:944
Do not go together.........
My first track car was a 944, and now I have Miata's..... Any other questions?
Well, yeah, I have questions. But not about that. Thanks for the first hand anecdote though. That's what I made this thread to here. What should I look for when I look for one?
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Re: Miata as first car? Suggestions? - Goodspeed - 03-09-2014
While all are great cars, if I were in your position, I'd take a Miata everyday of the week over a 944 or E36. Any $3k dollar car is likely going to be in need of some work, but the Miata is far less likely to be a total basket case in that price range, and anything that needs doing will likely be much less expensive. Compare the costs of a clutch kit, for instance. You get my point.
I was going to write up a whole book on what to look for, then I remembered I have a pretty good buyer's guide in an old copy of Sport Compact Car. To the scanner I went, cuz I'm such a nice guy and all:
![[Image: 13043606093_09fcc364c1_o.png]](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3607/13043606093_09fcc364c1_o.png)
Almost everything you need is in there, but it'd behoove you to read up on miata.net as well - there is tons...tons of info out there on what Miata is right for you.
Good luck!
Re: Miata as first car? Suggestions? - JPolen01 - 03-09-2014
Good guy Goodspeed
Re: Miata as first car? Suggestions? - Senor_Taylor - 03-09-2014
Goodspeed.... I think.... I think I love you?
Looks like I'm looking for a 96...
Re: Miata as first car? Suggestions? - ispoonwithmugen - 03-09-2014
Why are you ruling out an E30? Especially over a Porsche.
Re: Miata as first car? Suggestions? - Senor_Taylor - 03-09-2014
ispoonwithmugen Wrote:Why are you ruling out an E30? Especially over a Porsche.The Porsche is not really in the picture. The porsche seems more worth the hassle to me than a BMW because it's more unique.
Both aren't as simple to work on as I'd like.
Re: Miata as first car? Suggestions? - CaptainHenreh - 03-09-2014
Why not 240SX? I was once a broke college student with one, and it was awesome.
Re: Miata as first car? Suggestions? - Senor_Taylor - 03-09-2014
CaptainHenreh Wrote:Why not 240SX? I was once a broke college student with one, and it was awesome.
You know, I didn't even think about one of those.That's why I made this thread.
Re: Miata as first car? Suggestions? - ispoonwithmugen - 03-09-2014
E30's aren't that difficult. They're all over the place and cheap as hell.
Re: Miata as first car? Suggestions? - rherold9 - 03-09-2014
Where's Sam when you need him. He has a ghost 240 that loves to do its own thing and start whenever it feels the it wants to. But, his engine is completely built so I guess that's a whole different measure. I say 240/miata would be sweet.
Were you looking at coupe's? Sedans?
Re: Miata as first car? Suggestions? - Senor_Taylor - 03-09-2014
rherold9 Wrote:Where's Sam when you need him. He has a ghost 240 that loves to do its own thing and start whenever it feels the it wants to. But, his engine is completely built so I guess that's a whole different measure. I say 240/miata would be sweet.
Were you looking at coupe's? Sedans?
Definitely light coupes. To hell with giving people rides. Maybe I'm just being ignorant when I say I just don't think I'd like a 240z.
Re: Miata as first car? Suggestions? - JPolen01 - 03-09-2014
I think you'll be hard pressed to find a decent 240 that hasn't been turned into a drift missile these days. Doesn't mean they aren't out there but it will take a long time to find one that is priced accordingly.
Re: Miata as first car? Suggestions? - Senor_Taylor - 03-09-2014
That's another thing. i want whatever I buy to be stock, or very close. Down to small things like the headunit. 99% of my pleasure comes from doing it myself and knowing what's going on.
Talking over my finances, I'm not sure if I'll be able to bankroll getting a car. Hopefully I can. If I do, I need to decide if I want both at JMU. Too bad I have no clue what a sophomore budget looks like.
Re: Miata as first car? Suggestions? - rherold9 - 03-09-2014
JPolen01 Wrote:I think you'll be hard pressed to find a decent 240 that hasn't been turned into a drift missile these days. Doesn't mean they aren't out there but it will take a long time to find one that is priced accordingly.
+1 I say a miata is a pretty good starter. Especially since it will be your first car. Sure is isn't fast but you will enjoy driving it. For cheap any car is usually going to have issues so just be prepared regardless of what you get.
Re: Miata as first car? Suggestions? - Senor_Taylor - 03-09-2014
Anything is faster than my truck. I don't care about fast, I care about taking turns quickly. If I want to do 100, I can do it in my truck. If I want to ride 33 and enjoy it with the top down. A miata would kick ass.
Re: Miata as first car? Suggestions? - *insertusernamehere* - 03-09-2014
Another thing to consider is time. Do you see yourself being busier next year? Do you have time for two cars? If you do, then it looks like the Miata option would work for ya. Do it! Did you drop the Celica option?