how many of you guys owned miata before graduating to boxster?

[ultimate1]

I never bought a Miata and never had the inclination to do so. I did park cars like 12 yearsa ago and I will admit that the original miatas were very well designed and balanced cars that shifted perfectly and drove really nice. The only thing was that it never had the wow factor for me to go out of my way to buy one. Plus people can say what they want about percieved chick cars. The Miata had been labeled a chick car from the beginning and the stereotype seems to be true in south florida.

In the past 12 years I leased a Jetta, a Passat and then got a Saturn Ion when hard times hit as I was laid off in 2001. Thankfully I got back on my feet and the Boxster's market value dropped substantially and I decided it was time to go after the car that I wanted from the first day I saw it in the car mags.

People can say what they want about the Box. I bought the Boxster for several reasons. I always preferred the shape of the Porsche 550 Spyder over the 356, 911,944,968,928 and 914. That to me was the coolest Porshe and the Boxster was a modern day version of the 550 Spyder.

I think the only thing that I will do is upgrade the engine to a 3.4 liter engine when my warranty expires so I can turn her into a 911 killer.

[CT986S]

Originally Posted by ultimate1

snip The Miata had been labeled a chick car from the beginning and the stereotype seems to be true snip .

This is my first post and this is a good thread to start in!
I've had a supercharged '92 Miata for 7 years and loved it. The only time anyone said anything about the chick car thing was a teenager in a clapped out '85 Tempo. I didn't listen (obviously). I figured the car was for me and not others so it doesn't matter. Besides, out in the twisties my lowered 155hp (stock was about 95 in that year) could outrun almost anyone. I did everything from the S/C (8 lbs.)to the clutch, full suspension big brakes etc. myself, and the whole club thing up through president (never again).
Forward to now and after years of the kidney crushing ride I sold my baby and bought a pristine 01 986S. It is Biarritz White on Blue.
All I can say at this time is WOW I should have done this years ago, although the prices are sure different in the Porsche world. All I have done so far is totally de-amber it, and ordered the matching bumperettes, but give me a break - I've only had it 4 days!
I am sure I will miss the Miata for a while, but after driving the Box I am pretty sure I will miss it less than I thought.
Gotta love this car.
Kevin

[Wonko The Sane]

That whole "feeling the road" thing is exactly the reason I'm going to go back to Mazda. I just don't feel like I'm connected when I drive the box. The power is a nice perk, and I do like the looks of the box, probably not better than the 1st gen Miatas, but Boxsters are pretty. At the end of the day, it feels like driving a luxury sedan, which is not the experience I'm looking for out of my convertible.

I like to be able to tell where the paint is on the road by feel.

[ultimate1]

Originally Posted by CT986S

This is my first post and this is a good thread to start in!
I've had a supercharged '92 Miata for 7 years and loved it. The only time anyone said anything about the chick car thing was a teenager in a clapped out '85 Tempo. I didn't listen (obviously). I figured the car was for me and not others so it doesn't matter. Besides, out in the twisties my lowered 155hp (stock was about 95 in that year) could outrun almost anyone. I did everything from the S/C (8 lbs.)to the clutch, full suspension big brakes etc. myself, and the whole club thing up through president (never again).
Forward to now and after years of the kidney crushing ride I sold my baby and bought a pristine 01 986S. It is Biarritz White on Blue.
All I can say at this time is WOW I should have done this years ago, although the prices are sure different in the Porsche world. All I have done so far is totally de-amber it, and ordered the matching bumperettes, but give me a break - I've only had it 4 days!
I am sure I will miss the Miata for a while, but after driving the Box I am pretty sure I will miss it less than I thought.
Gotta love this car.
Kevin

Dude you had nice car that was hardly just a miata. A guy who owned the gym I worked out at years ago had a yellow Miata that he turned into a monster with engine and performance upgrades. That miata definately turned heads and could outrun just about anything simlar to your miata. The way that car looked and performed was totally superior to a plain miata. Both your miata and his miata were definately not chick cars. At the end of the day we buy cars that we like and like to drive regardless of how people percieve it or us. My statement was just an observation for the most part for south florida. No harm was meant.

I'll get another miata soon

[iflyadesk]

I've owned six miatas! Originally an unmolested 99 followed by a 2001 BRG Special Edition (which my dad now owns) followed by a 90 SSB race car followed by a s/c 99 time trial beast that could turn 1:40s at Road Atlanta (247whp, 2078lbs, trick everything). Then I bought the 90 SSB back from the guy I sold it to (counting that car twice) and finally a 90 Spec Miata.

[Middle Age Crazy]

I hade a 1996 triple black Miata, bought used. Nice fun car but I kinda felt like I was a "bobblehead" driving it. Really small car and all the more noticeable on the freeway with the top down and being passed by transports. Boxster feels waay more substantial.

[Tomikaze]

Funny. Just came across this post. I owned 4 Miata prior to the Boxster including a 2004 Mazdaspeed Turbo. Great cars. I like the boxster better even if it isn't as quick as my modified MSM. Interesting to see how many others made the same upgrade to the Porsche.

[impboy]

Own a Miata before getting a Box? Nope. I went from 1994 Honda Civic (no lie) to my '01 Box. I also have a 1960 MGA so I'm beginning to think I have some sort of aversion to having a roof over my head when I drive.

[cliffordtk]

I had a 96 M edition Miata. I loved that car, my sister talked me into selling it to her last year. Then she moved to Maryland (from California) and took it with her so I can't even visit the when I want to. I missed it so much that I ordered my 08 Box with the Midnight Blue Metallic exterior and beige interior, very similar to the Starlight Mica/beige combination on the Miata.

The Miata was a blast to drive. Though it had less power than the Box and so one needs to downshift more, the gearshift on the Miata was so nice to use. The Box shifter is not quite as precise or easy to shift as the Miata 5-speed. Did not care much for the 2nd gen Miata and even less the 3rd generation. Things like the chrome door handles on the 1 gen gave it a retro touch that set it apart from contemporary cars.