I have seen LS1 small blocks squeezed into 300ZXs, 350Zs, RX-7s, 240Zs, 240SXs, and even the odd S2000. If one must really, and truly, feel the urge the screw up the cars near-perfect factory balance, I am sure one could cram an LS1 into this thing as well.
@ILoveWhatYouHate..09 Matrix: IIRC, the Miata started around $13k in 1990. That's about $22k in 2008 dollars, and they've added a TON of content. Whether that content is to your liking is up to you, fortunately first-gen cars are still readily available for those on a budget.
@theeastbaykid: I never thought of it that way, good point. Although for cheap drop-top fun, I will stick with old Jeeps. And the other above poster also has a point, I must have man-image issues. That car (and my ex-wife's Sebring convertible) have always been girl cars to me, maybe because I never see guys driving them.
@acarr260: I think the S2000 is targeting a little more of the club crowd than the Miata. I dunno, I know they're offly close and all, but when I think of the Miata, I think, "weekend sports car," whereas when I think of the S2000 (as dated as it now is), I think, "high-revving track car." The Miata has broader appeal.
I agree, the two cars are targeted at slightly different markets.
However, if you want to slay the big boys on the track, get the softtop MX-5 with the 6 speed (about 23 k$ in the US) and throw on the Cosworth supercharger and intercooler (5500 $), and a set of 17x9 wheels with appropriate tires. You'll be kicking serious but for about 30 k$, all in.
Of course, you wouldn't have the factory warranty that would come the S2000.
@skeeler: Plus, for $3.5k more than stock, the guy in the S2000 will be passing you like you're sitting still. A guy I work with has a supercharged S2000 that he uses as his daily driver. For a fairly cheap track car / daily driver, it's borderline batshit insane when it hits vtec and it can eat most Vettes for lunch.
@Rock517: I see what you're saying, but they seem to be pretty much the same thing to me. They're both small cars, two-seaters, designed for spirited driving and yet mellow enough to drive around town or to work. I think to me it just comes down to the old paradigm of "if I had $x to spend on a car that needs to be able to take me where I need to go and can be taken to track days, what would I buy?" At that price, the S2000 doesnt get much cometition from this little Miata.
@acarr260: $10k is a pretty big difference to me. The basic softtop (all you need, c'mon) is $25k; last I checked the S2000 was either $34600 or $36400--can't remember--but that's still ten grand more.
@A strolling player got SMACKed: It's a reflection on how good the MX-5 is that it's being compared to a car that's clearly in a whole different price bracket.
The 2009 model starts at $35K and easily clears $38K with some bells/whistles. That's close to Evo/STI land.
@brandegee: When did they start asking you if you wanted bells and/or whistles?! When I checked, two years ago, the S2000 was $36400, period, no options.
O, but I forgot to mention, every housewife in 'Burbia will ruin the allure soon enough. Just like cheerleaders and mustangs, and the elderly and their Mercedes.
@Bad Juju: AMEN! gosh i can't stand it when people say "but it's a girls car". You aren't a man if you're obsessed with image. My image has always been that I'm not obsessed with image. seriously. but seriously, i've owned two miatas and i loved them bof. I'll always remember jm1nb3531x0123501 -- only serial number of any vehicle i can ever remember.
I've never quite been able to justify buying a Miata, but I've always wanted to. Just something about such a little, simple driver's car thats cheap and isn't meant to break any land speed records.
12/09/08
I don't see the effeminate thing ever. But then my Miata has a roll bar and sits a little bit lower.
However, I must admit that I need to drive this small car to compensate for the enormousness of my "wedding tackle".
12/09/08
[memewatch.com]
12/09/08
I have seen LS1 small blocks squeezed into 300ZXs, 350Zs, RX-7s, 240Zs, 240SXs, and even the odd S2000. If one must really, and truly, feel the urge the screw up the cars near-perfect factory balance, I am sure one could cram an LS1 into this thing as well.
12/09/08
The new headlights are good, though. I appreciate those. Needs more pop-ups, though.
12/09/08
And they also added 10% more estrogen, which didn't seem possible but was crucial.
12/09/08
12/09/08
And the other above poster also has a point, I must have man-image issues. That car (and my ex-wife's Sebring convertible) have always been girl cars to me, maybe because I never see guys driving them.
12/09/08
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12/09/08
I agree, the two cars are targeted at slightly different markets.
However, if you want to slay the big boys on the track, get the softtop MX-5 with the 6 speed (about 23 k$ in the US) and throw on the Cosworth supercharger and intercooler (5500 $), and a set of 17x9 wheels with appropriate tires. You'll be kicking serious but for about 30 k$, all in.
Of course, you wouldn't have the factory warranty that would come the S2000.
12/09/08
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12/09/08
The 2009 model starts at $35K and easily clears $38K with some bells/whistles. That's close to Evo/STI land.
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12/09/08
I am secure enough with the size of my manhood to enjoy driving a lightweight, rear-wheel-drive car, thank you.
12/09/08
12/09/08
+1 more in the Miata column.