School me on Miata's

[z31maniac]

619E30 is someone who should listened to and taken seriously.

Seriously.

[gverelli]

Used? You can get 15x9 C3Ms on tirerack for like $100 a pop--just a thought. ;)

Ya I know they can be had for cheap new, but I'd try and wait to snag a wheel/rcomp tire (used) off someone for like 400-500, instead of paying for both separately.

Nigel, Thank you very much for taking the time to put in all the information you have provided, it was an extremely nice write up.

As to everyone else, thank you as well for any information provided. The 94-95 here seem to be MUCH more expensive then the U.S. I was not planning on spending 5-6 on just the car. Either I wait around longer, or just take the bullet and get a 1.6 for 2-3k. Im not sure honestly, I think I would prefer waiting longer for what I originally wanted, rather than settling for less. However, on the miata forums, the debate goes back and forth just as much as we get the m42/m20 debate. Both sides have their logical reasoning.

[Nick_S]

Don't know much about them but a good friend of mine has one and it's pretty dope. Seems like most guys set them up for looks rather than actually performance but it looks cool to me.

[Lof8]

Bumping this up. I've been scouring Craigslist lately for a cheap 1.8 powered Miata. I want to use it for rally-x and generally just beating the shit out of it.

[MoSpAnYuK]

oh miatas are fun... and 1.6 is just as good as the 1.8 and a bit cheaper. i have owned a few miatas and passed one down to my lil bro.

[Don Stevens]

Miata


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My advice to any of you "flamers" that want a Miata is to try one. Rent somone's Spec Miata for a driver's ed weekend and after that weekend decide.

I have a Spec e30 and I love it. I rented a friend's Spec Miata last year at Sebring and while enjoyable, it simply solidified in my own mind that I like the Spec e30 much better. At Sebring lap times are essentially the same. The Miatas corner better for sure but the extra torque and power of of the e30 compensate on the long straights. At at a tight track the Miata would be quicker. And I might agree that a turbo or supercharged Miata would be a hoot. But for a normally aspirated "budget" track car, an e30 is a lot better (IMHO).

Someone mentioned the sound - the trick exhaust (the one that makes trhe most power) on the Miata is annoying and abonoxiously loud. The spec e30 sounds sweet and is not too loud.

Gverelli - Did you ever get one? Youi mentioned a big brake kit in one of your posts. You won't need it. With today's pad and tire technology stock calipers and rotors are all you will ever need. Unless the car is super charged or turbo charged, you don't wnat much brake in a Miata.

Don

[Lof8]

I've already got an e30 set up for track use. My main goal is to get off road and rally-x with a Miata. They are so plentiful and cheap around here that it just makes sense to get one to beat up instead of my e30. I think the only mods I'd look at are a roll bar and sway bars.

...but I am glad to hear you like the e30 better on the track.

[bernzpeed]

My buddy with a miata swears by the 1.6... so I'd do some more reading.

But yeah, there was a crank bolt issue of some kind that I can't remember exactly, try googling it.

I'll swear by these cars being a blast to drive.

the 1.6L is more durable than the 1,8.

First upgrade I do is the KYB AGX 8-way adjustable shock upgrades and some nice lowering springs. Also, Roll bars is important.

[lcoleman]

The crank issues only affect early cars, like '90 and maybe some in '91. Do your own research. miata.net The 1.6-1.8 switch happened in '93-'94...'94 is the best year. 1.8, real temp gauge, and before they went to OBD-II.

1.8s have better wheels, bigger brakes, more power, etc. Not very much in the way of engine swaps in a Miata. For rally, I tend think a beater'd out second e30 would be a better choice. I don't know about suspension durability, though. The Miata looks more stout than the e30 imho.


Edit:
Here's a real Miata. A good friend of mine.




'94R package, 15x9 6UL's shod in 225-15 RS3's, AST 4200s (700/400)


aka "rails". the amount of cornering grip is just silly.

[bernzpeed]

V6 swaps are pretty common on miatas. LS1s are most common. Check out Flyin' Miata dot com

[stamar]

oh miatas are fun... and 1.6 is just as good as the 1.8 and a bit cheaper. i have owned a few miatas and passed one down to my lil bro.

Ive owned a 91 1.6 miata and it was perfect except for the 1.6

it makes all the difference in the world. I would buy a 1.8 gen 1 miata all day nothing has that kind of performance for so cheap.

1.6 is more an economy car. Also the 1.6 years the car is specced out much cheaper. Theres a lot more to upgrade for a car fan to the early miatas than the later ones. It might not even be cheaper really. and it has roll down windows and bare vinyl interior.

theres a lot of year by year improvements to miatas, many things to consider. I think the 2nd year they have glass windows too thats good.

94 95 96 thats whats up. people into miatas mean the 1.8 almost always. within a week you will have to buy 15 inch wheels for it to use good tires, new shocks, probably new seats.
Miatas dont have a rabid following they have THE rabid following. Huge in the bay area.

[j0oftheworld]

They're fun!







I've driven some national level CSP cars and there's not much better when it comes to a true "go-kart" feel!

[stamar]

I think the best years of miata are 93 and above.

They are the years the fd rx7 is also for sale as a halo car, so the car is sporty not economy.
Mazda definitely investing in a track car name at that time.

Definitely geared really low, great from a stop.

the first years models were more trying to be a honda del sol type car.

[efficient]

i sold my miata for my e30 :/ and my e30 has just been sitting

[Teaguer]