[GerryC]

Originally Posted by DPelletier

Interesting thread; I didn't realize anyone cross shopped the Z4 with the Miata. I liked the looks of the Fiat version much better and, well, it's not called a "Miata" but didn't bother test driving one due to the power output being so low......coming from a 575hp F type V8, the M40i was already a step down in power output so there was no way I was considering a car with 160hp.

Dave

I've quite often heard the Fiat version referred to as the 'Fiata'.

[PinkNinja400Guy]

Originally Posted by Pprior

"The engine in the Miata also felt boring and lifeless" - well you definitely have to rev the crap out of it, that's the fun you feel like you're driving WAY faster than you actually are.

Pprior, I wanted to thank you for pointing out that aspect of the engine. My X7 is turbo and my previous car (10th gen Civic Si) was also turbo, so I drove the Miata with a turbo mindset - in a lower gear than I should have, stepping on the throttle at mid RPMs. I test drove it again today with your advice in mind. Staying in a lower gear and revving it out all the way really changes the character of the car; the exhaust sound also becomes a lot nicer at higher RPMs.

You also get used to the body roll after a bit, it makes the experience more engaging. I liked the Miata a lot more this time around.

I'm going to go with a Miata for now. The Z4 is really nice, and if I had just one car it'd be the Z4. But as a second fun car, the Miata makes more sense than the Z4. Plus it's a much better value.

The Z4 is currently projected to end production in March 2026, so there are a few years left if I do end up wanting to switch over in the future.

[stlcdr]

Originally Posted by PinkNinja400Guy

…

You also get used to the body roll after a bit, it makes the experience more engaging. I liked the Miata a lot more this time around.

I'm going to go with a Miata for now. The Z4 is really nice, and if I had just one car it'd be the Z4. But as a second fun car, the Miata makes more sense than the Z4. Plus it's a much better value.

The Z4 is currently projected to end production in March 2026, so there are a few years left if I do end up wanting to switch over in the future.

I think everyone who is a sports car person should have a Miata at some point

[ModernAngel]

Traded the ND Miata I had for 4 years for a Z4 M40i. No regrets other than the increased costs.

The Miata had a fully tuned coilover setup, sway bars, tuned engine, etc. Was literally like driving a street legal go kart around but the downside of that is it was… like driving a street legal go kart around. Just wanted something more comfortable but still fun. Z4 it was!

[airborne.s2000]

I currently own a '20 30i and a '22 MX5 RF GT (technically, the Z4 is my wife's car). I drive my MX5 every day, only get to drive the Z4 now and again.

My take: The MX5 is a tinkerer's dream. I love to drive it, but I also love modifying it. The Z4 is a tinkerer's nightmare. That said, many of the things I am changing on the MX5 are already in the Z4. The only package she doesn't have is the Executive package (couldn't find one with that package in my area). I recently found that the key fob can control the top on the Z4, something I paid several hundred dollars for as an aftermarket accessory on the MX5.

The Z4 is our touring car of choice. My wife rarely rides in the MX5, but I ride along in the Z4 regularly. We are driving across the mountains to Spokane in June, and are definitely taking the Z4, not the MX5.

[StanDiego]

Originally Posted by airborne.s2000

I currently own a '20 30i and a '22 MX5 RF GT (technically, the Z4 is my wife's car). I drive my MX5 every day, only get to drive the Z4 now and again.

My take: The MX5 is a tinkerer's dream. I love to drive it, but I also love modifying it. The Z4 is a tinkerer's nightmare.

Very true! I personally did mods on my NCs (2007 and 2012) that I wouldn't consider on my Z4.

[DM6]

Owned a NA '91 British Green Miata for a couple years, not long ago. Fun little car, enjoyed tinkering with it, but no power and horribly uncomfortable. It was my first convertible, and it made me realize I am a convertible guy, and for that I am grateful. I don't have any experience with current models.

I love the Z4 more than any vehicle I've ever owned.

[khp3655]

I am trading my 2021 Club, brembo/bbs/recaro ND2 Miata for a 2022 30 z4 this weekend. The Miata was a great car, a fun car, and there is no substitute for the 6MT. That said, since I am trading it in, it is not what I need it to be.

I only have one car and mostly drive on the highway either for fun or for a trip. The Miata is a harsh ride, hour after hour, and the Z4 is much more comfortable. Before I had the Miata, I had a 2010 e89. I never found myself liking the Miata more than that car. I am sure the g29 will be even better.

The thing that nailed the coffin shut for the Miata was the size of the passenger seat. My girlfirend and I basically fought to be driving the Miata because it was fun to drive and the passenger seat offers no space to adjust your legs. That gets old fast. The other main complaint about the Miata was the road noise. Even with sound-deadening panels the car was loud. Airpods helped a lot, but not enough. The trunk really limited what we could take on a roadtrip, but we managed. Also, the jittery suspension was great on the curves, but gets monotonous on the highway. The lack of a touchscreen and the awkward center console click wheel didn't help the driving experience.

Great car, but not quite the right tool for our grand touring lifestyle. I am looking forward to picking up the z4.

And I still appreciate my memories and experiences with the Miata.

P.S. My piggy bank also let me know that it will be a bit lighter as well.

[bacampbe]

That's interesting to hear. I've never driven an ND, but I previously owned an NA, 2 NBs, and an NC. All daily drivers. I never found any of them to be too harsh or loud. IMO, the ND is a gorgeous car--looks like a mini-Jag.

But it's been 10 years since I got rid of the NC. I'm older and larger now, so I might feel differently if I tried one today.

[khp3655]

Originally Posted by bacampbe

That's interesting to hear. I've never driven an ND, but I previously owned an NA, 2 NBs, and an NC. All daily drivers. I never found any of them to be too harsh or loud. IMO, the ND is a gorgeous car--looks like a mini-Jag.

But it's been 10 years since I got rid of the NC. I'm older and larger now, so I might feel differently if I tried one today.

My gf has put on weight over the past few years (shhh, don't tell her I wrote that) and the recaro seats, especially the passenger one, became really uncomfortable for her.

It wasn't too hard to for me to decide to swap out for another z4. There are a lot of advantages to it and while the price was higher, the value was there.

[MisanoblueZ4]

I had a 2013 NC PRHT for about 6 years, I remember removing a plastic panel in the passenger footwell (factory amp or something cubby that was not used on my Club model-blank space essentially) Removing that opened up about 4 inches of leg room, otherwise the passenger needed to scrunch up their legs to fit. GF at the time was 5’10 and would have never fit in that car without this free “mod”.

I thought the car road well, but the seats were god awful. I would have lower back pain constantly and thought I made a mistake with purchase which was unlivable. I browsed the forums and saw this was a typical issue with some, I followed suggestions to unzip the seat and stuff a towel into the lumbar area….solved my problem.

It was a lot of fun to drive on twisty roads which I had in abundance. But due to its extremely limited trunk space it was a 2nd car and driven mostly on weekends.

NC Miata interior was all plastic, outdated radio, a minimalist car BUT overall an enjoyable experience as secondary/toy for cheap $$

The Z4 is hands down the better GT car and on another level.

BTW thanks to depreciation, you would be shocked how close in value a used 30i is to a used top line ND RF. The Miata’s hold much better resale value New vs New, on the used market the Z4 IMO becomes the better value considering how much of a leap you are getting in many areas (storage space, fit finish, options, etc)

[Bimmerfun82]

I had fun watching this Fiat carve through traffic with its body leeeean.

https://youtu.be/7oDqs8Y337c?si=4WFapeF-Hq7raEWe

[khp3655]

BTW thanks to depreciation, you would be shocked how close in value a used 30i is to a used top line ND RF. The Miata’s hold much better resale value New vs New, on the used market the Z4 IMO becomes the better value considering how much of a leap you are getting in many areas (storage space, fit finish, options, etc)[/QUOTE]

My experience shows the same thing. My Miata lost $11k in value (sticker price to CarMax trade) after 30 months and 26k miles. The 2022 Z4 I bought with 9k miles was $12k lower (sticker to retail from a BMW dealer). I know it’s not as good percentagewise, yet it still felt like a decent swap for me.

[Balr14]

I had a Monster Miata for awhile. It wasn't the best conversion, but I didn't pay a lot for it. I bought it with the idea of improving it, but gave that idea up when I realized that wasn't practical. The interior was tiny and uncomfortable, wind buffeting was severe and traction was always going to be a problem. But, it was fun to toss around for about 1/2 hour at a time. Years ago, I would have been OK with it. But, I want more comfort and refinement now.

[///M TOWN]

Miata… !?

I’ll take a Base Z4 over any Miata ❕

[stlcdr]

Originally Posted by ///M TOWN

Miata… !?

I’ll take a Base Z4 over any Miata ❕

Z4?! I'd take a Ferrari Portofino over a Z4!

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by stlcdr

Z4?! I'd take a Ferrari Portofino over a Z4!

Miata $30k
Z4 $60k
Portofino $280k

[stlcdr]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

Miata $30k
Z4 $60k
Portofino $280k

Ah, now you are talking price: that’s a different story…A Z4 is double the price of a Miata…

(Well, of course I think the Z4 is twice the car the Miata is, but I’d also say the Ferrari is 4 times the car the Z4 is…but that’s just me. Bank account says Nope.)

[MisanoblueZ4]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

Miata $30k
Z4 $60k
Portofino $280k

Miata RF GT 37-38k
Miata soft top GT 35-36k

These are MSRP prices. New Miata’s are mid 30’s+ MSRP for non stripped models.

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by MisanoblueZ4

Miata RF GT 37-38k
Miata soft top GT 35-36k

These are MSRP prices. New Miata’s are mid 30’s+ MSRP for non stripped models.

Oof. I wouldn’t pay that for a Miata

[bacampbe]

Originally Posted by stlcdr

Ah, now you are talking price: that’s a different story…A Z4 is double the price of a Miata…

(Well, of course I think the Z4 is twice the car the Miata is, but I’d also say the Ferrari is 4 times the car the Z4 is…but that’s just me. Bank account says Nope.)

We are on the road to start rating sports cars value in "Miata Equivalent Units" (MEU).

[stlcdr]

Originally Posted by bacampbe

We are on the road to start rating sports cars value in "Miata Equivalent Units" (MEV).

Sounds fair