Any Z3 or Miata guys out there?

[SXIPro]

My daily driver is an F250 Super Duty. It brings zero joy to my life when I am behind the wheel. My son picked up an older Miata convertible with a stick a while back and I took that thing for a ride and I couldn't wipe the smile from my face. Thinking of picking up a little roadster so I can enjoy driving again. Hopefully something in the $5K range. I had a blast in the Miata, but always loved the looks of the BMW Z3s. Can anyone who has owned/driven/worked on either of these sway me in either direction, or offer any other little roadsters I should consider? Thanks!

 

[smokeysevin]

Having worked on a 2005 325ci, I would absolutely not get another BMW of that vintage. They are a pain in the ass to service, and I would count on every gasket, hose, and cooling system part needing to be replaced.

That said, I will always have a soft spot for the clownshoe z3m.

Sean

 

[chixwithtrix]

Used to daily/drift a turbo NA miata with a T28, one of the toughest cars around. The 1.8L is amazing, and there is a ton of aftermarket suspension, roll bars/cages, etc parts.

I'd love to do a miata LS3 V8 swap someday

 

[pittyinSC]

Miata. Not even a competition between a Z3 unless it’s an M. You’re not finding an M for $5k. Make sure it has an LSD and you’re golden. Most dealers will run the VIN for you to get the option list to figure that out. It’ll be a NA (1st gen) for that money. FB marketplace for finding one.

 

[mxmark4]

I have had 4 miatas. One of the toughest lil cars out there. So much after market support , amazing reliability and a spare seat for those gym rat chicks you like so much!

 

[OCD Solutions]

I've been looking for a fun weekend vehicle as well and came across these last year.
Velocity Rails out of Colorado.
Miata based IIRC, and the silver one below that I was looking at sold for around $10K.



https://classiccars.com/listings/vi...y-exo-rails-for-sale-in-denver-colorado-80205

 

[mxmark4]

I've been looking for a fun weekend vehicle as well and came across these last year.
Velocity Rails out of Colorado.
Miata based IIRC, and the silver one below that I was looking at sold for around $10K.

View attachment 398513View attachment 398514

https://classiccars.com/listings/vi...y-exo-rails-for-sale-in-denver-colorado-80205

There was one for sale locally here as well. Really cool lil car, gives you that aeriel atom feel,my biggest gripe with miatas is they will cook your feet. I used to take my shoes off when I drove mine because in the summer my feet would get so hot inside my shoes. Other than that I always try to find one with a hard top. Its a really nice addition, especially if you have room to store it in the summer.

 

[CD155MX]

Used to daily a Turbo'd NB Miata. Regret selling. Miatas are so much fun and so cheap to run.

 

[bored&stroked]

Ok listen and listen good. Heres the breakdown:
1st gen Miata: cool little car with stupid pop up headlights but otherwise good.
2nd gen: greatest car Mazda has ever put on earth behind actual racing cars.
3rd gen- skip. Waste of car.
4th gen [current]= cool again finally.

BMW Z3: complete and utter piles of garbage.
Z4- piles of garbage with a newer bag around it.
Z8: worth the garbage smell because of drivetrain. Still sucks though.

I remember when my dad showed up to dinner in a new red 99 miata without telling anyone he was buying it. I thought "great, now I have two mothers".

A year later I drove it to pickup my girlfriend. The clouds parted, heavens shined down, and angels starting singing to me. It was so absurdly slow yet still so fun.

 

[22R]

If ya don't need a open top these are cheap and fun to drive. A bit more power would be nice but ok as is....Lika a modern day Toyota Celica.
22R

 

[Jcary85]

+1 to the Miata. One of the best cars I’ve ever owned (92 I think it was). Watch for rear rocker rust. They aren’t fast but the handling makes them feel very quick. Just a blast to drive and very reliable. Cheap to maintain as well.

 

[bored&stroked]

Forgot about the frs/brz because they are expensive ish still, but they are excellent. A hardtop miata really.