Should i buy this car?
I told the guy i wasn't interested and he kind of got mad. This car has been for sale over a month and said that he had a buyer in the course of 12 hours of talking to him that he had to turn down. To me, another red flag. He was probably more angry that he cant get out from under this car, meaning potential problems.
I understand the power and rear ends of these cars fairly well. I've been lucky and had a torsen in 3\4 miatas ive owned. the 1.6L is what it is. The 1.8 isn't blinding fast by any means so its really peanuts to compare 20 hp difference on a 20 year+ car that was under powered from the get go. Miatas speed comes from cornering not straight lines.....No matter what engine you have.
Currently looking at a...
...BMW Z3 too. Found one with the 225 HP motor 6 cylinder. I know the rear end suspension is lacking compared to the miata but the naturally aspirated power kind of makes up for it. I'll report back if i end up getting something soon. Still holding hope for a boosted miata though.
Goals are pretty basic. I want a good daily driver that can be auto crossed and possibly used for track events down the road.
I understand the power and rear ends of these cars fairly well. I've been lucky and had a torsen in 3\4 miatas ive owned. the 1.6L is what it is. The 1.8 isn't blinding fast by any means so its really peanuts to compare 20 hp difference on a 20 year+ car that was under powered from the get go. Miatas speed comes from cornering not straight lines.....No matter what engine you have.
Currently looking at a...
...BMW Z3 too. Found one with the 225 HP motor 6 cylinder. I know the rear end suspension is lacking compared to the miata but the naturally aspirated power kind of makes up for it. I'll report back if i end up getting something soon. Still holding hope for a boosted miata though.Goals are pretty basic. I want a good daily driver that can be auto crossed and possibly used for track events down the road.
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,146
Total Cats: 1,087
From: Lake Forest, CA
^what he said. I'm guessing you're looking at the 3.0is, probably a 2001-2002? That's a pretty great car, but definitely nowhere near as nimble as the Miata.
Lars, the earlier 2.8i Z3's were much much softer than the later 3.0is. I very nearly bought one of those, and would have if the dealer (who I worked for at the time!) wouldn't have jerked me around.
Lars, the earlier 2.8i Z3's were much much softer than the later 3.0is. I very nearly bought one of those, and would have if the dealer (who I worked for at the time!) wouldn't have jerked me around.
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Thread Starter
Newb
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 38
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From: Ohio
Thanks for the heads up. I have been trying to do my due diligence with research (glad i am because of the original reason for the post)
The Z3 has some admirable qualities but in whole i have to agree with the Miata being a better performer. Im finding some decent Z's for ABOUT the same cost as a NB miata. The fact that i can jump into a stock car with over 200HP and weighs just a little more than the Mx5 is appealing.
I've read about the rear subframe issues and weld breaking and also the rear differential will "rip" away. That sounds quite alarming considering it is a 14-15 year old car.
Personally i've never owned a z3 and i kind of like the looks. However if the miata broke something in a desert i'm confident i could fix it well enough to limp it somewhere if needed. That counts for a lot as well.
The Z3 has some admirable qualities but in whole i have to agree with the Miata being a better performer. Im finding some decent Z's for ABOUT the same cost as a NB miata. The fact that i can jump into a stock car with over 200HP and weighs just a little more than the Mx5 is appealing.
I've read about the rear subframe issues and weld breaking and also the rear differential will "rip" away. That sounds quite alarming considering it is a 14-15 year old car.
Personally i've never owned a z3 and i kind of like the looks. However if the miata broke something in a desert i'm confident i could fix it well enough to limp it somewhere if needed. That counts for a lot as well.
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,146
Total Cats: 1,087
From: Lake Forest, CA
Which 200+ HP Z3's are you finding for Miata money? Certainly none worth purchasing I should think. The only Z3 that'd be at all satisfying for a performance-minded driver would be the '01+ 3.0is, or the M roadster. The earlier 2.8 was only 180 hp, so to get over 200 hp standard in the Z3 it'd have to be the '01-02 3.0 or the M roadster.
Any of those in decent shape with reasonable miles should still be going for $8k plus.
Any of those in decent shape with reasonable miles should still be going for $8k plus.
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Newb
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 38
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From: Ohio
yes, you are correct. However the 97-2000's had the 2.8l all aluminum engine and with some simple bolt ons get you over 200hp relatively cheap and easy. Intake, cams, exhaust, etc...Those can be found from $3500-4500.
the 3.0's are still fetching some decent cash. From the enthusiast forums they seem to like the 2.8's with the bolt on's and think they are comparable to the 3.0 if done right. Even with the bolt on's its still cheaper than boosting a miata.
At this point i'm pretty decided on one of these two cars. It comes down to the better deal presenting it's self.
the 2.8l has 189/192hp depending on what you read.
the 3.0's are still fetching some decent cash. From the enthusiast forums they seem to like the 2.8's with the bolt on's and think they are comparable to the 3.0 if done right. Even with the bolt on's its still cheaper than boosting a miata.
At this point i'm pretty decided on one of these two cars. It comes down to the better deal presenting it's self.
the 2.8l has 189/192hp depending on what you read.
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,146
Total Cats: 1,087
From: Lake Forest, CA
I can't imagine that an intake, cams, and exhaust for a BMW could possibly be cheaper than an MKTurbo kit. I haven't researched that, but it seems like a decent NA8 + MKTurbo kit puts you in a really good spot for not a ton of money.
A <$4500 Z3 is gonna have a lot of miles and need money put into it in other areas.
But hey if that's what you want go for it! A sweet car for sure. I was drooling over $10-11k M Roadsters on CL this morning.
A <$4500 Z3 is gonna have a lot of miles and need money put into it in other areas.
But hey if that's what you want go for it! A sweet car for sure. I was drooling over $10-11k M Roadsters on CL this morning.
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Thread Starter
Newb
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 38
Total Cats: -2
From: Ohio
Just for the sake of conclusion...
I ended up buying a 97 Z3 2.8L. I looked around for a decent NB miata and happened to stumble upon this at a decent buy.
Thanks everyone for steering me away from the 90' mx5 i think this will be a fun new toy. Im sure ill be back in a miata before my days are over..They are like the ex girlfriend you wished you never got rid of....
I ended up buying a 97 Z3 2.8L. I looked around for a decent NB miata and happened to stumble upon this at a decent buy.
Thanks everyone for steering me away from the 90' mx5 i think this will be a fun new toy. Im sure ill be back in a miata before my days are over..They are like the ex girlfriend you wished you never got rid of....
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yes, you are correct. However the 97-2000's had the 2.8l all aluminum engine and with some simple bolt ons get you over 200hp relatively cheap and easy. Intake, cams, exhaust, etc...Those can be found from $3500-4500.
the 3.0's are still fetching some decent cash. From the enthusiast forums they seem to like the 2.8's with the bolt on's and think they are comparable to the 3.0 if done right. Even with the bolt on's its still cheaper than boosting a miata.
At this point i'm pretty decided on one of these two cars. It comes down to the better deal presenting it's self.
the 2.8l has 189/192hp depending on what you read.
the 3.0's are still fetching some decent cash. From the enthusiast forums they seem to like the 2.8's with the bolt on's and think they are comparable to the 3.0 if done right. Even with the bolt on's its still cheaper than boosting a miata.
At this point i'm pretty decided on one of these two cars. It comes down to the better deal presenting it's self.
the 2.8l has 189/192hp depending on what you read.
I can't imagine that an intake, cams, and exhaust for a BMW could possibly be cheaper than an MKTurbo kit. I haven't researched that, but it seems like a decent NA8 + MKTurbo kit puts you in a really good spot for not a ton of money.
A <$4500 Z3 is gonna have a lot of miles and need money put into it in other areas.
But hey if that's what you want go for it! A sweet car for sure. I was drooling over $10-11k M Roadsters on CL this morning.
A <$4500 Z3 is gonna have a lot of miles and need money put into it in other areas.
But hey if that's what you want go for it! A sweet car for sure. I was drooling over $10-11k M Roadsters on CL this morning.
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They can be porky, IIRC the early non-M 2.8's were in the 2700lb range. I threw a Corbeau seat in and dropped 50lbs. Pretty easy to lose some weight in those cars.
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,146
Total Cats: 1,087
From: Lake Forest, CA
I still think that unless you're looking for a road-tripper/cruiser, you're far better off with an NA8 or NB1 and an inexpensive turbo kit.
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Thread Starter
Newb
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 38
Total Cats: -2
From: Ohio
update
So, i've had the car for a little bit now. I've taken the hideous stripes and wing off of it. This car has been pretty nightmarish so far. I've replaced the CCV, valve cover gasket, clutch slave and master, O2 sensor, oil and plugs, a ton of little vacuum lines. That had the car running good for about a week with no CEL light on. I let the car sit for two days, take it on a 30 minute trip and get a CEL for the cam sensor and the radiator had something hit it and was leaking.
Very much regretting this purchase so far, Miata Is Always The Answer.
Very much regretting this purchase so far, Miata Is Always The Answer.
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So, i've had the car for a little bit now. I've taken the hideous stripes and wing off of it. This car has been pretty nightmarish so far. I've replaced the CCV, valve cover gasket, clutch slave and master, O2 sensor, oil and plugs, a ton of little vacuum lines. That had the car running good for about a week with no CEL light on. I let the car sit for two days, take it on a 30 minute trip and get a CEL for the cam sensor and the radiator had something hit it and was leaking.
Very much regretting this purchase so far, Miata Is Always The Answer.
Very much regretting this purchase so far, Miata Is Always The Answer.
At least you didnt buy an audi.
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So, i've had the car for a little bit now. I've taken the hideous stripes and wing off of it. This car has been pretty nightmarish so far. I've replaced the CCV, valve cover gasket, clutch slave and master, O2 sensor, oil and plugs, a ton of little vacuum lines. That had the car running good for about a week with no CEL light on. I let the car sit for two days, take it on a 30 minute trip and get a CEL for the cam sensor and the radiator had something hit it and was leaking.
Very much regretting this purchase so far, Miata Is Always The Answer.
Very much regretting this purchase so far, Miata Is Always The Answer.
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I don't know what you guys are smoking. My 200k+ mile '92 is a great long distance car. That's with my old tein flexes, and I'm sure newer suspension components are that much nicer.
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