Test drove used Miata. Not impressed.

[MinamiKotaro]

I need a toy car to replace the Bug. I love it, but the poor thing is 48 years old and deserves to be put in a garage and mostly retired.

I thought a Miata might be the closest thing to a Beetle, so I found a 1992 for sale cheap. After a test drive, I realized it did not replicate the experience of driving an old Beetle. It perfectly replicated the experience of driving a four-cylinder, 1985 Mustang LX.

Same lack of forward, side, and rear visibility, same dead steering feel, same clunk from the rear end every time I let out the clutch, same ceaseless wobble-wobble from the gear stick, same annoying slight understeer just before terrifying massive oversteer, same lack of low-end grunt, midrange pull, or top end power from the engine.

I passed.

 

[A_Harman]

Maybe you just drove a bad example of a Miata. Search out a newer one and try again.

 

[IndyIan]

Hmmm, seems like you found a tired one. I think I'd get a 94+ as the 1.8 helps a little with torque and power.
My Dad had a 30k mile 1990 and it performed as advertised. It was a fun car, not fast, but good fun.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: MinamiKotaro
so I found a 1992 for sale cheap.

Did you give it any thought as to why it was for sale cheap?

 

[silverrat]

Is classic Beetle and first gen Miata a common comparison? What led you to believe they would be similar? Are is there a specific experience you are looking to get?

Also, a lot of your negative points could be a tired car with lack of maintenance.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I think they are two very different cars and the Miata was a car that needed work.

With that said, my nose is eye to eye with the top of the windshield frame on the newer ones, so I can't fit in one.

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: MinamiKotaro
I thought a Miata might be the closest thing to a Beetle

...Wait, what?

Why?

 

[IndyIan]

Originally Posted By: d00df00d
Originally Posted By: MinamiKotaro
I thought a Miata might be the closest thing to a Beetle

...Wait, what?

Why?

I imagine a 67 Beetle without power steering must have the road feel of a go-kart? Or maybe more like my riding mower...
I've never driven a Miata without power steering, but they exist too, and many people convert to power racks to manual with success.

 

[Brian Barnhart]

Sounds like you found something like your bug, considering all those “sames” you listed. I must say after I replaced some worn out components on my heavily used ’96 Miata, it was nothing like you describe or anything like my ’74 beetle. Of course, I generally drove the Miata with the top down, which vastly increases visibility. If you can accept the cramped quarters and busy ride of a Miata, take a look at a one with the 1.8L that’s in better condition.

 

[eljefino]

Just get an "Iron duke" 80's firebird with 3 speed automatic and T-tops.

 

[HLongfoot79]

You can always try to find yourself a nice Mini Cooper

 

[MinamiKotaro]

Originally Posted By: silverrat
Is classic Beetle and first gen Miata a common comparison?


It is, actually.

Quote:
What led you to believe they would be similar?


"Miata" is the stock answer on VW forums for people looking to get out of Bugs and into something newer that gives approximately the same driving experience. I guess because they're both small and light.

Quote:
Are is there a specific experience you are looking to get?


Not sure, really, but that Miata wasn't it. Perhaps I just don't like FR cars. I didn't like our aforementioned Mustang, or my S10, or Dad's truck, or the Crown Vic I had as a rental car one time, or the Sky I test drove when they came out.

Might need to look into an MR2 or something.

 

[A_Harman]

Originally Posted By: HLongfoot79
You can always try to find yourself a nice Mini Cooper


This sounds like a good suggestion. They have go-kart-like handling, and a lot of space for practical uses.

 

[Pesca]

Originally Posted By: MinamiKotaro
Same lack of forward, side, and rear visibility, same dead steering feel, same clunk from the rear end every time I let out the clutch, same ceaseless wobble-wobble from the gear stick, same annoying slight understeer just before terrifying massive oversteer, same lack of low-end grunt, midrange pull, or top end power from the engine.

Definitively does not sound like mine LOL, especially on the visibility side, except if you drive from open to top up, as you can become claustrophobic after driving with the top down.

As said, it is not a fast car, from an american standard, but fun car it is for sure.

This type of car may not fit your needs, time to enlarge your search criteria?

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: MinamiKotaro
Not sure, really, but that Miata wasn't it. Perhaps I just don't like FR cars. I didn't like our aforementioned Mustang, or my S10, or Dad's truck, or the Crown Vic I had as a rental car one time, or the Sky I test drove when they came out.

What about a Boxster?

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: MinamiKotaro
Not sure, really, but that Miata wasn't it. Perhaps I just don't like FR cars. I didn't like our aforementioned Mustang, or my S10, or Dad's truck, or the Crown Vic I had as a rental car one time, or the Sky I test drove when they came out.

What about a Boxster?

+1
I was just about to type this: Used Boxter. Also found the used say 98 BMW M roadster to be a near perfect sports car.
Not the non M version though ... Torquey, fast, predictable rear slide. A bit tight in the cockpit though for 6 footers.

 

[robertcope]

I spent the first 30 years of my life loving and working on Bugs. I have a '66 on a '69 pan with a 2110cc motor (Scat crank, Gene Berg heads, etc... not a cheap motor!). I also have a '99 Miata that is built out as a track car. I am a very fast and competent driver and instructor.

The Miata is long considered one of the best handling cars built with wonderful steering and one of the best transmissions ever made. If the car you built felt worse than your Bug, something was seriously wrong with it.

It's true, the Miata is not a particularly powerful car, especially the older 1.6 models. But they shouldn't feel awful. The wobbling shifter is almost undoubtedly bad engine mounts.

I would consider looking at 2001+ models. I think you'll be a lot happier. They've got the nice 1.8 VVT motor and are going to be less worn out than the '92 you drove. Also keep in mind that many of the "really nice" cars have upgraded suspension, new bushings, etc.

robert

 

[4wheeldog]

Originally Posted By: MinamiKotaro
I need a toy car to replace the Bug. I love it, but the poor thing is 48 years old and deserves to be put in a garage and mostly retired.

I thought a Miata might be the closest thing to a Beetle, so I found a 1992 for sale cheap. After a test drive, I realized it did not replicate the experience of driving an old Beetle. It perfectly replicated the experience of driving a four-cylinder, 1985 Mustang LX.

Same lack of forward, side, and rear visibility, same dead steering feel, same clunk from the rear end every time I let out the clutch, same ceaseless wobble-wobble from the gear stick, same annoying slight understeer just before terrifying massive oversteer, same lack of low-end grunt, midrange pull, or top end power from the engine.

I passed.


So.....You are indicting the whole production run of a very popular car, because you found a "Cheap" 24 year old example lacking in the verve you feel you need.

I think the best way for you to scratch you original bug itch is a newish beetle. Just pull one of the coil packs, and it will have the feel you are looking for.

 

[javacontour]

Describe your beetle so we can understand if the comparison is realistic?

Have you stuffed a bigger engine in the Beetle making a lighter car with a bigger power plant than the Miata?

I.E. is your beetle powered by a 1200cc engine or some 2L+ hot rod mill?

A 1992 Miata is 100-140kg heavier than a 1960's Beetle.

 

[OneEyeJack]

Just rebuild your bug. Everything is available.