2015-2018 Mazda Miata MX-5

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Phishin

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My son is a wonderful young man, who recently turned 16. He's incredibly hardworking, responsible, and driven.

He's also a car fanatic. And a huge F1 fan. So he wants a manual car, and the sportier the better. But I don't want anything too high powered for him, and he's shown interest in the Miata

I'm looking at 3-6 year old Miata's.....do any of my fellow BITOG'ers have much to say about them? Anything I should be looking for? Of course, I like the retractable hardroof (RF variant). I think that makes the most sense since we live in Northern Indiana....but they are a bit pricier as well.

I'm looking forward to what you all have to say.....
 
I don't own one but I recall that the first year or two of the current body style they had some trouble with the manual transmission. The more recent models have rectified the problem from what I read. Since you live up north beware of rust from salted roads, but I'm sure you know that. Look on the Miata/MX-5 forums and you will find more information.
 
I'd be interested to know just how insane the insurance on a Miata is for a 16/17 year old unless Indiana is one of those states where you can assign younger drivers as the primary driver on something like your Accord or CRV. My WRX cost me just under $4000 a year when I was 21.
 
Miatas are great little cars! Super fun to drive, inexpensive, reliable and very tuner friendly.

All that said, make sure your son is 100% cool with the car first. It could be thought of as a “girl” car and he could been ribbed by friends for it... Some people can handle a good ribbing others cannot.
 
The only people who call the miata a girl car are ones that havent driven one, especially in manual.

I had a 2019, I was very sad to sell it. That being said, the prices on these types of cars are ridiculous. I don't know about buying that for my son as a first car, especially if you live some where with dangerous traffic and drivers around you. Part of the reason why I sold the car was daily driving it in LA was a dangerous feat.

Another issue with the 2016-2018 is the transmission is pretty weak. There were changes make in late 2018 models to 2019 that improved it. I personally never had any issues on mine in 15k miles. The previous gen NC 2015 transmission is very stout, but the ND 2016+ look much nicer and are lighter and quicker.

Another good option is the Civic SI 1.5t coupe. I test drove this and it was a pretty fun car, especially if you want to mod it. The main negatives here is the engine is not VTEC, and seems run out of revs fast. Also Rev hang is an issue, although this can be tuned out and not as bad as like the 2019 WRX I drove. They saved the good engine for the Type R. I almost bought the SI at the time but the weather pushed me to the convertible.
 
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Any late model car for an inexperienced new driver isn't the greatest idea. They often wreck them within the first year and the insurance is going to be high. And I wouldn't exactly call those years slow, by any stretch. If he want's a Miata, why not an earlier model? Something under $5,000 that you would only get liability insurance on.
 
ATex7239 said:
Miatas are great little cars! Super fun to drive, inexpensive, reliable and very tuner friendly.

All that said, make sure your son is 100% cool with the car first. It could be thought of as a “girl” car and he could been ribbed by friends for it... Some people can handle a good ribbing others cannot.
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I'll have to agree, everyone I've ever known who's had one is a hot girl:D
 
I owned a gen 2. I got ribbed, but it helped that it was black as opposed to white or blue. Once they get some wear on them and a couple of mods they don’t look as much girl-car as they can originally. And as much as I got ribbed, everyone always wanted to ride with me to lunch, so the ribbing was only for fun - they wanted to ride in it too. Though, one day stopped at a light I saw two ladies *gawking* at me with jaws agape, pointing. Then I realized my passenger had his arm wrapped behind my seat and “was making a show” with the tootsie pop in his mouth. You can imagine the slugs in the arm he was due.

that said, it was truly a wonderful vehicle, so well balanced all the way around. The engine wasn’t going to beat a muscle car, BUT no mistake it would go as fast as you wanted to and was ready to play. Someone can easily get hurt in it as does require restraint to behave. It will not inspire road rage aggression, as it is small. Far safer than a motorcycle. Not good for independent moves to college.

the above suggestion for a 1.5t civic is good too, agree with all comments there. My son is in an 18. The interior of the Mazda is likely vastly superior; the civic probably safer. I do like the 1.5t and the MT is typical Honda…. butter.

if he’s responsible with a vehicle, no issue with a Miata. And considering their reliability, you could go older and use the extra $ on mods together.
 
ATex7239 said:
1) A Range Rover isn’t practical
2) Can you tell them about me and get me a number? I’m kinda short but at least I’m fat, so it kinda works out
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I have to agree about the practical part, heck, to me my 300ZX is practical (y)

Haha I'll see what I can do:D They're both Asian, size 0, around 100 lbs;)
 
Great, fun, and fast cars if driven properly. But as his first car? Eh........The car scene here has a lot of miatas, most clapped out, some decent, and none of them know how to drive the car and end up wreaking it trying to "drift" around. I'd say stick with a Civic Si.
 
I was thinking of getting a late model Miati because if he does wreck it, insurance will cover it and I'll get my money back.
If I spend $4k--7K for an older unit, and just put liability on it, the money is GONE if he wraps it around a tree.

Like it or not, that's my logic.

And right now, he's driving my 2018 Silverado 3500 because I have full coverage on it. My Accord has 240k on it, has been meticulously maintained its whole life, and probably only worth $2500 if I sell it. But it's flawless. No rust. Runs like a top. Regular tranny and coolant flushes, high-end brake replacements, etc. etc. I just put a new set of Michelin's on it ($900). It's been a no expense spared maintained car. I only have liability on it, but it would cost me $10-20k to replace it with a similar condition vehicle. So, he's NOT driving my Accord.

My son has 4.6 GPA, is a national champion in BMX racing, he runs a horse boarding business at my farm, and is the leader in our state champion marching band. Dude has his life together and is very responsible. I'm comfortable spending $20-25k on a car for him. He's earned it.
 
had i not accidently found my 2001 TT 225Q roadster 6 spd manual a car that listed over 40G in 2001 for 17G with 37 thou on it in 2011 for 17 thou i would prolly own a miata, but being a VW guy from my 200 thou 2001 jetta i love this little hot rod! mostly eze upkeep even the full timing belt kit on it similar to the jetta. both 1.8T engines but the 225hp stock TT compared to the 150 stock jetta has stouter internals. both got upgrades including ECU tuning!!! i learned a lot on-line about both great cars especially VWVortex + the TT forum in the UK the best TT info anywhere!! even without todays DI the APR tune boosts quickly to 25 lb + goes well, cant imagine how well a modern VW -Audi 2.0T with DI feels + one look on the GoAPR site shows amazing hp + torque for an engine that small!!
 
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