Miata my car?

[gatts]

Hey guys, I'm new and searching for my first car. I'm almost 17 and currently driving a Ford Ranger 2000 model, though its not my own.

I'm looking for a cheap, cheap car thats small and decently powerful, with a manual tranny. I also want something I can dick around with, experiment on, learn how to fix, etc. I've done some research and the Mazda Miata looks pretty good. I want to put in about 2.5k into a running car I can have fun with.

Basically I'm asking whether or not the miata is a good first choice. I'm going to do some more research, but if I could get some model recommendations and average price figures, it would help a lot.

Also, I hear miatas are VERY small cars. I'm 6' 2", and 175lb. This a bad thing?

I was about to use the search button, but I couldn't figure out what I wanted to search for as it was making me be awfully specific. I apologize before anyone mentions I shoulda used search before posting.

 

[Natey]

I'm also 6'2" and I fit into my Miata fine. There's a few tricks to get a little extra leg room.

 

[RyanJayG]

I'm thinking that although you could get one cheaply being 17 would make your insurace rate unbearabe with a miata

 

[toucci]

good first choice but be careful and get a roll bar first thing

if you get hit by a lifted truck in a miata it could practically take your head off

 

[Rdshark1]

I would definitely get some insurance quotes first! Even though my Miata is older (94) it still is considered a 2-seat sports car so the insurance is more pricey.

 

[Micah]

small car - not a good idea for a new driver.

I had some pretty bad accidents with my first two cars - I can't imagine getting t-boned in a miata and walking away from it.

Pick up an old Camaro - parts are cheap, it's fun - they handle alright - plenty of info with magazines, internet, and good ole Chiltons.

 

[Mazdaspeedgirl]

I would definitely get some insurance quotes first! Even though my Miata is older (94) it still is considered a 2-seat sports car so the insurance is more pricey.

This all depends on your insurance company too. Sounds like you are getting ripped. I had a 96 GT mustang before my first miata, and my insurance went down almost 50% when I went to the miata.

I love State Farm.

***edit***

Oh, and my advice Gatts: go find someone with one and DRIVE it. I guarantee you won't be able to keep the grin off your face.

When you do, I have a friend who has a black 1990 with a 2003 grey cloth top that he will sell for $2500. That's cheap. Most 1st gen miatas start around $5K, depending on condition and location in the country.

Good luck!

 

[Rdshark1]

Nope, my insurance is fine. I have 4 cars, an 00 Focus ZX3, an 02 Protege5, a 93 Buick Century, and a 94 Miata. If you compare the rates on all 4 cars, the P5 and the Miata have the "highest" rates for coverage. I'm 31 and married so that is factored in as well. A "two seat sports car" is always going to have high rates unless you're running liability only (not a good idea) and factoring in a teenage driver will make it even worse. I traded in a 95 GT Mustang convertible on the 02 P5 and the rates were the same for both cars! That's USAA insurance.


But hey, hopefully the parents of this 17 year old will pick up the costs of coverage

 

[BlkZoomZoom]

I'll sell you an Rx-7 cheap!! lol

 

[MiaTurbo]

For $2500 you're probably going to end up with a 90-93 model with the 1.6l 94 and newer have the 1.8l and are a little more, but not much. I'm not saying you aren't going to find a 94+ for $2500, just less likely. I say look for a 91.5 thru 94

or if you want, I got a 91.5 with a greddy turbo, roll bar, and other performance goodies(all go no show), I'll sell to you for $6k


In stock form, the Miata isn't very powerful (~100hp in a NA6). Should be fine for a new driver.

 

[ChiMSP]

Miatas scare me too small

 

[Rdshark1]

Low hp + high handling = super fun car!

 

[KpaBap]

At stock power levels you can dance around corners at full throttle all day and never once overwhelm the suspension. If you want a car to go fast in straight line, then sure, get a Camaro. If you like taking corners with your hands off the wheel, gas pedal to the metal, while lighting up a blunt, then the Miata is one of the few cars that will be suitable. The driving experience is enlightening to say the least -- it requires so little effort and thought to make the car do what you want that I still have a grin on my face every time I take the car out to my favorite mountain road. It's a driver's car.

 

[ChiMSP]

If you like taking corners with your hands off the wheel, gas pedal to the metal, while lighting up a blunt, then the Miata is one of the few cars that will be suitable.

I like your choice of words (lol)

 

[Foolish]

I went from a '96 Escort to a '97 Miata. Insurance really didn't go up. This is the upside of all the old guys that are using them to recapture their MG driving youth, but at much lower speeds! The Miata is not really considered a sports car as far as insurance companies are concerned. My '87 RX7 was MUCH more expensive to insure than the 10-year-newer Miata, and the 7 was only about 30hp more, and much heavier.

The other factor in the Miata's favor insurance-wise is that they're dirt common, so parts are easy to come by. This is also good for your maintenance and mod needs.

 

[Ja7Red]

It's a rear wheel drive car, keep that in mind. If you live in or will ever move to a winter climate, it's not going to be fun to drive, so you'd want another car to drive and winter park that. Other than that, I want a Miata, I think they're like mini Viper convertables .

 

[KpaBap]

Meh, put on some snow tires and throw a bag of cement in the trunk and the Miata will be unstoppable in snow.

 

[Mazdaspeedgirl]

They paved Paradise, and put up a Parking lot....?
Cool! Let's go Autocross in it!!

(lol2) love it...

 

[gatts]

thanks for all the replies, guys and girls. I'm still researching miata's so I'm still considering them.

 

[batmang]

hehhe, ive always wanted to get a miata and turbo it.

just something about a bov coming from that car that makes me laugh and have an evil grin all at the same time.

turbo miata's own u.