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Hi all, long time 7th gen fan here. In the next few months I was going to purchase one, throw some money into it and make a fun and fast project car out of it. But just these two days I saw pics of an upcoming Miata based car called the Kabura. I wasn't considering getting a new car, but the pics of this thing really made my jaws drop. So.. the question is, get an older car I can make a project out of, or hold off hoping that they'll actually make this Kabura car. Opinions?? Thanks.

Here's a couple pics of this car that's put me in this dilemma.

 
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i think this is just the concept version

 
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i think that car is ugly, especially the interior, i hate those seats

 
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doubt that car will look like that once it hits production if it ever does

 
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yeah.. it looks like concept.

it looks like a toned down version of an rx-8... its even got rotary shaped on the seats... heh.

Funny you should mention the "miata" though. I think the newest model is sweet as hell... really contemplating myself on getting one.

 
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dude, thats definitely not the miata. they JUST redesigned the miata from the ground up this year...its going to be at LEAST another 8 years before they redesign it again...

besides, that cant be even a miata concept because its a hardtop coupe...miatas are convertibles...always has been, always will be.

that said, it all depends on what you want from your car. do you just want it for the enjoyment of driving, or will you need it for carying stuff? the miata has no trunk space, and really no space to transport anything besides like one suitcase/bag. so its not "practical", but its a hell of a lot of fun to drive.

and the new mx-5 is fvcking AWESOME on the road. really a great car.

 
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Oops I should have been more clear, press release says it's based on the Miata, so I wasn't sure if it was gonna be the Miata coupe... so it sounds like it will be an entirely different car, just based on the Miata. Thanks for the replies. Not sure what to do yet.. waiting for a concept to be made could be a long and painful wait

 
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if it makes your decision easier, they are planning to release a hardtop mx-5 model i think next year...meaning it will have a retractable hard top. it will be heavier, naturally, but if you dont want to bother with the soft top, and dont want to pay for a hard top to put on the miata, and just want it to drive around in and not race, this isnt a bad option to go with.

just some food for thought. if you need more help with your decision, go to miata.net ...theres TONS of info there.

 
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Thank you for your opinion.. I didn't know Miata was coming out with a hardtop convertible. I'm not much of a convertible guy, that's why I wanted a fixed roof coupe and why this Kabura caught my eye.

 
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That Kabura looks like an interesting car. Miata based concept you say? Wow...

Well, if you need a car now, 7th gens are great cars! If you want one Mazda MIGHT make in 3-4 years, that one would be a nice car to get. I wish Mazda would make it. It reminds me of the Dodge Razor.

 
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why the 7thgen? theres not alot of parts and u need a hell of a lot of money to make it fast. not trying to turn u the other way, but this car doesnt have TOO much going for it. why not a 240 or an eg hatch?

 
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I like the look of the 7thgen, though I know the 5th gen are the ones that are super-moddable. I just can't get over how good the Kabura looks, but to have to wait to find out if it's even gonna get made, it's tough.

 
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you can always get the lotus exige if you dont want to wait for the concept of a fixed roof roadster based on the miata to make it to production...if it ever will.

or the porsche cayman is another option, if you have the $$ for it.

 
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Hah to be honest if I had the money for a Cayman, I wouldn't be looking at a $20k Mazda concept car Exige is a good idea, though a lot pricier too, and I want the quality of a Japanese car. Thanks for the suggestions.

 
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it takes a good amount of money to get any/alot of performance out of our Vics. I would say get a better platfrom to begin with but our car are still fun to mod etc....

 
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the exige in the us has a toyota motor...same as the celica i think. so its not the typical brittish car.

but yeah, its a little up there in the price also.

well, maybe pontiac will make a hardtop solstice. hehe ive been reading positive things about that car also. the softtop is around the 20k mark. or maybe the saturn sky will have a detachable hardtop... but those aren't japanese cars though...

tough decision you've got.

 
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get a 2nd gen miata, add ground controls, Konis, and a flying miata stage II turbo kit.

 
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Just get an MX-5. Rear Wheel Drive, 160 HP, 6 speed, fun car to drive.

 
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pontiac is either going to make a hardtop version of the solstice which is rumoured to start around $17-18k, but if they decide not to do it they will just release a hardtop cap for the current one so it can meet scca regulations for when they start to race it.

also they released a solstice concept that had a turbo on it that is also rumoured to make it to production. probably around $25k though.

the exige has the celica gts engine in it, same with the elise. But those cars are so tiny, I saw one and it looked like the seats were bolted directly to the floor. but they are quick.

 
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The big problem here is that it will be at least 1 - 3 years before that car gets into production if they do make it.

 
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mallett is making a crazy v8 conversion for the solstice...but its like 18k in addition to the cost of the base solstice for the lowest package. but then you kind of have to ask yourself if spending 40k on a solstice with a vette engine is really worth it, or if you can spend it on something else a little more refined instead. lol

i dont know about the solstice because i havent driven it, but with a miata you really dont need 400hp. it goes even with the stock engine. and with too much power, doing a twisty road becomes more difficult because you worry about breaking the *** loose at each turn with too much throttle.

 
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250whp in a miata would be good enough to send your head into the headrest.

back to the topic at hand: i say get the NB miata. NC looks ugly, imo. i'm sure it will be wide-body friendlier than the NB, but i'm crazy like that 2001+ miata would be a good car to start with. add a FM turbo or supercharger and you'll have a quick car.

 
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NB starts with 1999

 
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Paying $40,000, although in my opinion is stupid, DOES get you a killer sleeper. No one expects a solstice to kill a vette (lighter).


also, I may avoid all american cars, but I would have to say I would make an exception and happily drive (not buy, but drive) that solstice without being embarassed. Thats A LOT coming from me. I try not to even get in american cars cause I am so damn sick of their lack of quality.