JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

SuperTrooper169

iTrader: (2)

So would a baby seat fit in the back... errrrr... maybe not.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

rofl:

Maybe on top of the trunk?

neuronbob

Damn that was a fast drop to the top.
And at the vids.

MX-5 FTMFW!

Anachostic

I want to toss this out, JS. If any of your consideration is on cloth vs. leather seats, you can get customized MX5 leather upholstery from leatherseats.com for about $600. You can get it two-tone, with options for perforation, colored stitching, logos, etc. I did that for mine and slightly regret that I didn't get cloth seats initially.

So, if you save more than $600 by getting cloth seats, or you can find an MX5 with worn seats and can knock off $600, you just afforded custom leather seats.

dallison

I drove an 08 mx5 this weekend and once you get above 3500 it had nice power.

But then i looked in the trunk'

3 inches of water in there and a wet carpet under the seat.
I walked away quick.

Anachostic

You should have really raked the seller over the coals and gotten a great deal. That's an easy fix. Buy a trombone brush and clean out the drain lines. It's a pretty common problem for those cars when parked outdoors where small leaves can get in the drains.

dallison

really? any water seems bad. Esp under the seat and in the trunk.

Invisible

Well, I went with a Miata for several reasons.
One, for me, I was not comfortable in the S2000. It's too narrow.
Two, the spouse refuses to drive a manual, so the 6-speed auto with paddle shifters is a nice compromise.
Three, a Miata is 5-8K cheaper, simpler top, more color choices etc....

If I wanted a track only car, the S2000 would be my pick.

Anachostic

Well, it's not good, but it's not a defect, it's a lack of proper maintenance, and if the seller doesn't know, they may think they're getting rid of an anchor.

There is another quirk on older NA Miatas where it appeared the transmission was shot, but it was a really easy fix. I don't remember the details, but the symptom was that it wouldn't shift into reverse. If you could find one of those, you could buy it for well under its actual value.

dallison

The wife and i didn't like the s2000 much either and we like our hondas.

TommySalami

Seriously considering a miata right now. Rode in a lightly modded one (mazdaspeed suspension and sticky summer rubber) at an autocross yesterday and it was a blast. I also rode in an S2000 and 350z (and an exige s, but nothing can come close to that), and the miata was more fun around the track than either of the other two. Plus it has a hard top and is much much cheaper (money that can go toward the inevitable mods)

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

It's a pure driver's car. Love to get one soon. Highly recommend it man.

TommySalami

I like the s2k too but with the miata I get a hard top (city living kinda requires one with punks slashing cloth roofs and all) and can put the savings toward mods. Oh man... I'm actually pretty serious about this. Now to find a nice 6 speed hardtop GT

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

This is pretty damn important especially in a city.

What's your budget if you don't mind asking?

Any plan on modding? suspension set up first or some little bolt-ons? FI in the future?

TommySalami

Modding will be immediate. Coilovers and sways, possibly supercharger with relatively low boost in a couple years (flyin miata one with 250 whp sounds real nice). Lip kit is a definite also. Budget is around 18k but flexible. I'd like to keep mileage under 35k. I know the 09+ have forged internals and bit more power so one of those might be better for the future FI.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

Love everything about your plan with it.

Flying Miata should become your best friend once you get your Miata.

MarbleGT

As long as you have a good tune, you should be set with the FI, be it the Cosworth Kit or the BEGI turbo. Those are pretty much your only options.

The Moss kit is probably fine if you arent wanting a ton of extra horsepower, although there has been a recent thread of one "kinda" blowing up. It was tune related. BEGI and Cosworth have all had their issues, the most popular being Cosworth. It seems to be a hit or miss type thing. On the forums, it seems that every other turbo/SC install on a NC or NC2 blows up.

I would do as much as you can NA before you decide to do anything else. I have intake, header, midpipe, muffler w/o a tune and im neck and neck (acceleration) with an Elise. With the tune, I'll be identical or inching ahead.

You will find that the Miata is a very, very different car. Before I had it, all I wanted was power power power, but now that I have it...If it doesn't make it handle better, im really not interested. The first time you go to a track and see a corvette getting eaten alive by a dorky looking NC, you'll understand. It needs more guts, but getcha some coilovers and some fat rubber and you'll never look back!

Also, Flyin Miata is good....but Brian Goodwin takes the cake on what is offered, as far as aftermarket.

Good-win-racing.com

WILL be your new home. Be sure and check the classifieds too.

Lastly, watch this.

<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/H2QcIbi66_8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


Mods - MS Intake, PPE Header, Hotchkis Sways, Progress Springs, Koni Shocks and 17x7.5s with 215s (Stock is 17x7 on 205s)

The majority of us run 17x8s/9s with 235s, 245s or 255s and im currently at least 1.5" lower than 1g with a much better suspension setup....if that gives you and idea of how much MORE can be achieved than what they did with this video. I passed 1G a looooong time ago. =)

Lastly, my experience with the PRHT vs the softie, the softie always feels more agile and more nimble than the PRHT. That extra 70lbs over the back wheels makes a noticeable difference. Thats really nitpicking though, either way you go, you'll love it. I've always preferred the look of the soft top with the optional removable hardtop.

Costco

Monster Miata FTW

I remember watching some show on HorsepowerTV or w/e and the show was building a Miata with a Ford small block V8. A poor man's AC Cobra, right down to the Ford engine

would be cheap as hell to build too, and sound great....

MarbleGT

I think FM is building a NC with an LS3 currently.

MarbleGT

Bump for Miata!

This is the video definition of a Miata, it really doesn't "look" highly modified either.....

<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MtzMaCoq2_4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>