Trade: NA Miata for 914, Curious? Options

[drmitch]

I've driven Miatas for the last 14 years and just love driving them. That said, I've got it in my head that I want to try a 914. Anybody interested in a swap? Mine is a 1997, black, 170K miles. I've got a LONG list of upgrades and maintenance performed. Flyin' Miata front sway bar, Flyin' Miata frame rail braces, Garage Star fender braces, glass window convertible top, added a NOS OEM CD player, upgraded to Fat Cat shock mounts front and rear, Borla stainless steel cat back exhaust [sounds perfect], reupholstered seats, upgraded both door and headrest speakers, new oil pan seal, have done timing belt, valve cover gasket, KYB-GR2 shocks front, Koni yellows rear, replaced power window bushings with new teflon, new clutch, Hard Dog Hard Bar roll bar...I'm sure there's more. Runs and handles great; I don't race it, ever. I'd only be interested in a 914 of comparable quality and condition. I'm in the greater Los Angeles area. Thanks!

[rick 918-S]

With all due respect. Your not going to find anyone to trade with unless it's a complete project. I've heard far too many comments around here about the Miata being a chick car.

But hey, (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png) sell it outright and come back and buy a 914. You will have a blast showing those Miata's your tail lights.

[drmitch]

[quote name='rick 918-S' date='Nov 25 2014, 03:49 PM' post='2114825']
With all due respect. Your not going to find anyone to trade with unless it's a complete project. I've heard far too many comments around here about the Miata being a chick car.

Yeah...I've heard the chick car thing as well and anyone who says that is uninformed. The cars are incredibly successful in SCCA racing, they have been on multiple "best sports cars of all time" lists, yada, yada, yada. I've had one helluva lot of fun over the 14 years I've driven them and would be perfectly happy driving this one for the next 14 years. I have fun every time I get behind the wheel and I'm actually hesitant to make a move to something different. I tried that with three different Z3's--a 2.3, then a 2.8, then a 1.9--and came back to the Miatas each time.

There are those Porsche drivers who know the car. Comments over on the Pelican Parts forums include "I wouldn't hesitate to own a Miata if I had the chance", "[What car would compare to the 914 handling?] The Miata. Better grip than the stock skinny tires on the 914, great shifting, better suspension, and not that much more weight", "The Miata always kicked my butt in my 914-4 in stock class"...

I've also heard that the 914 "isn't a real Porsche", is woefully underpowered and has a shift linkage from hell. But, instead of forming a misinformed opinion as so many on various forums do, be they Porsche, 914, Miata forums--it goes on everywhere--I've done my research, I've driven the 914's and I've come to the conclusion that I like them--regardless of pedigree or marque--I enjoyed the car and would like to make a change. We'll see what happens...thanks for the input.