MX-5 vs. Boxster?

[Perfectlap]

I drove the mazdaspeed turbo miata but not this latest 180 HP (or close to that, certainly with some mods) Not really a huge difference in ooomph over my 150 HP 1.8 handling was no more dialed in either. The new mx5 is pricey for sure. But its a car that has been in development for nearly 15 years now. Handling and steering is just as good as the S2000 or Boxster. Its low weight means accelration is plenty good. And the high revving engine is awesome. And to tell you truth it was more fun at the autocross because it had a bit of oversteer.
I wouldn't take a heavier 2.5 Boxster for this new Miata. A 3.2 now that's a different story!

From a driver's point of view its a top roadster no question but if you are interested in what other's think about your car or you are a status seeker its certainly not the choice. I dunno buying a car for others to think you are wealthy always seemed really tacky to me. Some people just appreciate finely made cars.

p.s.
rteichman, a few mods and I sold my 1994 Miata in November of 2004 for $7,000.
When I picked up my BoxsterS at the dealer I saw a 1996 M edition and the salesman told me it was a trade in they bought from the owner for $2,500
Some people's ability to reason and negotiate goes out the window when they walk into a dealership.

[jiggysubman]

i should point out that which ever car i choose next, it's going to have to be my daily driver. My 97 box isn't the most relaible daily driver in the world. ultimately this is going to be a hard decision.
You can mod the hell out of that mazda for far cheaper than you can our cars. That's also a plus.

[Perfectlap]

I think the S2000 is the best two seater if its going to be a daily driver.
Honda=Bullet proof
Or a very low mileage BoxsterS, hard to replicate the special something the Boxster has that the Miata and S2000 don't have on daily drives. I think it has something to do with the torque the Boxster put down in lower revvs (exact opposite of the S2000) , that grip is something I can't get used to. Hard on the wallet when it comes to gas station visits! I spend $60 a month and only drive it 4 times a month.
The Miata has such little trunk space, very impractical and I never really felt safe in such a tiny car. In an accident the S2000 would fair much better.

[rteichman]

Originally Posted by jiggysubman

i should point out that which ever car i choose next, it's going to have to be my daily driver. My 97 box isn't the most relaible daily driver in the world. ultimately this is going to be a hard decision.
You can mod the hell out of that mazda for far cheaper than you can our cars. That's also a plus.

Get a sporty sedan (3 series BMW, VW 2.0T, Audi A4, Mazda 3,...) and keep the Boxster. That way you can have a practical daily car and a fun car

[BillyBobJoe]

jiggysubman,

i recently replaced my daily-driver miata ('97M with lower, stiffer suspension, sticky tires, etc.) with an '03 boxster. i considered buying a new mx-5, and for the money, a 2.7-liter, not a 2.5, boxster was the logical comparison. (My '03 cost about $2k more than the mx-5's msrp, while 2001 models started around $23k).

miatas of any generation are astonishingly reliable, inexpensive to buy and maintain, and great fun to drive. i don't think the boxster is necessarily any more enjoyable when sailing down a back road -- it's a different experience.

what made me ultimately decide on the boxster was its feeling of "mechanical sophistication." the miata, even if it's modded and making better numbers, just can't deliver the boxster's combination of handling, steering and braking precision.

[xclusivecar]

Originally Posted by jiggysubman

You can mod the hell out of that mazda for far cheaper than you can our cars. That's also a plus.

If your gonna mod the hell out of any car I'd say stay away from the Boxster. Lots of money, little gain in performance, possible major nagging problems.

[limoncello]

Miatas are great cars - I owned my 97 M Edition for 5 years. Great handling, good brakes, so-so torque. Cheap to own, cheap to fix. A bargain.

The Boxster is faster, cooler, more expensive to buy, own, and repair. If I've got the money, I'll take the Box - but I agree with BruceLee, it's not really a straight line comparison. Hopefully the car that costs twice as much is better. Whether it's worth the difference is each individual's call.

BUT HERE"S MY GRIPE ON THE 2006 MX-5!!! They put in the new z-fold top, thereby seeming to eliminate any chance of putting in an SCCA rollbar to track the car! What's with that???? Miatas made their reputation on tracks across America, and the Mazda stiffs the enthusiasts. WTF? (stands for "what there for?" keep a clean site )

I have thought of getting another 1.8 and setting it up for track only. The NAs are cheap enough to do it. Save the Box for cruising.