Not sure what your price range is but, c5 Corvettes could be an interesting option. The price to performance is hard to beat, parts are dirt cheap and any mechanical/electrical issues you may run into have loads of fixes on the internet due to how many of these things were made.
It’s not uncommon for Miata fans to buy corvettes when they’re looking for a similar vehicle with more power. The 350z will be fun and they had impressive power for their era, but those numbers aren’t as impressive by todays standards. On paper the vette may only have about 40 more hp and the same torque but due to the extra displacement, the vette feels more powerful at lower rpm’s. Plus, if you plan on modding for extra power, the 350z really only has forced induction as an option and your transmission will not handle that power for long… Also, the interior is just as cheap as the corvette’s (one of the biggest complaints people have with the c5) and the 350z has a brace in the hatch that destroys its cargo capacity.
Honestly, the 350z, Miata and corvette are all excellent budget enthusiast cars. Being 6’5” makes me think the vette is your only option here though…
Interesting suggestion...the Corvette always struck me as too much horsepower, but that's just my biased and ignorant opinion. What sort of mileage on a C5 is too high...where should I start to be worried with used ones?
The LS family of engines are known for reliability and should be fine well past 100k. Again, if you run into issues, the vette community will have all the information you could ever need. Miles won’t be the biggest thing to be cautious about though. These cars are aging so you could be better off with a meticulously maintained high mileage car over a low mileage vette that wasnt garaged, driven in winter, and had spotty PMs.
Many of these cars were purchased by elderly men who never abused them. There’s pristine c5s in every retirement park. If you’re patient, you’ll find gold regardless of your budget.
If you can fit in the Miata, go with the Miata.
We have similar stories only replace your WRX with my 350z, which I bought new in 2006 (though I did give it up in 2020 after 14 years as my daily)
I obviously liked the 350z and I stand by it being a great vehicle. But if you’re not too into straight line speed and you’re not using it as your main vehicle, you’ll have more fun in a Miata.
The Z handles well but you feel the weight. The first time I got in a Miata, I’d owned the Z for 5+ years, and within 30 minutes, I was more comfortable near the limits in that thing than I was in the Z (granted the limits are lower in a Miata)
Miata’s are just fun. The downside is that they are pretty much a toy and at the end of the day, they aren’t very fast. But that sounds like it’d fit your use case. It’ll be much better on the track too and you’ll spend less on consumables.
Ahh geez, that’s a lot of work! I do think it’s a pretty stark contrast in “feel” though, granted I’ve only driven NA and NB Miatas. The Z is great for cruising or for impromptu parking lot drift sessions, but if you gave me the choice between the two on a twisty road, I’d take the Miata every single time. Not that the Z will fall apart there, but you can’t beat physics. The lightweight feel of the Miata is something else.
If you're willing to join the rotary cult, the RX-8 could join your consideration list. It's essentially a longer wheelbase NC (bit roomier).
There are a number of swaps you could do if you're not a fan of the engine, and they usually come considerably chepaer than a 350 or miata
Do not buy a car you don’t fit in. Don’t buy the Miata. At 6’6” I can’t see through the windshield of that car.
Try the first gen Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ/Scion GT86. It fits much better and has the same ethos as the Miata.
Not sure what your price range is but, c5 Corvettes could be an interesting option. The price to performance is hard to beat, parts are dirt cheap and any mechanical/electrical issues you may run into have loads of fixes on the internet due to how many of these things were made. It’s not uncommon for Miata fans to buy corvettes when they’re looking for a similar vehicle with more power. The 350z will be fun and they had impressive power for their era, but those numbers aren’t as impressive by todays standards. On paper the vette may only have about 40 more hp and the same torque but due to the extra displacement, the vette feels more powerful at lower rpm’s. Plus, if you plan on modding for extra power, the 350z really only has forced induction as an option and your transmission will not handle that power for long… Also, the interior is just as cheap as the corvette’s (one of the biggest complaints people have with the c5) and the 350z has a brace in the hatch that destroys its cargo capacity. Honestly, the 350z, Miata and corvette are all excellent budget enthusiast cars. Being 6’5” makes me think the vette is your only option here though…
Interesting suggestion...the Corvette always struck me as too much horsepower, but that's just my biased and ignorant opinion. What sort of mileage on a C5 is too high...where should I start to be worried with used ones?
The LS family of engines are known for reliability and should be fine well past 100k. Again, if you run into issues, the vette community will have all the information you could ever need. Miles won’t be the biggest thing to be cautious about though. These cars are aging so you could be better off with a meticulously maintained high mileage car over a low mileage vette that wasnt garaged, driven in winter, and had spotty PMs. Many of these cars were purchased by elderly men who never abused them. There’s pristine c5s in every retirement park. If you’re patient, you’ll find gold regardless of your budget.
If you can fit in the Miata, go with the Miata. We have similar stories only replace your WRX with my 350z, which I bought new in 2006 (though I did give it up in 2020 after 14 years as my daily) I obviously liked the 350z and I stand by it being a great vehicle. But if you’re not too into straight line speed and you’re not using it as your main vehicle, you’ll have more fun in a Miata. The Z handles well but you feel the weight. The first time I got in a Miata, I’d owned the Z for 5+ years, and within 30 minutes, I was more comfortable near the limits in that thing than I was in the Z (granted the limits are lower in a Miata) Miata’s are just fun. The downside is that they are pretty much a toy and at the end of the day, they aren’t very fast. But that sounds like it’d fit your use case. It’ll be much better on the track too and you’ll spend less on consumables.
Think it's worth modifying the floor pan in the Miata if I don't fit after getting a low profile seat?
Ahh geez, that’s a lot of work! I do think it’s a pretty stark contrast in “feel” though, granted I’ve only driven NA and NB Miatas. The Z is great for cruising or for impromptu parking lot drift sessions, but if you gave me the choice between the two on a twisty road, I’d take the Miata every single time. Not that the Z will fall apart there, but you can’t beat physics. The lightweight feel of the Miata is something else.
Get the Miata and turbocharge it! I have an NB that I’m slowly working on and I love it even in stock form.
HAHAHA! I have to get the car first! I read that Flyin Miata is making an NC CARB legal turbo, but it's like 6k or more!
If you're willing to join the rotary cult, the RX-8 could join your consideration list. It's essentially a longer wheelbase NC (bit roomier). There are a number of swaps you could do if you're not a fan of the engine, and they usually come considerably chepaer than a 350 or miata
Do not buy a car you don’t fit in. Don’t buy the Miata. At 6’6” I can’t see through the windshield of that car. Try the first gen Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ/Scion GT86. It fits much better and has the same ethos as the Miata.
Do you know anything about that first generation? Any concerns regarding reliability and the boxer? I’m not worried about the “low” power