Looking for a sports car bargain: $5K rebate on '08 Miatas!

[101lifts2]

Originally Posted by Chris S

.....Did the '90 Miata have any of the following?
- 166 hp - much more power and tq.
- 6 sp. tranny
- keyless entry/ignition w/ integrated alarm
- leather, heated seats w/ adj. height
- 200W Bose stereo (I generally hate Bose, but this one sounds pretty good)
- 5 link rear suspension
- greater mass centralization
- HID headlights + foglights
- side impact airbags
- enough space to be comfy on a long drive
- stability control
- one handed top raising/lowering w/ no need for a tonneau cover
- 17" wheels w/ sticky rubber
- tilt steering
- much, much stiffer chassis

These are moderate upgrades, not a change over of the design. I mean any car company can add these in the simple 3 year life cycle of a vehicle.

[Homeslice]

Dude the entire chassis and platform is new.

As for a V8 transplant, that's better-suited for an RX7, not a Miata IMO.

[101lifts2]

Originally Posted by Adeptus_Minor

I would have to say yes, but where are you going to drive what amounts to "fast" in a fast car? You can feel fast in a sufficiently agile 'slow' car in real world (ie. less potential for flaming death) driving situations.



Sure, just pull four spark plugs out of the regular LS1.

Just warm up the engine and keep the throttle under 75%....4cyl. mode!

[101lifts2]

Originally Posted by Triple

The kits available today position the GM drivetrain far enough back to achieve a weight bias almost identical to that of the original 1.8L / 5-speed. Our local LS1 Miata guy claims his car weighs 2,500 pounds wet. The weight increase is more than offset by the additional power. I would say the biggest hinderance to handling would be what others here have already mentioned: traction. BUT, you can see from this guy's track videos that he can still hustle it around the course pretty fast. Watch the vid in my last post and you can see how many Vettes he smokes. There's a vid on Youtube of a guy's red LS1 (stock) Miata running mid-11's at the strip, too... on stock width rear tires.

I've always felt that Ford / Mazda should have used the Miata platform for a new age, V8 powered production Cobra.

Are u buds with the Miata owner with the LS1? Seems like the car has alot of power, but it also seems like alot of those people who he passed don't have alot of experience.

[Chris S]

Just a quick update on my Miata, which is finally track-ready!

I've had a MS CAI + Goodwin Racing midpipe/catback for several months now.

I recently installed Tein Mono Flex coilovers, then had an alignment, corner balance, and fender roll to accommodate Enkei 17x9 wheels w/ 235/40 Dunlop Direzza Star Specs. I still haven't found the limits of the handling, since they're so high, normally aggressive cornering speeds don't even bother it....the car literally feels like it's vacummed to the road! Can't wait to get it on the track soon...





I'll have a header and an aftermarket rollbar on it by this fall, then it will be pretty much done.

[Adeptus_Minor]

Wow... nice job, Chris!

[Homeslice]

Looks good. 9" rims seem pretty wide for a car of that size, though. What did it come with stock?

[Chris S]

Thanks, guys. It came w/ 17x7" wheels w/ 205/50 tires stock. One of the cool things about the new Miatas is that their flared fenders can hold a lot of rubber! (I've seen up to 285's on them)

[Rider]

Wouldn't a slightly used Z3 be a batter buy? Probably not as reliable but more performance and a better ride.

[TYEster]

Nice RPF1s... Considered those for my Z but it sees more daily driving than track time.

BTW I love how cars are sold here in Tx with "heated leather" seats. Just what I want when I get in my car after work with 100+deg outside/inside.