I went to test drive an RX8 today, but since I'm not 21, it was a . I ended up test driving a used '01 Miata with a supercharger (Jackson Racing I think?). I'm sad to say, even the supercharger didn't help much!

I'd redline every gear, but I think it would just barely keep up with an S2000. I'd drop 2 gears from fourth to second, and floor it, but it would just go vroom. Not even a Vroom, but definitely not a VROOM!

But, on the plus side, boy did that thing handle! The Mazda dealership is near one of the backroads that I love to "stretch my legs" on, so I took the salesman for a quick stint. I scared the living bejeesus out of him, and it was fun. I believe it was stock suspension with the 17in wheels and some super-sticky tires.

I'm glad I test drove the Miata, because I almost forgot how beautifull balanced it is. Steering and throttle response is instantaneous. I loved the turns, but when we got to the straightaways, I was disappointed once more.

I loved it so much, I may buy a used '01 just for some Solo2 work!




Can't wait for you to make a track monster out of your Miata!

 

Buy a used 96 or older...lighter weight and you can gut it and turn it into a Spec Miata if you get bored...

As for the supercharger, they can definitely be tuned to keep up with an S2000...without sacrificing too much reliability. One of the local guys had a supercharged Miata before getting his S2000 and then supercharging IT and said that the Miata could keep pace...

As for mine...I'm going back and forth on suspension ideas at the moment. Trying to decide how much daily driveability I'm willing to sacrifice before I get too far down the road.

Still working on convincing my friend to let me take her Spec Miata for a test drive on crappy roads to see how the suspension is in a worst case situation.

All else fails and I'll just get Ground Control perches with something like 500lb front/300lb rear springs and revalve the Konis...

 

That's what I've heard: The old(er) Miatas are a better starting platform... But, I'm partial to the looks of the newest body style. I've gotta see what's for sale around here, though...

But you're talking about Banannie, right? Was she regional or national Solo2 champion?

As for your current suspension, you already have KONIs? Or did it come with KONIs from the factory?

 

Yep, Annie. National D Stock Ladies Champ. Not only can the girl drive...she's really cool and I have her partly to thank for me getting my Miata. As a matter of fact, I just found out that the soft top on my car came off her husband's Spec Miata.

The previous owner installed Koni's. He ran it in regional C Stock autocross and had done everything legal for that class to the car.

I know I'm not going to get into autocross to be competitive, so I want to focus my energies on making the car fun on the track and when I autocross I'll just go with whatever class they stick me in...

I know what you mean about the newer bodystyle. Actually, it's how I feel about the older one. I like the pop ups and the little one finger door pulls. Just a certain character that has been distilled out of the newer ones. Thankfully, the well balanced driving character wasn't lost in the translation to the second generation cars.

I LOVE driving my aunt's 1999 when I'm down in California...

 

Hahaha, you guys are talking about making four-banger convertibles into race cars. Roiiiight. Start with a real car.

 

J/K - It's me...

They'll stick you in Street Prepared, which covers a broad range of available modifications, so you'll be at the bottom of the food chain if you decide NOT to mod your Miata any further. But, if it's just for "fun," then it doesn't really matter.

When I auto-x, though, it's purely for fun and bragging rights. There's never any $$$ involved at all the trackdays and auto-x's I attend. But, I guess I just don't like being passed and/or slow...

Either way, you can't go wrong with a Miata. It's always funny how the Miatas are clocking up to 5sec faster than the BS and AS cars, and even some of the STA/STB cars.

 

Yeah, I don't plan on racing this car competitively in any class. I would only do autocross for fun and I don't have any significant ego problem with being passed. Mostly I just want to push myself to do well and be a better driver.

When I find myself in the running, though, the gloves come off and I get VERY competitive...

I drive the Miata for one reason and one reason only...they are simply TOO much fun too drive!

 

"ego problem"





I'm just naturally competitive, whether it be auto-x'ing or who has the bigger hole in their sock.

 

Actually, I get a bigger rush after 30 laps at 10/10ths, and finally knocking off that 0.05sec to get into the 70sec range, than I do by simply passing a slower car coming hot into turn 1. Iunno.

 

For example, yesterday at KartZone, I qualified first, and finished the race first, holding the lead from start to finish, while also posting the fastest lap. BUT, that means shit to me. All that mattered to me was that I had consistent 25.8's (except for that 28.1 where my friend's girlfriend dropkicked me ).