Interesting, modded Miata vs 981 Boxster

[masraum]

Interesting video. Not surprising, but interesting.



I really enjoyed my miatas. They were great, fun little cars. Now that I'm back in a Porsche, I'm a happy man.

[Brando]

Looks like a lot of fun in the Miata but it's all over the road, or maybe he's just too aggressive with his turning?

You can tell with the Boxster it was a leisurely drive. With the Miata he's on it hard and fast as possible.

It's easy to see why the Miata spec guys have so much fun though!

[saxen]

that mazda looked like a lot of fun to drive! the Porsche looked confident. ^I agree the spec gys have to be having a good time!

[gchappel]

Raced a spec miata for a couple of years.
Yup, driving a well balanced predictable car is a hoot.
I have had more than one porsche driver screaming in the passenger seat as I entered turn 1 sebring.
Fun, reliable, low maintenance- what more could you want. I did want more hp, but that is a never ending quest.
Gary

[911SauCy]

He's not smooth nor is he quick with the 0-60 stuff... mx-5 looks like a ton of fun

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Brando

Looks like a lot of fun in the Miata but it's all over the road, or maybe he's just too aggressive with his turning?

You can tell with the Boxster it was a leisurely drive. With the Miata he's on it hard and fast as possible.

It's easy to see why the Miata spec guys have so much fun though!

I guessing because it is a supercharged Miata? I'm sure they upgraded the suspension but as my dad (RIP) once said "If you want a fast car just buy one that is built to go fast."
(I'm pretty sure he later regretted saying that )

Ironic that I was surfing the Miata sites yesterday and daydreaming... what would my ultimate Miata be? Supercharged +/- $2000, top of the line suppression package $3000, aftermarket bodys kits(s) front/back/flares +/- $6000, tires/wheels/ other assorted fancy bits ($$$$)

Yeah, better to take my dad's advice and buy a Porsche.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by 911SauCy

He's not smooth nor is he quick with the 0-60 stuff... mx-5 looks like a ton of fun

I noticed the same thing. His 0-60 blast in the miata was semi aggressive. His turn in the boxster was pretty meak. I suspect with the boxster could have teased out a bit mor in the 0-60.

I've never been to the track, and I don't know what that track is like (did see some damp spots), but he looked like he could have been a bit smoother to my untrained eye.

I had an '88 911. Then I had a '97 miata with an upgraded suspension that was replaced with a 2004 factory turbo miata (with factory upgraded suspension). Now I've got a 2008 Boxster S. The first miata provided a similar driving experience to the 911, but was much slower and not as refined (even though the 911 didn't seem especially refined). The turbo miata was a step up from the other miata with a better ride, but still great handling and much, much better acceleration that's probably at least as good as an SC. The boxster is not even in the same league as the miata or the old 911. It's a pretty amazing car and would drive circles around the others. The only thing that I wish the boxster had was LSD. I really liked the torque biasing LSD in the turbo miata.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Ironic that I was surfing the Miata sites yesterday and daydreaming... what would my ultimate Miata be? Supercharged +/- $2000, top of the line suppression package $3000, aftermarket bodys kits(s) front/back/flares +/- $6000, tires/wheels/ other assorted fancy bits ($$$$)

Yeah, better to take my dad's advice and buy a Porsche.

yep, buy an MSM to get a better miata. Just ask Tobra. The MSM suspension and engine is how the miata should have come. But a Porsche is definitely an upgrade from an miata even an MSM. I'd happily take an old 3.2L carrera or probably any 911 or any Boxster over a miata.

[patssle]

That's why I'll always say my 914 is more fun to drive than my Boxster. Even when it had a 70 hp VW motor - it was raw and basic and extremely fun to drive. Of course the Boxster is a nicer, powerful, and more refined car...but it's just a tank compared to the old classics that offer a unique driving experience you can't get anymore.

[DanielDudley]

I see supercharged and set up Miatas selling for 7000 every month. GOOD ones.

[Tobra]

It needs 3.63 gears in the pumpkin instead of the 4.10, and the rev limiter needs to go from 6500-7000. coil overs too, but it is a hoot out of the box with good tires and brake pads

It is pretty low maintenance and cheap to drive. It is no Porsche, but it is certainly as engaging as any Porsche I have ever driven

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Tobra

It needs 3.63 gears in the pumpkin instead of the 4.10, and the rev limiter needs to go from 6500-7000. coil overs too, but it is a hoot out of the box.

The 4.10 might not be too bad if the redline were 7000 instead of 6500. I understand that the folks that have done the intake, exhaust boost controllers are very happy with the 3.63, but some have said that the 3.63 in an otherwise stock car is a bit much.

I was actually pretty happy with the suspension.

I discovered that I was only making about 6.5psi and they should make 8-8.5 psi. I added a manual boost controller and set it at about 9-9.5psi and that made a big difference in the feel of the thing.

[Tobra]

Better blow off valve and coil on plug conversion are on the short list of things I can do and not have to worry about the good people at CARB, along with gauges that actually tell me something.

The stock suspension is not bad, but it could have been so much better, for literally no more money, just better valving on the shocks. The tune on the ECU is not great either, that can be addressed along with the rev limiter and be okay still I think. I would do that before the gears, and it might be enough, as you say. I was surprised what an improvement it was to get tires just a little bigger and stickier.

[mistertate]

the way that guy drives you could conclude that a modern ESC system adds 2.5 seconds, all else being equal

[Nickshu]

Originally Posted by Brando

Looks like a lot of fun in the Miata but it's all over the road, or maybe he's just too aggressive with his turning?

You can tell with the Boxster it was a leisurely drive. With the Miata he's on it hard and fast as possible.

It's easy to see why the Miata spec guys have so much fun though!

What's that classic saying? "It's more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow" ... Proof!

[DaveE]

It's more fun to drive a fast car fast.

[cockerpunk]

its like europe just discovered used cars and the aftermarket ....