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View Full Version : S13 240SX vs NA Miata which one and why? Discuss



Daemos
07-23-2004, 11:30 PM
Haha I seem to post a topic like this every week...seriously haha :) But yea my parents are kinda pushing me if I want to get this done do it SOON, before I have no time to look at cars *shrugs*

So here's the situation. I currently drive a 2003 Nissan Sentra Ser Spec V. It was bought by my parents so I could have a car to drive from home to university and to work and back, as my parents didn't have time to drive me to either.

Now it's come to a time, I want something RWD. Something small and fun :) And my brother needs a car now since his university + job is downtown. Although at this current time my parents don't feel like spending another 30K CND for another car, since we have other things that we need to buy. (yes everything is paid in cash before anyone asks, so there is nothing owed on the spec v)

So I made a deal with my parents because at the time I was getting a car, I wanted a used RWD car (which was about 2 years ago), but they wouldn't let me an 18 year old kid that just started a job, going to university drive a used car...for some reason.

Basically I can give my Spec V to my brother, and my parents will buy me some RWD car. As of right now, it's a debate between a Miata and a 240SX...funny thing is my parents like the miata alot more than the S13 240SX, so they are giving me a more 'flexable' budget (like 2X as much haha) to find a miata with, just because they like the miata. But my mind seems to change every week or so on cars haha, but I think these two are the more serious choices that I have :)

Basically this is all I'm looking for, since I have no experience with either car.

I need a car that can be driven in winter
I need a pretty reliable car stock
I need a car when modded can get to high 12s low 13s 1/4 mile on stock internals (maybe lower if stock drivability is comprimised too much)
A car that can look sexy with just rims + body kit no crazy front end converions
A car that would be good for autox
A car that would be good for daily driving
Straight line performance matters to me as much as cornering :)

Yet another options is I could KEEP my car and basically screw my brother over for a car (don't ask how that works) so he basically wouldn't get anything.

Basically I've laid out some basic pros and cons:

Pros for S13:
I know about this car
I'm pro-nissan
I know what the limits of the car would be
it's larger + more room
TONS of aftermarket potential
the non-pig nose hatch looks nice

Cons for S13:
Limited front suspension travel
VERY dated interior
Hard to find in good condition
smaller budget to purchase one from
to get the power I want engine swap is required
the chassis isn't so stiff

Pro Miata:
Nicer interior
Convertable with optional hard top
shorter shifter
lighter
stiffer chassis
larger budget to find one with

Cons Miata:
smaller
doesn't look as good stock
I have limited knowledge on the car
Convertable (yes this is a con as well as a pro)
it's an 'old guy car'?

If you guys have anything else to add to the list feel free.

INeedBoost
07-24-2004, 12:08 AM
I thougth the Miata was seen as a chicks car :dunno:

theken
07-24-2004, 01:11 AM
u might not be able to hit 12's or 13' with either car, but i would buy a 240 miatas are for the ladies

GQBalla
07-24-2004, 01:18 AM
well miatas are pretty nice the new ones that is and the mazda speed version but since it had to be used i would lean over to the 240! your choice though

thich
07-24-2004, 01:28 AM
pick the one u more comfortable with...

with the miata u ain't shelling out crazy amounts of money to swap the engine and building it up.

it's not hard to go onto www.miataforum.com and find info about it.

i personally would get the miata b/c of the handling characteristics and i know i can find a better condition miata than i will ever find a 240; bodykits abound.. take the effort to find them

it's not like the miata doesn't have a large aftermarket support either.. just lotsa ppl dunno about it.

turbomiata on this board has an FMII turbo kit i believe... mad power. :D

Ichigo
07-24-2004, 02:46 AM
I think you will like the miata more.. Yes.. It's a chicks car.. But it will dance circles around the 240...
But you will miss the so called trunk space in the 240

Daemos
07-24-2004, 07:53 AM
The miata is a chick car until I put a nice body kit on it ;)

The RSX/Celicas are also chick cars :)

The only real problem I have with 240s is finding one in MINT condition that isn't going for like 8-12K (this is for an S13 now...)
The ones going for what I would call a 'good' price are all rusted POS.

But yea a 240 was my first choice since over 2 years ago (before this 'drift craze') when they were plentiful and cheap.

thich
07-24-2004, 09:50 AM
man, why do ppl keep calling the miata a "chick car" :rolleyes:
it's one of the most respected sports cars in the world.

if you want to find a body kit for the miata and get the drift look :D

http://www.sankouauto.com/index2.htm

turboMiata
07-24-2004, 10:26 AM
I you do decide on the Miata, get the 1994 pre OBD I 1.8L. Try and find one that has a Torsen and you will be set.

statick
07-25-2004, 11:10 AM
i'd say go with the 240sx

method
07-25-2004, 11:23 AM
it's a chick car. and I will drive by you in mine and slap you in the face with my penis.

:rolleyes:

there's nothing wrong with the 240sx. it's a good car too. its more practical than a miata. but once you start dumping the same amounts of money into modifications, you'll see the miata start running circles around an s13. just the nature of the car.

Speed_Dreams
07-25-2004, 12:27 PM
if your talking about an cctually S13 i would say get that. becuase they are just crazy pimp. RHD Turbo cool little features.....

but i know the miata handels like its on rails with the right amount of tuning. theres a couple guys on this board that know what they are talking about...just get what you feel comfy with

Daemos
07-25-2004, 05:49 PM
240sx not 180SX.

big diffrence :)

PS should a chicks car drive circles around a 'man's car?

The miata isn't a chick car, if it is, the Celica and RSX are DEFINATLY chick cars.

H4LFY2nR
07-25-2004, 07:13 PM
Originally posted by Daemos
240sx not 180SX.

big diffrence :)

PS should a chicks car drive circles around a 'man's car?

The miata isn't a chick car, if it is, the Celica and RSX are DEFINATLY chick cars.

S13 is the chasis code of both

and why is this turning into a nutswinging contest over which car is less masculine?:rolleyes: