http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/flas...MiataSpecs.pdf


Its actually a base of $25,500 + $520 Dest = $26,020k + $700 touring pack which includes leather so figure right around $27k.

 

Stout price- might just have to have fun in the 12K specs

 

I agree 100% with you ... I have attended many autocross events and have witnessed S2000 that where a real HANDFUL on a course with generally average or inexperienced drivers where most Miata's (and I am talking about 90-97 model year) usually did almost as well as Porsche 911's and Boxster's.

The one or two S2000's that where driven by experienced drivers usually ranked in the top 5 for elapsed times for the day.

I am really refering to the advantage the S2000 has in everyday driving over a Miata.

Also I just realized the Miata is 200lbs-300lbs lighter than an S2000....still the power to weight goes to the S2000 by a decent margin

My issue with the Miata is to me its just madening when you press down on the gas pedal in a sports car and the car accelerates slower than my '96 Blazer. Even with the supercharger the car felt pretty lame.

 

Miatas with turbochargers are mean! This one won't be too aggressive from the factory but when some tuners get their hands on them hell will rise. Midsize sports cars like the 350z, RX8, and WRX mod well but roadsters + mods = supercar killers. I'm not feeling Mazdaspeed's desire to slap weak turbos on their cars.

 

they slap weak turbos on because its more reliable... they are like all other car dealers... they want as little warranty issues as possible

 

Always easer to add hp than remove weight, I predict the car will be an awesome choice, needs a hardtop however. Not too many turbo rear wheel drive imports these days.. Thumbs up to Mazda. However, I am not a fan of the mazdaspeed engine. Is it even easily modified?

 

i think its gonna be a hit... light weight and boost form the factory... and when tuners get done with it its gonna be hell. i just wanna see what they are gonna do to em.

 

a coupe IS a hardtop.

btw, the mazdaspeed miata isn't something brand spanking new. even if it's new over here, we knew it was gonna happen eventually. they made the MSP, we knew an MSM wasn't far behind.

 

I thought he was refering to a removable hardtop, my bad

 

Mazdaspeed's intention is to bring tuner friendly cars to the states that are a blast to drive, are a limited production so they maintain some type of value, and are cost effective. At first the weak turbo on my car annoyed me because there wasnt much aftermarket support for my car. Thats changed a bit in the last year and now, with only $600 dollars in mods, I am already in the mid 14's. I know several other mazdaspeed guys who have hit mid 13's with thier cars, and thats with only about $1800 in mods . I know alot of people on this board r going to say that is what thier evo does stock and thats cool, but just remember that the mazdaspeed retailed for only $20,000. I originally wanted an evo but couldnt hang with the insurance ( $8,000 for 12 months for me: 22 year old male, no tickets or accidents, just live in NJ). Mazdaspeed is also known primarily for the handling characteristics of its cars. I cant think of too many front wheel drive cars that can do 71 mph in the slalom. Damn, there arent too many real wheel drve cars that do that from the factory either. Im not a big fan of the miata but I do not doubt that the mazdaspeed version will be a great bang for the buck machine and a worthy contender.

 

i would definately take an s2k over a miata...even though miatas are good cars..

 

Look at the cute little FMIC... LOL

Wonder how long it will take before someone puts a big-*** Spearco up there...

 

Car & Drivers April 2004 review of the Mazdaspeed Miata netted 0 to 60 - 6.7 ..... 1/4mile 15.2@91 MPH and they also stated that this was a preproduction/prototype model that they where told to take it a bit easy on so those numbers might be a little better on a production car. I think Mazda is finally getting in the ballpark with the power / accerlation of their sports car ... yeah ..... Just think the splash the car would have made with an additional 30hp-40 hp out of the box ... In spirit of the OVERPOWERFUL for the money Neon SRT4.

 

Just remember that a true performance car excells in many areas....not just straight line performance. Handling is a big factor too. It would appear that dodge got the clue when they added an Lsd to thier 2004 srt-4. And while the evo is a damn good straight line performer, its just plain sick in the twisties and has immense grip. We are living in a golden age where the enthusiast's car has returned. Thank you Mazda, thank you Mitsu, thank you subaru, thank you nissan, and hell....thank you dodge for bringing power and excellence back to the U.S!!!!

 

my dad built a really awesome supercharger for his older miata MX5. He's also going to be using a water injection system this summer and see how much more power it'll put out. I took it for a spin with his own built air intake and holy **** was the car fast, it'll definitely kill turbo'd OZ's!! not because it's putting out more HP but due to the lack of weight!! =)