NB Miata buyer's guide

So say someone was interested in buying an NB Miata. What are the major things to know about this generation? I read the writeup on Wikipedia, outlining the general ideas, but am interested in the opinions of the cognoscenti here.

My goal for the car, to help shape your responses, would be a weekend driver, occasional auto-x'er and occasional HPDE car. I would change out the suspension, add larger wheels/tires and some form of roll bar for occupant safety.

Fire away!

Some guy wrote an article for a magazine called Lawncare Motoring or Bluegrass Racing or something like that. It's on their website.

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/articles/mazda-miata/

If you're looking to do HPDE's, take the time to research the policies of your local clubs and tracks. One small track near me lets Miatas run with no rollbar, but that's an exception. One of the larger clubs clubs require a rollbar, another requires rollbar/harnesses/race seats and another doesn't allow convertibles at all, period. The more safety equipment you have installed, the less accessible of a street driven car it becomes.

Perfect! Thanks Keith. A wealth of knowledge as always.

The good thing about Miatas and track day requirements is that they're so common, you can ask questions like "Can I use a Hard Dog Sport or do I need a Hard Core?" - and they'll know what you mean. I like the former for a dual-purpose car, but it's possible it may not be allowed. I've never had a problem though.

nderwater wrote: If you're looking to do HPDE's, take the time to research the policies of your local clubs and tracks. One small track near me lets Miatas run with no rollbar, but that's an exception. One of the larger clubs clubs require a rollbar, another requires rollbar/harnesses/race seats and another doesn't allow convertibles at all, period. The more safety equipment you have installed, the less accessible of a street driven car it becomes.

Good points. I would plan on a roll bar, realizing the compromises that brings to bear. I also have harnesses and wouldn't mind having to swap in a set of race seats as needed.

Another question...does anyone know when the Miata got a passenger seat airbag? I realize that was probably during the NA period, but am curious.

1994.

Keith wrote: 1994.

Thanks!

Don't you have a kickass 400hp LSRX-7? Now you want an NB Miata?

Trying to make me jealous?

Osterkraut wrote: Don't you have a kickass 400hp LSRX-7? Now you want an NB Miata? Trying to make me jealous?

My goal in life.

It wouldn't necessarily be an addition. Rather more of a replacement. As cool (and time warp fast) as the LSRX-7 is, it is also a lot of money tied up in a car that isn't going to get exercised much. With as much traveling as I'm doing for work now, I've realized that packing up for track weekends and leaving my wife and kids behind doesn't excite me. So, I'm kicking around the idea of replacing it with a simple, fun to drive Miata, which has the added bonus of something that my wife would enjoy driving as well. Throw a suspension on, wheels/tires and call it a day (for now ).

You know what's a fun car? A WRX. I know a guy who'll trade a nice one for that crappy ugly-interior RX-7 of yours.

I will trade you my Miata and cash right now. That LSRX7 is a freaking dream car! I'll throw in a 401 Hornet and a P71 too...

Let me know when the RX-7 is for sale.

I also have a '99 base model for sale...

I'm not sure what I'm going to do, but selling the LSRX-7 for something more 'usable' seems to make sense.

You have like five people here, in the space of 1/2 day, who basically entered in a bidding war before you even mentioned anything about that particular car. Selling it for something profitable makes a ton of sense too. So sell it to me.

LMAO that's funny

tuna55 wrote: You have like five people here, in the space of 1/2 day, who basically entered in a bidding war before you even mentioned anything about that particular car. Selling it for something profitable makes a ton of sense too. So sell it to me.

As Spinout said, that is funny. Not trying to incite a bidding war! If I do decide to sell the RX-7, I will certainly list it here first (in the GRM classifieds).

::checks classifieds::

tuna55 wrote: ::checks classifieds::

Not there yet, but, I will send you an overview now.

dyintorace wrote:

tuna55 wrote: ::checks classifieds::

Not there yet, but, I will send you an overview now.

I didn't receive one. Howazabout sharing?

Here you go...kinda long!

Drivetrain:
2002 LS1 with approximately 74k on it
All seals and gaskets were replaced 13k ago.
stock 241 heads
LS6 intake manifold
Jantzer ported TB
Grannys mount kit
Cartek custom grind cam 230/234 598/603 on a 113lsa
patriot gold dual valve springs
titanium retainers and locks
Thunder racing hardened pushrods
LS2 timing chain
slp 25% underdrive crank pulley
JTR 1 7/8 longtube headers ceramic coated
custom 2.5" dual exhaust with x-pipe and magnaflow mufflers and tips
exhaust has stainless v-bands(comes apart in 3 sections)all madrel bent tubing
Centerforce Billet flywheel
Ram dual friction and hd pressure plate
2002 T56 wilwood 1" bore clutch master cylinder
Pro 5.0 short shifter
Steeda triax shiftter handle with cobra leather shift knob
walbro 255 fuel pump
single -6 fuel line from rear to front
inline 10 micron filter
aeromotive A1000 fpr
K&N air filter
Ron davis radiator
flex-a-lite e-fan
lots of heat shielded wiring
Odyssey PC680 battery in custom mount
PCM tuned by Nic D in Mesa,AZ
405 RWHP/362RWTQ

Chassis/suspension:
seam welded chassis
6 point weld in cage with harness bar(comes with door bars and swing out kit)
energy suspension control arm and sway bar bushings
2 year old tie rod ends
K-sport GR pro coilovers
poly rear diff mount
matdatrix competition front diff mount
mazdatrix rear cambers adjusters( both sides and subframe)
DTSS eliminator bushings
manual steering rack
4.5 year old paint(titanium gray) has some dings,small scratches and chips
fenders are rolled

Interior:
Corbeau non-reclineable seats with sliders
Autometer sport compact II full electric gauges(tach,speedo,fuel level,water temp,oil pressure)
Speedo,tach, and fuel level are just sitting in the old cluster hole as of right now
oil pressure and water temp are in a 2 gauge A-pillar pod
carpet is descent
A-pillar plastics are cracked on driver side
missing driver side door triangle
door vents are cracked
No stereo
logicon needs to be replaced (I have one)
S5 radio surround, center vents, and shifter surround
New demister vents, defroster triangles, and idiot cluster surround plastics

Rims/tires:
front enkei rpfl 17x8+35 with 245/40/17
rear enkei rpf1 17x10+18 with 275/40/17
extra set of Cobra R replicas 17x9+28 with Hoosier A3S05 225/45/17

All that and it'll break the tires loose in 3rd at half-throttle.

Holy Cow! That'd be fun/scary!

Osterkraut wrote: All that and it'll break the tires loose in 3rd at half-throttle.

I'm a big believer in the LS family of motors now. What a great powerplant. Inexpensive, and such approachable amounts of power. My car would be pushing 470-480 at the rear wheel simply by adding ~$1500 heads. Granted, one could buy a running Miata for $1500, but in terms of dollar per HP gain, that is silly cheap power.

What surprised me was that it was such an easy to drive track car. It just did what you wanted with no fuss. Lots of "Holy crap here comes a corner and I'm going so fast", but no real drama. You have enough power to rotate with throttle as low as 2500rpm and once you are straight you can power all the way to 6500rpm for the next corner. It would be an autocross monster without ever leaving second gear.