S13 240SX vs NA Miata which one and why? Discuss

[Daemos]

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.

[91300zxtt]

i would keep the spec-v. its more reliable, has a huge aftermarket, drives best in the snow. you dont HAVE to give it to your borther do you? i mean the spec is fater than boths of the other 2 stock. but if you must, the miata is cheapest to mod, and more reliable. however the s13 has a bigger aftermarket.

[StreetGlow10]

I would go with the 240SX. I really dont care for Miatas all that much. My really good friend has a 1997 240SX and i love it..it looks really sporty and all it has is 17 in rims on it and side skirts and the front bumber is a bumber imported from Japan. Its pretty low too and fairly quick. It has 80,000 miles on it and hes had it for about 7 months and never had a problem with it and he said its very reliable as does it drive well in winter like u wanted. He accually bought it in the winter. I would definently go 240SX but thats my opinion. Hope that helps a little bit.

[Z_Fanatic]

with those 4 bangers... running 12s and 13s and still reliable and daily driver, don't go hand in hand. you're talking about a lot of money there to make it fast and keep it fast, and functionable. A C5 Z06 is a 12 secs car.

straightline performance, save yourself the trouble and expenses and get a used Camaro or Firebird.

[Blazing Rice]

How tall are you? If you're over 5'3", this is a no brainer for the Nissan...

[DinanM3_S2]

If your goin to mod, try to find a good condition 240sx. The Miatas can only handle so much power.

If I were lookin for a RWD car, I would go with a BMW E36 3-Series.