On Fri, 20 Oct 1995, Will Zehring wrote:
> Gerry writes:
>
> >
> >Moral of the story - don't knock the car - it's usually the driver's fault.
> >
I agree
> >PS - Stock Miata's handle a LOT better than stock rubber MGB's. I have
> >driven both !!
> At last, the voice of reason. I own both a '91 Miata and a '63 B and let me
> tell you that the Miata handles and stops better. Same goes for the '72 and
> '74 B's I've owned. The Miata accelerates better too. Its gear box is as
> nice and notchy as the B's and its engine is more free reving. Sorry, but
> its true.
>
Well If it doesn't I'd say there is something wrong especially on the
braking. Let's face it the B is early 60's technology at best. We've
come a long way since then. (I checked a miata has 128 BHP and weighs in
at 2295, compare that to a B)
> Will "best of both worlds" Zehring
>
That being said there is a lot you can do to improve both the handling
and the performance of early B's (IMHO Late RB B's suffer from being
jacked up and are difficult to Lower properly.) One of the nice things
about the B's handling is the "Safety Fast" aspect. When MG said "Safety
Fast" they meant it so the B is a very nice car to drive, and very
forgiving. (That doesn't mean that you can't be stupid in it just that
you have to try harder :)
Having never driven a Miata it's hard to comment on it's performance and
handling. I would tend to believe that it handles better. The question
is however, Does it feel like it's handling better. I was talking to a
guy one day who used to own MGAs and Bs and now owns a Miata. His
comments were that it was much more refined and not as much fun. He also
commented that well he thought it had better perfomance, the B would be
better to drive on windy curvy up and down roads.
I push my B hard sometimes because I know how it will handle, and I can
feel in control, can the same be said when driving a Miata? (I don't
know just asking the question).
However I still would think that the fun factor would favour the B, not
to mention the cost factor. (Although truth B told I probably could
have bought a miata with all the money I put into my B.) However on a
long trip I just might favour the miata.
Gary Burrell
Happy 1968 MGB owner, however if anyone wants to donate a Miata for me to
try out I won't turn it down :)
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