z3 or miata?

[Memo]

Alright, right now I have a 1998 F-150 XLT Short-Bed, Fleet Side. I got it for my 16th birthday back in 98. My bro had just been in a bad accident and my dad wanted something "safe." Well, I'm tired of this "Safe" truck. I wwant something small, fast (kinda) and convertible! I was thinking a miata or a z3. Would like SLK or TT, but too expensive. Ok, well my reasons for a miata would be that it is CHEAPER, i can get a NEW one, which means I would have warranty. My reasons for a z3....it's bad ass, it's a bmw, it's cooler. I would have to get about a 98 or 99 z3 though, something in in the 20-25k range. I think i can sell the truck for about 10,000. It only has 24,000 miles. I just want to kno what your opinions would be.

[rum]

I would go for the Miata. If you're gonna spend the money for a beemer, why would you want a Z3? The 3 series coupes look a lot better.

[KoalaFD]

Woah...
That's a big change.

Before you do it, are you sure you want such a small car? The thing really is tiny and all the nice things that went along with your truck will vanish. Like trunk space.

If you're sure... I like the Miata better than the Z3. It's cheaper, it's better looking. Plus with your 20-25k, you can turbocharge/supercharge the Miata.

[pennypinch]

I was looking at covertibles too. I frankly think the Miata is, through and through, a girl's car. Coming from an F-150, do you really want other men laughing coyly behind your back? I didn't think so.

I wouldn't really choose the Z3 either though. I dunno where you live, but the whole Z3 thing is exceptionally played down here in SoCal. Either a marginally successful "aspiring actor" or a really lousy producer. I definitely don't think it's worth the money (sort of like ALL BMW's below the 7 series).

If you're dying for an import covertible, consider the Mitsu Eclipse spyder. Ask Apex about the build quality, but I've never heard great stuff about Mitsu products.

Or you could always go with a used Saab convertible. When i was looking around, they could be picked up for a few grand above your price range.

[Memo]

I'm not really down with Mitsubishi, I know people with argue against that. And as far as the truck, I never wanted it. My brother had just been in an accident where he was in a coma for a few weeks in the hospital and then was in the hospital for another 3 months. So my dad was freaked out and decided to get me the tank aka F-150. The z3 is kind of played out here in texas as well. As far as aspiring actor, I'm only 18 man and i'm studying comp. science @ UT. Yea they are kind of girl cars, but I can't exactly buy a viper or corvette right now =P

[Ice-9]

Since I'm a Porsche fanatic, I'll just mention the 968 cab. Sweet car, convertible, awesome handling like all the other 924/944/968 series, and within your price range. The problem? I hope you like spending time under your car - same constant maintenance required as on my car. Here's a page with some pics of them, though, in case you're interested.

http://www.flat-6.net/html_cars/968_cabriolet.html

[Graphics Man]

There was an article on convertibles. They liked the Eclipse and the Camero. I personally like the miata. I'm actually considering getting one myself.

For the money, you could get a used one and a turbocharger kit. 250hp in that car is alot. 0-60 4.8sec range depending on the turbo kit, exhaust, intake etc. And with a nice suspension kit, rims, and dual exhaust, the car doesn't look girly anymore, especially when you can keep up with most things out there. Plus they handle REALLY well.

Another option is the WRX. I personally like it, but I'm a rally fan. I test drove one a little while ago in SD. Very fast, good handling, all wheel drive. I know most don't like the looks though, but give it a testdrive and you might have a different opinion of the car.

Just my 2 cents.

-Mike

[pennypinch]

Originally posted by Ice-9
Since I'm a Porsche fanatic, I'll just mention the 968 cab. Sweet car, convertible, awesome handling like all the other 924/944/968 series, and within your price range. The problem? I hope you like spending time under your car - same constant maintenance required as on my car. Here's a page with some pics of them, though, in case you're interested.

http://www.flat-6.net/html_cars/968_cabriolet.html

Yeesh! Run, don't walk away from a 968. I'm as big a Porsche fan as you'll find, but that's just a dog of a car.

[hapoo]

/hapoo covers his ears with his hands
"FIND A HAPPY PLACE, FIND A HAPPY PLACE, FIND A HAPPY PLACE"

[Memo]

I know jack about cars, so being under that porsche wouldn't do me any good. And as far as fixing the car up, I want something that doesn't look riceboy-ish. I want something that is bad ass enough to where I don't have to fix it up too much. I don't care about speed or 0-60. I don't race and anything over 100 mph is fine with me

[Ice-9]

Originally posted by pennypinch

Originally posted by Ice-9
Since I'm a Porsche fanatic, I'll just mention the 968 cab. Sweet car, convertible, awesome handling like all the other 924/944/968 series, and within your price range. The problem? I hope you like spending time under your car - same constant maintenance required as on my car. Here's a page with some pics of them, though, in case you're interested.

http://www.flat-6.net/html_cars/968_cabriolet.html

Yeesh! Run, don't walk away from a 968. I'm as big a Porsche fan as you'll find, but that's just a dog of a car.

Hey! Why the extreme prejudice against 968s? Aside from the maintenance issues and the leaky convertible top, I like 968s. Far better than the 944S2 cab - it was designed as a convertible instead of being chopped into one.

[ken]

When you make your decision, remember that the Z3 has a plastic rear window, which, after a few years will make your cool BMW look cheap and trashed. So figure the cost of a new rear plastic sheet and installation every couple years, in addition to the loan payments.

For that reason alone, I refuse to ever buy a z3. I'm waiting until they get some sense and use glass. It may be awhile, their 3 series had plastic until just this model.

Also consider the cost of insurance. You could be looking at twice as much for the z3 vs the miata.

My suggestion, get the miata. It's a decent car and you'll have plenty of other cars to aspire to. You're too young to get a BMW. It'll just spoil you.

[Memo]

HA! I want to spoil myself Never too young for a BMW. But your'e right, I thought that the z3 had a glass window, can't believe they'd put that piece of crap plastic. I guess eventhough I'd prefer a z3, the most reasonable answer would be the miata.

[pennypinch]

Originally posted by UT Memo
HA! I want to spoil myself Never too young for a BMW. But your'e right, I thought that the z3 had a glass window, can't believe they'd put that piece of crap plastic. I guess eventhough I'd prefer a z3, the most reasonable answer would be the miata.

I was actually startled to see which cars had plastic rear windows: the Z3, the Boxster, even the TT, if my memory serves correctly...

[Jihforce]

Originally posted by UT Memo
HA! I want to spoil myself Never too young for a BMW. But your'e right, I thought that the z3 had a glass window, can't believe they'd put that piece of crap plastic. I guess eventhough I'd prefer a z3, the most reasonable answer would be the miata.

Yeah, i think the miata is a sweet little car. (emphasis on little). As for the bmw, its nice too, but it will cost you an arm and a leg to get it (used) and don't even get me started about maintenance. I personally plan to keep mine for 3 years and then ditch it, before the maintenance & repair costs kill me.

[KoalaFD]

Originally posted by chosenfool
z3.

miatas are so common.

I think that Z3s are more common...

[Memo]

I think all cars are pretty common if they're under the $70,000 dollar range.

[OC]

My recipe for a Miata -

Find a nice, used late-model example. Say, 1997. Install Eibach springs and Bilstein shocks. Bolt on some 16" wheels and good tires (NOT some cats - Cheap Ass Tires - from Les Schwab or someone) - 17s would be too big for a Miata, imho. Add a supercharger from Jackson Racing and a KAAZ or Quaife limited slip diff. Add a big brake kit (optional).

Stir until well blended and run circles around Z3s (though probably not the M models).

-OC

[ArkiStan]

Doesn't the Miata also have a plastic rear window? Or maybe I'm mistaken....

[Ice-9]

I think the miata does have a glass rear window - that was one of their trump cards over practically ever other cabriolet under $60 grand.

[styleee]

vw cabriolet has a glass window.
at least my old one did.

and my mom's miata has a plastic window... but i think the new ones come with a glass one.

[coleslaw]

What about a nice fixed up MGB roadster. It has the classic roadster look that the Miata only wishes it could have.

[Ice-9]

Originally posted by coleslaw
What about a nice fixed up MGB roadster. It has the classic roadster look that the Miata only wishes it could have.

Hahahah, my friend used to drive an MGB (and had a second one that sat in his garage for parts). He always said that MG stood for "Might Go." The only reason he could stand to drive it was that he was a mechanic and could fix half of the problems on the spot instead of getting it towed constantly. If you want reliability, please do NOT get an MG. But if you just want a cool f'ing car that you drive once a month, go for it.

[coleslaw]

I mentioned the MGB only because they look super cool when compared to the Z3 and the Miata. I am well aware of their constant need for greasemonkey work. My friend has one sitting in his parent's garage that his parents drive maybe once a month, like you said. But hey, it sports a luxurious 8-track player!! Let's see the Z3 do that!!