Got a new car, 04 Mazdaspeed Miata (turbo)

[masraum]

Yep, so some of you may remember a couple of my threads asking/talking about used cars and the used car purchasing experience.

I'd been thinking that for $$ sake, I'd get an older miata that was in good shape to replace my existing miata that's in moderate shape and sell the old one. I was wanting to spend $4k-6k. There were a few options out there. My wife however was thinking that it would be better to spend $10k-12k and get a much nicer car that would last longer. I looked at both options. I found a car that I was ready to purchase for $4500, but there was a hokey story about why the title was in the guy's neighbor's name instead of his so I passed. I then drove a brand new miata just to get a feel for them (no intention of buying a brand new anything). Frankly, I didn't like the 2010 Miata that I drove. It was fully loaded, 6spd, leather interior, canvas top, nice stereo, LSD, traction control, etc...

I then went to the local Carmax to see what they had. They had an '06 miata that was built the same as the new one, but even with 26k miles, it was in bad shape, lots of paint issues and a weird discoloration on the top. I then checked out an '06 Miata "Sport" with 3k miles which is basically the same car without the leather seats and canvas top. I really liked the engine and tranny and even preferred the seats in the Sport to the brand new car. They also had an 04 Mazdaspeed miata in metal-flake red. My initial thought was "hell no, the way I drive, I don't need a bright red turbo anything," but I was curious, so I test drove it anyway. Wow, I really liked that car. The '04 is the previous body style (same as my wife,s car) while the '06 and up is the new body style. I like both. The tranny in the turbo was REALLY nice, silky smooth. The power was nice too. They aren't super fast when stock, having only 178hp (in a 2500lb car), but they are fast enough. Actually, the new cars with the NA 2.0L engine have nearly as much power and are only .2s slower to 60 than the turbo.

I pretty much fell in love with the turbo right away despite my better judgment. They wanted $16.6 for the car, it had only 11k miles and was pristine. I did a little searching online and found that a dealer that we'd used before also had an '04 Mazdaspeed miata with 43k miles for $12.5. THat one had/has black leather seats and a canvas top and also came with a rollbar (that I'm going to remove and sell). I ended up with the 43k mile car, and I love it.

They have firmer motor and diff mounts, stiffer springs, thicker swaybars and specially valved Bilstein shocks. They also come with some heavy 17" wheels. I'm going to replace the 17" wheels with 15" wheels and better rubber. I'm also going to do a few necessary mods and possibly a couple of less necessary mods. Apparently, for about $1600-1800 I can bump the car up to around 240-250hp. The wifey says that whatever I get for the old miata can go to upgrades for the new miata.

I'm actually not that happy about spending the extra money, but I'm lovin' the car too much to beat myself up about it.

This isn't my car, but it's exactly what it looks like (sans stickers and people).

[Jeff Alton]

Cool,

I had a 97 R model that was modded a fair bit (by me, I bought it new) and it was an blast to drive, one of the most fun cars I ever owned!!

Cheers

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Jeff Alton

Cool,

I had a 97 R model that was modded a fair bit (by me, I bought it new) and it was an blast to drive, one of the most fun cars I ever owned!!

Cheers

I'm replacing a slightly modded '97. I love it as well, but as good as it was, this one is even better. Many of the mods that I'd want (suspension) are already done for me, and it's got more power than the non-turbo models.

[Tobra]

That is a great little car, how big are the brakes, will 15's fit?

[Schumi]

Chassis is there. Now it needs more motor.


Crank that boost up and have some real fun.

[porsche4life]

My dad was very close to owning one of those.... Seem like fun little cars... I like that color too... I would go with it on the 924 but I know that car won't get treated nicely and thats not cheap paint....

[aigel]

Nice buy.

But that money is getting into 911 territory! You'll never get back at this rate!

I really like Miatas - wouldn't daily drive one but am very impressed by the straight forward engineering.

George

[Porsche-O-Phile]

The '04 turbo model really did perk my interest. I suspect (being forced induction) that it'd be relatively simple to modify and get some pretty big performance out of. I didn't go for it at the time because I was looking for a DD and not another bottomless pit of eternal upgrades/mods (I already had a 951 for that). Damn nice car though and surprisingly didn't make me feel claustrophobic. Or ghey. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Seemed nicely set up all around. I'd consider one again if given the opportunity (I see them come up for sale every once in a while for $15k or so).

[m21sniper]

My cousin has a 94 Supercharged Miata. Fun car. Congrats, and good luck with your turbo miata!

[ZOO]

You need to visit Flyin' Miata and look at the "Whole Enchilada" kit. My friend's MS Miata has that package, and it is exceptional. Lots of power, always.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Tobra

That is a great little car, how big are the brakes, will 15's fit?

The brakes on all miata were upsized in 2003, but they are still small enough for many 15" wheels to fit.
[QUOTE=aigel;5453367]Nice buy.

But that money is getting into 911 territory! You'll never get back at this rate![quote]Yes and no, For this money, I got a very clean, low miles daily driver, a $12.5 911 would be an old SC that at this point would likely have had more miles, fewer ammenities, crappy AC, and would be much more expensive to maintain. Both Miatas and 911s are very reliable and durable and require relatively low maintenance (well, miatas don't need yearly valve adjustments), but when you need to do maintenance on the miata, it's 1/2 to 1/4 the cost of the same maintenance on the 911.

Also, there's that saying that every 911 is a $20k car.

I really like Miatas - wouldn't daily drive one but am very impressed by the straight forward engineering.

George

I daily drove my last miata for about 6 years, and DD my '88 targa for 4 years before that. I enjoy DD these things. It'll be even better with a little more power

Originally Posted by ZOOMiata

You need to visit Flyin' Miata and look at the "Whole Enchilada" kit. My friend's MS Miata has that package, and it is exceptional. Lots of power, always.

Yes, I've been to the FM site and to the Begi site. I'm probably going to go the "Little Enchilada" route, or with the same upgrades from Begi.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

The '04 turbo model really did perk my interest. I suspect (being forced induction) that it'd be relatively simple to modify and get some pretty big performance out of. I didn't go for it at the time because I was looking for a DD and not another bottomless pit of eternal upgrades/mods (I already had a 951 for that). Damn nice car though and surprisingly didn't make me feel claustrophobic. Or ghey. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Seemed nicely set up all around. I'd consider one again if given the opportunity (I see them come up for sale every once in a while for $15k or so).

Right, stock 178hp, for $1600-1800 with a few intake mods and some exhaust mods, you're looking at 240-250hp at mostly stock boost levels.

If you want to go much over that, you need to replace the ECU and fuel injectors. Once you've done that, I think you can get into 300+hp territory fairly easily.

Fortunately, the miata engine was originally based on a block from another turbocharged car, so the foundation for more than the stock NA power levels is already there.

[slow&rusty]

I have the first gen Miata motor (B6T) in my old daily driver Mazda 323 and it is turbocharged running 14psi and it goes down the road really well. I am contemplating pulling the engine and either doing an extensive rebuild or look for a 1.8 and turbocharge it...my goal is 250whp with working A\C and 100% reliability.

Congrats, awesome cars!
Yasin

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Oh and that body style (Gen II) is the best. I really do not like the styling of the new Gen III body. The functionality of the fender flares I can understand but it looks really awkward and ungainly - and those headlights! Good heavens what were they thinking!

You did well - nice pickup!

[kaisen]

Steve-

That's a beautiful car, can't wait to see pictures of yours. Good choice!

[BRPORSCHE]

hey we bought similar cars! I just bought an 05 Mazda6!

[71T Targa]

Very nice!

But, tell me more about the '97...

[mikesride]

Good for you you are so open about your sexuality!!!!!!!
I'm so sorry but my wife and my girlfriend both think its to gay for even them to be seen in!!!!!

LOL Its realy all about driving what you want dude! congrats on the new ride, have fun!

[onewhippedpuppy]

Congrats! Now go do a few mods and embarrass some people in your "chick car".

[Dottore]

Great buy. Congratulations.