FWD-AWD-RWD - Open track
- Thread starter jvert
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I looked at Spec Miatas last winter. They aren't that bad in terms of cost and I've read they are pretty cheap to race.
i think you switch between 2nd and 3rd but i have a hard time believing the car would be happy with you doing that. you could leave it in D but it just wouldn't know what you want to do or be smooth. i guess if you had a porsche and could set it to aggressive mode - i've heard those autos run well. but normal auto trans... it's not so bueno for a road course. i'm sure it would be robbing you of seconds, your corner exits would probably be rather icky.
Agreed, I would like to just own my own and take whenever though. Even the older ones kinda raised in prices recently due to popular demand for this reason. I'm hoping winter takes the prices down about $1000, if so, i might go ahead and pick one up. You can have a blast in those things completely stock.
Are you talking about a factory Miata or Spec Miata?
From what I understand with Spec Miata's, it's all in the preparation since it's a spec class. There isn't too much you can truely do to the cars so it's prep and driver skill that makes the difference.
Really? Miata's are definitely driver cars, there's no room for too much error since there's really not enough power there to make up for it. They're "momentum" cars, once they lose that in a turn due to a mistake, it's 2-3 laps worth of catch up before you're back in it. Definitely a budget HPDE for sure. Now that you guys are talking so much about mustangs, I'm looking into that too. Fox mustangs probably have more aftermarket support than anything 
Really? Miata's are definitely driver cars, there's no room for too much error since there's really not enough power there to make up for it. They're "momentum" cars, once they lose that in a turn due to a mistake, it's 2-3 laps worth of catch up before you're back in it. Definitely a budget HPDE for sure. Now that you guys are talking so much about mustangs, I'm looking into that too. Fox mustangs probably have more aftermarket support than anything
Exactly they are a dime a dozen. Easy to find parts.
Really? Miata's are definitely driver cars, there's no room for too much error since there's really not enough power there to make up for it. They're "momentum" cars, once they lose that in a turn due to a mistake, it's 2-3 laps worth of catch up before you're back in it. Definitely a budget HPDE for sure. Now that you guys are talking so much about mustangs, I'm looking into that too. Fox mustangs probably have more aftermarket support than anything
Yeah and they sell parts for basically whatever you want to do with them, drag, auto-x, road-course, etc. They are dirt cheap for a roller, and picking up a 302 is super easy. Plus they are pretty light weight considering. Nice cheap easy way to get into things.
I have been to the joliet autobahn and blackhawk farms. The clubs I have run with are mvptrack time and the nwshelbyclub. If you have more questions feel free to send me a pm.
Yup Yup
I've been running Spec Miata since 2008 and owned a Spec Miata since 2007 (I started just doing Time Trials and open track days with it to get used to running it at the track before going w2w racing).
The great thing about a Miata is Mazda support program where I get any/all parts for deal cost price (so I pay what the dealer pays before mark up).
Also, brakes and tires last a hell of a lot longer than on the mustang (we also have a 1990 fox body mustang with stroker motor, cobra brake upgrade and other track upgrades and although it is also very cheap to run, it uses more gas, tires and brakes than the spec miata!)
I'm actually on my 2nd Spec Miata. I felt I outgrew my 'starter' miata which was a 1990 Miata with 109whp last time I had it dynoed. I still managed to finish 3rd place overall in 2010 in NASA Midwest Division which won me $500 from Mazda and $250 from Toyo (Contingency programs are nice). Nice thing about Spec Miata is you always have someone else to run against, are often humbled and learn a ton!
My Spec Miata sold for $9000 if you wanted a reference point. My new Miata is a 1996 1.8 so an upgrade of sorts with stronger motor (hopefully anyway) and better options (fire system integrated into the car instead of just a fire extinguisher for example) and the 96 has a wider stance, slightly bigger brakes BUT you can buy 90 to 93 Spec Miatas used much cheaper than 1.8 and newer Spec Miata's most of the time.
I would highly recommend you buy a used Spec Miata over trying to build your own (much cheaper) and try to find one with current log book and decent data.
It was rather easy to sell my Miata thanks to that 3rd place overall finish for the season in 2010 for example (proven reliable)
And for anyone interested in MORE track days... there are lots of venues!
NASA has a great HPDE program that lets you advance to Time Trials and W2W if that is your goal.
Laps, Inc. is a great private club of sorts that does Monday's at Autobahn Full course (great group - www.lapsincorporated.com to see details)
Feel free to PM me for more info!
Really? Miata's are definitely driver cars, there's no room for too much error since there's really not enough power there to make up for it. They're "momentum" cars, once they lose that in a turn due to a mistake, it's 2-3 laps worth of catch up before you're back in it. Definitely a budget HPDE for sure. Now that you guys are talking so much about mustangs, I'm looking into that too. Fox mustangs probably have more aftermarket support than anything
We will be selling our track rat 1990 fox body mustang soon enough
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