mazdaspeed miata
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Joined: Oct 2000
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From: 12m SW of Glen Rose, Tx
I often skip a few days between checking, so I may have missed an earlier comment. Does no one think the Mazdaspeed Miata will be competitive in BS, which is where it has been classed? (I agree with the classing, just asking about potential.) Power to weight may look a little behind, but unless the weight has changed upward from the regular Miata, it will have a 240 lb weight advantage over the S2000. (This is from weighing actual full prep cars in autocross trim. S2000 2650, 2002 Miata 2410, 1999 miata 2200) Every review I've seen mentions good low end torque.
I saw a Mazdaspeed Miata at a recent autocross (ordered many months ago, just delivered, ran on street tires). Nothing I saw suggests heavier. The narrow spoke wheels appear lighter if anything. Seats look like something you'd see in Street Prepared. Owner confirmed his impression of good low end response. Big 17" wheels too. 225 or maybe more should fit.
Gregg
I saw a Mazdaspeed Miata at a recent autocross (ordered many months ago, just delivered, ran on street tires). Nothing I saw suggests heavier. The narrow spoke wheels appear lighter if anything. Seats look like something you'd see in Street Prepared. Owner confirmed his impression of good low end response. Big 17" wheels too. 225 or maybe more should fit.
Gregg
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,014
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From: Seattle, WA
Yup -- as mx5 said, the Mazdaspeed put on some weight. Mazda's listed curb weights (not competition weights) for the cars you mention are 2299 lbs. ('99), 2387 lbs. ('02), and 2529 lbs. (Mazdaspeed). As an aside, I thought I'd heard of '99s in Stock autocross trim in the 2100s; conversely the '02 you saw sounds a bit heavy. 
Assuming there's equal weight to be taken out of the Mazdaspeed, it should come in in the low 2400s once prepped for Stock -- a lot heavier than the '99 Sports that have dominated CS, but still 200+ pounds lighter than an S2000.
Miata.net's autocross forum has been surprisingly quiet on the Mazdaspeed, but the few posts I've seen have complained about the turbo lag.
The car strikes me as a BS dark horse; it's definitely down on power, but it's hard to gauge its performance relative to other BS cars since it's so much lighter. If the S2000 moves to AS, the Miata will be around 500 lbs. lighter than the rest of the BS!
Some additional discussion here.
Steve
Assuming there's equal weight to be taken out of the Mazdaspeed, it should come in in the low 2400s once prepped for Stock -- a lot heavier than the '99 Sports that have dominated CS, but still 200+ pounds lighter than an S2000.Miata.net's autocross forum has been surprisingly quiet on the Mazdaspeed, but the few posts I've seen have complained about the turbo lag.
The car strikes me as a BS dark horse; it's definitely down on power, but it's hard to gauge its performance relative to other BS cars since it's so much lighter. If the S2000 moves to AS, the Miata will be around 500 lbs. lighter than the rest of the BS!
Some additional discussion here.
Steve
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,014
Likes: 1
From: Seattle, WA
Originally posted by Gregg Lee
I never trust manufacturers brochures too much for weights or engine power.
I never trust manufacturers brochures too much for weights or engine power.
'00 Miata - 2380 lbs. (7/'00 issue)
'04 Mazdaspeed Miata - 2540 lbs. (4/'04)
'00 S2000 - 2781 lbs. (10/'99 issue)
I'm fairly certain that I've heard of Stock class Miatas in the 2100s, but perhaps you need to have a total stripper (i.e. no power steering or A/C) to get there.
Keep in mind that it's easier to save weight in a bigger car (a 20% weight savings on a 16" or 17" wheel is a bigger savings than a 20% savings on a 15" wheel, for example), and that the S2000's dual exhaust is an easy place to lop off 35+ lbs., whereas there's not as much to save in the Miata's lighter single.
Steve
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Joined: Oct 2000
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From: 12m SW of Glen Rose, Tx
[QUOTE]Originally posted by PedalFaster
Do you trust Car and Driver's independent measurements?
'00 Miata - 2380 lbs. (7/'00 issue)
'04 Mazdaspeed Miata - 2540 lbs. (4/'04)
'00 S2000 - 2781 lbs. (10/'99 issue)
Do you trust Car and Driver's independent measurements?
'00 Miata - 2380 lbs. (7/'00 issue)
'04 Mazdaspeed Miata - 2540 lbs. (4/'04)
'00 S2000 - 2781 lbs. (10/'99 issue)
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Seattle, WA
Originally posted by Gregg Lee
This is all of course just curiousity, because BS is where the Mazdaspeed is and obviously should be.
This is all of course just curiousity, because BS is where the Mazdaspeed is and obviously should be.
[QUOTE]A full road test does usually appear to actually weigh the car.
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From: on the rev limiter
I had a friend test drive the Mazdaspeed this weekend and he noted that the turbo kicked in quite high and only stayed on for less than 1,000 rpm before reaching redline.
He also noted that it is very torquey, and fun to drive, and felt that it did not belong in B-stock. He's currently driving a 350Z and has driven my S2000 (and actually likes driving the S better).
With the turbo spooling up so late, its it really going to be that usable?
Is there the possibility that the turbo kicking in with alot of torque could upset the car if transitioning at the same time?
He also noted that it is very torquey, and fun to drive, and felt that it did not belong in B-stock. He's currently driving a 350Z and has driven my S2000 (and actually likes driving the S better).
With the turbo spooling up so late, its it really going to be that usable?
Is there the possibility that the turbo kicking in with alot of torque could upset the car if transitioning at the same time?