Anyone dump their Miata for a Mini?

[Mini Pod]

I'm a '99 Miata owner and I've had a lot of fun with that car. But, I'm really feeling that it's time to move on.

Any other former Miata owners out there? Any regrets on leaving the Miata behind?

[Guuyuk]

Yes, I had a 1990 Miata with 270K miles. I sold it to a friend for a project car so I could get the MINI. I needed a backseat for child #2 (whi is now 6 months old) as taking 2 kids to daycare in a Miata is a bit difficult...
I still miss the Miata (the MINI is my first front-wheel drive car), but I have no regrets. I probably could have saved a few bucks and picked up a Mazdaspeed Protoge, but where's the fun in that?

[Paul]

Quite a few of the peope around here have gone a similar route. Try a search for Miata, I know there's a lot of discussions about them.

[Spy Car]

Hey Gary,

Paul is right there have been a lot of people who have come to MINIs after driving Miatas and a search should yeild quite a few threads. You should also search using the international name for Miata (is it MX 5?....someone will correct this if I have it wrong) since many of the threads may not have "Miata" in the title.

I never remember reading about a Miata lover who was disappointed after buying a MINI.

While most Miata owners remembered their old cars fondly, and many kept the Mazdas as second cars, the folks who have posted here have been thrilled to find a car in a more "practical" form factor that kept (or surpassed) the fun factor and amazing handling of their Miatas.

Have you driven a MINI yet?

[TulsaMINI]

I had a 90 Miata with 165,000 miles before the MINI. My main requirement for a MINI was it HAD to have a sunroof. You can't go from convertible to enclosed. No way. No how.

The Miata's new owner was quite happy with his purchase and I'm glad it got a good home. I wouldn't call it "dumping" the Miata! It was adopted!

Angie

[WENZOR007]

I too had a 1990 Mazda Miata. Fun car. Handed down the Miata to my kid sister! MCS is more fun!

[dmholmes]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mini Pod

I'm a '99 Miata owner and I've had a lot of fun with that car. But, I'm really feeling that it's time to move on.

Any other former Miata owners out there? Any regrets on leaving the Miata behind?

Came up with a much better solution and kept the Miata when I bought the Mini.

[Mini Pod]

Quote: Originally Posted by Spy Car

Hey Gary,
Paul is right there have been a lot of people who have come to MINIs after driving Miatas and a search should yeild quite a few threads. You should also search using the international name for Miata (is it MX 5?....someone will correct this if I have it wrong) since many of the threads may not have "Miata" in the title.

I never remember reading about a Miata lover who was disappointed after buying a MINI.

While most Miata owners remembered their old cars fondly, and many kept the Mazdas as second cars, the folks who have posted here have been thrilled to find a car in a more "practical" form factor that kept (or surpassed) the fun factor and amazing handling of their Miatas.

Have you driven a MINI yet?

I'll have to try that (MX-5), as most of the "Miata" hits were just comparisons (only one on switching).

I wouldn't mind taking that option of keeping the Miata, but I need a more balanced pair (1 small, 1 medium size). Also, both are "fun" cars so it would always be a struggle of figuring out which one to drive! I have an aging Maxima which is going very strong... I was either going to replace it with an A4/G35 and keep the Miata, or trade out the Miata for a MINI.

I did manage to test drive an MCS at Fairfield MINI (CT). The handling, feel, and acceleration were all very good. This car feels more refined than the Miata, and certainly more powerful. I just wonder if I'll really miss having the rag top. The MINI has a nice sized sunroof and I like how the rear seat has a complimentary glass panel above it. Unfortunately I test drove the MCS on a cold night, so I didn't open it. I'll have to do a daytime drive.

But I have to be honest, the quality problems reported by first release owners really scared me. It is comforting to see 2003 owners having far fewer problems though, and more "corrections" introduced in 2004.

[Mini Pod]

Quote: Originally Posted by TulsaMINI

I had a 90 Miata with 165,000 miles before the MINI. My main requirement for a MINI was it HAD to have a sunroof. You can't go from convertible to enclosed. No way. No how.

The Miata's new owner was quite happy with his purchase and I'm glad it got a good home. I wouldn't call it "dumping" the Miata! It was adopted!

Angie

You really put your Miata through the paces, Angie! Mine has been more of a fair weather driver. I got a '99 with 27k in 2002 and it just cleared 35k. I love the way it handles, but it's just a little too small for me (I have to slouch to see the top of the speedometer) and I'm becoming hungry for a little more "punch" from the engine.

About the sunroof, I absolutely agree. I went from a sunroof car to a complete hard top once... never again. It's either a generous sunroof or a ragtop.

But you're right... I shouldn't have said "dump". "Trade" or "Part with" would have been more respectful.

[dmholmes]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mini Pod

You really put your Miata through the paces, Angie! Mine has been more of a fair weather driver. I got a '99 with 27k in 2002 and it just cleared 35k. I love the way it handles, but it's just a little too small for me (I have to slouch to see the top of the speedometer) and I'm becoming hungry for a little more "punch" from the engine.

The answer to your "punch" problems can be found at:

http://www.flyinmiata.com

Turbos are relatively cheap and the motors were practically designed to have one from Mazda. You can generally run 12 to 15 psi of boost with no modifications to the car (other than ecu).

[Mini Pod]

Quote: Originally Posted by dmholmes

The answer to your "punch" problems can be found at:

http://www.flyinmiata.com

Turbos are relatively cheap and the motors were practically designed to have one from Mazda. You can generally run 12 to 15 psi of boost with no modifications to the car (other than ecu).

$5k for turbo, $1k for appropriate clutch & flywheel; and this doesn't include installation. Would be quite an investment... I wonder if it would be better to do this on a 6 speed tranny, rather than a 5 speed.

[dmholmes]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mini Pod

$5k for turbo, $1k for appropriate clutch & flywheel; and this doesn't include installation. Would be quite an investment... I wonder if it would be better to do this on a 6 speed tranny, rather than a 5 speed.

Oops, forgot we were talking about a 99 Miata. I have a 95 and the base turbo kit is "only" $3500. Generally clutch and flywheel stuff isn't needed until you hit the higher boost levels.

[hnbrown]

I could not part with my Supercharged Miata when I purchased my 2004 MCS. Still too much fun and way too many mods . There is a time and place for both in my garage. Love my MINI but still love my Miata. Web page is dated but you can see my Miata that was featured in Sport Compact Car magazine several years ago at :

http://webpages.charter.net/hbrown3124/home1.html

Happy Motoring!

[Mini Pod]

Quote: Originally Posted by hnbrown

I could not part with my Supercharged Miata when I purchased my 2004 MCS. Still too much fun and way too many mods . There is a time and place for both in my garage. Love my MINI but still love my Miata. Web page is dated but you can see my Miata that was featured in Sport Compact Car magazine several years ago at :

http://webpages.charter.net/hbrown3124/home1.html

Happy Motoring!

Oh, yeah (ow, ow)! I can see why you couldn't part with it. If I had an M1 outfitted like that, I'd be hard pressed to leave it too. Very tasteful cosmetic mods. The color matched rims are a nice touch too. Is that a double-DIN Bose stereo you have in there? The engine looks sweet, to say the least.

[Spy Car]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mini Pod

The handling, feel, and acceleration were all very good. This car feels more refined than the Miata, and certainly more powerful. I just wonder if I'll really miss having the rag top. The MINI has a nice sized sunroof and I like how the rear seat has a complimentary glass panel above it.

I'd bet there would be a few days every year when you would really miss the rag top. The sunroof, however is really nice. Mine, here in So Cal, is open 90% of the time....and even closed the huge glass panel brings in so much light and a feeling of open-ness.

I think for the compromise of losing the rag top you will be gaining a lot of advantages with the MINI...I'm a little prejudiced obviously....and once I would have love having a Miata (had I been able to stuff my overly tall frame inside...just no way I could fit with the top up).

This MCS owner is very satisfied with the quality of my November 2002 built 2003 MINI.