When does a 1995 Mazda Miata cease being a Miata? We're not sure it ever truly does, but the owner of this particular example put in a Herculean effort to try and make it happen. No folks, your eyes do not deceive you: despite all the Bimmer-look trickery, the car you see here is a '95 Miata with 85,000 miles on the odometer, and if you want it, it's just a click away at eBay.
Sporting an engine and tranny that reportedly have under 40,000 miles on them, the pseudo-Z3 is painted Atlanta Blue and actually sports authentic BMW lights (front and rear), grilles and badging. The winner will also get an assortment of other accessories, including a set of underdrive pulleys, thrown in on the deal. Click the image above to view the auction, where the seller has several more photos loaded.
[Source: eBay via Carscoop]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Sue Esponte @ Jan 4th 2007 10:22AM
At least the owner is selling it for what it is. I've seen Z3 Kit Miatas up for sale on eBay as Z3s. It looks fine for what it is but its still no Z3.
Howard Kerr @ Jan 4th 2007 10:24AM
There are several different kits that will "change" the appearance of the Miata...this is one of the newest. Considering how well the engine and the handling of the 4 cylinder Z3 stand up next to a Miata, I'd opt for the Miata, I'm just not sure I'd spend an ADDITIONAL $4000+ to get the BMW's looks.
Johnny @ Jan 4th 2007 10:32AM
Those wheels are hanus!!!
iibbmm @ Jan 4th 2007 10:34AM
#3
So is your spelling.
BartMack @ Jan 4th 2007 10:43AM
But the truly deep question remains... why does this exist?
Silver @ Jan 4th 2007 11:03AM
Wow, what a waste of money and effort, particularly since the original Miata was a better looking car than the original Z3 anyway.
amp @ Jan 4th 2007 11:04AM
It's an automatic folks, which kind of makes sense since it is a bit of a poser Z3.
Jason @ Jan 4th 2007 11:29AM
So lame. The Z3 isn't even a particularly good looking car, why pose that?
Far, far, far superior is the Miata from miata forums sporting an F20C engine. Lighter than an S2000, more power than a Miata, and (at least the owner claims) it handles great.
Green Lotus Elise @ Jan 4th 2007 11:30AM
I have to ask, why? Z3's aren't dirt cheap but I've seen them in the $12,000-14,000 range, surely this project (unless the car is a rebuilt salvage) comes close to the price of a "cheap" Z3. Seems like you could have the real thing for only a little more.
deezelsseks @ Jan 4th 2007 11:43AM
There are only so many ways you can polish a terd...
sfast @ Jan 4th 2007 12:12PM
Why does this exist?
Why not? Some of you people are no fun at all.
ricer221 @ Jan 4th 2007 12:21PM
Whos the dumbass that wrote this article? Its a BMW Z3 not a Miata.
DJA @ Jan 4th 2007 12:23PM
Why?
drolds1 @ Jan 4th 2007 12:34PM
#4 ROFLMAO!
HotRod @ Jan 4th 2007 1:06PM
Why? Because there are always a few idiots that will try something just to do it.
This is old news though, these kits have been around since at least 1999. There are a number of others.
The 4K would have been better spent dropping a V8 in that thing. And you can get your money back on a V8 Miata.
Chesters Liver @ Jan 4th 2007 2:43PM
Actually on second thought this thing may be more reliable. Still stupid!
Chesters Liver @ Jan 4th 2007 2:43PM
Why do people do this? Just by the stupid bmw if that's what you want! This is dumber than those fiero/vw kit car ferraris. The sad part is some idiot will buy the f@#ker.
saimin @ Jan 4th 2007 3:19PM
I always thought there was friendly rivalry between MX5, S2000, Z3 owners. Why join the dark side with a frankenstein? Love the all caps on the ebay page, too
Andy @ Jan 4th 2007 3:50PM
I never liked kit cars. I love the idea of building your own car to your personal specs in your garage, but the whole deal with fake Shelbys and Ferraris was pure poseur craft. I don't see why someone would spend the time and money building fake Z3 from a Miata. A nice used Z3 can be had for under $10,000. It wasn't an attractive roadster, either.
Ian @ Jan 4th 2007 4:42PM
The fake Shelbys are usually the building your own car to your personal specs type. Bad example.
What bothers me is the number of Fieros that get sacrificed on that altar of crap.