I took command of our 2006 Mazda Miata last week after piloting the long-term Toyota Camry for an extended duration. I was amused by my initial reactions. Compared to the Camry, the Miata was stiff riding and cramped. The quick steering meant I had to constantly pay attention in order to avoid lane deviation. The throttle and clutch pedals were tricky to modulate...
Of course, it's all about perspective. I happen to like the Miata quite a bit. But I wonder how many Miata owners happen to have the ideal setup -- a Miata and a Camry in the garage. That way, you can fully utilize the strengths of each. Drive the Camry during the week for mindless commuting and then the Miata on the weekends for buzzing around town or some back-road fun.
Brent Romans, Senior Automotive Editor, Edmunds.com, 13,452 miles
spargo says:
10:01 AM, 11/ 6/06
Interesting, perhaps this shines a little light into the "numb steering" of the solstice/sky. On an enthousiast site you tend to find only the opinion of the type of folks who track their own cars and look for performance only, but perhaps cars like the solstice and sky are tuned down to be more livable for folks whos first car is a lazy sedan.
-Spargo
blueguydotcom says:
10:12 AM, 11/ 6/06
But I wonder how many Miata owners happen to have the ideal setup -- a Miata and a Camry in the garage
Best of both worlds is owning a fun car and an utterly Grandpa car like a Camry? Huh?
Maybe a Miata and a Mazda6 - if one wants to spend the dough a 3 series or G35. If they're the type that likes driving a Miata, a Camry is a massive step down.
desmolicious says:
11:12 AM, 11/ 6/06
Given the choice, I'd still pick the Miata for mindless driving over the Camry any day...
Wake up and smell the geritol people!
firstwagon says:
01:02 PM, 11/ 6/06
I can't see anyone who would buy a Miata ever even considering something as bland as a Camry.
If you wanted to go for contrasting vehicles though, I would pick the Miata plus a minivan (instead of the camry). If you are going drive something dull, it might as well be practical and useful. 4 door sedans just don't cut it.
carlisimo says:
04:36 PM, 11/ 6/06
I just have a Miata, a 2nd gen which is harder-riding and more cramped than the new one. I'm lucky that I can get away with it at this stage of my life... I know I won't for much longer. The friend that turned me to Miatas lost his to a red-light runner and felt he now needed a 4-seater, so he got an RX-8. But he still misses the Miata and is now thinking that the ideal setup is having a Miata and a sedan/wagon. (The RX-8 doesn't have much of a trunk, and he says it's not nearly as "wheee!" as the Miata.)
On another note, whenever I drive my girlfriend's RSX or my brother's xB, I find my passengers loudly reminding me not to drive like I'm in the Miata!
jstandefer says:
05:09 PM, 11/ 6/06
As another Miata owner here (previously an '04 Mazdaspeed, now an '06 GT), I can never imagine owning something as boring as a Camry. In the San Diego Miata Club, I cannot think of any of the nearly 500 members that also has a Camry, although one member comes close with an ES330.
We have an '05 Tribute and an '06 Mustang in addition to the Miata. I drive the Miata daily. My second choice to drive is the Tribute, which I do when I need the extra passenger or cargo space. I don't care much for the Mustang. It wasn't my choice, but every time I drive it, I really feel there needs to be a picture of it next to the word "numb" in the dictionary. Perhaps a GT with a stick would be different, but the V6 automatic is pretty boring... heavy, with a terribly unrefined and weak engine, and numb, overboosted steering. At least its Shaker audio system sounds decent, but I still prefer the Bose system in the Miata.
My reasonably-priced choice for a companion vehicle to the Miata would be a CX-7 or Mazda6 wagon. If I had the money, a nice BMW 5-series wagon would be great. The Tribute has made a nice companion, but the CX-7 would be a lot better of a zoom-zoom match.
bromans says:
07:09 PM, 11/ 7/06
Wow, a lot of Camry haters on this post. In hindsight, I think I could have worded my post a little differently. Though I did specifically mention the Camry, my intent was to show how having a second vehicle enables the Miata to be that much better of a car. Substitute a Mazda 6 sedan for Camry, if you like. That said, those who haven't driven the new Camry should withhold judgment about it. It's not necessarily exciting, but it is enjoyable to drive, comfortable and, with the V6, surprisingly quick. -- Brent Romans
jerrywimer says:
04:57 AM, 11/ 8/06
Those things may be true for the Camry, but it also comes with an ugly (or just boring?) interior and somewhat questionable materials choices in obvious places..
manybmws says:
06:46 PM, 12/11/06
Ha! How about a BMW 530i as a garage partner. I have no problem going between the 2 cars! Trade in the Camry for a Beemer and you will be just fine.
alsmiata says:
04:52 PM, 03/26/07
Put a Subaru Legacy GT wagon in your garage. Then you can haul stuff and haul you know what