99 Miata - decent performing street only brake pads?

I have a set of ceramic pads on the car that have about 8k miles with new at rotors at same time - I think Akebono's from Tire Rack. They don't dust at all, like at all, which is great. But they also don't bite, never have. Feel like glazed pads. They actually work ok with a lot of pedal pressure, but much more than my other vehicles.

The car has been parked for a few months, and now that it's back on the road I realize again how much these suck.

Tire Rack rates the Akebono's 2 out of 5 bars for stopping power. (I think they rounded up!)

Looking at Rock Auto, most of the offerings are ceramic flavored. Do all ceramics have the issue of poor bite? Does anyone have a favorite brand/model of Rockauto or parts store pads that perform well as far as brake feel/stopping power? I'll take some brake dust for better performance.

Car is a street only commuter, no track days or autocross or anything, so not really interested in premium performance pads.

I've always been pleased with Hawk HPS for sporty street cars.  
 

I have a set of Porterfield R4S that are ready to go on my NSX once the stock pads on there get a little thinner. 

I've never had ceramics that felt good.

I'm a huge fan of Pagid pads but if low dust is a consideration, they may not be for you.

In honesty, you may not find a low-dust pad that works well.

I just put a set of Bendix Priority 1 semi-metallic pads on the Touareg. I have been very impressed with their performance.

Sonic said:

I've always been pleased with Hawk HPS for sporty street cars.  
 

I have a set of Porterfield R4S that are ready to go on my NSX once the stock pads on there get a little thinner. 

I have R4S on the Miata.  IMO,  compared to the HPS, which I had on a different car, they're not really that much better at stopping than the HPS compared to "stock" and they dust a lot more. That said, I don't track the Miata, only auto-x and street.

I'll go with HPS next go round with the Miata.

I'd be curious as to someone who's has both on the same car.

Pete. (l33t FS) said:

I've never had ceramics that felt good.

I'm a huge fan of Pagid pads but if low dust is a consideration, they may not be for you.

 

In honesty, you may not find a low-dust pad that works well.

Low dust is nice if I can get it, but not the main attribute I'm seeking.

Ceramic seems to be a popular choice based on offerings I'm finding for run of the mill street pads. Wasn't sure if they all just sacrifice bite for low dust and nobody cares 'cause their wheels look so nice!

Pagid has their Silver line of semi metallics, maybe I'll try a set.

+1 for Hawk HPS.  That has been my go-to for street Miata use for a long time.  1x NA, 1x NB and 2x NCs.  Never regretted using them on the street.

The FM folks have always been big fans of the R4S, but I've never tried those.

I use the R4S. But more importantly, have you been bedding them properly? Even bedding them again might bring them back. It's the first thing to do if you're not getting your desired bite. 

Note that Miatas don't have as much booster assist as most cars. Most cars are overassisted to make the brakes feel strong, Miatas are intended to be more linear. So the amount of stopping power at light pedal applications will feel weak by comparison. 

I use the R4S. But more importantly, have you been bedding them properly? Even bedding them again might bring them back. It's the first thing to do if you're not getting your desired bite. 

Note that Miatas don't have as much booster assist as most cars. Most cars are overassisted to make the brakes feel strong, Miatas are intended to be more linear. So the amount of stopping power at light pedal applications will feel weak by comparison. 

EBC Redstuffs are some ceramics that I've heard are good for sporty street use.

My Toyobaru came with some kind of Akebono street pads on it, in terms of how they feel on the street they were pretty much indistinguishable from the dual-duty-ish Powerstop PSTs and PSAs, but not quite as bitey as the more race-pad-like G-Loc R8s (which seem pretty similar to EBC Yellowstuffs in my experience).

Keith Tanner said:

I use the R4S. But more importantly, have you been bedding them properly? Even bedding them again might bring them back. It's the first thing to do if you're not getting your desired bite. 

Note that Miatas don't have as much booster assist as most cars. Most cars are overassisted to make the brakes feel strong, Miatas are intended to be more linear. So the amount of stopping power at light pedal applications will feel weak by comparison. 

What I'm finding online is that Akebono ceramics don't need any special bedding in. Not to say that couldn't help.

As far as booster assist, I've had this car over 20 years, never noticed an issue prior to these pads.

I appreciate everyone's recommends on P4S, HPS, etc. but I don't really think it's necessary to spend that much on pads for this purely street driven car that mainly does commuting duty with a few local mountain bike out outings thrown in.

I think I'll pick one of the available parts store semi metallics, and see how that changes things. When I got my RX7 back on the road, I just grabbed a set of cheapo parts store pads to tie me over while I focused on the engine and its other needs, and they work great even on well worn discs, much better than the Akebono miata.

All pads work better when bedded. You're not changing the pad (much), you're transferring a layer of pad material to the rotor. If you're concerned about cost, bedding only costs you about 20 minutes of time. 

It's the first thing I recommend to anyone who describes their pads as having no bite or feeling glazed. 

Have you tried the OE pads from the dealership?  The braking system was designed around them to feel good on the street. Also, yes to bedding them.