573

iTrader: (2)

As the title says, I've found myself a minty turbo Miata and left a deposit on it. I'll be going to pick it up on Friday. Needless to say, I would like for Friday to come as soon as possible.

It's a black 94 R package and the guy I'm buying it from is a member on here, although I found the car on craigslist.

I have a lot of experience with Subarus, and my last car was a quick and clean 2007 WRX wagon. A very well rounded car that was speedy regardless of the surface and conditions. I was pretty fond of the thing. Unfortunately, a deer ran into the road, and I hit said deer, totaling the wagon. Not a good day. Fortunately, the insurance company took pretty good care of me. After parting it out, I will have gotten well over what the car cost new.

Before I knew that the wagon was totaled, I picked up a 2002 Impreza wagon to use as a winter car so that the wrx could be garaged during the cold months and made baller as all hell, starting next summer. Since the wrx was going to turn into more of an auto-x/occasional track day car, I figured it would be smarter to replace it with a better platform for that instead of getting another wagon since I have the 2002 as a DD. After much deliberation, and considering options like a c5 vette, e30 M3, s2000, evo, and sti, I ended up choosing a Miata. Mainly because I can get most of the tarmac performance of any of those other cars, while putting an extra $18k in the bank. Having the potential to be fast while putting away a bunch of money ended up being the winner.

Plans for the Miata include adding a bit of power, taking out a bit of weight, and generally keeping it nice while I compete in as many local events as I can fit into my schedule. How fast, how light, and how nice all depend on how long I keep it for(I intend to have it for a while). I generally don't mod quickly, but when I do something, I do it right.

For reference...

Here's the wrx, with a reliable ~300whp and a lot more suspension work than this picture suggests:

^totaled from hitting a deer on the opening day of hunting season.

The DD, which caught on fire on Sunday(my luck sucks, right?):

^Currently at dealer having fire issue sorted out. Don't have the time to do it myself now.

And the Miata I'm getting:

^Hopefully it won't be run over by a truck when I drive it home.

viperormiata

iTrader: (24)

You bought Larimer's miata. EXCELLENT choice!

Quality Control Bot

iTrader: (3)

Hi 573, enjoy your stay :)

gospeed81

iTrader: (51)

Welcome.

I like your choice in automotive projects.

crono36

nice. our cars could be twins almost.

I've had a turbo miata for a while, but I kind of let that go stale while working on a 92 vr4. About 5 months into that I decided it wasn't worth the effort, not even for 450-500 whp. I'm currently parting it out and giving the miata some much needed updates.

573

iTrader: (2)

Thanks guys.


Yep, that's the one. As far as modded cars go, I think that I made a safe choice. As best as I can tell, Adam isn't a hack.

The only thing that I don't like is that the seat is bolted to the floor. There's nothing inherently wrong with that--it's just a little far back for me. Some aftermarket seat rails will get me riding where I want to be without a lot of effort, though.

Seefo

iTrader: (5)

If you are tall, it might not be bad to keep it bolted to the floor but move it up a bit (if you can, all depends on how it is mounted to the floor and the front hump).

Anyways, welcome to forum! Its great around here. I am not turbo'd and I love it.

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

573, congrats on signing up at the best site on the web!

573

iTrader: (2)

Yeah, I may just move it forward a little bit if that ends up being the most convenient/effective. I'm not used to being that low, but after driving it for a while, I'll probably come to appreciate the lowness. The main issue now is that I have to extend myself a litter further than is comfortable to push the clutch pedal all the way in. If I were held into the seat by a harness, I'd probably only be able to get the clutch to the half way point. I'll have all winter to figure something out, though. As soon as my DD is up and running again, the Miata will hibernate in the garage until spring.


I do like this forum, though. Plenty of knowledgeable people and it lacks the drama of Nasioc.

Seefo

iTrader: (5)

Nasioc? is that nissan forum? I think one of my b13 buddies mentioned that.

I will tell ya, most of the people tracking the miata bolt it to the floor (with backing plates of course) for clearance from the roll bar/cage.

But it can be a bit of a bitch, since its so hard to center the driver's seat since the trans tunnel tapers down and out the way it does. Good luck though, Miata is a great track car!

sixshooter

iTrader: (12)

Put your location in your details so it shows under your screen name. You are local to some of us I'm sure. Welcome.

573

iTrader: (2)

Nasioc is a Subaru forum that has gotten too big for its own good.

As for the seat, I'll have to take it apart and look at the situation down there. There's a good chance that it'll stay bolted to the floor. I just need it to be about an inch or two further forward, and perhaps ever so slightly higher. I was thinking about getting some steel rectangular tubing and making some fixed position seat rails that use the existing holes in the floor. It'd be simple, cheap, secure, and I'd get a bit of adjustability without having to swiss cheese the floor.

Done. I know there are a few turbo Miatas in my area, but I'm not sure if any of them are on here. I guess I'll find out with time.

573

iTrader: (2)

In it's new home:


I haven't gotten on it much since it has summer tires and it's ******* cold outside, but this car is a lot of fun to drive. Very different from what I'm used to, and I like it a lot.


edit: Have another picture. I stopped by my buddy's shop to show it off, started climbing ****, and ended up with this.