I am almost 16 and looking at cars to buy. I have found many Z3s and Miatas for good prices .I am very interested in the Z3 but my friends say its not reliable and the Miata will be much cheaper to own. I habe been googlin and don't know what to think because many say Miata is better, others say Z3 is a better Z3s I have found are cheaper and never than the Miatas but if there are a lot of problems with the Z3, I might have to consider the Miata...Here are some of the options I have foundZ3

#1 Well, had the zed for a few weeks now so time for a codgatation. Compared to the mk1 mazda the zed has a much more solid heavy feel to it, the dynamics and drive feel very different. The mazda a very light car with sharp steering and nicely weighted , i guess there is more than enough reviews out on the mx5 that i can add much too. The zed, well we did not get off to a very good start. Our tour of the south coast ended in Lymington where the car remained for the week while the rac approved garage sourced an electric radiator fan to replace the fan which was seized, [we had overheated in Winchester but Lymington was closer to our booked hotel in Christchurch] Made use of public transport for the week, shame, it was perfect top down motoring weather. On collecting the car and driving away the abs light was showing on the dash, i returned to be told the light was on when the car was left with them hmmmm, this was 4 in the afternoon so with 330 miles to go i was keen to get on the road, Brimmed the tank at the co-op opposite and set off after. After 2 or 3 miles an intermitent miss arrrrgh, [ could it be rubbish petrol?] Anyway got home safe, time for some troubleshooting. However after a bumpy start am starting to enjoy the zed, couple of trips to the Yorkshire Dales have been great and enjoying the car. In summary,two very different but nice top down cars. Z3I Zorg Legend #2 Did the ABS light go out after a short time? As I've learnt working on various parts of the car, often the ABS warning is triggered by battery being disconnected/reconnected, and then working on a ABS checked part of the car. #3 Drivers Car = MX5 Miniature muscle car = Z3 both have plus and minus points and having owned both i would be more inclined towards the Z3 overall but definitely miss the sweetness of the MX5 #4 I still have a mk1 eunos s ltd great little car very agile compared to the zed. But for distance driving the zed is so much better. #5 Could not agree more, distance driving much better in the zed, garage plugged in lymington plugged in the zed and said rear abs sensors both sides so i have renewed them , new spark plug leads cured the misfire #6 Could not agree more, distance driving much better in the zed, garage plugged in lymington plugged in the zed and said rear abs sensors both sides so i have renewed them , new spark plug leads cured the misfire My mate has an eunos with a mini supercharger it is very lively #7 MX5 ok for tazzing round the lanes, I had one , sweet gear change, but rust like mad. Z3 a better quality car, just spent a month driving across Spain, wouldn't have done that in my fault with the Z3 is the gear change, otherwise I love it ! #8 I had a foot in both camps too. My Eunos was brilliant fun, much more than the heavy Z3. But it nearly impossible to compare the two for all the above reasons. Shame they rotted like they did, but if they didn't, I probably would not be typing this. Tony. #9 I had a MX5 back in the day as did I have a Zed 3 in 1999 The MX5 is much lighter more nimble loves to rev handles really well around country lanes where as a Z3 feels heavier more of a cruiser well it is in a it's much quieter when not reved high and feels happier not being chased around but better on a motorway. Obviously the Z3 is a much better build quality all over mechanical interior body . Hope that helps. Ps the MX5 never went wrong in 3 years nothing at all I heard they rarely do go wrong very reliable. Last edited: Aug 4, 2018 #10 Last week I was on some twisty back roads and an MX5 came up close behind trying to goad me into going for it. Glad I didn't after reading the thread as me and my would have looked stupid. Maybe I need a supercharger ........ #11 Probably less so than someone in a 6 cyl. car mate. The 4 pots are very nimble I believe. Tony. #12 Yes, the M44 is just as nimble as the MX5/Eunos, and much better built. #13 I think Mx5s are great but the Z3 is SOOO MUCH prettier. The Mazda looks like a white good in comparison (IMO). And the Z3 has the big six-cylinder option, which I would gladly sacrifice some handling points for. In my use case, the extra grunt is far more useful in day-to-day driving than better steering or handling. #14 Thanks for the input guys, i would agree with the comments / observations made, i have had the mazda 18 years so hanging on to it for now, presently sorn. The zed is my wifes choice, sorry to say our little problems have knocked her confidence , does not want to take it out on her own. Our last little indulgence was a chrysler crossfire convertable, had it three summers, the zed is a much better car. andyglym Shiny Dust Caps Make Your Zed Go Faster. #15 The latest edition of modern classics has a head to head, MX-5 v's Z3. The MX-5 just takes the crown, in their view. #16 The latest edition of modern classics has a head to head, MX-5 v's Z3. The MX-5 just takes the crown, in their view. That's interesting, because the perceived wisdom is the Mx5 is streets ahead of the Z3. I'm guessing the Mazda won on steering and handling and the Z3 won on refinement, comfort and build quality? I've always thought the gap between them can't possibly be as big as people make out. Throw a big six-cylinder into the mix and you'd have a different winner by a bigger margin in my view (but then it wouldn't be comparing apples with apples etc). andyglym Shiny Dust Caps Make Your Zed Go Faster. #17 That's interesting, because the perceived wisdom is the Mx5 is streets ahead of the Z3. I'm guessing the Mazda won on steering and handling and the Z3 won on refinement, comfort and build quality? I've always thought the gap between them can't possibly be as big as people make out. Throw a big six-cylinder into the mix and you'd have a different winner by a bigger margin in my view (but then it wouldn't be comparing apples with apples etc). Pretty much bang on, a close call. All stated they'd take the keys for the Zed on a long cruise but the MX-5 for the short twisty stuff. Rated the Z3 engine better too. #18 Only thing I would take issue with is the engine thing. The Mazda twin cam is a great engine. Tony. andyglym Shiny Dust Caps Make Your Zed Go Faster. #19 Only thing I would take issue with is the engine thing. The Mazda twin cam is a great engine. Tony. Not had one so can't comment but they said the MX-5 ran out of puff top end. #20 Thought i would add an update to this old thread. I have had the zed for two years now, the mx5/eunos i had for 18 years was sold 18 months ago. I have been won over by the z3 in the past two years. Thank you to the mods and all for your contributions for to a great forum.

bmw z3 vs mazda mx 5