[Scuba]

I've got too much free time this morning, and I'm sick of looking at all the same air-cooled 911 track car ads.

I'm entertaining the cheap and easy option, especially since I could probably learn a lot, and then get out of it for about the same as what I got into it for.

Don't let me do it...

(Linky) 95 Miata, fully caged, spec suspension, w/ tire trailer - $6,250

The tire trailer is a nice touch - until I manage to make it unable to drive home from Dominion.

[Goldie]

I know the owner, Evan. Vehicle is well taken care off. Small world.

I got a Miata in 2011, was best choice for me. Was used to drive high(er) HP cars, Miata will teach one to drive better.

[Dr K]

Well, it's a Miata with a cage and suspension but probably not conforming to the SM rules (and the NB Miatas are better for Spec Miata (SM) - and more expensive) but the price is great and it is fun to learn to drive a slow car fast. Keep in mind that car isn't much cheaper than a race-ready SSM (about $8,000) and it's a great class. I race with 5 other PCA members, and in the race next weekend we have, so far, 52 (not a typo) cars racing in SSM! The cars are fun - ask the other guys who drove in black down at the Zone 2 VIR event 2 weekends ago.

These cars are generally pretty reliable, too. Since purchasing the car in Spring 2015 and moved the seat back with some cage mods, I've run 2 race seasons (about 10 race weekends) and done nothing more than change the fluids, brakes, and rotors and replace one hub...plus a little body work. I also installed a fire suppression system myself over the winter.

[Scuba]

NB?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

[Ben K]

Originally Posted by Scuba

NB?

The MX-5, was launched with the production code NA in 1990, the second generation MX-5 (NB) was launched in 1998 (for the 1999 model year), the third generation (NC) model was launched in 2005 (for the 2006 model year), and a fourth generation (ND) was released in 2015 (for the 2016 model year).

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_MX-5)

[smdubovsky]

Don't do it! Fun to race but terrible to DE. They are gutless and you are a total backmarker. Given your track history you would get bored quick. Goldie and DrK were slow in their prior cars :P Look into a E36 track car for good bang for the buck.

[cmartin]

Originally Posted by Scuba

NB?

no balls

[Lt. Dan]

I would wait a few weeks, there may be a fleet of spec miatas going up for sale...

[Dr K]

Agree on E36 being a great car. Disagree on SSM and SM (which is a bit faster than SSM) being boring. They are blast in the turns, and if you have a good audiobook for straights you can keep your eyes peeled on your mirrors and your arm out the window. But when you pass a car with 3X your horsepower, it's fun! SSMs run 1:29s when well driven at SP (I've only done it once) and SMs can run 1:27s.

Another platform to consider (to learn to drive a slow car fast and not break the bank) would be NA (that's "naturally-aspirated") 944s. They can be driven significantly faster than Miatas (especially if your last name is "Wilson" or perhaps "Howard") and are still pretty simple although parts are far more expensive than Miata parts--but you're driving a Porsche. Also handle very well and are balanced.

[ChesapeakeTechie]

Agree with the lack of power in the Miata. I had an NA ('90-97) with the 1.8 and it still was challenging to get forward momentum going quickly.