RE: Spider & Duetto vs Miata

["Glenn Wasserman" <glennwa@domain.elided>]

I concur with the opinions below. I love my '93 Spider, but for getting
around an autocross course as quickly as possible, it's slower than the
Miatas. Any of them.

That doesn't mean a really great driver coupled with some intelligent
interpretation of the rules regarding legal class modifications couldn't
make it competitive (just ask Russ Neely), but I've driven my car
back-to-back with an '01 Miata at an autocross and it's more powerful,
stiffer, smoother, lighter, and probably even safer in a crash.

That doesn't mean I'm looking to part with my Spider for a Miata (I
think styling alone is reason enough to stick with the Spider) - but in
the tangible aspects, the Miata wins. For the intangibles, it's no
comparison.

I agree there's more interior space and storage in a Spider, but really,
that wouldn't matter to me either way, for a car in this class. To each
his/her own.

-----Original Message-----
From: ALFAXTC@domain.elided [mailto:ALFAXTC@domain.elided]
Sent: Monday, October 14, 2002 10:36 AM
To: alfa-digest@domain.elided
Subject: Spider & Duetto vs Miata


I've owned both and have been in Duetto's that were worked.  I have to
tell you the Miata wins out is ALMOST every category.  The steering,
suspension, chassis, heating/cooling system and engine are all better
than the Alfa's.  But the Alfa wins in body design, interior space and
design, and larger trunk.  For me if the Miata body was designed by an
Italian it would of been the best selling car in the world.  The 1.6L
Miata is much faster than the 2.0 Alfa, the chassis is much stiffer, the
suspension is unbelieveable for stock.  Now the interior space, trunk
space, top design and body design Alfa wins hand down!

Guys I love the Alfas as much as anyone here on the digest, but after
driving the Miata I understand what technology has done for cars.  I
really wish that when Alfa changed the spider in 1991 that they would of
updated more than just the body and the interior (the steering was
finally done right too).  The motor, suspension (especially the rear),
chassis all needed to be updated.  Lets face it, it was technology from
the 60's and to compete in the current market place, to sell the car at
the same range as a Miata you have to be competitive with a Miata w/
90's technology.  Drive a Miata than drive a Spider or Duetto only then
you'll understand why people buy Miata's even if the Spider looks 10x
better.  Stock for stock the Miata is just a different ball game.

Alan
88 Milano 3.0
91 Miata
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