Liam has a Question Again.

  • Thread starter Thread starter LeadFootLiam
  • 60 comments
  • 2,424 views
What do you plan to do with this car?

I know it's easy to shout out the "Answer is always Miata!" And scurry on back to Jalopnik, but I don't see anything posted about what this car will be used for, how long you plan to own it, and what other restrictions you may face.

While drooling over modded Mx-5's it's prudent to remember that 95% of Miatas are never successfully converted into true sports cars. Life gets in the way.

I'd advise taking a step back and reevaluating before we hop of the MX-5 train...
 
Zenith
What do you plan to do with this car?

I know it's easy to shout out the "Answer is always Miata!" And scurry on back to Jalopnik, but I don't see anything posted about what this car will be used for, how long you plan to own it, and what other restrictions you may face.

While drooling over modded Mx-5's it's prudent to remember that 95% of Miatas are never successfully converted into true sports cars. Life gets in the way.

I'd advise taking a step back and reevaluating before we hop of the MX-5 train...
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I didn't realise people couldn't like and recommend the MX5 on its own merits and must all be Jalops. Will the same become true of anyone who owns or recommends a wagon by that logic?

The MX5 is a perfectly capable sports car even with their low output, you don't need power to have a sporty car...

Sure, you can chuck a turbo or a supercharger on to enrich the experience but it's not necessary to make it a "True" sports car, whatever that is.
 
UrieHusky
I didn't realise people couldn't like and recommend the MX5 on its own merits and must all be Jalops. Will the same become true of anyone who owns or recommends a wagon by that logic?
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Neither did I. Good thing I never said that.

The MX5 is a perfectly capable sports car even with their low output, you don't need power to have a sporty car...
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Obviously low power output can be in sports cars. Good thing I never said otherwise!

Sure, you can chuck a turbo or a supercharger on to enrich the experience but it's not necessary to make it a "True" sports car, whatever that is.
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Never said that either.

Stock MX-5's have handling limitations, specifically a soft suspension that many drivers who I highly respect find uncommunicative. I've personally driven stock and modified Miatas on windy roads and around a track. I agree with them. The stock handling is too far on the side of the classic British sports cars the MX-5 draws inspiration from to be a "true sports car." This is admittedly a vague label. This is beside the point though...

Do they make good cars to learn driving dynamics on? Sure, especially for the money. But like I said, Liam never posted what he's using this car for so it would be good to consider that this car is probably more than a project sports car.
 
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Zenith
What do you plan to do with this car?

I know it's easy to shout out the "Answer is always Miata!" And scurry on back to Jalopnik, but I don't see anything posted about what this car will be used for, how long you plan to own it, and what other restrictions you may face.

While drooling over modded Mx-5's it's prudent to remember that 95% of Miatas are never successfully converted into true sports cars. Life gets in the way.

I'd advise taking a step back and reevaluating before we hop of the MX-5 train...
Click to expand...
I will be using it as my DD and the occasional track day and Autocross.

I don't know how long I will own it for, that all depends.

"95% of Miatas are never successfully converted into true sports cars."

I never knew you could convert a sports car, to a sports car. I don't know where your going with that.
 
LeadFootLiam
I will be using it as my DD and the occasional track day and Autocross.

I don't know how long I will own it for, that all depends.

"95% of Miatas are never successfully converted into true sports cars."

I never knew you could convert a sports car, to a sports car. I don't know where your going with that.
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How far is your commute, through what types of roads in what weather, how many people do you expect to take, do you have access to other vehicles for utility?

Regardless of vehicle selection, the Daily Driver and occasional track use car is a dangerous line to walk. Track days and autocrosses break parts. It's not good when you're out a several hundred dollar part and have to take the bus to work until you can find the time and money to replace it. Hard use cars are money pits that break down a lot. Anyone who says otherwise is either an idiot or a liar. Can you handle a money pit that breaks down a lot? Most people who say they can cannot.

My point about the 95% of Miatas is that I'm seeing a lot of "Oh dude you could totally do this, this and that," but rarely does somebody have who buys a Miata have the cash and time to fix the performance shortcomings. If all you need is a stock Miata, go for it. The point I am making is that I commonly see people who are new to project cars thinking they can drive their car to work every day, take it to the track one weekend, then install upgrade parts the next weekend and that this plan will work in their daily life with their budget. This rarely comes true.
 
LeadFootLiam
I will be using it as my DD and the occasional track day and Autocross.

I don't know how long I will own it for, that all depends.

"95% of Miatas are never successfully converted into true sports cars."

I never knew you could convert a sports car, to a sports car. I don't know where your going with that.
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While not impossible, I hope you're funded for the extra maintenance that requires. Your car has to be in near factory condition before you should feel any kind of security when driving it fast and hoping something important doesn't fall off...

Zenith
My point about the 95% of Miatas is that I'm seeing a lot of "Oh dude you could totally do this, this and that," but rarely does somebody have who buys a Miata have the cash and time to fix the performance shortcomings. If all you need is a stock Miata, go for it. The point I am making is that I commonly see people who are new to project cars thinking they can drive their car to work every day, take it to the track one weekend, then install upgrade parts the next weekend and that this plan will work in their daily life with their budget. This rarely comes true.
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It works for me :D

It all depends on the condition of your car. Take a 20 year old Miata with 214,384 miles that drinks a quart of oil every 10 miles, drive it hard around a track and you will be needing a tow truck before you get in a flying lap.

Most people are quite ignorant when modding cars, they simply start buying performance parts to make their car 'faster' without paying any sort of attention to maintenance, I've seen this first hand. It's like taking an 80 year old pensioner and having him take PED's to make him run faster, it's all going to go wrong.
 
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Zenith
How far is your commute, through what types of roads in what weather, how many people do you expect to take, do you have access to other vehicles for utility?

Regardless of vehicle selection, the Daily Driver and occasional track use car is a dangerous line to walk. Track days and autocrosses break parts. It's not good when you're out a several hundred dollar part and have to take the bus to work until you can find the time and money to replace it. Hard use cars are money pits that break down a lot. Anyone who says otherwise is either an idiot or a liar. Can you handle a money pit that breaks down a lot? Most people who say they can cannot.

My point about the 95% of Miatas is that I'm seeing a lot of "Oh dude you could totally do this, this and that," but rarely does somebody have who buys a Miata have the cash and time to fix the performance shortcomings. If all you need is a stock Miata, go for it. The point I am making is that I commonly see people who are new to project cars thinking they can drive their car to work every day, take it to the track one weekend, then install upgrade parts the next weekend and that this plan will work in their daily life with their budget. This rarely comes true.
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It wont be a track car, it will have a street setup that does decent at Autox and on track. I live with my parents still and have a full time job, my dad and I work for the same company, so if my cars breaks I have a ride to work. When I say occasional, I don't mean every weekend.

I cant handle a money pit that breaks down a lot, thats why I'm buying a Miata since its reliable, and easy to work on. I wont forget about maintenance, first thing I will do is change the oil, spark plugs, and wires, and do some preventative maintenance.
 
I think good choice on the Miata. I've got one now and it's served me very well for the past couple of years. Bulletproof, really fun to drive, and as quick around a twisty road as anything else. Also, having no roof is underrated. I love driving to work in the morning with the roof down. Get a hard top for the winters if you live somewhere real cold, and you'll be set.


I'm actually looking at upgrading to a rotary in the next six months, probably an RX8. The one thing rotary guys keep telling me is "whatever you buy, make sure you have $8k left in the bank afterwards for the engine rebuild".

Rotaries need rebuilds. Some people get lucky and have them last for ever. But it seems to be a bit of a lottery even if you look after it perfectly, it only takes one thing to go wrong and it's rebuild time. If you don't have the money laid aside for a rebuild, you're gambling that your car won't suddenly turn into a really heavy paperweight. :)
 
LeadFootLiam
It wont be a track car, it will have a street setup that does decent at Autox and on track. I live with my parents still and have a full time job, my dad and I work for the same company, so if my cars breaks I have a ride to work. When I say occasional, I don't mean every weekend.

I cant handle a money pit that breaks down a lot, thats why I'm buying a Miata since its reliable, and easy to work on. I wont forget about maintenance, first thing I will do is change the oil, spark plugs, and wires, and do some preventative maintenance.
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You don't have to justify it to me. I'm not buying the thing. I posted what I did to help you think this through. If you are confident that the car suits your needs, go for it.
 
UrieHusky
The MX5 is a perfectly capable sports car even with their low output, you don't need power to have a sporty car...

Sure, you can chuck a turbo or a supercharger on to enrich the experience but it's not necessary to make it a "True" sports car, whatever that is.
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The MX5 is a blast on open roads if you don't mind working the gearbox a bit and great through the city because you hardly have to brake or slow down. Gets my vote :D
 
TenEightyOne
The MX5 is a blast on open roads if you don't mind working the gearbox a bit and great through the city because you hardly have to brake or slow down. Gets my vote :D
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I have a good balance between those types of roads over here.👍
 
UrieHusky
I prefer my mates one personally

1907729_827363747279406_1413841578_o.jpg


(Bottom left corner, might be hard to read after compression but it says the same thing but with a hair dryer in the red circle)
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Saw that on the MCM forums, love what he's done to it.
 
My first car is an NB Mazda Miata. It's a great car, might try and punish you for being an idiot in the rain, but it is fairly good on gas, responds to modifications well, and can deliver loads of fun at the speed limit. I would recommend getting a Sport Bar (Not a hardcore bar unless you want to wear a helmet everywhere) as even if you aren't tracking the car it can still really save your life.
 
^ Not a mouse trap though.

The clue is in the nickname but style bars tend to do this in a crash

style_bar_mouse_trap.jpg


Get a proper roll bar.

crash_hardbar3.jpg
 
UrieHusky
^ Not a mouse trap though.

The clue is in the nickname but style bars tend to do this in a crash

style_bar_mouse_trap.jpg


Get a proper roll bar.

crash_hardbar3.jpg
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Sports bars are ugly IMO. A hard dog roll bar will be one of the first mods I do. Picture like the ones you posted make me need one.
 
funnyguy344
What about a Chevy sonic or cruze?
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I still hate the Cruze, and can't afford either one. As for almost getting a Miata, at that point my then-seperate hatreds of Honda I4s and My Little Pony hadn't yet expanded and combined into SMALL ENGINES ARE FOR LIBERAL BRONY AMERICA-HATERS WHO DRINK STARBUCKS LATTES AND PAY ATTENTION TO FASHION!
 
White & Nerdy
I still hate the Cruze, and can't afford either one. As for almost getting a Miata, at that point my then-seperate hatreds of Honda I4s and My Little Pony hadn't yet expanded and combined into SMALL ENGINES ARE FOR LIBERAL BRONY AMERICA-HATERS WHO DRINK STARBUCKS LATTES AND PAY ATTENTION TO FASHION!
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Are we long lost brothers?
 
LeadFootLiam
Sports bars are ugly IMO. A hard dog roll bar will be one of the first mods I do. Picture like the ones you posted make me need one.
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A small roll bar like most of the ones posted does not help the occupants in a crash. Remember that we're not worried about the chassis staying intact, we're worried about in squishy thing inside.

The bars found in most Miatas are nor integral to the chassis in such a way that would help in a traffic collision. They are only helpful in rollovers.
 
If you maintain it properly, the car will stand up just fine to occasional track use. I drive mine 30 miles a day to work without issue. Roll bar is highly suggested. Mine is a Blackbird Fabworx.

71563_10203154732457453_511045400_n.jpg
 

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