Mazda Miata Fanboyism Is Real

"flying lap" (flyinglap) 02/17/2015 at 13:02 • Filed to: None

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Full disclosure; I’ve never owned a Miata. I’ve read they’re good, although I can’t attest to it. I’ve also recommended them to countless individuals who ask “what’s the best sports car for the money”. Why the heck would I own one? I daily drove a Honda S2000 for six years. Which, if you didn’t know, is the Miata’s big brother that gives you noogies until you cry like a bitch. They look better, have more power - yo, and aren’t reminiscent of your wife’s favorite hairdresser. Here’s a short breakdown of why I loathe the Mazda Miata:

1 Way Too Feminine - Like Bruce Jenner they exude zero masculinity. Especially in red.

2 Way Underpowered - 116hp sounds great if you’re talking lawnmower specs. Fast forward 25 years and the lowly Mazda is still in fart-can range at a paltry 167hp.

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3 Way Too Good at The Track - How many times have you heard “ My Miata, with Hoosiers will destroy your new Z06 around the racetrack ”. Please.

4 Way Too Small Wheels Named After a Sunflower - Some wheels are the stuff of legends. If you have any automotive merit, names like Monoblock, Fuchs, and Basketweave come to mind. Miata on the other hand has a cute set of 14'’ rollers apply named; the daisy.

5 Way Too Red - For the better of my existence I was under the impression Miata’s only came in red. I’m still not totally sure they painted them any other color.

Now... I’m done hating. Last weekend I bought a very stock 1993 1.6L Miata in red . And I f**cking love it. I’m sorry for everything I just said, it’s rubbish. I’m also thankful that the entire automotive journalism world hasn’t been lying to me. For the money this is clearly the best car on earth.

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My car is so stock it hurts, down to the original head unit. I refuse to change anything for the sake of originality and will drive it as Mazda’s engineer’s intended. Daisy wheels and all. The 1.6 is so willing, the chassis feels damn near perfect, and even with shit tires the handling is benign. And the shifter, even after owning an S2000, feels legit.

If you’re like me and never appreciated the virtues of the Miata enough to buy one, do yourself a favor and at least go drive one. My first generation 1.6l car is just as entertaining as my s2000. In fact, in many ways it’s more entertaining. It’s not as angry, it’s 800 pounds lighter (give or take), feels more tossable, and good ones can cost less than a 60" flat-screen. I won’t ramble  waxing poetic about the virtues of these amazing little roadster, it’s been done. If you value any sorta cool driving experience, save your pennies, and go buy a Miata.

Flyinglap aka Joe knows more useless car information than anybody. He owns every Car & Driver since 1986. His 11 year old son knows the difference between an E24 and E28. His 7 year old son says “gai-ar-doh” not “gah-lar-doh” .

anothermiatafanboy > flying lap 02/17/2015 at 13:09

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Miata ownership is something every gearhead should experience. Like a Jeep or maybe a Crown Vic, it is a unique driving experience, and an experience worth having. Nice article!

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > flying lap 02/17/2015 at 13:16

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Love my 03. DD in the summer. Cant think of a better way to get around.

SantaRita > flying lap 02/17/2015 at 13:17

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s2000 is a great car, but at least mazda still makes their sport car ;)

serisously, get those guys busy on an s2100

flying lap > SantaRita 02/17/2015 at 13:20

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No shit. Honda needs to wake up and smell the exhaust.

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > flying lap 02/17/2015 at 13:22

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but technically if they smelled too much exhaust they wouldn't wake up would they?

LongbowMk2 > flying lap 02/17/2015 at 13:24

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you got my dander into a fluff.

Well done.

The best part of cheap NA miata ownership is the ability to not give a care. Sure, you need to keep basic maintenance in mind, but unless you've poured your soul into one, they are still fairly disposable, which makes it great.

flying lap > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen 02/17/2015 at 13:27

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Don't shut the garage door. They'll be fine

flying lap > anothermiatafanboy 02/17/2015 at 13:27

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Thanks dude. Nice sig.

flying lap > anothermiatafanboy 02/17/2015 at 13:28

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Not so sure about the Crown Vic though!

anothermiatafanboy > flying lap 02/17/2015 at 13:30

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Oh cmon. Its a singular driving experience hard to compare directly to anything else. Just like a Jeep or MX5. It is one of a kind. Last of its breed!!!1!!111!

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > flying lap 02/17/2015 at 13:42

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What if does close though?

Bird > flying lap 02/17/2015 at 13:46

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I was about to get upset and write an article..."Miata Haters Are Real"

....then I finished reading.

Congrats on the new purchase. They're so much fun. I never smiled more than the track day where I had faster lap times than a dude in a 911. I was all over his ass in the tight section of the track, then he walked away from me on a straight...but he still didn't have faster lap time!

Take it to a track...I tracked my bone stock 1.6L NA and it's a ton of fun.

njp1589 > flying lap 02/17/2015 at 13:49

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I miss my Miata. A lot.

Unfortunately, the list of "Cars I Would Like to Buy" at the $20k price point continues to grow, and it does face some stiff competition.

flying lap > Bird 02/17/2015 at 13:54

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LOL! You should write the article anyway! I wanna read it....

Aposki > flying lap 02/17/2015 at 13:57

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Thank you for assuring me that I need one in my life.

I'm a bit afraid about the rust as I need a car for the whole year, and here in winter roads are pretty much covered in salt.

colorfulyawn > flying lap 02/17/2015 at 14:03

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Yup. When I bought mine, I was considering an AP1. I love the S2000, but the NA just felt more fun in everyday driving. Can't say I regret the decision, although I didn't leave mine stock.

flying lap > colorfulyawn 02/17/2015 at 14:14

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It's an interesting comparison, S2000 vs Miata. In every measurable category, the s2000 destroys any generation Miata. Except; The N/A Miata can be driven at 10 / 10ths, anywhere. The S2000 should really be enjoyed at the racetrack.

flying lap > njp1589 02/17/2015 at 14:15

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Buy an N/A. Paid 2k for a 122k mile, 2 owner, southern car. Unreal.

Kevin Barrett > flying lap 02/17/2015 at 14:17

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"Fart can range?" I thought fart cans were an aftermarket accessory, like those mufflers you always see on second-owner S2000s.

kvetcha > flying lap 02/17/2015 at 14:18

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I learned stick on an NA Miata.

I feel blessed.

greenagain > flying lap 02/17/2015 at 14:18

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I never really had MIATA Hate but when I finally got an NA about 5 years ago I kicked myself for not getting one sooner.

flying lap > Kevin Barrett 02/17/2015 at 14:19

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Ya, it's what comes to mind when I hear anything less 200hp.

flying lap > greenagain 02/17/2015 at 14:26

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Dude, for the money, I can't believe I waited this long. FML

Kevin Barrett > flying lap 02/17/2015 at 14:28

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I've got a 2001 with the 142hp engine and some bolt-on breathing bits; Racing Beat intake, Borla exhaust...200hp cars feel slow compared to it because they're all at least 400 pounds heavier and/or only make their power in the stratosphere. Miata engines don't put up big numbers, but they put up where it matters—in the range you normally drive in.

colorfulyawn > flying lap 02/17/2015 at 14:28

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Indeed. Even fairly well-modded Miatas get smoked on the track by stock S2000s. But the NA is fun at speeds as low as 20 mph.

That said, I wouldn't take an NC over an S2000.

flying lap > colorfulyawn 02/17/2015 at 14:33

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Ha! I wouldn't either. Matter of fact, I'd take the S2000 over any Miata. The real argument is price. N/A is sooo worth the money.

LongbowMk2 > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen 02/17/2015 at 14:34

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you'll end up with the notion that the Acura beak was a good design idea.

Shift24 > flying lap 02/17/2015 at 14:42

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The only reason i have ever looked into getting one was because the spec miata series. Cheap (in terms of race cars) with tons of parts available. I have now shied away from that to go with an 92 accord, ok its FWD but more power (do your own Clarkson imitation), 2 door, 5spd, hard top (though would never want to see an accord drop top) and in my opinion way more reliable and comfortable if you DD.

The main problem i have with the miatas is if you dont know what you are looking for they can nickel and dime you, especially with the frame rot up here in the north. But that could be almost any car in the rust belt, i guess for me its just ill take my ricer over Barbie's car .

flying lap > Shift24 02/17/2015 at 14:50

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Love that gen Accord, great car. Although, I wouldn't say they're more reliable. Both so solid.

I don't worry about rust, I live in the south. Feel sorry for Northerners, rust sucks.

this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata > flying lap 02/17/2015 at 15:18

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Wow, well done sir. That was a plot twist worthy of M. Night Shyamalan himself. I was all ready to join the fanboy counterattack in the comments and then BAM!

flying lap > this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata 02/17/2015 at 15:50

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Ha, thanks.

Shift24 > flying lap 02/17/2015 at 17:06

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Lucky, plus you dont have to deal with negative temperatures... yeah it like dog years for cars, they age 4 times as fast up here

KillerBee > flying lap 02/20/2015 at 16:52

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Since you're now on official Miata owner, I'll forgive you this time. But it's "NA" not "N/A", which is an abbreviation for "not applicable". In case you were not aware, NA comes from the VIN, in which there is no slash.

KillerBee > greenagain 02/20/2015 at 16:58

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This. I went looking for a mid-life crisis car a few years back. My Dad kept telling me to buy a Miata, but I insisted I wanted something with more hp, preferably a V6. So I got a Sky Redline, which turned out to be steaming pile of shit. After less than a year of ownership I was ready to get rid of it. I finally gave in and went for a test drive in a Miata. An NC. Never have I had so much fun in a car. I've never had a love affair like the one I have with this car. It's the first car I've ever owned that I can honestly say I'll probably keep forever. My wife saw how much fun I was having, and she bought one, too. Now I want an NA or NB in the driveway to add to the collection.

mcseanerson > flying lap 02/20/2015 at 17:28

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I have been dwelling on what I want for my next fun car and I already had a '95 Miata and I keep thinking of all the many things but my most important deciding factor is how much of a cheapskate I am and I can't think of another car that comes even remotely close to being as good or as much fun for anywhere near a used Miata's price.

flying lap > KillerBee 02/20/2015 at 18:31

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Noted

JT812 > flying lap 02/21/2015 at 11:50

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I am on my second NA 1.8 they're so so good. 1.8 or 1.6 it doesn't matter. Good tyres or shit tyres it doesn't matter. Get in, drive like you stole it and grin like Cheshire Cat. Job done.

64C10 > this is not matt farah's foxbodymiata 02/21/2015 at 12:10

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Same here! Also, I LOL'd at that profile pic of yours!

Bryce Womeldurf > flying lap 02/21/2015 at 21:15

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Welcome to the Miata family!

flying lap > Bryce Womeldurf 02/21/2015 at 21:20

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Thanks! Been a long time coming....