Considering a Miata vs. P5. Help.

[Kurtanius21]

I've come to the realization the reason I love my P5 is the driving fun and its unique good looks. There's this major mountain highway I travel over that's loads of fun corner carve. I don't care that the P5 is slow, the cornering of this car brings legal fun. Still going the speed limit, but having fun doing it? That's the best of both worlds. The fun factor is one reason I love this car.

I also love this car for its uniqueness. Not only is it not often you see a P5, it looks great. The lip shares features to the BMW M3. It has a sporty look that competes against high end models.

The reason I've come to consider a Miata is the fun factor. I've heard great things about Miatas, but I've never had someone give me a comparison between a Protege and a Miata. Take in mind the P5 was my first car. My question is this: Is the Miata cornering ability significantly better than the P5? Does it's ability vary greatly between year models? Really, is the Miata a more FUN car to drive.

I love my P5. I think has superior styling to the Miata, so the only reason I'd give up the P5 is for a fun factor gain that would null the styling gap. Also, what condition of a Miata could I get for equivalent value for a P5 with only 50k miles, no rust spots?

I don't mind the fact that the Miata is a coupe. Also, how's reliability? Thank you for consideration.

[Flash5]

first of all a miata and a p5 are in completely different leagues. i have never driven a miata, but from what i know it is one of the purest sports cars you can drive. small, light and enough grunt to make it sporty. the p5 is more about practicality. you can't carry a bike anywhere in a miata while you can most likely fit two inside of the p5. if all you are looking for is the "fun-factor" then a miata would win hands down. if you want fun but still practical, stick with the p5. again i have never driven a miata so i can only say so much. thats my short answer haha.

[MaxPower]

Why stick to one? You can get yourself a mid-1990s (first-generation) Miata with 100k on it in great condition for maybe $3000-3500.

I think you might be looking for miata.net.

[BadKarma]

I've owned both an NA (first-gen) Miata and a P5. To answer your questions:

- The Miata is vastly superior to the P5 in the twisties. I began autox with my P5, moved on to the Miata, and never looked back. It is a lightweight, tossable, RWD convertible after all...

- The Miata had been more reliable than our P5, though both have been exceptional. The Miata was much easier to work on.

- If you want a Miata that's simply a stripped down roaster made for the thrill of driving, get an NA. If you require certain luxuries like power windows or A/C, start looking at NB's. Having driven both, I feel their handling is comparable.

Which one do we still have? The P5. Simply for it's practicality and all-season capability. Though I do miss tackling the Hope-Princeton highway with the top down in the little convertible...

[The ManLaw]

miata-fun as all get out

p5-you can move half your freakin house in it

what does this mean? get both.

[Kurtanius21]

The problem is my living condition. I don't have the finances to afford both cars. The reason I'm considering the Miata is cause I'm a college student. I'm not a family man. I don't have to carry children, I don't move furniture around or anything. The back seat in my P5 hardly ever gets used. What the above poster said about the handling encourages me. If the handling is that much better, it's easing the choice of making the trade.

One problem I'm having is cosmetic though. I think the Miata looks like a fish. I'm having trouble moving from a slick looking P5 to a fish-mobile. But then again, the fun factor may over come it.

Now let me ask this... All the cars with the P5 resale price range are all at least 90k mileage. Can I trust the Miata to carry me through the 150k+ mileage?

Also are the NAs, despite their age, just as fun as 2nd gen (Nb right?)

[Kurtanius21]

There's this 1992 Miata with 137k miles going for 3k. That's what I'm looking for. I like the NA body style more than the DB anyways. So what do you guys think, is a Miata almost 20 years old with 137k miles on the clock gonna pull through the next couple years? Maybe I'll go to the Miata section.

[The ManLaw]

yeah if you keep it up with maintainance it'll last ya a long time. oh and im a college kid too, i use my backseat and trunk all of the time. ya know i can fit 8 people in that thing and still make it up a hill? haha another argument from my roommate "you can fit 6 kegs, 1 in passanger, 3 in back seat, and 2 in trunk" worth it

[BadKarma]

Miata motors tend to run strong for quite some time. My only suggestion would be to lean towards the 1.8L rather than the 1.6L. I can't help you too much with prices as the Canadian market is different.

If you don't find a truly sweet deal on a Miata, I would say to stick with the P5. It's still a fun to drive car, and the the first time you really use the space, is the last time you will ever doubt needing it! :) I've fit a whole dining set, chairs and all, in the back and still closed the hatch. The only way I could fit a packed up tent in the Miata was to slide the seats forward, shove it in behind, then tie it down.

Other than that, check the forums on Miata.net and the Garage section as well. Tons of excellent info, and I'm sure they can let you know if a prospective one is a good deal or not.

[bazooka joe]

(iagree)
i concur with you folks on "own both"...i did, have had the p5 since new in 02 140k miles and i modded the crap out of it...i'm not tired of it, but after drving fellow forum members miatas i fell in love again!:D so i bought a 04 msm with 27k. the p5 will be the winter car for now.
although they are very different cars, engine, RWD, convertible etc...they are similar and you i know i'm driving a mazda...but ya, it's an another ride and boy is it fun!:D

[BoostedPR5]

Do you live somewhere that driving a RWD all year round is a good idea?
Just one more thing to consider.

[Kurtanius21]

Yeah, it never snows here. This car doesn't oversteer too much does it?

[drgnzadiel101]

miata

[BadKarma]

Yeah, it never snows here. This car doesn't oversteer too much does it?

Only if you want it to. Oversteer comes on fairly predictably.

[poison]

One is a sports car, one isn't. Duh.

Buy the miata. Yes, they're reliable.

[widgit117]

As another college student, keep the P5. It will be better for you (I assume) in the long run. I have not driven the miata but would love to however I will not because I tend to buy things way too often. Besides, if I had to choose which car to get in a wreck in I would choose the P5.

[Kurtanius21]

As another college student, keep the P5. It will be better for you (I assume) in the long run. I have not driven the miata but would love to however I will not because I tend to buy things way too often. Besides, if I had to choose which car to get in a wreck in I would choose the P5.

What's your reasoning? I"m a college student so I am inclined to think I'm invincible. I'm not worried about crashing, what other reasons do you have for keeping the P5?

[widgit117]

What's your reasoning? I"m a college student so I am inclined to think I'm invincible. I'm not worried about crashing, what other reasons do you have for keeping the P5?

No, not at all. But if I would get in a wreck I would rather be in a P5 then a Miata. I thought it was pretty self-explainatory.

Other reasons for me were for audio, friends, and other issues already brought up. Those are my reasons. I didn't think audio would be a good reasons for you. As to friends, I don't know if you have any especially since you responded in such a tone.

Besides, I plan on keeping my P5 well after college so any reasons I bring up may not fit for you. The safety issue was one I though might.

[mx-p5]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y13/cbrjeeper/c49a8a04.jpg


What are you looking to get out of the car? Are you just looking for a "FUN" car? If so, Miata wins hands down every time. I even dare to say my 1.6 is quicker than the Pro5 with the 2.0 in it. As to how it handles in the corners, the Miata stock out handles my Pro5 when i had eibach/Tokico setup

As to practicality, there is none in the miata. BUT, that's why i bought mine. It gets me to work and back and is just great for cruising, but, we still have the wife's pro5 when it comes to getting ANYTHING more than a flat of water or 3 grocery bags of food.

Forget getting the big pack of toilet paper.


Either way, I guess it comes donw to, What are you expecting out of the car?

As to which car is more fun, Miata wins every time. I managed to get my 1990 with 105k for $2k (but needs a top and general interior refreshing)



i didn't read anything about Audio, but, throw some good door speakers with an amp to em and call it a day. I've seen guys putting dual 8" woofers right behind the seats too, as well as adding headrest speakers

[Speedkid]

Miata are great cars I love its handling. Get the miata you will love it.

[Kurtanius21]

It's been a long time since I posted here. I've been at Miata.net mostly, but I just wanted to drop by and provide the results of my Miata-Protege5 ordeal. I bought the Miata on November 12 2009 and sold the Protege5 on December 12. It's been nearly three months of Miata ownership. I can say with great relief I haven't regretted my decision whatsoever. Here's the info on the car.

'92 with 118k miles.
Red with black top.
Purchased for $2400.

The car has been a wonderful experience. The joy and fun the Miata brings just out-does my Protege5 by a longshot. The Miata is a kind of car I try to make an excuse to drive, MANY excuses. There have been days where I have felt upset and sluggish before getting in my car, but upon driving it I will exit feeling refreshed and satisfied. I never realized I was a convertible-junkie either. I drive top-down every chance I get. A gorgeous sunny morning immediately brings to mind, "It's gonna be a great drive today!" For those of you that ever wondered how great the Miata is, well it's not something you want to die without ever have experienced.

http://www.yourdiscovery.com/video/greatest-ever-sports-cars-no-2-mazda-miata/

Don't get me wrong though. I still love the Protege5. It is a great car underneath the unsuspecting looks. Every P5 I see on the road, recalls my roots. What a great car it was.

I still don't have great pics of the car =/

[thecrash91]

id love to get a miata but im in central new york, so i get snow like a mofo =[ and rwd is not the best choice in snow. guess what has two thumbs and jealousy? this guy *points thumbs at self*

[bazooka joe]

i have the best of both worlds...02 p5 and an 04 msm...love the miata!!

[SpicyorangeMSP]

No doubt the Miata is more fun to drive but somethings to consider if you use it as a daily driver. If you are big and tall it might be a hassle getting in and out it and make sure the one you get has a glass back window otherwise the plasic will turn yellow and cloudy and you won't be able to see out of it. The plastic windows on mine isn't as clear as I would like it to be so I decided to zip it down and drive with the heater on full blast cause it was cold in the morning and I trying to push the plastic window down and it cracked on me cause the cold hardened the plastic. Other things I love having a rear wiper on the P5. With the top down and parking in a public place I am always worried about my stuff so you have to lock your stuff up or put the top back up. I am also always carrying a drink in my car and I know the Miata has cup holders but your shifter is right there so a drink might make shifting a pain. I was going to get rid of my Miata but it is truely fun to drive and I got it cheap.

[mx-p5]

i see your points and want to argue them

Miata or hard top car, keep your stuff hidden. Just cause you are in a normal car, windows break too.

Me personally, I ALWAYS kept valuables hidden, in the p5 or the miata. Just smart move


as to getting in and out, it really isn't that bad. My 6'3" buddy at work has no problem getting in or out when we take my car to lunch.

As to the windows, i couldn't agree more. . . get glass if at all possible!!!!!!

[dtre83]

I own a 03 p5 and sold my 91 miata last year. As far as driving experience miata wins hands down. My 1.6 was quicker than my p5's 2.0 but the miata was 5spd and p5 is auto. p5 handles pretty good but no where near the miata. You can throw the miata sideways around turns at 50+ mph with ease with bald tires. But if you need to go grocery shopping then you won't be buying much in the miata. I miss my miata but we had a baby last year and i couldnt afford to keep both cars. No one ever tried to break in my miata except for some stray cats trying to get in the torn plastic in the back and i lived in some bad appartments. Plus im in houston where it rains ALOT and had a leaky top so it filled up with water alot. I think the miata looks good too. so basically like everyone else said:
miata=fun
p5=practical
keep your p5 if your only gonna have one car

[andrew2]

Recently test drove a 2000 Miata... it was a lot of fun since to me it was pretty much a go-kart (I'm 6'2...). I was actually even looking at trading straight up for a 2001 Miata before the other guy backed out.

Miata is tons of fun, P5 is definitely more practical (I still am wondering where I would put my hockey gear if I actually traded).

To have both would be awesome.