dastun roadster or miata??

[lagomorph]

So I'm at a crossroads. I have a miata right now, and it's a decent driver. I'm tempted by the thoughts of a datsun roadster, though. Esp. with a SR20 installed. The youtube vids have kept me company on several nights shifts at work now. Am I loco for wanting to sell my proven, reliable 95 M edition for a rusty old japanese car with leaf springs in the back and no real aftermarket support? Or should I keep the mazda and keep pecking away at it, adding rollbar, flares, rear R package lip spoiler, and enjoy the car even though the datsun has (dare I say) way more style....

And pic of said reliable M-car...

[Air and water do mix]

Truthfully you can only decide for yourself.

That said, if it were me, and it were w weekend car, it'd be a Datsun Roadster in a heartbeat, cuz I love 'em. A daily? No question. Keep the Miata, even though it's burgundy.

I really like Datsun Roadsters, though.

[Dave_Car_Guy]

Easy call, IMO. Go with the Datsun Roadster, and if you want more parts availability, find one with the SR20 swap or do one yourself. Either way, a great car for most anything - except bad weather. Compared to the Miata, the Roadster is very unusual and gets lots of attention. The Datsun is certainly less comfortable, noisier, and less well finished.

Question: are you single? It may be a relevant question.... I find that a Datsun attracts women more than many other cars. They find you very "approachable" in a Datsun, and it gives them a reason to say Hi. The type of woman you would meet in that manner would be more likely to understand you as a "car guy". I have been married for 24 years, but one of my first dates with my wife included a spin around the block in my Datsun Roadster, with her sitting on a milk crate on the passenger side because I hadn't completed the restoration. I knew she was a cool girl then... still is, and she still puts up with my car-ness.

[Dave_Car_Guy]

A picture is worth a a thousand words...so here is my Roadster on South Gate Road headed up Mt. Diablo:


Answer: Get the Datsun.

[clutchrider]

Thank you to above poster for a Dastun roadster. Would have expected OP to have pics of both types

I would go with the Datsun though for sheer rarity. I see Miata's of all styles around here, boring. Of course you could join the TCL elite buy buying a Miata.

[compy222]

as cool as a 95 M is...go with the datsun.

[zaYG]

Sounds like you have an emotional need for the Datsun.

Go drive it and see if you could live with it.

[QWKDTSN]

Datto roadsters are awesome dude.

Do it.

[Diamond Dave]

So I'm at a crossroads. I have a miata right now, and it's a decent driver. I'm tempted by the thoughts of a datsun roadster, though. Esp. with a SR20 installed. The youtube vids have kept me company on several nights shifts at work now. Am I loco for wanting to sell my proven, reliable 95 M edition for a rusty old Japanese car with leaf springs in the back and no real aftermarket support?

I've helped build 5 or 6 SR20 Roadsters. The full restoration kind. It's the reason I've got an SR20 sitting in my Miata right now. If you can commit the ~$15K to building an SR20 Roadster or the ~$20K to buying an SR20 Roadster and you only want a weekend kickaround car, you can't go wrong.

SR20 Roadster (134WHP, 2050lbs) to Miata (~130WHP, 2300lbs) comparison
Style or exclusivity - Roadster, hands down
Straight line acceleration - Roadster
Daily Driver - Miata. SR20 roadster is too difficult to replace
Autocross - tie
Cost to replace - Miata
Ease of replacement parts - Miata
Steering feedback and response - MIATA


Any of the cars below could roll in to any Nissan or Infiniti dealership in the country and plug in to the Consult diagnostics or buy 98% of the Nissan drivetrain parts. Even a lowly normally aspirated SR20 Roadster (~134WHP) can hand NA Miatas their ass on acceleration. To the point, where I won't go on cruises in my Miata with SR20 Roadsters. They're just too strong to keep up with. Also, Roadsters are twice as relaxing and comfortable to drive on 8hr roadtrips than a Miata. They've got MUCh better wind deflection.

Bob - S13 SR20

lonely Miata

67.5 S15 SR20Det 6spd, Ford 8" rear

S15 turbo at speed

68 S13 SR20 BRE Stripes

68 Roadster - S13 SR20

This is what you get for about $500.

Same car, ~$15K later; frame off resto, acid dipped body, powder coated frame, NOS datsun parts, hand built brake lines, S13 turbo, GSL-SE rear end, etc.
S13 SR20 det

almost there

show winner

[Time for a GTI]

Is there a creepy midget with a mask on in the background of that photo?

[zeewhiz]

Stone cold facts:

a) I LOVE Datsun Roadsters, and I myself hope to have an SR or VG swapped one someday.

b) You own my FAVORITE variation of the NA Miatas.

c) I'm really torn on this decision.



Luke warm opinion:

If it were me, I'd throw money at the Miata, and only because of 25 years of additional chassis design/improvements. Both are drop dead gorgeous, both would be a blast to drive, and both would be super reliable (once the swap's bugs were ironed out).

[VR6GURU]

[Mr. Clarkson]

[Numbersix]

Jeez Jeff. Why would you ever give up a 95 M in nice shape?

Hell, I'd sell my '94 R Package to buy that from you.

[mk4321]

I have an employee that has a Datsun Roadster that he should sell as he does not take care of it, imo. I would purchase it myself if I wasn't already working on two different project vehicles.

[lagomorph]

I picked up a roadster as a project, the M is going up for sale. I'll post some pics later after I get back from vacation, my 450 mile bicycle tour in Oregon is going well.
& well played, Mr. Clarkson. That clown in the back of the shop is seriously freaky at night.

[LieutenantShinySides]

Jeff, get the Datsun roadster. It'll make for some fun shop nights that we haven't done in a long time.

[ValveCoverGasket]

thats awesome

and im by no means a convertible person...

[Air and water do mix]

I picked up a roadster as a project...

Huzzah!

[bherman13]

Is there a creepy midget with a mask on in the background of that photo?

What has been seen.

[Volvo_D]

I like my vintage Asian roadsters in the H variety...

[Air and water do mix]

I like my vintage Asian roadsters in the H variety...

They're cool, but I've never even seen one in the metal. Datsun Roadsters are a dime a dozen by comparison.

[ValveCoverGasket]

I like my vintage Asian roadsters in the H variety...

datsun wins.
because aston-esque hood scoop.

[alfafan]

It's a weeping angel in disguise.

[lagomorph]

here's some pics of the one I picked up. rough body, but has 99.5% of the parts. And a slew of dash plaques from local competition events from the 70's. And it runs, but needs a fuel tank seal + brake system checkover. But after about 45 minutes of playing around, I got it running enough to drive it through the shop and park it in my stall. Hadn't been touched in 3 years.






fortunately, the leak in the fuel tank probably saved the fuel system from being ruined. it's not a hole, but a weeping leak at the back corner of the tank. I'd like to find another body in a little better shape and just swap them for a better starting point. Both arches in the rear are rotten, the floors need redone, and the driver's door and front fender are both ready to be made back into something else made of inferior metal.
Combine this with my 75 rabbit resto, and I've got no shortage of work to keep me busy over the winter.

[VDub2625]

Rather odd looking hardtop. I'm sure those aren't easy to find though.

[71DubBugBug]

cool find!
dont forget to keep us updated as work progresses

how much does a running example, that doesnt have too much rust go for?

[Iroczgirl]

Nice find! I hoped the hardtop would have saved the floor somewhat, too bad it didn't.

[Dave_Car_Guy]

how much does a running example, that doesnt have too much rust go for?

These cars can be had for $4-$7K, in decent shape, running well with no rust. $1000 for rusty busted examples, and $10K for a great car, or $15-$20K for something pristine, maybe more. Parts are available, not too expensive to restore. Our OP has some work to do but it will be a great car when he is done! He (and you) should check out the info on the forums and tech section of www.311s.org.

[ValveCoverGasket]

These cars can be had for $4-$7K, in decent shape, running well with no rust. .

that really doesnt sound too bad given how rarely you see these on the road

that thing looks rough but complete

[71DubBugBug]

that really doesnt sound too bad given how rarely you see these on the road

that thing looks rough but complete

yep not bad at all

damn, now i want one

[Diamond Dave]

here's some pics of the one I picked up.

congrats on the purchase. Sorry to see it's a 68+ tall windshield

If you're serious about an SR20 swap, IM me and you'll have to come down to the shop to see what you're in for.

[Dave_Car_Guy]

damn, now i want one

71Dub: Next time you are in NorCal, just look me up, I'll convince you to buy one of these gems. Here's a couple recent pics of a group of us on a fun run near San Francisco.

[DJMRDARK]

I'm with this all day long and twice on Sundays.

[2.0T_Convert]

Is there a creepy midget with a mask on in the background of that photo?

I have nothing to add except I will be looking over my shoulder all night now.