MG Engine Swaps Forum

just bought my wife a first edition (NA) Miata, that is in amazing condition for a 92 model. I have to admit that I really enjoy driving it, very responsive steering, light clutch action, precise gear changes etc and you can throw it around corners like nobody's business. Finally the hard top doesn't leak and keeps things nice and quiet.
Been thinking that maybe the newer 2 liter version with a 6 speed tranny and auto retractable hard top might be a really interesting buy for me.
After spending so much time and money on my 69 MGB with 3.4L conversion my wife hit the roof when I mentioned it but I'm finding old age is beginning to creep up on me and climbing over and under the B isn't as easy as it used to be.
If I go this route will I regret it, I know my B inside out having replaced or rebuilt every darn component, it's like a new car now and i will never get back half of what I've spent on it but originally that was never my intent, I was looking at it as a nice toy in my retirement........until the darn Miata came along .

You will join the masses, no longer an individual.

If you want to join the herd, consider a S-200 Honda.

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It is our attitude that will determine the outcome

I sold my '71 BGT for a '07 Miata with power hard top. I only was planning a test drive, but was hooked after that. Drove the B when so got home and made the decision to by the Musta.

I do have a '73 Midget project to be a tinker car.

Bill,
If I had you car (cars) with all the additional upgrades I probably wouldn't be considering a Miata either. Do you still have that beautiful Jag too..

I also shamelessly bought a Miata, second gen (NB), 2002.... lots of fun and everything works!

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Russ
Southern Delaware
1970 MGB GT, rolling bodyshell, grey primer
1972 MGB, harvest gold, HIFs, Pertronix
2002 Mazda Miata
2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid
2018 Ford F150 XLT 5.0

Very common dilemma I believe. I've owned two MGB's over the years, and for some time have seriously thought of getting another one. If I did, it would need to be restored and in excellent condition as this would be something I would need to have a local MG expert on speed dial. I am no backyard mechanic, let alone MG expert when it comes to maintenance, troubleshooting, etc. I am also retired and not as
spry as I used to be! I have also had 9 Miata's since 1992. So, I am very familiar with both cars. I go back and forth between getting another B and just enjoying it from time to time like so many do... but I know that it will need attention; also, from time to time. So for me, it's the questions of do I want to deal with that, and would I prefer a more comfortable and reliable sports car that wouldn't break the bank.

I've not decided yet. But I must admit I am very interested in the new Miata ND soft top - - not the RF (retractable fastback). My two cents is, yes - you would go through a period of regret. But after getting used to the Miata, you will be very satisfied with it and that would more than make up the pangs of lost nostalgia and classic British roadster feel. I'm not telling you to sell the B and buy the Miata. I'm more commiserating with your situation. If you are more interested in having an affordable, top-down & fun driving experience that occasionally needs some troubleshooting and tweaking... your B might be just fine. But if you are looking for more reliability, tighter suspension and steering, better brakes, and more torque.... well.... you know the answer.

Good luck with the choice!

Doug

Doug, I sent you a PM

It is certainly a great car. The NC has the Ford engine which will handle ungodly boost pressures too.. And more leg room. I think it is a great choice. Couldn't sell my car for one, but a V6 MGB? Heck yeah. It'll outrun, outcorner, out just about everything that MG. Not so uncommon, but I hear the enthusiast's group is very good also. Mazda makes some pretty awesome cars. That folding hard top is very nice also.

Jim

edit: You will miss your cargo capacity though.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2017-12-13 12:46 PM by Jim Blackwood.

I bought a Miata last year, but thankfully did not sell my mg's. It was more difficult to get in and out of, and being a jelly bean car, impossible to see the fenders. It had lots of power, easy steering, good radio, and it was just another modern jap car with no soul, and I sold it. Glad I kept the B and the GTV6

The nice lady on the avatar may not like it!

Y'know it might just be a case of winter blues, I have a factory hardtop on my modded B and I hate it. It changes the whole experience for me, not totally waterproof, noisy and claustrophobic inducing when you are 6ft. I also have a practically brand new soft top which I have hardly used because to me it's just as bad. It's a completely different car when the top is removed, feel so much better. Then again the Miata with a hard top feels totally different to me, it is a way better design, is quiet and looks like part of the car and not an afterthought.

Jim, are you saying that you wouldn't sell a standard MGB fro one, but you would sell a MGB with a V6 for one, just trying to clarify your thoughts

You got that right, but she now has both a turbo beetle and a Miata NA to play with. She can't reach the pedals in my MGB because to fit the T5 transmission the tunnel had to be modded and now the driver's seat can't adjust all the way forward..which is why I just bought her the 92 Miata....which started this whole thing!

I sold a pair of project cars to buy a beautiful '95 Miata... I do have another 'toy car' to wrench on. Having driven the Miata for a couple of years, I realized that as amazing as it is, it just doesn't do it for me. I expect to get more out of my toy cars than just jumping in and driving them with no worries. It's so fulfilling and rewarding to fix an older car and go driving... the car actually needs you.

Anyhow, here's a shameless plug for my Miata, now on craiglist in Lansing Michigan. You can drive it across the country without a worry if you like!

https://lansing.craigslist.org/cto/d/1995-miata-black-and-tan/6412119664.html

If it were my car I don't know if I could talk you out of it. A v6 sounds like a fun car though. I'm sort of over my MGB GT and would be tempted to swap John if he were closer. I just don't have time to tinker on it anymore like I thought I would.
Good luck with your decision.