so yeah, they're pretty similar eh?

I've driven both and the driving feel is almost identical.

I don't like the miata engine as much as the carby 12A (feels unrefined) but I do like IRS, especially on the bumpy stuff it really seems to help out. The brakes seem to be better on the miata as well, but I think the funfactor is higher on the FB.


What's everyone else think?


(I still find it strange that despite having a 500HP FC, building a crazy FD, having owned countless cars that I find myself coming back to the 100HP carbed 1st gens and loving them. And I'd really like a turbo FB with GSL-SE front suspension and a ford 8.8" out back, and stock looking as possible, right down to GSL-SE wheels.)

what year miata? The new ones are 170hp arent they? And the last generation MS miatas were the same, except needed a snail to do it... right?

na = 1st gen miata

oooooohhhhhhhhh. I thought na as in NOT mazdaspeed.

ummm can't think of a bigger difference than those 2.

Feel is everything, and the miata has amazing feedback and the steering box on the FB feels like a 50's ford pickup.

^ima have to second that.

After everything I've done to my FB I still don't like the way it "feels"

when i was looking for my car i test drove a couple of MX5s (miatas) and then my car (13BT gen 1 RX7) and while i LOVED the way the MX5 handled (ie, like a go-kart) it just didnt have enough grunt for my liking.

i still love the chuckability of the gen 1 though. soo much fun to drive (when it works)

man, both FB's I've owned and put miles on... have felt AWESOME after I did the steering box adjustment.

yep - my new steering box is pretty responsive. Still not as good as rack & peanut, but not as bad as... well, an RX-7 with a worn steering box.

How much work do you plan on putting into it? :D I'm thinking it'd be easier to find a 1st gen Miata in good condition than an FB.

doesn't need much work.

Miatas are hard to find around here and good condition ones are worth like $8-10,000, they just aren't worth that kinda coin to me.

How much work do you plan on putting into it? :D I'm thinking it'd be easier to find a 1st gen Miata in good condition than an FB.

Don't make me post my FB. The biggest things I've done are recoat the inside of the gas tank and rebuild the carb.

Next year we will do bushings.

I must admit, my FB, even with <50,000 miles on it doesn't feel as easy to really whip around as my FC. Power steering was kinda nice for really pulling off quick things... and parallel parking.

I'd say FB, because Miatas are girlie in the utmost. ;)

My only thought is that if FBs are ~ Miatas, why aren't they tearing everything apart at Autocross? I see one or two of them out there, but there are at least 20 Miatas that run in Texas Region.

FB = 2550lb / 110hp = 23lbs/hp
NA = 2293lb / 116hp = 19.7lbs/hp

Miata has a better stock power to weight ratio, not to mention the other benefits of being 5-10 years newer, like less wear on the transmission, differential, engine and suspension. Parts are easier to find, too.

If you're disturbed because you think the Miata is girly, there's not much you can do about that - I've never let my car define who I am, as long as I'm having fun, and I'm fairly confident that merely driving a small car won't have me craving the cock anytime soon. :D

I would say Miata for sure. Much more refined (although not refined at all relative to modern cars), no carb to worry about for sure! You have to worry about the "gay" stipulation though (even though it's not true - I would love an NA miata).