roadster opinions...

[Brucelee]

This disparity in size is a real challenge when driving.

For one, the issue of whether you can be SEEN is real. The size of a Miata, say, when alonside an Escalade. These folks in the large trucks and SUVs cannot see large areas around their vehicles.

Couple that with kids and cell phones and I think many of us are simply not there, visually. LIkely can't be heard either.


Now, if you ride a motorycle, you simply like risk.

I like risk, I guess.

[Perfectlap]

^ agree 100%

even if she drives her MR2/Miata safely, the bone heads on the highways are an ever present threat. And I don't about your area but around here I regularly see the SUV's going well over 80mph. That's 4 tons of massive momentum waiting to flip over on top of that tuna fish can of a Mazda/Toyota roadster.

Its not all bad, Miatas, MR2 are pretty good during rollovers. A friend's sister rolled his miata and she walked away fine, of course they were both wearing their seatbelts.
But Miatas, MR2s vs. Boxster, BMW Z4, S2000, EOS in the crash worthyness department is another matter altogether. A 986 Boxster is basically a Carrera from the seats forward and behind the seats its a substantial car if impacted from behind. The decibel levels in Miatas and MR2 clue you into how thinly constructed the cars are.

I've had several friends die in auto wrecks, one very recently and memorial day weekend another was in a bad crash with a drunk driver and is still in the hospital. The crash worthyness of a daily driven car should always be primary consideration.

[Brucelee]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

^ agree 100%

even if she drives her MR2/Miata safely, the bone heads on the highways are an ever present threat. And I don't about your area but around here I regularly see the SUV's going well over 80mph. That's 4 tons of massive momentum waiting to flip over on top of that tuna fish can of a Mazda/Toyota roadster.

Its not all bad, Miatas, MR2 are pretty good during rollovers. A friend's sister rolled his miata and she walked away fine, of course they were both wearing their seatbelts.
But Miatas, MR2s vs. Boxster, BMW Z4, S2000, EOS in the crash worthyness department is another matter altogether. A 986 Boxster is basically a Carrera from the seats forward and behind the seats its a substantial car if impacted from behind. The decibel levels in Miatas and MR2 clue you into how thinly constructed the cars are.

I've had several friends die in auto wrecks, one very recently and memorial day weekend another was in a bad crash with a drunk driver and is still in the hospital. The crash worthyness of a daily driven car should always be primary consideration.

Good points. The NHTSB would agree with you and have taken a position against increasing mandatory MPG standards.

Their position is clear: Lighter cars cost lives.

[lghtby]

I wrestled with this decision as well. I drove everything from the miata, to the s2000, boxster z3, z4, every convertible I could find. I've decided I want a boxster and shoudl be purchasing one in the next few months.

s2000 was a brilliant car but had no soul, z4 was too cushy although fun to drive, miata and MR2 felt cheap as did the z3. I know it's more money to get and maintain the porsche, but I feel it should be well worth the trouble. As a friend of mine who owns a 930 and 996 said to me... "buddy at the end of the day you're driving a honda... or a porsche, come on..." He wrestled with the same decision as well and almost ended up with the honda until he drove the porsche.