Which new Miata to choose?

[jaball77]

Basically the question is "Is 7 more mph in 2nd gear worth giving up the limited slip diff and half an inch of wheel width?"


The Club Spec/Base/Touring and the Sport are pretty similar. Same motor, seats, brakes, steering, etc...

But the lower range cars have the 5-speed which is good for about 63 mph in 2nd gear, have 16x6.5" wheels, and are about 30 lbs lighter. But they have an open diff.

The Sport has the 6-speed which is only good to about 56 mph and is 30 lbs heavier, but you get a limited slip and 17x7" wheels.


I don't know. It seems like I'd have more trouble running out of gear than I would with wheelspin, especially at Brooksville... But then there's the wheels, too.


Price really isn't that big a part of the decision... the Sport with the LSD is only $1000 more than the Touring... And I'm assuming I'll replace the shocks immediately, heh.

I dunno. :dunno:

[Loren]

Get a leftover 05 or 04 Mazdaspeed. Best Miata performance deal of the decade. They were selling for $19k LAST December and they can still be found.

If you're stuck on an 06... I guess the Sport would be the way to go. It's really lame that Mazda won't let you get the sport suspension goodies or the LSD on a nice light base model car with a 5-speed.

[jaball77]

Get a leftover 05 or 04 Mazdaspeed. Best Miata performance deal of the decade. They were selling for $19k LAST December and they can still be found.

I wish I could, but I just don't fit! My knees are constantly in contact with the bottom of the steering wheel... This would be my daily driver as well as an autocrosser, so that's a no-go... I fit perfectly in the 06.

I stopped by Brandon Mazda on the way home and there's $2500 worth of incentives on 05 RX-8's. Hmmmmm... :)

[Charles]

I wish I could, but I just don't fit! My knees are constantly in contact with the bottom of the steering wheel... This would be my daily driver as well as an autocrosser, so that's a no-go... I fit perfectly in the 06.



I sat in the 06 Miata at the new car show and found the same, I did fit. I had the same problem with the earlier years knee to steering wheel contact....I could barely get one leg in those :)

[Loren]

Get a smaller steering wheel. :)

(I'm not kidding)

[nunyo]

It's not legal to change a steering wheel with an airbag in SCCA Stock classing. STS2 either for that matter.

GRRR!

[Loren]

D'oh!

Yet another reason I'm not legal for STS2. I didn't even know about that one.

[jaball77]

Get a smaller steering wheel. :)

(I'm not kidding)

Now wait a minute... You might be on to something here...

Are ALL Miatas in CSP? Even the MazdaSpeed?

MazdaSpeed Miata with a smaller steering wheel, downpipe, exhaust, intercooler... Don't those things make like 180whp with just bolt-ons?

That might be fun, heh.


Edit: Never mind. Looks like the MSM is in ASP. :-(

[Muddy]

hehe. The MSM is fucked, no matter what class you run it in. It would be nice to have another MSM to compete against, though!

[PseudoRealityX]

If you can, get an RX8... unless you're all about a convertible, like muddy is. The Miata and RX8 share a lot of the chassis design between each other, the RX8 allows for 4 adults (sorta), has a bit more power, and is a very good stock class autocross car. I dunno... I'm not liking the NC Miata just yet... while the RX8 continues to grow on me. Fuel mileage isn't too great though... if that's a concern.

[jaball77]

If you can, get an RX8... unless you're all about a convertible, like muddy is. The Miata and RX8 share a lot of the chassis design between each other, the RX8 allows for 4 adults (sorta), has a bit more power, and is a very good stock class autocross car. I dunno... I'm not liking the NC Miata just yet... while the RX8 continues to grow on me. Fuel mileage isn't too great though... if that's a concern.

Don't think I haven't thought about it! I really dig the RX-8, too, but the fuel mileage thing would kill me. Assuming I got 15 mpg (which seems about average), it would about double my fuel bill... And with a 64 mile daily round trip, that could get expensive real quick, heh. I guess I could move to Lakeland, but... Then I'd have to live in Lakeland... :nono:

And I really do like having a convertible. There's just something about top-down motoring... It's like motorcycling for uncoordinated people. :-)

[Slash]

Personally I was in the same bindup about what miata i wanted, and then I realized it was cheaper in the end for me to own an S2000. So thats where i'm headed.

But if i was still wanting the miata, I would get the 6spd LSD. I'd much rather enjoy the car in ALL situations, rather than just on an autox track with a BIT more length to make me run out of 2nd....

[mofugga]

heh, an S2000 being cheaper than a miata, i don't buy it especially when you factor in the insurance premiums after they slit your top to steal your seats :lol:

jaball, what's wrong with your current miata? gas prices have been dropping daily so the increase in gas bills won't be as bad as it was a month ago ;) if you could afford the rx8 & gas you should definately go that route or pick up a used s2000 & have the best of both worlds, after you weld the seats to the floorboard that is :lol:

[jaball77]

heh, an S2000 being cheaper than a miata, i don't buy it especially when you factor in the insurance premiums after they slit your top to steal your seats :lol:

jaball, what's wrong with your current miata? gas prices have been dropping daily so the increase in gas bills won't be as bad as it was a month ago ;) if you could afford the rx8 & gas you should definately go that route or pick up a used s2000 & have the best of both worlds, after you weld the seats to the floorboard that is :lol:

If I wasn't such a fatass, I'd probably own an S2k right now. :-) But as I am, the S2k cockpit is way too cramped for me. My knees hit the steering wheel just like the NB Miatas, and it felt like the seat was way too close to the driver's door. I kinda felt pinned in there. Hard to explain.

I like the NA, but it's not highway friendly, and the steering wheel is still in an uncomfortable position for me. It's just too low. Plus, it's old. And slow. Fun, but slow...

If I sold both my Civic and the NA, I could get an NC, which would do everything better than either of my current cars. :-)

[nunyo]

Jeez, I sure wish I had some money.

[Rosko]

If you can, get an RX8...
I agree. Please get a RX8. B stock is basically myself and one other guy. We need more people!

[jaball77]

Jeez, I sure wish I had some money.

Me too, heh. It really is a pretty cool time to buy a sporty car. It's amazing what you can get for less than 30 grand these days. Miata, RX-8, 350Z, STi, Evo, Boxsters, Corvettes... Hell, you can even get an old NSX for under 30k, heh.

I guess if I can't get exactly what I want, I'll hang on to my current cars. Drive the Civic until the wheels fall off, and drive the 94 until it dies, or until I get bored and want to turn it into a CSP car. :-)

[Muddy]

If you turn that 94 into a SM2 car, you won't be bored. Miata + boost = :D :D :D

[CanTheWhales]

I've heard the RX-8 is way too under-powered for all it's weight. Yes four adults can fit, but that could be like 750+ lbs extra. The "MX-5" as they want to call it now isn't that bad.
Don't get me wrong, I like Mazdas, but the 8 isn't my cup of tea. I'm voting for the 6-speed and think a little boost could keep things interesting.

[BareLy UgLy]

I agree. Please get a RX8. B stock is basically myself and one other guy. We need more people!

Gimme about 3 more auto-x and I'm there with you guys :D

[flmcoupe]

Get an S2k and come play in AS! :D If I had to chose I would go with 6sp/LSD and wider wheels, but that's just me! Do they both run in the same stock class?

[PseudoRealityX]

I've heard the RX-8 is way too under-powered for all it's weight. Yes four adults can fit, but that could be like 750+ lbs extra. The "MX-5" as they want to call it now isn't that bad.
Don't get me wrong, I like Mazdas, but the 8 isn't my cup of tea. I'm voting for the 6-speed and think a little boost could keep things interesting.

It easily outruns the MX5.....:shrug:

[jaball77]

It easily outruns the MX5.....:shrug:

Not by a *whole* lot, though... To 60 at least. The new 6-speed Miata takes about 6.5 seconds and the RX-8 takes about 5.9. And for the Miata, that includes the 2-3 shift. :-)

[mofugga]

.6sec to 60 is quite a bit ;)

[CanTheWhales]

But is that really an issue at auto-x? wouldn't the overall power be more determinent?

[PseudoRealityX]

in ANY form of sanctioned racing, the classing structure is the ONLY element that makes a car competitive or not. Both the new MX5 and RX8 are good stock class cars, and would probably make good cars for the higher classes given a good driver, and budget.

[CanTheWhales]

...and budget.

Like what? (parts that would be most needed. I'm new to Auto-X, sorta).

[mofugga]

i've found a 92 turbo for sale...

[PseudoRealityX]

Like what? (parts that would be most needed. I'm new to Auto-X, sorta).

Yes, to build cars for the higher classes, you need to prepare them with the allowed modifications.

Parts, including testing and tuning them requires a fairly large budget if you want to do it right.

[Slash]

heh, an S2000 being cheaper than a miata, i don't buy it especially when you factor in the insurance premiums after they slit your top to steal your seats :lol:


Go on the edmunds true cost to own and run a 2003 s2000 vs a 2006 miata with 6 speed.

The S2k is 52 cents a mile and the miata is 59..


They factor insurance into that equasion.

When I made my own spreadsheet to reflect my mileage, the s2k was 49 vs the miata 53. Adding 10 autox's and 5 trackdays a year, the 4 cent margin was also preserved

[jaball77]

Go on the edmunds true cost to own and run a 2003 s2000 vs a 2006 miata with 6 speed.

The S2k is 52 cents a mile and the miata is 59..


They factor insurance into that equasion.

When I made my own spreadsheet to reflect my mileage, the s2k was 49 vs the miata 53. Adding 10 autox's and 5 trackdays a year, the 4 cent margin was also preserved


That's all well and good if you fit in an S2k, but I don't. The steering wheel is too low. My knees are constantly hitting the wheel, and I can't heel-toe at all. So to me the operating cost doesn't matter.

[FC3Cturbo]

The new miata isn't even worth the base price of $20,000. Take that money, buy a nice FD for 15,000. Rebuild the motor, get insurance and redo the suspension. BAM, your badass car cost as much as a stock 7 sec 0-60, 15.7, miata...

You cant pull the "they handle better than an FD" comment because it is just not true.

[mofugga]

if an FD is the last generation rx7 then it doesn't really meet his requirements, since it gets crappy gas mileage & isn't all that competitive in it's stock class. not to mention all the maintanance required if it's to be a daily driver + autox car.

someone bust out the "edmunds" whatever calculator to see how a miata & an FD compare :lol:

[jaball77]

The new miata isn't even worth the base price of $20,000. Take that money, buy a nice FD for 15,000. Rebuild the motor, get insurance and redo the suspension. BAM, your badass car cost as much as a stock 7 sec 0-60, 15.7, miata...

You cant pull the "they handle better than an FD" comment because it is just not true.

lol! Yeah, who wants a cool lookin' convertible that's quick, reliable, comfortable, and fuel efficient? :roll:

And if I was going to replace the motor in an FD, it would be with an LS1. :D

FD's are sweet cars, but I think having one as my *only* car would be a huge mistake.

[FC3Cturbo]

very true, for an only car it would be a killer. It is nice to drop the top too, I'll throw down my top crank up the bass then when the unsuspected LT-1 owner stops next to me they never expect a convertible to be so fast :D

But I am a fan of the new miatas, the wider/longer body makes it look real nice along 170hp 140lb.ft. is not too bad at all either. Throw 20 xtra hp at it and it would be a very fun autox car.


Edmunds, LOL, that shits a joke. The miata couldn't compare with the FD when it comes to speed, which ofcourse noone in here cares for I'm sure because all it does is get tickets. I wasn't saying "Go all out with the FD". A stock port motor, upgrade twins, and a standalone you would be in the range of 15-20k depending on how nice of an FD you got, but with the standalone it could get 25mpg without any problems what so ever and still be VERY reliable. I've seen it many times with my own eyes, a 13sec FD with twins while simply turning the boost back down to retain the good gas mileage.

-end rant :bigthumb: