I LOVE that the miata is such a great platform. Im Glad that they have become such a cult-ish vehicle for the automotive enthusiast.
Miata.... I never wanted one. Like.... REALLY WANTED ONE. Just wasn't my style. I have a 69 Datsun Roadster. She is perfect and that filled my need for a small and fun roadster.
BUT when I got the chance to buy one for $400 in running driving condition I couldn't pass it up.
Stay tuned. Here goes something...
Oh yeah... We bought the Lancer too...
Cool! Does that roll bar have no back stays? Makes me question the driving school's commitment to safety!
Still, $400 is an incredible deal.
In reply to dculberson :
The roll bar that came with my car didn't come with it. They took the one that they had in it out and put in another one of their cars. I got stuck with the cheapo one you see here.
The one on the car that is a 4 point is what they all had. My buddy bought the other one in the picture. I think we got a good deal too haha
Fun Fact this car has almost 100K of its 169K miles in track miles on it.
Its got K-sports on it. Plan is to build it for STS and some track days. It will be just for fun. Not trying to win anything. Play with it for a while and then turn a profit.
I would love some insight from all my MIATA homies on here.
Trying to decide what to do about tires.
Keep the 14's and run the Falken Azenis
or Upgrade to 15's (CHEAP ONES) and have better tire options.
The goal is to keep this thing low budget...
I really liked the azenis on the OE wheels during track days, and like the way they look on stock wheels.
In reply to Professor_Brap :
I feel like with that little worn out 1.6 that will be all the tire it will ever need... for now.
Thanks for the input.
If you move to 15" wheels you'll be able to use takeoff tires from Spec Miatas, of which there are approximately eleventy billion in Florida. 8 heat cycle Hoosier SM7s have a lot of grip for little dollars.
In reply to ants87ss :
There may be an MR2 and a Retired Focus Rally Car available soon. Ill let you know.
How can I change the name of this thread? I haven't figured that out yet. With the new found info on the amount of beating this car has taken I feel like I should change the name of the thread.
Something like....
100K Track Miles on a NA Miata
Never buy a rental... I mean Driving school car
What would you name this thread? Get creative would love some thoughts.
Never buy a rental. A cheap miata refresh.
How bent is it?
In reply to Dusterbd13 :
Its really solid. No issues with it at all!
Finally got the car home. Drove the old girl about 45min home from the track . Why does this matter? Because after doing about 50 laps in the car myself and then also driving home Im 100% confident in this little car.
Even though the car has nearly 100k miles of track time on it.
Im going to do all the preventative maintenance on the car.
But next up is figuring out what to do with the nearly 10 year old wrap. Its bad.
Potential Game Plans:
1) I have a high end heat gun and I have heard that is the way to remove the wrap...
2) Sand down the whole car and prep it for some cheap paint
3) Just paint right over with some cheap flat spray paint.
What would you all do? Any experts or advice?
Here are the pictures.
In reply to ants87ss :
Nope apparently they are keeping them both at the moment. I will let you know if they choose to post them up again.
ManhattanM (fka NY535iManual) said:If you move to 15" wheels you'll be able to use takeoff tires from Spec Miatas, of which there are approximately eleventy billion in Florida. 8 heat cycle Hoosier SM7s have a lot of grip for little dollars.
And where does one obtain these tires? Would they work for an autocross car?
In reply to Floating Doc :
Check out this FB Group they tend to pop up here alot: CFR- SCCA Buy,Sell,Trade
In other news I ordered tires today.
I Kept doing the math and thinking through the goals for the Miata at the moment...
The Result:
I ordered (4) 195/60/14 Falken Azenis RT615K+
They were on closeout and after a mail in rebate come out to $275 shipped to my door.
That'll do for now. The future plan is to get 15x8 Wheels that are both 4x100 and 4.114.3 So I can move them between my G20 and this car.
Challenge Budget:
$400
Real World:
$675
In reply to Floating Doc :
Few months back I bought 30 used ones for $100 from a Spec Miata shop.
In reply to Stampie :
WHY.DID.I. NOT. KNOW. THIS
I now Understand why people love these cars. I drove all over town today in the ugly and very slow little miata with the top down.
I loved every second of it. This little car has heart and it wants to live.
A $28 Lawn Mower Battery and we got rolling this morning. Car ran like a top all day. My tires got delivered today. Im excited to get those mounted.
Many of the exterior lights are no good so I plan to replace those asap the passenger window came off the track tonight. All in all This car was an incredible deal.
In reply to B13Birk :
I put up an ad for the extras but they sold real quick.
Update:
I was able to pick up a Tubular front sway bar fora fair price here on the forum.
I put the car up on the lift on Saturday. I was surprised and excited by what I found:
Im currently working with a company im connected to to put a cat back exhaust for the NA and NB Miata. I have found that there are only super cheap setups. (manzo ebay stuff) and the few more expensive options.
Our hope is to create a mandrel bent catback exhaust that will have BOTH a muffler and a resonator for a good deep exhaust note. We have had great success with other platforms. I believe this project will be the same.
I also found this picture of the old girl in her glory days...
I think I need some panasports after seeing these wheels on the car.
B13Birk said:Update:
I was able to pick up a Tubular front sway bar fora fair price here on the forum.
I put the car up on the lift on Saturday. I was surprised and excited by what I found:
- No REAL rust.
- ( I think?) After Market sway bars with adjustable end links. Not sure what brand. I should have taken better pictures and MORE pictures.
- Coilovers look solid and with very little signs of wear
- A Borla Exhaust. I was under the impression it was a factory stock exhaust.
Im currently working with a company im connected to to put a cat back exhaust for the NA and NB Miata. I have found that there are only super cheap setups. (manzo ebay stuff) and the few more expensive options.
Our hope is to create a mandrel bent catback exhaust that will have BOTH a muffler and a resonator for a good deep exhaust note. We have had great success with other platforms. I believe this project will be the same.
Re: the exhaust, are you doing a one-off for this car, or working up a commercial release?
In reply to Floating Doc :
A commercial release.
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