Today I went for a ride in my 96 Miata on a very twisty, tight road (road to tortilla flats for those in AZ). Road conditions were perfect, little to no traffic, not too hot and about 7-10 miles of curves and switchbacks. I was able to have a very "spirtited " run and able to hang the tail out a little bit and have a great time. It was theraputic, if I could bottle up the joy from the run I would be rich but I digress. My question to all of the former or current Miata owners, will I have as much fun with an RX8? The part that concerns me is I can run 8/10's with the Miata, the 8 has more power and abilities and will I be limited more because of this?

 

Honestly, you'll need to test drive one to get the hang of it.
You won't get the "go kart" feeling of the miata, as its a much bigger (and softer suspension-ed) car if you have the Hard S susp in your miata.
However, you'll enjoy the difference in horsepower very much. Someday my 10AE miata is getting FI.

Cliffnotes: try to testdrive an 8 through some twisties and draw your own conclusion.
there are definite differences, but both are great fun!


PS If at all possible, keep the Miata AND get an 8.

 

The Miata is more of a momentum car than the 8. Since it's heavier, the 8 can't take turns quite as fast, but it'll power out of them better. Since it's so well balanced, it has very predictable handling at the edge of the envelope. It'll still be a blast, just a different kind of blast.

 

One of the very first test drives I did with the 8 was on a short section of twisties and remember having a great time. Unfortunatly curvy roads are hard to find in the PHX area for extended test drives.

I have been deciding lately wheter to keep the Miata or sell it since it is becoming harder to drive it ( I have two small boys now). I think I have put 1-2K miles on it this year. Luckily my decicion to keep or sell the Miata has no bering on my ability to get the 8.

 

Dunno man.... the 8 will fly through corners much faster than a miata, there's more grip.. tons more. (stock for stock, that is.)

Both feel light.

Both feel very similar as far as controls go.

Both are very silly giggle-inducing machines.

You'll have no trouble translating from the miata to the 8.

 

currently i have the 04 mazdaspeed mx5 and the 04 rx8. i must say, the mx5 feels zippier but probably just as fast as the rx8. stock for stock, i admit, i like the mspeed mx5 a lot, just a greatly tuned car right out of the box. the rx8, built great but missing that little something the mx5 has. cool factor wise, the rx8 is cooler (after my mods).

 

what does this have to do with rx8s?...

 

well I just got my 8 about 3 weeks ago...I own 90 miata also.In my opinion my miata is far superior then my 8. in terms of handling,power,fun,grip,control, and driver feel. granted my miata is far from factory condition so its hard for it to be an even comparison. my eight is far more comfortable,quiter,practical,less rattletrap,etc,etc then the miat. now the eight is by far one of the best handling stock cars I've driving.when stock my miata was not all that awe inspiring. so its easy for me to say my miata is better when it pretty much outclasses the 8 in the performance area....comfort is not a high pirority for me . I enjoy driving my 8 and all....but my miata is far more fun and rewarding to drive........talk to me after I start upping the 8's suspension and handling components. I know its got plenty of potential...but in the end its not how fast one car may be to another its how much it suits your driving style and your personal viewpoints and feelings...unless of course your racing....but then thats a whole nother disscussion..<cough>skill<cough>


p.s haha oh ya ..momentum is really needed in a N/a miata i cant disagree with that....slap a turbo on her and its a whole new ballpark

 

Have to agree with most of the posters above. I have a '05 RX-8, and a modified '90 Miata and have a blast with both of them. I'd have to say that I have much less body roll in my Miata, which makes me feel a bit more confident in a turn, but my suspension has also been completely upgraded, so that should be expected. Still, I can drive both cars to the limit of MY comfort without either one breaking a sweat. Both cars feel substantial in the turns, though the weight of the RX-8 reduces the go-kart feel inherent with the Miata. The 8 still sticks like mad though and I have just as much fun driving it. Test drive one...you'll see.

 

That's not true, the Miata will have more grip and carry more corner speed stock for stock.

 

My 8 has never felt quite as rail-riding as my miata did. The 8 has incredible handling, is more balanced and sophisticated the miata. Stock for Stock, I've never been quite as confident in the 8 as I was with the miata in the very same turns. If only I could have kept the miata and still get the 8. Since I did have to make a choice in owning only one car, I am happy with the one I did make.

 

It depends on the course, really. On a very tight autox course like our club uses, Miatas will get better times. But on larger autox courses like SCCA uses, and on the open track, a stock RX-8 will outdistance a stock Miata. A Miata will take the tighter corners faster than an 8 though.

 

The Miata willl take just about any corner faster, which is what was being discussed. On a more wide open course the RX-8 will beat a Miata out simply because of the straights.

 

OK I was out this weekend test driving the 8 and I have to say I don't think it could keep up in a tight section. In fairness though my Miata has Koni adjustables and larger sways. I have also driven it for 9 years and have experience at track days as well as auto-X. However, the 8 was a total blast to drive and would be loads of fun in the curves. I can't wait until I can find the right 8 so i can stop lusting after them and actually drive one on a daily basis. I am so **** about choosing the right one I am going to go nuts soon.

Thanks for the info and discussion. This is so much more entertaining than another thread talking about MPG

 

If you can keep the Miata and also get the 8, you end up with the best of both worlds. My wife has a 96 Miata, I have the 8 and from time to time we chase each other through some twisties. She was first amazed by how well I could hang with her in the tight stuff and I continue to be amazed by how quick that Miata can be. They are two different animals, the 96 Miata is less sophisticated, a bit more basic but nothing beats the wind in the hair. The 8 is quieter and smoother and can be as much fun when the rotary starts to scream.

 

I've driven my '8 and my wife's mostly-stock '03 LS out to Tortilla Flats.
For that kind of driving, you simply can't beat the Miata.
The RX-8 will blow your mind out there - especially when you think that its a purpose-built sedan, but it will feel relatively heavy (though not nearly as heavy as any other production 4-door).
The Miata can handle that sort of 9/10 driving without any skill on the part of the driver. The '8 will require a bit more input.

 

Having owned an original gen. Miata with the limited slip diff. and "speedster" package, and having done solo 1&2 events with it, I know Miata handling and it remains my handling standard. Not in terms of ultimate stick, or even stability at speed, but it is the most flickable, tossable car this side of a lotus super 7. And it's all about fun, not stats, to me. The top reason I bought the 8 was it was the only car that I tried that could seat 4 and still have that feeling of complete control. So which is better handling wise?

The 8 feels more stable at speed, and to me it sticks better, DSC aside. Wider tires, longer wheelbase, a wider track, longer A arms, etc. help here, so does a very lower center of gravity. The other day it swung out on me nearly 90 degrees and was sooo easy to control. A key reason I loved the Miata and picked the 8 over the G35 coupe, Mustang GT, 3 series coupe, etc. is that it is significantly lighter, which is something you can feel in more than just handling, but also in steering and braking feel.

The Miata, owing to narrow tires (mine had the "upgraded" 195's) slides around a bunch, especially once you mod up the power. It has a very short wheelbase and narrow track, which translates to a less stable feeling car at real speeds than the 8. It is very neutral feeling, and part of the reason why I loved solo 2 in the miata. But on real track days, it was less enjoyable. As for the 8 I have yet to take it to the track, but I think it would be slightly worse at solo 2, but better at long tracks. Also consider that the 8 sticks so well without a pogo-stick ride like a R spec Miata.

But at everyday driving, the Miata is the most fun you can have handling wise. But the 8 is a better overall handler.

 

I switched from a Miata to the Rx8 in order to take the kids along. It took me a month or so to get completely comfortable in the 8. The performance limit on the miata is better, but I think the 8 is easier and more forgiving to drive. in other words, at 10/10ths for the miata is faster, but I think at 8/10ths the Rx8 is faster. Bottom line is, now that I'm comfortable in the 8 and the miata memory is fading, I don't miss the miata.
--Dave.

 

Except wide sweepers.

I discuss whatever I damned well please.

And the wide sweepers.

 

I went from all 3 gen RX7s to the 2nd gen Miatas to an RX8. I mis the Miata for it's toy like feel. The 8 handles itself well. In the tight turns, the Miata may be faster through the turn but the exit speed is faster on the 8. I do not recall a miata passing me at Sebring, but I passed a lot of miatas there. I also have a child. I love being able to take my whole family along in my sports car. The miata can't do that. The 8 can.

Bottom line. I don't regret giving up the Miata for the RX8. Go for it.

John

 

Considering a wide sweeper is usually going to come at the end of at least a small straight it's not going to really matter. The Miata will most likely still carry more corner speed even if the RX-8 has a higher entry speed.

 

Now that would be cool!