'04 Mazdaspeed MX-5
 

Just wondering if there are any ex owners out there?

I've always wanted to drive one of these after thinking for years that while
the Miata was ok if you beefed up the suspension and added a low boost turbo
then that thing might give my beloved S a run for its money..umm?..no!

Got to drive a low mileage example today(55K miles)at a Mazda dealership with
some salesman that were very hesitant to take the car out.
They knew I'd owned my S2000 for over 3 years so I was finally able to
allow a trip around the block with a sales pro.
Note: it had been overcast and misting all day..not hard rain but
everything was damp.

Well..I take a turn and give a bit of throttle while coming out of the corner
and that rear end almost passed me!
Of course I turned into the spin and gave a bit of throttle to correct but
over-corrected and it snapped on me.
No damage but I was told the tires were new on this car only to check them
later on to see they were crap!
Is this the nature of this car..a bit of mist and a little power exiting
a turn..
and with the salesman I never exceeded 4500rpms so was I missing the powerband?
I'm not impressed even though it is a pretty tight great handling no body roll
kind of car I like!

Were you in first gear? I can easily see how you could get the rear end loose on wet pavement with worn tires. Miatas are generally very neutral, but giving it power in a turn on wet pavement is asking for some oversteer IMO. Also, the Mazdaspeed Miata is geared fairly short so that surely adds to it. Or you could have just hit a slick spot in the road or something.

These cars aren't very fast, but they are surely fun.

Ive had 2 s2000's (00' & 03) and many miatas. including full FMII and a Mazdaspeed with all the FM goodies... Keep your S2000.

I own an 04' MSM, Velocity Red with red/black cloth. It's an awesome little car. The only issue is the shitty OEM ECU and short final drive with the stock differential. Replace the ECU with a Hydra or send the stocker to BEGI for a reflash, add a 3.63 diff, downpipe and full exhaust/intake and MBC and you'll have a 13 second Miata for pennies on the dollar. Less than 2K for upgrades to put down 230whp in a 2,4xx lb car. You can pick up a low mileage example for less than 8k. Don't let people here tell you otherwise: It's a hell of a bang for the money. For around town fun, a modded MSM outshines an S all day. And I love my S, so there's definitely a reason...

PS, if you buy one, ditch the Racing Hart wheels and pick up some 6UL 15x9's and Star Spec's. The RH's are heavy and the handling improvement with the UL's is night and day.

AP1 driver..thanks for the tip on the Racing Hart wheels!
Theres a guy hre in Central Florida has a really nice MSM
with aftermarket wheels...Flying Miata intake..rollbar..
and a few other bits for turbo tune.

But I would think..this is an "apples and oranges" discussion
to put the S against a MSM.

To me the S is just fantastic...from 40-140 spectacular..but
below 40 dissapointing!

And I think the MSM might have the edge at slower speeds(0-40)
which is where I do a lot of driving(city).

Oh..but the S is much more generous for my 6'4" 185lbs.
and size 15 feet...I would have to do a "foamectomy" on
that Mazda seat to gain leg and head room and also something
with the clutch..its just too far outboard my big foot gets caught
up in that and the interior side!
That was a BIG problem during my "test-drive"..
the S2000 just gives me more head/leg/ and no issues with the pedals. :heart:


and the rear tires were very worn as well.

My MSM will EAT my AP1 0-130, no questions asked. Or any other mostly-stock AP1 for that matter. But yes, the S is the shit, I will agree :heart:

I take it your car is modified? Because factory MSM's will certainly not beat any S2000 in acceleration.

How are these cars in regards to reliability? I just watched a youtube clip and the gear ratios are nuts! 1st gear literally topped out at 28 MPH and second around 40.

post pics of the MSM!