914 vs Miata Options

[Bruce Allert]

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/popcorn[1].gif)

.....b

[jhadler]

The 914 is a fairly uncommon vintage sportscar, with a racing herritage that practically has no equal.

The miata is a japanese repro of a '60's era brittish roadster. It has a lot of the qualities of the older sports cars, without any of the character. The suspension is very well designed, SLA front and rear. It handles exceptionally well with minimal effort. It's got a good amount of power (especially the newer engines), and still has nice amenities like A/C, power windows, smooth shifiting, no oil leaks, no burning electricals, and things like that.

The 914 has dramatically more storage space than the miata, more interior room. And if you were to take both cars, and put the same development into them, they'd both handle exceptionally well.

914: A car with history, character, uniqueness, and skill. People may stop and stare at a really nice one...

Miata: An appliance that you can take to the track or the autox with no problems at all. No one will notice the car unless it's on fire...

Me, I'd take the 914... Oh, I already did.... :-)

-Josh2

[pfierb]

QUOTE (jhadler @ Mar 14 2006, 04:26 PM)

The 914 is a fairly uncommon vintage sportscar, with a racing herritage that practically has no equal. The miata is a japanese repro of a '60's era brittish roadster. It has a lot of the qualities of the older sports cars, without any of the character. The suspension is very well designed, SLA front and rear. It handles exceptionally well with minimal effort. It's got a good amount of power (especially the newer engines), and still has nice amenities like A/C, power windows, smooth shifiting, no oil leaks, no burning electricals, and things like that. The 914 has dramatically more storage space than the miata, more interior room. And if you were to take both cars, and put the same development into them, they'd both handle exceptionally well. 914: A car with history, character, uniqueness, and skill. People may stop and stare at a really nice one... Miata: An appliance that you can take to the track or the autox with no problems at all. No one will notice the car unless it's on fire... Me, I'd take the 914... Oh, I already did.... :-) -Josh2

Funny especially the on fire bit!!!!

[jd66921]

I posted this to both the 914 forum and the Miata forum. Over 80 replies,
more interest than any other topic I have contributed to. Usually I kill any
topic I add to!

Nobody convinced me of anything, although I didn't really think they would.
I guess I am now convinced that the 914, much as I desire it, is not
something that can be driven regularly unless a very large investment in
money and time is made. It was interesting to see how many Miataphiles
want/have/had 914's.

A couple of notes on the 914's based on the comments:

I never adjusted the valves very often. Always ran well. (Except when wet!)

The shifter did not bother me. It took me a long time to learn that you
could do a 1-2 shift straight up without following the pattern. Never hit
reverse! The unusual shift pattern is what got me thinking about the 914 again.

The brakes and steering were both superb. I could think about changing
lanes and it was done. The brakes never seemed to lock up, but stopped the
car perfectly.

The final straw in the life of the 914 for me was a broken muffler mount
that left the muffler supported only by the engine studs. Once those started
breaking, it was too much to fix

Anyway, I don't want a racer, nor do I want to build one. I am too old to
want to build my dream car. I am also disabled/retired so money is a
consideration. I am a good wrench, but not all the time.

In summary, I guess I'll probably opt for the Mazda, unless some fantastic
deal appears for a good Porsche appears. If anyone hears of one in Texas let
me know! Of course, I have never seen anything close to the prices people
talk of for NA Miata's either.

Jeff

[Bruce Allert]

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smilie_pokal.gif)
Owning both is the best way to go.

I'll end there........ (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/beerchug.gif)

.......b (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/beer.gif)

[watsonrx13]

I currently own a '04 Miata with 30,000 miles. I purchased it just before I sold my '95 Miata with 220,000+ miles. I currently own (2) '74 2.0l 914s, one is drivable, after a 2 year restoration, the other one is currently being restored. I own/drive the Miata because of the reliabilty and dependability. I drive 80+ miles round-trip daily to work. The 914 is a weekend/play car for me.

-- Rob

[Joe Ricard]

Rob, you need to drive your teener more. How about let me have it for a few months. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/burnout.gif)
I'll bring it back running like a top Promise (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif)
Might need some tires and brakes though (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/driving.gif)

[root]

I like 'em all.... however, I put the one's I like best in the forground! (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif)

[Bruce Allert]

QUOTE (watsonrx13 @ Mar 15 2006, 10:12 AM)

I currently own a '03 Miata with 30,000 miles. I purchased it just before I sold my '95 Miata with 220,000+ miles. -- Rob

Wow! Cool. an 03 w/ 30K (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smilie_pokal.gif) good find. My 95 M edition has 31K. Had 28 when I found it.

......b (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/beer.gif)

[watsonrx13]

QUOTE (Bruce Allert @ Mar 15 2006, 07:44 PM)

QUOTE (watsonrx13 @ Mar 15 2006, 10:12 AM) I currently own a '04 Miata with 30,000 miles. I purchased it just before I sold my '95 Miata with 220,000+ miles. -- Rob Wow! Cool. an 04 w/ 30K (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smilie_pokal.gif) good find. My 95 M edition has 31K. Had 28 when I found it. ......b (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/beer.gif)

Hey Bruce, I bought the car new (it's an '04) and have put 30K on it in 16 months.... (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif)

-- Rob

[Bruce Allert]

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/screwy.gif) Rob,, for some reason I saw '93 instead of 03 or 04. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/blink.gif) I guess oldtimers is set'n in. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/unsure.gif) You sure you din't edit it? Please say ya did (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/drunk.gif)

........b (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif)

[watsonrx13]

QUOTE (Bruce Allert @ Mar 15 2006, 08:57 PM)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/screwy.gif) Rob,, for some reason I saw '93 instead of 03 or 04.   (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/blink.gif)  I guess oldtimers is set'n in. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/unsure.gif)  You sure you din't edit it? Please say ya did (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/drunk.gif) ........b  :D

Bruce, I did edit it, but from '03 to '04, sorry old timer..... (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/cool.gif)

-- Rob

[1970 Neun vierzehn]

Bought a new Miata in '89, when it first came out. Kept it almost 10 years. Nice car, did everything I expected of it. Still have the 914 I bought over 30 years ago. Wa-a-ay more character, though it has, of course, required more upkeep. That I still have the 914 and not the Miata shows where my allegiance is. The passage of time has only enhanced my enjoyment of this car and I've seen a noticable shift in people's attitude regarding this unique and individual automobile. In this "cookie cutter" age of auto design, oft times the result of committees and focus groups, it's refreshing to savor a vehicle that is distinctive, capable, fun to drive and full of character(flaws and all)!