914 vs Miata Options

[jd66921]

I have always had sports cars. My first car was a rolled over Austin Healey 3000. Then I had a
(new) Porsche 914 for many years. After a short, stupid break, I had a couple of RX-7's.

Now I am older (too old!), but my memories of the 914 make me want to buy another one.
Prices are not very high, butI am not sure I have the skills (welding mostly), strength,
or patience any more to keep one running. It seems like my choices are that or a Miata.

So, my question is, how does a 914 compared to a Miata, drivingwise? Are they comparable,
or very different? I loved the Porsche, but couldn't keep it running, especially
living in apartments. I want to enjoy that feeling again

[Krieger]

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wacko.gif) Isn't a miata a thought of as a chicks car?

[balljoint]

QUOTE (Krieger914 @ Mar 13 2006, 10:17 PM)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wacko.gif) Isn't a miata a thought of as a chicks car?

Wasn't a 914 thought of as a chick's car? (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smile.gif)

[Allan]

If you spend the same amount of money on a 914 as you would on a Miata you shouldn't have to do any welding or other rust repairs.

[jd66921]

No, I'm talking used here, not new!!

[Allan]

QUOTE (jd66921 @ Mar 13 2006, 06:26 PM)

No, I'm talking used here, not new!!

Me too... (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wink.gif)

[lapuwali]

Two 914s, one '99 Miata, drove several '90 Miatas.

The earliest Miatas are roughly in the same price bracket as a decent starter 914 ($3-5K). The early 1.6 Miatas are really torqueless cars with pretty unsatisfying engines, IMHO. The 1.8s were a lot better. By this time, most early Miatas need their suspensions rebuilt. The engines are strong and pretty easy to work on. I always hated the power steering on the early cars, as they made the steering way too light, and the ratio was so quick it was unnerving. The 914 has much better weighted steering. The '99 Miata is also nicer.

In terms of handling, throw about the same amount of money at either car's suspension and you'll find them pretty close to equal. As you find them today, they'll be pretty random, depending on how recently they were rebuilt. I'd still give the edge to the 914, once it was all sorted.

The later Miatas got stiffer, and lots more power. By '99, they were pretty damned fast. This is fairly serious money, though. A '99 Miata is in the $8-10K bracket, and an $8K-10K 914 would be a very, very nice car.

Day to day, the Miata has a lot less storage room than a 914. It's noisier, even with the top up. The Miata has lots of cowl shake over rough roads, even the later, stiffer cars.

If you're taller than 5'10", the Miata is likely to be a snug fit. My wife, who's 6', could just barely drive my '99 Miata.

I sold my Miata and bought a second 914...

[So.Cal.914]

The Miata is ass light, you start into a drift and the tail wants to come around. The 914, with the mid-engine configuration will stay in a drift with alot less convincing. But this is my observation from experiance.

[Brett W]

Miata prices have goine through the roof since the SCCA nationalized the spec miata class.

Thought the Miata was a gay car? (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif)

[Rrrockhound]

QUOTE (Brett W @ Mar 13 2006, 09:59 PM)

Miata prices have goine through the roof since the SCCA nationalized the spec miata class. Thought the Miata was a gay car? (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif)

Gay car, chick car...come on people, can't we just enjoy the cars we like, ignore the ones we don't, and stop labeling every godd**m thing.

[lapuwali]

QUOTE (So.Cal.914 @ Mar 13 2006, 06:54 PM)

The Miata is ass light, you start into a drift and the tail wants to come around. The 914, with the mid-engine configuration will stay in a drift with alot less convincing. But this is my observation from experiance.

Miatas (esp. early ones) have some roll oversteer, but the phenomenon you mention is mostly caused by the fact that the Miata has a significantly shorter wheelbase than the 914. "Ass light" means "nose heavy", and that usually makes a car push, not spin. A car that's "ass heavy" will tend to want to spin, as anyone who's driven an early 911 hard will tell you.

Miatas (esp. early ones) will push very badly in slow turns unless you drive around the problem by deliberately getting the tail out with the brakes. In fast turns, the tail will often drift out a bit thanks to that roll oversteer, but it's very mild, and easily caught.

I've gotten into a lot more trouble overdriving a 914 than a Miata, but neither car is all that vicious. An early MR2, for example, is far worse.

[jr91472]

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/welcome.png)

Where in Texas are you?

[anthony]

QUOTE (jd66921 @ Mar 13 2006, 07:14 PM)

Prices are not very high, but I am not sure I have the skills (welding mostly), strength, or patience any more to keep one running. It seems like my choices are that or a Miata.

Mostly everything is better on a Miata - newer, more reliable, more power, etc.

A 914 however is a unique vintage car experience. Just spend some cash and buy a nice one and drive it. Fuch welding! There's no reason to buy a fixer if that is not your thing.

[iamchappy]

Miata's aren't cool, 914's are....

[J P Stein]

The Miata is a great little car. THE only thing wrong wth them is ....there are too many of them. Complete strangers won't walk up and say "Nice Miata, I haven't seen one that nice for 20 years. I remember when I was a kid.....yada,yada" (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif)

[root]

A 914 is aircooled not watercooled.
A 914 has a targa top not a rag top.
A 914 is midengined (47/53) not front engined.
A 914 engine has push rods and a timing gear not a rubber belt.
A 914 has analog fuel injection not digital.
A 914 has torsion bars in the front not springs.
A 914 is unique!
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/beer.gif)

[Brett W]

Miatas have no soul. They are very japanese though. Reliable and very modifiable. They can be brutal competitors.

One of the greatest things about the Miata, NO RUST. Nothing like E-coated bodies.

[Porcharu]

QUOTE (Krieger914 @ Mar 13 2006, 06:17 PM)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wacko.gif) Isn't a miata a thought of as a chicks car?

Chicks car is a white VW cab - I'm a little embarassed everytime I drive my wifes car, it is faster than my POS Volvo.

[Porcharu]

QUOTE (root @ Mar 13 2006, 07:34 PM)

A 914 is aircooled not watercooled. - Everything is aircooled (oil-cooled)
A 914 has a targa top not a rag top.- Neutral
A 914 is midengined (47/53) not front engined. - The Miata is very close to that.
A 914 engine has push rods and a timing gear not a rubber belt. - Since when have push rods been a good thing?
A 914 has analog fuel injection not digital. - Analog FI sucks, normally it just doesn't work. I love analog stuff but this is one place where digital rules. CD's suck LP's rule!
A 914 has torsion bars in the front not springs. Torsion bars are springs - coils are much easier to work with.
A 914 is unique! - YES and very fun to drive.

The Miata is a freak in todays big ass heavy front wheel drive pig world.

[jimtab]

Well I have a '73 2.0 and my wife has a 95 Miata. I don't think there is much comparison...apples and oranges...the 914 handles better and is cooler and has WAY more room inside and trunks. The Miata is an appliance, it doesn't screw up and when it gets up on the cam, it scoots pretty well, but more like an old British roadster than our little flat car. And no matter what the rest say, the 914 is a Porsche. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif)