I'm looking for my first project car and was doing some research from the guys who do this stuff the most. What are your opinions on the Miata or the Eclipse as far as speed and street performance? What do you recommend? At this point lets say cash is not an issue...I just want to learn and get into the hobby! Thanks guys.

Edit * Eclipse isn't mazda I know before the bashing, was just on my mind when I made the thread sorry *

 

fag wheels drive or slidewayz?

heavy slow ugly brick or tiny cute light weight?

looking straight or having gay jokes made by your friends?

each has its pro's and con's

 

REAR WHEEL DRIVE! Thats my selling point, but thats just me...
Not sure wich gen eclipse your looking at or wether it's a GSX or GST or NA?
Rear wheel drive cars are easier to work on (my .02), they drive better (again my .02), they slide better (my .02, you getting the point yet?), the miata is light, and most wont expect you to seriously race a miata (they'll be busy making fag jokes and talking about your penis)

Both the eclipse and the miata have large aftermarket pools to pull from. Im not sure if the eclipse does any circuit style racing or not? There are tons and tons of miata clubs, series, parts, classes for racing, the list goes on and on.

Performance wise, i know that the 4g63t engine is a frickin beast!!!!!! I know some guys are building the miata engines and getting some decent numbers, however some are hiding 302's and 350's under the hood (go ahead talk shit with your weedwacker )

Regardless of which you come across first, they'd both be good starter projects (providing money is not an issue), although i would prefer the miata over a fwd gst! A gsx however, might make me think about it for a few minutes....

 

It is up to you but if it were me and it was going to be a project car and not really a DD I would buy a Miata because it will outhandle 90% of the cars out there. They are light enough where you don't need much horespower to make them fly. 93lowbody on here used to have one and with 107 hp to the wheels could still go 120mph, it's a great car even though some people will make fun of you don't let it get to you. I would rock on all day long, and if you have the money, put a little turbo on it, 200whp in that car could make it a beast just by itself. Eclispes are cool cars I would drive on as a daily but they are pretty heavy though...

 

my thing was the easyest to read by far

 

my choice is obvious...but if you like Fast and Furious, buy an eclipse please.

 

I do not call this ugly brick...its pretty

 

I like Miata's to be honest...can't afford one though..at least with the prices I've seen for used ones.

 

craigslist it up my man or get a shell and rotary swap it!

 

When it comes to performance, the miata is the better car...