What upgrade to do first... ~$500 to spend on a Mazda Miata (2011)

[The Stigenator]

The upgrade bug has caught up to me. I want to start making mods to my 2011 Mazda Miata PRHT GT. The car is a standard GT, no limited diff / updated shocks from factory.

Right now its got 20500 miles (bought it on June 30, 2012 with 5800). The only modifications that has been done is a "stubby" antenna and the Motorcraft XT-M5-QS fluid.

So I've divided the cost into 3 areas.

Appearance:
Smarttop Mod for the PRHT $285 from Good-Win-Racing (http://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda-Performance-Part/61-1060.html)
This leaves $200+ change for something else - sways perhaps?

Handling:

Option 1: Springs + Sways
Updated Progress Technology Springs $187 (http://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda-Performance-Part/61-0545NC2.html)
and
updated racing beat ($290) or progress sways ($349)

Option 2: Blow that budget and add the Koni Adjustable shocks to it. http://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda-Performance-Parts/MX5/Suspension/Shocks.html

-- My issue towards this is that I already have trouble getting out of my driveway, not sure how much it would scrape on teh bottom if it ends up lowering the car. Then again it would help handling. I'd leave the shocks stock. trim bump stops if needed.
As it stands I cant have a passenger in teh car or i wont make it over the crest of my drive way. If my tire pressures are off, it will scrape, if i dont exit or enter correctly (one wheel at a time), it will scrape.

Look at me

Aftermarket 2 tip Exhaust upgrade: http://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda-Performance-Parts/MX5/Exhaust.html

either the Roadsport Q $399 ( http://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda-Performance-Part/60-1337.html)
or
Roadsport II $360 ( http://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda-Performance-Part/60-1218.html)
or
Flying Miata (https://www.flyinmiata.com/index.php?deptid=4503&parentid=0&stocknumber=06-49005)
or
Racing Beat Exhaust


The roadsport II's are louder, but I have a PRHT, not sure how it would drone. The RoadsportQ is a no-drone version. As for the FM or Racing Beat ones no idea how they sound in comparison.


What do you guys think?

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Tires first. Koni yellows are worth every penny. Turbo?

 

[JCH13]

It's a Miata. Mod it to enhance its strengths and bring out more of what makes a Miata fun to drive: suspension/wheels/tires.

I would start with some light-weight wheels and better tires, then an FM suspension (or another well-engineered suspension kit).

I would skip appearance (who cares?) and skip exhausts (not much power to be gained).

 

[MiataNC]

I used to have a 2007 Touring with the sport package (LSD)...

Best mods (and first mods you should do) by far are springs and sways...You will enjoy the results every time you get behind the wheel. The MX-5 drives like it is on rails with stiffer sways and sitting 1-1.5 inches lower (typical for aftermarket springs). You can 4-wheel drift at legal speeds with a shit-eating grin on your face all day long.

 

[Midwayman]

Wow, the roof box is stupid expensive for what it does.

I'd get some springs and koni yellows+ RSB if I were to do anything.

Exhaust is waste of money. Buy some $50 weld on tips if you want a different look.

 

[halik]

springs and sways

 

[JCH13]

I used to have a 2007 Touring with the sport package (LSD)...

Best mods (and first mods you should do) by far are springs and sways...You will enjoy the results every time you get behind the wheel. The MX-5 drives like it is on rails with stiffer sways and sitting 1-1.5 inches lower (typical for aftermarket springs). You can 4-wheel drift at legal speeds with a shit-eating grin on your face all day long.

This is a good reason to not go too crazy getting mad hella grippy tires yo. With less crazy tires you'll be able to explore the car's limits and behavior without getting too illegal/dangerous and they'll be more forgiving if you toe over the line a bit.

 

[NutBucket]

50-shot of NOS

 

[The Stigenator]

My tires are still okay, but will need replacing in about 20K miles, they are Summer Sticky ones, but I could get better tires for sure.

It looks like the Springs and Sways it is. Now to find out if those are going to cause issues coming out of my drive way. The only reason I wanted teh exhaust was to give it a bit more 'aural' experience thats all. The smarttop is just a luxury.. lol

I'll email brian goodwin to see if the springs and sways would cause too much lowering on the stock shocks/dampers. Otherwise that would not work for me..

 

[MiataNC]

My tires are still okay, but will need replacing in about 20K miles, they are Summer Sticky ones, but I could get better tires for sure.

It looks like the Springs and Sways it is. Now to find out if those are going to cause issues coming out of my drive way. The only reason I wanted teh exhaust was to give it a bit more 'aural' experience thats all. The smarttop is just a luxury.. lol

I'll email brian goodwin to see if the springs and sways would cause too much lowering on the stock shocks/dampers. Otherwise that would not work for me..

+1 for Brian Goodwin.

I got my Eibach Springs and MazdaSpeed Sways from him (1-1.5 inch drop). He KNOWS Mazdas.