So if I was going to build a motor, buy an EFR, etc. etc. etc. and have an expensive miata, why would I not just buy a 650whp EVO 9 for 20k?

 

Because a 650whp miata is way cooler than a 650whp Evo?

 

Or I just sell my car, part out everything, and buy a base C5 for pretty much the same amount. + turbo. Would be fun and actually look decent.

 

But then you're driving a C5.

 

Hey be nice. Cavaliers had great interiors in the 90s.

 

C5 exterior looks way better than NA/NB miatas. Sue me.

 

Nope. I'll give you C6. But C5 is fugly.

 

Build whatever makes you happy. I bought a miata because at the time, I couldn't afford a nice clean FD RX7. Had the miata for 9 years now. I still want an FD though, and I'll buy and build one how I want it one day. For now the miata is about the most fun thing I can afford to play with but if I had the time and money I'd be building something else.

I like corvettes, they're one of the only common street cars that I race at the local drag strip that beats me more often than not. They are quick, and easily modded to be quicker!

 

Tires would be more expensive, and maintenance/broken parts likely would be as well. But for a 350whp miata, I will have as much invested as buying and building a 550hp C5. So bang for buck, the miata starts to fall behind there initially. I still have more research to do as far as how reliable the C5 is at that kind of power level on stock internals.

The miata makes me happy. It will make me more happy when I buy a daily and don't rely on this thing to get me from place to place. If I were to have a track car, the miata would be great. Who gives a **** as long as it gets me around the track as fast as my abilities let me and doesn't break down. But, my interests currently don't have me looking for a track car. I want a fun, weekend project car that I can take to the track. Maybe 2-3 HPDEs a year.

I don't see myself being content 2-3 years from now with a 200whp miata. So: 2k motor build, 600 trans, $$ 3.63, suspension, EFR/nice turbo, flares + accompanying paint/bodywork, no longer cheap tires, wider wheels, have to buy a hardtop. It all adds up fast.

I'm not talking about me going out next week to start tearing the car down. I'm just trying to start thinking things through a little bit about where I see myself in a year. A friend of mine bought a turbo 944 for cheap. Has decent shocks, sparcos, harnesses, full interior, and a big turbo + some supporting mods. **** was cheap. Like, CHEAP. Even the paint was good. That car has like 400hp, and is a BLAST. Way faster than my miata, and handles wayyyyy better with the suspension it has on it. This is primarily what has started these recent part-out considerations.

I am studying for a test, so this is very unstrurctured and rambly. Sorry not sorry.

 

You can buy a 300whp miata for 12-15k if you search.

Also, reliable 350whp=more than $600 for a trans. I've seen the way you break parts.

 

You can almost always build or buy something else cheaper.

Pretty much just have to figure out what you want and do that.

For a 200whp fun car miatas are fun and cheap. If you want 300whp with same reliability, the cost goes up a TON and truth is reliability still isn't as good for a street car.

I enjoy how the miata drives. I like small light weight cars. So even though a vette would be way faster for the $$$, it would still be heavier and bigger and I can't fix that. For me fun and light is more important than cheap to go fast. But not everybody values small and light over fast and cheap.

 

Not all other cars will have the same DIY community behind them either. Go to a subie/evo shop, and if you arent buying name brand parts and going to your tuner every week to install them then you are an anomaly.

 

I think this is where you follow the path of MiataTurbo track day glory and build a SuperMiata clone.

 

 

I really wish there was a tube frame miata kit car I liked the look of. That would make things much easier.

 

Build one?

 

I have a feeling after I'm done designing this Baja SAE car for my senior design project I'll be so fed up with designing roll cages I will want a decade break or so lol.

I have considered a motorcycle engine powered Lotus 7 kit car.

 

Because an evo is still a 4 door grocery getter. Nothing you do to it will make that not true.

I can't sue you, but I could ban you.

Put an LS1 in a miata?

 

I think the C5 corvette is a fantastic looking car. But I can't hardly stand driving them. performance per dollar is one question, but what do you like to drive?

My S2000 is worth more than several cars that would absolutely SPANK it in every performance metric. But I like it as a package, so it stays. I could get a NICE C5 for considerably less that would destroy it but I would much rather have this torqueless wonder than a C5.

 

Diff fixed