Spider vs. Miata...driving impressions

[ga.spyder]

Only if you can have both!!!

[westy64]

Prunette's PO was a true rallyman, racing in histopric and regularity rallies all over the French regions, including the Monte Carlo (historique, he finished N°10 with a Peugeot 104 ZS).
He used to change of car every 12-18 month, including 2 porsche 914 2L, and a few 911.
The only car he kept 3 years was the Fiat spider.
Definitely his favourite.
Must be a sign !

[ga.spyder]

I had a 1.7 litre 914 for a short time.I never really got it sorted out.I wasnt very impressed with the car,although in fairness it needed a lot of work.I always liked the look of them.The full race 2.0 is dominant in small bore vintage racing.

[Tobi]

Back in the days friends of mine installed the fuel injections form the Golf GTI on the 914 2.0 and they where running pretty smooth. They ran even better with the 2.7 six cylinders.

[Colonialgirl]

Well, I guess I should comment. I OWNED a 1969 Alfa Romeo Spider way back in 1970 and it was a great sports car; Comfortable bucket seats, loads of power out of its injected 1750 cc engine and it would wind up over 9000 rpm with out skipping a beat. Had it up to 120 before I chickened out, BUT I do know it would hit close to 90 MPH in THIRD gear with two more to go. It would DO any thing you thought about doing and curved on ramps to freeways were loads of fun in third with loads of torque and total control; Slide the back end around the curve or REALLY get on it and do a four wheel drift into the right hand lane of the freeway. It has a mechanical injection system that could be a pain to tune up, BUT oh so responsive and at 75mph+ you could count on 28 mpg all day long.
I do like my Fiat 124 spider, but it has set for a long time because I'm getting too old to work on it and no garage ;
Not as fast or agile as the Alfa, BUT still fun to drive especially with the top down and if you could maintain 75 MPH on the interstate, you could leave the top down even in the rain and stay "dry".

Pamela

[agarair]

If you own a Spider and a Miata, life is good! I have a 71 124 Spider with the 1608 engine that I bought new, and a 94 Miata I picked up four years ago. Somedays it is a hard decision as to which car I will take out. It ususally boils down to two things, where am I going (will my Spider be protected, lets face it, it is irreplaceable in its history and memories with me) and what do I have to take with me (the Miata has limited space). Both are great cars in their own technological era. And both are still great cars today. Both are pretty much stock and fun to drive. Both are Black with Tan interiors, I had them parked in my garage headed out one day and my son came for a visit, the garage door was open, and his first comment to me was "That's how a garage is supposed to look!"

The Miata handles better, revs higher and fits me like a glove. The Fiat makes me feel 40 years younger, gives me room to put my ice chest in the back seat, carry more in the trunk and definitely has a bigger cockpit. While I love driving both cars, the Fiat, with its arms out steering, more interior room and classic Italian sound is my first choice when conditions permit.
And the funny thing is my MIata and Fiat friends. When I drive the Miata, my Fiat friends ask where is my Fiat, if I drive the Fiat my Miata club friends rag me about it. I just smile and continue to know I am in Heaven in either case!

One thing for the Miata owner with the tight fit, I replaced the stock steering wheel in the Miata with a 330mm Isotta wheel using a Momo adapter and it is amazing the difference in entering and exiting the car. The Isotta wheel sits about an inch farther forward and provides a little more arms out driving which I really like. Toby sends.

[ga.spyder]

I read your post as I was getting ready for church.I had to laugh!! I was trying to decide between driving the Fiat or the Miata Fiat won...