So, as we are all Celica owners, we all have the same baseline perspective to build on. What do you as 6GCers think about the Mazda MX-5? Would you consider trading your Celica for an MX-5 (specifically the NB - 2nd gen), and if you did, what would you consider to be the pros and cons of trading to an MX-5?

Thanks for the input.

Why are you considering an MX-5? Will you auto-x with it?

I'm merely just asking for purposes of discussion.

ha u effed up ur alignment !

2nd gen, no.

1st gen hardtop with coilovers and watanabe's - yes

Would I trade my mr2 for either - not a chance.

I feel that they look girly, but they are fun enough to not care. When I test drove an RX8 last summer, I was informed by the salesman that Mazda's are notorious for needing to be warmed up before being driven. Other than that, they are golden.

Let's do this.

I love the mx5 miata.


Pro:

so light
such great handleing

cons:

convertable
low horsepower
small


One of the main reason I would never own a miata is simply because i don't like convertibles. Convertibles have more road noise, require extra maintenance, does not seal out the weather as well as a hard top, less roll over protection, security problem (slashing convertable fabric is easy), and less structural strength.

The 1st gen still looks superb today.... the rest are a bit meh.

and if you're looking to pick up guys, which i suspect you are, there is no finer car

I love mx5s espically the 1st gen. I would buy one, i would even trade my celica for one. But i would never do i since i enjoy the company of my celica much more.

Sometimes you have to look at a bigger picture. Captain pessimist here has a few words sir. You are on limited income and a student. You are driving an aging car that may only fetch what you want in a private sale. Except that we are on verge of double dip recession so not that many people will want to pay what you think the car is worth. Likewise dealers hate to trade an old car on their lot for an older car because they will not make much profit on 10+ year cars.

So... you are looking to get an impractical but very very fun car. I dont know what to tell you sir because from my experience miata is a car that you take to the movies or grab your wife and drive to your friend's house. In a practical scheme of things storage space is quite limited in that little car.

If you can get the money or get a straight up trade you can try your luck but you will be back to tell us how much you miss a celica. Just ask richee.

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Excellent.

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What's your reasoning for saying so? Actually, somebody suggested an MR2 to me yesterday, so I'm researching into those today. I wouldn't mind staying Toyota, although I suspect that an SW20 would be harder to work on than an NB (or NA) and maybe a little less reliable? I do like the looks of the SW20 a lot though.

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Do it to it, VB.

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I might agree with you on that...the first gen looks good when it's really, really slammed. Coilovers are definitely a must, if I get an MX-5 I want a go-kart. The second gen is a little more girly, but more modern as well. I think they look pretty good in MazdaSpeed kit. As for that last comment, I'm going to keep my mouth shut since you are such a good, good, good moderator.

Prepare for ass-rape via PM though.

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Well, I rarely have more than one passenger, so that's not an issue. The only regular cargo I have is a backpack (and a subwoofer, but that's probably going with the Celica), so that's not an issue either. It's more of a loss of luxury in space than it is a loss of necessary space. Funny you should mention JD though. As far as the cash, yeah, that's an issue...but that's why I'm researching right now versus when I want to buy, I want to give myself ample time to make a decision. And yes, I probably will miss the Celica, but I am stuck with an auto ST and that's not doing it for me anymore. I would trade for another Celica, but I see that as pointless because I'll never get one like mine, so I might as well go to another car.

So, the general consensus of this forum is 1st gen (NA) over 2nd gen (NB)?

And in a nutshell, my reasoning for possibly trading is this: I have an auto and I can't change that. The Celica right now is problem-free, so if I were to trade for a manual ST, I'd have the same car but with issues, and that just seems like a counter-productive move to me.. If I were to keep the Celica, I'd want to keep focusing on handling, but in the end it'd still be FWD. But, if I were to want a manual anyway, why not start with a fresh car that has better intrinsic handling qualities? With an SW20 or NB (or NA), I'd get all of that. Manual, RWD, better handling.

Guys, don't get me wrong, I still love my car and I think this is a great community. I still love being in the Celica and I think it's still fantastic to drive and a fantastic car to be in. It looks good and it definitely has a soul. But maybe it's time to explore other horizons...

This post has been edited by SwissFerdi: Aug 29, 2010 - 12:39 PM

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MX-5, totally Ghey to be seen driving it on the streets, yet it is a total track car to take to... the track as it has superior handling. The latest model doesn't look so bad, and even though I see more men drive them than females, they still look too small for a man to be driving, plus it is a convertible in regards to the "masculinity" of it all. But they are very good cars.

^ Yeah, you're right, it does seem like it's a little conflicted, but they're just such good cars. And at the end of the day, I think the relationship between car and driver (and the drive) is more important than what people see when one drives by.

On a side note, I saw this NA a few months ago and took a crappy picture...but I think it looks pretty good on those RPF-1 wheels. And I don't even think it's lowered...



And I like these wheels as well. I'd rock an NA like that, in silver with the wheels in flat black and red. MMM.



This post has been edited by SwissFerdi: Aug 29, 2010 - 1:23 PM

No, it is a very fine car to participate in motorsports, Touge and such.. Just saying on the road... Well I see older men driving them and they look like they are car enthusiasts, but just saying... I dunno... Maybe it's just me and that scene in Corky Romano when he is driving a yellow one and singing maybe kind of ruined the ideal of daily driving one in the streets for me or something. I dunno. They are damn fine cars though.

^ I still agree with you, and it is a perfect project car. My budget doesn't allow for two cars though, so this would HAVE to be my DD as well.

This post has been edited by SwissFerdi: Aug 29, 2010 - 2:17 PM

SW20 is a lot harder to work on mechanically, because there isn't really a good way to get to the motor. Case in point - my thread about dropping the motor to replace my water pump. The only GOOD part of that is now I know the ins and outs of my car, I know what work has been done, I know how to do it all again if need be, and most importantly it is still a Toyota. The handling characteristics of the MR2 are very predictable. Think of it as an oversized go-kart.

And a V6 swap into a MR2 makes it sound like the exotic it is



The Miata, when set up with a nice set of coilovers (no Megan coilovers aren't nice) and good set of wheels, they look incredible, and a lot of fun to drive. I think the MR2 has more cabin space, but I could be wrong. Its been a while since I've driven a Miata.

Fawk it, I'm going NA if anything. You're right, they do look incredible. It might be a better move budget-wise (versus an NB) as well...3-4k for the car should leave me a grand for maintenance, which I definitely would want to do to start the car off right.

As for the SW20, I'll heed your advice. I love how they look and it sounds like an amazing car, but I think that's something for when I'm 30 and know a bit more about cars and have more resources to work on them, not when I'm a college punk. I'll wait 'till I'm a big boy.

This post has been edited by SwissFerdi: Aug 29, 2010 - 4:13 PM

Ferdi. Stop floating in the sea of clouds where everything is wonderful. You are concerned about reliability so old car is a MUST NOT for you. You also, somehow, want a "regular" version even though that is what you are trying to get away from a "regular version". Do yourself a favor and buy yourself a brand new 15000 car. Well you can actually buy a 3 year old car and avoid the 40% price plunge.

But having seen you giggle like a little girl getting a kick out of my swapped car I think you need to get yourself a sport car. In which case you need to stop looking at "normal cars". I cant tell you to go out there and just find something because it is likely that you will be involving your folks in the buying process. So. To make them happy and to make you happy let me give you a list of "reasonably priced" cars that do not cost a ton and will make you a very happy and fast panda.

Sport Sport cars cost a pretty penny and insurance is an arm and a leg so you need something like:
subaru (insert name of all the quick non wrx models they have).
VW GTI and all them rabbit like versions
Mazda miata sport version
Mini Cooper Sport
Yes a Scion
Mitsubishi something
Honda something

The list could go on. I think you need to target 2000-2005 cars that have some kick and are affordable.

^That's kinda true too. I know when our Xa's (Scion/Toyota) went on sale for the first time, they were like $10k for a new car. It might be like that again when some new cars hit the lots.

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You're spot on in that first sentence, but I drive an "old" car now with no issues. Now, I realize that my Celica's condition is probably a bit of an outlier and therefore, I should expect issues with another car of this age, so I'm planning on having cash left over to put into maintenance as soon as I get the car. The NA goes up to 1997, so if anything, I'd only be going back a few years. And yes, you are right, I do like speed. But tell me, where is that usable in FL? Nowhere. So, might as well get something that handles well but is relatively slow. Also, I like that list you've compiled but keep in mind that as of right now, I'd be buying a replacement with the value of my current car, so that puts all of those options out of range. Also, the only FWD I'd consider is a GTI.

But you're most likely right, I could be thinking too optimistically. But this is why I started this thread at this point, so I have plenty of time to research and plan. And, as aforementioned, I'd say I'm too young for big power. I'd rather get something that will enable me too learn without being overly complicated, and then step up to something different later in life.

I thank all of you for your input.

This post has been edited by SwissFerdi: Aug 29, 2010 - 5:58 PM

I dont know about the rest of the kids here in florida but I exercise my right to have fun when necessary ;-p

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Only the Rotary powered ones. Seeing as how they have a huge seal, warming up would be a good idea. Same with any piston motor.

If I wasn't 6 3or4 I would own a miata right now! They are fairly easy to work on(I work on my knees and can reach all around the engine compartment). They are dirt cheap, good looking imo, and great to learn to drive fast(on the track I mean). When I was at a local roadtrack I had the opportunity to go for a ride along at racepace in a spec miata, and it was pretty cool however I had my head cocked at a terrible angle with my helmet on and I still hit the hardtop. I say go for it!

I would go for it. I'll always think the Celica has a better style but it's hard to beat a RWD 2 seater in sheer fun, but that's exactly what they are built for.

I agree with the post above mine. The Celica has more curb appeal, but less fun. NA's are good little cars. You know the rules of thumb of used car buying- check the tires, check the pedals, check the oil before you let anyone start the motor, blah blah blah.

MR2 is all this and better and dont give me the i cant do the maintenance crap...

IMO the 2 is a great car with a lot of potential but you can go as far as shoving an LS motor into the MX-5. The aftermarket following will be around for much longer on the 5 which comes in handy if you need to replace things or upgrade.

Another good option in a similar league as the MX-5 is the first gen RX-7. They're cheap (I got mine for $400), easily modded, have a similar power/weight ratio, and have a decent aftermarket (nothing like the MX-5 though).

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that is so wrong. I actually really like the new mx5.

I wouldn't daily it.

This post has been edited by Supersprynt: Aug 30, 2010 - 9:40 AM