New Car!

[Actaeon]

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: Actaeon
Yep, bone stock, pretty clean, great paint for a 10 year old car (little blemishes here and there), and the leather is nice for its age.

101,000 miles, $4650.

Hehe, I'm not too worried about haters, if they are that closed minded about a vehicle, there opinion is void, I couldn't care less.

94 has a couple of the revisions from the earlier models (bigger brakes, 1.8L, different interior, etc) that I believe are shared until 97. I'm glad I got on one of the later 1st gens.

Yep, I really like the '94 (my brother has owned one since new). Good year.

Price seems a bit on the high side (less than $4k would be better), but it sure seems to be in good shape.

At 101k miles, a very important question to ask is if the timing belt and water pump have been replaced (should be done together). It's a non-inteference motor, but it would be ideal if this necessary maintenence had already been done.

Well, I think the price is pretty fair, if you look at my local autotrader listings, there isn't much available for under $6k thats in good condition, or with the options I want. IMO, this is a pretty good deal.

I asked him about the timing belt, he said he thinks it was done before he bought the car (60k miles), but isn't positive. I havn't asked about the water pump.

I'll probally end up doing both anyway...

 

[Actaeon]

A 50/50 weigh distribution is ideal for an FR car, not a mid-engined car. A 40/60 mid-engine car would out-handle a 50/50 FR car with the same weigh and suspension setup imho. FYI, F1 cars are mid-engined and have a weight balance close to 40/60. Again, the Miata's only advantage over the MR2 is weight.

I stand corrected on the Mid-engined weight balance, but I can also claim the only advantage the Elise has over other cars is its weight, the same way the Miata is with the MR2. Too many variables to consider other than weight balance, but the bottom line, the Miata will out handle the MR2.

Why? You said the Miata's engine had more potential. You are wrong and that's that. And if I had a 700hp MR2, I wouldn't waste my time on Autocross.. I'd be on the highway racing bikes.

I'm still waiting for you to show me the 700hp MR2. If you want to be strictly anal on pure HP ratings, I can drop a 5.0L in the Miata and used some forced induction, and still be completely street legal. Easy power.

How many V8s can you drop in an MR2?

EDIT: Oh, and I never claimed the Miata's Engine has more potential. I claimed the car itself had more potential. Though, the stock engine has PLENTY. 250-300hp with some nice turbo kits. I'm still skeptical of a 700hp MR2.

That said, if you wanted to street race, then obviously a Miata isn't going to be on the top of your list.

 

[PowerMac4Ever]

I'm still waiting for you to show me the 700hp MR2.

Still waiting? wtf.. I told you before that my arguement was that the MR2 engine had more potential than the Miata's engine. Anyway, HKS has a 700hp 9-second MR2. The Denso and Castrol Supras in the JGTC GT500 class used to use 3S engines before they switched to the current V8 setup.

If you want to be strictly anal on pure HP ratings, I can drop a 5.0L in the Miata and used some forced induction, and still be completely street legal. Easy power.

I didn't know engine swaps counted. If I wanted to buy an old car to do a V8 Swap, I'd use an RX-7 (FC chassis). I'd also use an LS1 instead of the 5.0L Ford engine...

EDIT: Oh, and I never claimed the Miata's Engine has more potential. I claimed the car itself had more potential. Though, the stock engine has PLENTY. 250-300hp with some nice turbo kits. I'm still skeptical of a 700hp MR2.

Yes you did. You started your paragraph by saying the Miata had more potential. You then supported your point by only talking about the capabilities of the engine. I had no choice but to assume that you were saying the Miata engine was better than the 3S. Next time write better.

That said, if you wanted to street race, then obviously a Miata isn't going to be on the top of your list.

A Miata wouldn't be at the top of my list if I wanted to street race. If I wanted to road race, a Miata wouldn't be at the top of my list either.

 

[boyRacer]

Cmon guys... its all about the driver. 😉

Anyway weight shouldnt affect cornering speed that much since street cars will rely on mechanical grip... unless you're talking about how fast the car switched directions like in a slalom course. The lighter car will simply out brake and out accelerate the heavier car... which can be offset by more power from the other car. Heh too many variables. I sound like a magazine racer. 🙁

 

[Actaeon]

Still waiting? wtf.. I told you before that my arguement was that the MR2 engine had more potential than the Miata's engine.

I've seen Miata's that have 10,000hp, but I can't prove it. Its just as valid as your claim of a 700hp Miata. Whats so difficult about backing up your own statement with facts?

Reading the Ultimate Street Car Challenge, they had an MR2 there with 300~HP, but wasn't able to run at the drag because it broke its transmission. I highly doubt there are 700hp MR2s out there.

I didn't know engine swaps counted. If I wanted to buy an old car to do a V8 Swap, I'd use an RX-7 (FC chassis). I'd also use an LS1 instead of the 5.0L Ford engine...

If its realistically feasable (meaning, its been done before), I don't see why it wouldn't be considered.

From what I've read, the LS1 wouldn't fit into the NA (1st gen miata), but I have seen it fit into the NB (2nd gen). People are on miata.net are still trying to get it to fit, but since I can't confirm it could be done to my car, I'm not going to post about it.

I'd probally do an RX7 + LS1 and or the E36 + LS1. Both would be awesome. But why do you keep bringing up cars that no one in this thread has? No one mentioned an RX7, so why consider an RX7 engine swap when our conversation is about a Miata and MR2?

Yes you did. You started your paragraph by saying the Miata had more potential. You then supported your point by only talking about the capabilities of the engine. I had no choice but to assume that you were saying the Miata engine was better than the 3S. Next time write better.

Again, no I didn't. I never claimed the Miata's Engine has more potential, but it does have plenty. I claimed the car itself had more potential. If the car itself is capable of the engine swap (its been done by plenty of people), why shouldn't I consider it apart of the car's potential? Again, we're not even considering the suspension and handling aspects of the car either.

As far as "supporting my point by only talking about the capabilities of the engine", well it was just a brief rundown of what the stock internals can do, not an overall assessment of what the car is capable of.

Again, If the car itself is capable of the engine swap why shouldn't I consider it apart of the car's potential? The 5.0L swap is feasible and realistic.

 

[Actaeon]

Originally posted by: bR
Cmon guys... its all about the driver. 😉

Anyway weight shouldnt affect cornering speed that much since street cars will rely on mechanical grip... unless you're talking about how fast the car switched directions like in a slalom course. The lighter car will simply out brake and out accelerate the heavier car... which can be offset by more power from the other car. Heh too many variables. I sound like a magazine racer. 🙁

You're right, its all about the driver, but we are discussing the mechanical aspects of the car, assuming each driver was equally skilled.

Well, you watch alot of F1, so I know you know what you're talking about. You're right, there are too many variables to consider when handling, but to bring it to the current topic, the Miata would keep its average speed and momentum faster throughout a turn than the MR2 would. IMO, thats what makes it a "better handler" than the MR2, espically in my future applications (Auto-X, Road Courses).

 

[StageLeft]

I hope you like it 🙂

 

[PowerMac4Ever]

I've seen Miata's that have 10,000hp, but I can't prove it. Its just as valid as your claim of a 700hp Miata. Whats so difficult about backing up your own statement with facts?

plenty of MR2s here Plus, like I said, HKS made a 700hp one that ran 9's.

As far as "supporting my point by only talking about the capabilities of the engine", well it was just a brief rundown of what the stock internals can do, not an overall assessment of what the car is capable of.

blah blah blah.. just be more clear next time.

Again, If the car itself is capable of the engine swap why shouldn't I consider it apart of the car's potential? The 5.0L swap is feasible and realistic.

Because you started out by talking about what the Miata engine could do. When I proved you wrong, you all of a sudden brought engine swaps into the equation. Well if you wanted to talk about engine swaps in the first place, I wouldn't have talked about the MR2! FC for me!

 

[boyRacer]

Originally posted by: Actaeon

Originally posted by: bR
Cmon guys... its all about the driver. 😉

Anyway weight shouldnt affect cornering speed that much since street cars will rely on mechanical grip... unless you're talking about how fast the car switched directions like in a slalom course. The lighter car will simply out brake and out accelerate the heavier car... which can be offset by more power from the other car. Heh too many variables. I sound like a magazine racer. 🙁

You're right, its all about the driver, but we are discussing the mechanical aspects of the car, assuming each driver was equally skilled.

Well, you watch alot of F1, so I know you know what you're talking about. You're right, there are too many variables to consider when handling, but to bring it to the current topic, the Miata would keep its average speed and momentum faster throughout a turn than the MR2 would. IMO, thats what makes it a "better handler" than the MR2, espically in my future applications (Auto-X, Road Courses).

Well I've driven a 92 MR2 before they softened it up in 93 😉... and that car can make you piss your pants if you lift mid corner... :Q I've never driven a Miata but Id imagine it would produce much more consistent lap times for mere mortals because it will probably be easier to drive considering its configuration. Personally I would pick the MR2 because I think I'm such hot shiet so you'll be seeing me spinning off in a gravel trap near you. 😉 Both cars are fun though... so I don't think you can go wrong with either.

 

[boyRacer]

Oh BTW I think the black/tan looks cool in those pictures. :thumbsup:

 

[SuperTool]

Exactly. Miata is easier car to drive and maintain, it's a convertible, and actually has a usable trunk. Whatever tiny advantage MR2 may or may not have on the track is not enough to offset those miata advantages.

 

[SuperTool]

How much does it cost to replace water pump and timing belt on the Miata?
I am considering buying my friend's Miata, and it has 100K miles but never had that service done, so I want to factor it into the price.

 

[Actaeon]

Originally posted by: SuperTool
How much does it cost to replace water pump and timing belt on the Miata?
I am considering buying my friend's Miata, and it has 100K miles but never had that service done, so I want to factor it into the price.

Timing Belt

Water Pump

Depends what brand name you want I suppose.

 

[SuperTool]

How much is the labor though?

 

[Actaeon]

Originally posted by: SuperTool
How much is the labor though?

Oh geeze, I wouldn't know. Labor is expensive.... 50 an hour or something.

I planned on doing it myself. Miatas are supposed to be easy to work on anyway 🙂.

Check out this book. It was written by the guy who is apart of Flyin Miata, a Miata parts specialist.

The Mazda Miata MX-5 has been a popular car among automotive enthusiasts for more than a decade, and hardly a single one of the more than 500,000 sold has not been customized by its owner in some way. This book provides specific how-to instructions through approximately 35 projects that include both maintenance and modification procedures. Each project is treated separately, giving readers very specific information about the commitment in time, tools, money, and talent for each project.

I know for sure there are photos, and I'm pretty sure they are colored. Supposedly a great book for typical maintenance and performance projects.

 

[Confused]

Looks great, especially in black/tan! 😀


You'll enjoy it!!


Garry