Hello All,

I don't have all that many posts, but I've been lurking for a while. I am a proud owner of a 2005 RX-8, and I find it awesome. I love the handling and the rotary engine. It's just so smooth. However for a number of reasons, I have been looking at the Miata more and more.

I test drove it today, but was only able to test drive a 5 speed Sport, instead of my desired 6 speed Touring. It was quite small...even harder to get into than the Rex. The handling was great and turn in was so good. Felt so tossable..guess that's what its like to lose 500 lbs and shrinking 15 inches in wheelbase at once! It did however, feel a bit slower than the RX-8, given its HP disadvantage. Also, even though the engine sounded good...nothing is sweeter sounding or smoother than the rotary.

I was curious how many owners here also own a Miata or have switched into one. Besides the obvious (convertible, two seater, storage space), what have you missed about the RX-8 and what have you really like about the Miata? I really like the MX-5 and its positives, but I just want to see what you guys may have nothing in the long term. The back seats aren't a big deal, as I realized I've only had people in my backseats one time (1!!!) in 2 years. So I think I could do without them. And, to be honest, the Miata trunk is only a little smaller than the RX-8's trunk.

Thank you in advance to anyone who can help me out. I appreciate it very much.

Jon

PS. I love my RX-8 so much, but I have that chronic car buying gene. It sucks. At least I can stay in the family.

 

If I didn't have such a great desire to have a S2K as my next car, the mx5 would take its place...

 

An S2000 is definitely on my radar...except for the huge price disparity between it and the MX-5. And mpg. And insurance. BUT...you only live once though. It may still happen.

 

Well, if it's any consolation, they are offering pretty darn good deals on the S2000. Also, for 25,000, you can get your hands on an extremely low mileage certified preowned 06. I'm talking like one with less then 10k miles. It makes me cringe when I think about it, but due to the S2000 being made for such a long time now, the older models are very affordable, so people don't wanna spend the money on a new one, and that makes the newer models drop into the mid 20s almost immediately, and brand new models can be had for under invoice.

I, like you have a chronic car buying gene (04 RX8 and 04 STI to an 06 S2000 and 06 Mazdaspeed 6), and likely the S2000 will be replaced by the future Mazdaspeed Miata if it ends up with the Speed 3/6 engine.

If I could afford it, the Speed 6 would be replaced by an 08 STI, but I'm tapped out financially for now. hehe

The Miata is a great car, but it's just too underpowered for me, and you'd most certainly fall for the S2000 if you drove one.

FYI, the S2000 gets pretty darn good gas mileage if held under vtec. You can pull off 25mpg cruising around city and highway, and upper 20s pure highway. Definitely under a Miata, but definitely above an RX8. Good luck in your decision.

 

I suggest that you also head over to the Miata/MX-5 forum. [http://forum.miata.net/vb/] A bunch of folks over there own both or have owned one or the other at some point. Plus, it's a great, quality forum where you can get very useful information.

Cheers

 

I think the MX-5 is a freakin' sweet car. I looked at one for my girlfriend, but she ended up not being able to afford it. We had a blast test-driving it, though. The engine is rougher than the Renesis, but still revs effortlessly and is solid and tough. If you think you're going to miss the power of the RX8, swap for an S2000 instead, since the S2000's is the Renesis's 4-cylinder cousin. Otherwise, the Miata is lighter and better looking (in my opinion).

 

Wait about a year for the next Mazdaspeed MX-5. It is rumored that it will have the same 2.3L Turbocharged 4 banger that is in the MS3 and MS6. That would be my dream car and I'm definately trading up for one if finaces allow it.

 

I just can't get over that ***...

 

This *** is better.

 

Thanks for all the advice guys. I have posted this same question over at miata.net and they have been pretty helpful as well. I'm still not even sure if I am going to get a new car or just keep the 8. I do love it, but it might be time to move on.

I have actually yet to test drive an S2000...the Honda dealer I was at yesterday was in center city Boston and I don't think I really could have been able to get a good feel for it there. Goin to try later this week for that.

 

Miata, or s2k they are both great cars. You'll have a blast. Good luck!

 

I hear ya man. My S2000 could be bye bye if Mazda makes this Miata the right way. They have a chance to make a huge impact on the performance market of a roadster if they put this engine in it. We both know this engine, and I know how you feel when imagining it in a Miata. We are talking a low 13s car out of the box if they don't detune it severly. Odds are they will though, but it will be easily moddable to boost power.

Either way, the S2000 is a fantastic machine all it's own, so it's the right choice to replace the RX8 at this moment. The Mazdaspeed Miata could possibly take a year after it's out to sell for invoice, so you can't get one right away when it comes out unless you pay full MSRP.

As long as he doesn't mind the power loss, a current Miata is a great choice too, and will also save you money over a new S2000.

 

There is a better solution. Keep the RX8 and get the Miata too. I have RX8 and my better half has a 1999 Miata 10AE. It is quite true that the Miata is significantly slower. But it does have the pure sports car feel. Truth is, it is a blast to drive. And gets nearly double of the RX8. Which is good at this time.

 

I've done the two car thing in the past...this point in my life really wouldn't allow both the Miata and the RX-8. That would be sweet though. And living in New England, the two car thing would probably have to be a AWD/4WD vehicle and a sports car...two sports cars is dicey at best.

 

The Mazdaspeed Miata would be pretty sweet. But like VikingDJ said, they are going to sell high for awhile. I'll have to think more about the S2000....going to try to test one this week.

 

Get the miata and throw a rotary engine it in

 

Yeah, but the one on my pic has a nicer waist and is more perky at the bottom!!

 

Why can't you have both? NA can be had for really cheap, as well as being very easy to work on. Parts are plenty and cheap. Depending on your aftermarket budget, you can make your Miata a serious power-monger. A few thousands can make your Miata, a world class handler w/ lightening quick reflexes; just w/ a flick of your wrist. Without all the nanny gadgetries, I can do things in my Miata that I never dream of doing in my RX8. It's that forgiving and communicative with the driver. Add a rollbar and larger tires, and nobody's going to think you drive a "Miata." Nobody wants to mess with you.

 

and here I just went from the miata to the rx8, reasons as follows:
1. miata seat did not go back far enough (wanted another inch)
2. interior space was lacking, center cubbie was pretty much useless
3. wanted more storage space to toss things in the car/use the back seats of the rx for that now.

the mx5 though is a great ride and fun car thus if you fit go for it. i would though say that the truck of the rx is much larger then the mx5 plus deeper in the center area towards the front of the rx

 

From what I've seen teh MX5 is a good car, very tossable and fun but it's a bit slow. If i could make do with a two seater I'd opt for used Boxster, Z4 or new 350z (or wait for the 370z or MS MX5).

 

MX-5 is a good car. Until you drive the RX-8 in anger.
I find the new mx-5's interior a bit cheapy feeling. The engine was coarse compared to the Renesis (what's not?). Didn't like the exhaust note. Lastly I am not a 'vert person so the whole miata thing isn't for me. I'd hit a CPO Z4 personally.

 

The hardtop-convertible MX5 is appealing to me. 'been considerin' trade myself. Down the road a bit, as my '05 only has 14K on it. Unless of course Mazda comes out with a turbo 16X in a few.

 

The crazy thing is...some of the reasons you mentioned for getting out of the Miata are why I may get into one.
-I tend to sit closer to the wheel, so seat reclining is no problem for me.
-Interior space, what interior space? I actually do like the extra room of the RX-8, but I found I have had almost no one back in those seats and hardly put anything in them. And when I need to haul something, it doesn't fit anyway!
-As for the trunk, it is smaller, definitely...but I may only need it for groceries or gym bags

For all the "practicality" of the 8 over the 5, the 8 actually does worse for me. I love the car, but never get to really wind up the engine. The roads I have to take to work are nice, but I never get to get anywhere near 9K unless I am poinless driving 25 in 1st (it hurts me on the inside that I have to treat her like that). As I said before, for all its extra space...when I need it, it ends up being too small anyway. And the gas mileage, it stinks (not a complaint, just a fact). No one jump on me, I knew it coming and expected my 18mpg completely. The big thing about the mileage is that I can only make it like 220 miles before a fill up. Since I'm kinda lazy, all the filling up starts to get to me. It may be the same for the MX-5.

Anyway, I still don't know what I am going to do. Don't mind my crazy rambling. Hoping to take the S2000 for a spin in the next few days.

 

It seems like from what you are looking for, the S2000's will have all the advantages of the Miata with none of the disadvantages. (Excluding price tag of course)

 

I agree with you 100%, especially about the price tag. I know good deals are to be had on the S2000s, but I am finding ZERO used up here that aren't all miled up or asking too much for the year. There are a few new 07s, but will still be way more than what I am trying to spend.