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Originally Posted by Porsche_monkey
I'm expecting to Steve to chime in here...
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I hate to dissappoint.
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Originally Posted by Christien
I've also considered many times picking up a Miata for a track-only car. But then I keep thinking that boxsters are dropping in price really quickly, and with more stock power, a mid engine, and put on a major diet, would Miatas for breakfast on the track.
I'm assuming parts would be significantly cheaper for a Miata than a boxster, but is a miata any more DIY friendly? Either way, this would be a car I'd push to 9.5/10, so maintenance would be an issue for sure.
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Yes, miata parts are much cheaper. One of the great things about a miata is that it's very DIY friendly. Little engine in a decent sized engine bay in the front. A fair amount of room compared to most modern cars, probably because it's not an engine and transaxle in the engine bay. I've done brakes, slave cylinder, and timing belt/water pump. It was all really easy to do. The hardest part is that like a 911, everything is very low so a lot of the work is done on your knees.
All miata are good cars. Up to '93 they had a rev happy 1.6L. The down side is smaller brakes, less stiff chassis. The upside is that they were pretty light, down around 2200-2400#s. From '94-97 they had a torquier 1.8L that's still pretty rev happy 7k. The 1.8L cars got bigger brakes, and as the years progressed they added chassis stiffening. Most of the stiffening is bolt on so it can be added to older cars. Starting in '96 they got OBDII. Most of the later models had more stuff (PW, AC, etc...) so they weighed a bit more, 2400-2500#s. You can put them on a diet.
A miata would be a great track car, but without forced induction might be less exciting if your local track is a fast track. Stock (relatively low powered) they would be good at teaching you to conserve momentum.
The stock suspension is very soft. I added stiffer springs and Bilsteins. The stock seats aren't very supportive. If you're tall then it'll be hard to go with aftermarket seats because the bottom of the stock seats actually is lower than the sliders. There are a few aftermarket seats that are similar. Also, width can be an issue with aftermarket seats, but lots of folks have added aftermarket seats successfully. It's just not a bolt in 99% of the time. I carved a bunch of foam out of the stock seats and that made a huge difference.
I sold my 911 for financial reasons, but after driving the 911, I couldn't go back to a regular FWD econobox. The miata is to me a 911 Jr. I made the suspension stiffer, went from 14" wheels to 15x6.5" to get better tires, and fixed the driver's seat by carving the foam. I love the car this way. It wouldn't hurt my feelings if it was faster, but it's zippy enough.