what to buy?
 

I've been lurking here a bit. Thinking about selling the G35 and getting a Miata, and then adding a turbo. Like the looks of the gen 3, but there doesn't seem to be a lot turbo options for it. I could wiat until next yr for a good turbo kit, in necessary.

So, my questions are: 6 spd vs. 5 spd? I like the 6 in the G35. Any reliability or driveability issues with either the 5 or the 6?

2nd gen vs. 3rd gen: any significant suspension upgrades with the 3rd?
The reading I've done seems to indicate the suspension is much better - in terms of handling, less body roll, etc.

Any good turbo kits out there for 3rd gen that I've missed?

Other than price, any reason to prefer 2nd gen over 3rd?

Sorry for what are likely dumbass questions, and thanks for your thoughts.

Bill

Welcome.

6spd > 5spd handles more power, 5spds start shredding gears at 250whp...which just happens to be where stock roads ventilate the block as well.


So it all depends on your power goals. If you eventually plan to make really big power you probably want something with a 6spd, TorSen, and maybe a '99 head (better flow) already in it. Then you can build the motor with forged parts...

If you drive a G35 you probably like going slow though, and just about every part on the car, except the 90-93 1.6L differential, is good up to 250whp. After that you start upgrading parts FAST.

6 speed owns the 5 speeds in the 1st and 2nd gens, the 6 speed it said to be a stronger unit! as far as the 3rd gens, they are their own breed. alot of parts are backwards compatable between the 1st and 2nd gen miatas! id say get a 2nd gen!

damnt it, you beat me to it godspeed! :)

But six speeds shift like crap and have a lower sixth than the five speed's fifth. Six speeds are piling up at FM from putting five speeds in Mazdaspeeds. The six speed *may* be stronger for high hp guys, but the five speed is a nicer driver IMHO, esp when paired with a 3.9 diff on a turbo car.

Sounds like 5-speed envy. :)
Seriously, I do prefer the 6-speed, hands-down.

Envy? I think not. The only six speed Miatas I currently own are a T56 behind an LS3 in Elvis and our NC supercharged car. I think they put stronger detents in the NC, as it's a much easier trans to shift with confidence. We took the six speed out of our Speed, put it back in just to keep it factory-ish, even though it had been converted to FMII. Drove it for a week or two with the six speed and pulled it back out for a five speed. YMMV, but I probably drive 20 different Miatas a week and still hate pre-NC six speeds. Got lots of take-outs to sell, though ;)

Different strokes for different folks I guess. I want to kill myself anytime I don't drive my own 6-speed Miata (and like yourself, I drive many different ones any given week, although the shop I work for is no Flyin Miata by any stretch of imagination).

It's all subjective and just my opinion. If you like what you have, perfect, it's way less expensive that way ;)

Agreed. :)

NB turbo/thread

The '3rd gen' is just an mx5, not a 'miata' according to its name. Take that for what you will, but its a much different car than the NA/NBs. The motors are stronger than a BP 1.8, but the transmission in the NC is a derivative of the 6 speed in the earlier cars and isn't known to be any stronger, and the car as a whole just isn't as developed, plus they're a little heavier and more expensive. This site really has nothing to do with NCs, and given the resource that this site is, and the lack of aftermarket support for turboing the NC... NB makes a lot more sense, unless you want to blaze a new trail or just buy a kit.

I think part of that has more to do with what you charge for shipping them, I was quoted $300 to get one to Seattle.

I'd get an nb, but I'm biased.. I'd buy an s2000 before i'd even consider the hideous looking nc..

The MZR 2.0 is stronger than BP? The NC has a better suspension than NA/NB?

The world ends in 2012?

TRUTH.
I actually went from 5 speed to 6 speed, and now BACK to 5 speed. I like it so much more than the 6 speed, that I bought ANOTHER 5 speed for if/when this one blows.

Around town and in normal driving conditions I absolutely hated the 6 speed. The shortness of the gears is just unbelievable.

The only times I "enjoyed" the 6 speed was when I would shift hard/fast and take comfort in the fact that it can handle it.

With the 5 speed I shift like a grandma, and its still holding up just fine LOL