WTB: 99-03 Miata w/ABS, LSD

Rob Channell · 10-04-2006, 09:28 PM

I've got a buddy that is looking for a 1999-2003 Miata, but he wants one with both ABS and limited slip. I figured they are belly button cars and would be everywhere, but almost all the ones we have run across do not have ABS. He's interested in any color except black and would prefer a car in the Southeast since it would be easier to see in person. If you have one or know of one, PM or email me with contact info. He's looking for reasonable private party sale value based on year, options, mileage, and condition.

Thanks,

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Get the '04 Mazdaspeed version with the turbocharged engine. It's twice the car any "regular" Miata is.

masraum · 10-05-2006, 05:14 AM

Have you posted on forums.miata.net and checked their classifieds??

Yes, ABS isn't a common option.

Dantilla · 10-05-2006, 07:07 AM

I like my "regular" Miata.

I can drive it pretty hard, and not cause trouble. My 911 is simply too fast for any shenanigans on public roads. I typically behave myself on the way to the track. The Miata, because it is underpowered, makes a great daily driver. Loads of fun to drive hard, at high rpms, and go pretty much unnoticed.

Porsche virgin · 10-05-2006, 09:17 AM

I'm pretty sure that the special edition models have ABS and an LSD.

masraum · 10-05-2006, 09:39 AM

wanna know when abs and lsd were optional and standard??

http://miata.net/faq/Miata90-97A3.pdf

Rob Channell · 10-05-2006, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by masraum
Have you posted on forums.miata.net and checked their classifieds??

Yes, and AutoTrader.com and Ebay and Craigslist and google......

I guess it's just a matter of time and mind over matter.
If you don't mind, it don't matter.

Rob Channell · 10-05-2006, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Porsche virgin
I'm pretty sure that the special edition models have ABS and an LSD.

LSD, yes.

ABS was optional even for the special editions.

masraum · 10-05-2006, 07:14 PM

According to the pdf that I posted a link to it was standard on the 93 Limited Ed and the 95/96 M-editions. But those are the wrong years.

masraum · 10-05-2006, 07:21 PM

Finding LSD in a '99-2003 miata should be easy, finding ABS will be harder. THe problem is that lots of people probably don't even realize that they have LSD, so you'll have to look at the car or determine which package it's running.

dd74 · 10-05-2006, 07:21 PM

Not to detract from this thread, but does the Miata really need ABS and LSD? The Miatas are so light, and - some say - underpowered, I'm just wondering if those options are more a selling point than a necessity.

Opinions?

Rob Channell · 10-05-2006, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dd74
Not to detract from this thread, but does the Miata really need ABS and LSD? The Miatas are so light, and - some say - underpowered, I'm just wondering if those options are more a selling point than a necessity.

Opinions?

Here's mine.

He is autocrossing it and coming out of corners he can spin the inside tire. A torsen type differential would transfer some power from the spinning tire back to the one not spinning to help the acceleration coming out of the corner.

The ABS is really more of a driver assistance to gain consistency. He can concentrate more on his line and braking points while not having to worry about modulating the brakes to keep from locking them up.

I say it's not necessary for the street and you can track one without it, but I think the LSD would help most of us go a little faster around a course and the ABS would help more of us than would like to admit it.

Porsche virgin · 10-06-2006, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dd74
Not to detract from this thread, but does the Miata really need ABS and LSD? The Miatas are so light, and - some say - underpowered, I'm just wondering if those options are more a selling point than a necessity.

Opinions?

I didn't have/want ABS on mine, but an LSD is a must for autox in a Miata.

A friend of mine has an '02 (?) SE with LSD and ABS. He drove my car, stomped on the brakes in the first turn, and I ended up with two flat-spotted front tires!

Better to learn to without ABS IMHO, then when you've got ABS, you are ahead of the game.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

What I've heard (and I haven't autocrossed one) is that the Miata is a very different experience from a high-powered car in that you need to preserve the momentum of the car as much as possible. You can't simply stomp on the brakes, apex and then mash the gas to bolt out of the turns - it requires a lot more finesse and a lot less use of pedals to get the most out of. Kind of like a slalom skiier. As such, I'm not so sure LSD would make a huge difference on such a car.

Now on the turbo one (which DOES have some power) or a supercharged/modded version, the rules change.

masraum · 10-07-2006, 01:24 PM

I'd like to get a Torsen for my car. I may just swap the diff from my wife's car into mine since she does have a Torsen. I don't think I need ABS. Fortunately Torsen's aren't that hard to find.

dd74 · 10-07-2006, 09:28 PM

I rode in a spec Miata around Willow Springs, and of all nine turns on the track, the driver braked in only two. Otherwise, it was all momentum.

Sure, some may say these cars are slow, but this driver passed plenty of Porsches with double and triple the hp. So slow is a driver function.

Anyway, this thread has me thinking I might have to get a Miata at some point. The bang for the buck, even with the earlier ones is just so good, it's hard to justify a newer sports car - or even a new Miata, IMO.

There are some on Miata.net that are already set up for street/track use: and as far as I can see they're really great deals.

Hmmm...now how do I explain this to the wife...