I was thinking about this more. If I wanted an OBDII roadster with 200whp that wouldn't have problems with CA smog or cops, AND could handle track abuse for $12k, I'd get an S2K, screw the MSM. Like 18psi said, it really is another $3k minimum to get the MSM track-capable.

-Ryan

This. Yes.

As for pricing,

I passed on a super clean, 45k mile garaged MSM in Ti Gray for $9300 when I was shopping for a shell to swap my parts to. I found at least 3 low-ish mile red MSM's for around $9k during that time period as well.

If I didn't have this car which is fast and that I love, I would have an S2k.

That being said, an MSM with an aftermarket ECU and injectors can easily run 200whp, and if you go PNP you can swap back in very little time as you stated. I think that's a solid plan if you like the MSM to begin with. Take into account the value of your preference. Do you like the MSM better than a regular NB2? That's worth something.

They wised up to that trick years ago.





Twice every two years is what I meant to say. (Once to put the stockers in, once to take 'em out.



I wouldn't. At least not if the car was going to see extensive street use.

I've driven a first-gen S2K, and while it's a fine car, I find the interior ergonomics to be quite poor. The NB is hardly the most comfortable car in the world, but compared to the S2K it's your grandfather's well-worn recliner.

Thankfully, you're wrong on that one.

From https://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/smogfaq.htm :

Program Area Lookup

You'll also note that there is at least one county (Inyo) that is not on either list, which means that all zip codes in that county do not require bi-annual smogs.

Do with this information what you will. :party:

The AEM intake is CARB legal

22-489P - AEM , AEM Short Ram Intake System direct from AEM

CA is brutal, and I agree that the S2000 route would be tough to beat given the situation.

Or just come to IL where you can pass emissions with any car not showing a CEL :)

Well finding a 2004+ S2K for 12 grand is nearly impossible, PLUS it adds about $400 a year in insurance over the MSM :(.

I found a MSM on craigslist with tons of mods for $13k... Ill try to go take a good look over it.

Uh, go buy this now:

Rare Lava Orange Mica 2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata Mazdaspeed

If it wasn't a salvage title I would in a heartbeat :(

wtf how did I miss that...

Is it this one you're looking at then?

2004 Mazdaspeed Miata with options

If so, seems pretty solid. Stock turbo but lots of really really good parts. Doesn't have the turbo kit I had, but it's got $$$ suspension, a trick rear diff, meth injection... way solid, sir.

Yessir, talked to him yesterday and seemed knowledgeable enough. Some of the stuff worries me just because it's involved (welded roll bar being one) so I will have to go over it really good.

Best of luck. Hope it works out.

If you're planning on actually passing smog with it though make sure he has all the stock stuff to go back on.. You'll need stock injectors, ECU, and probably stock exhaust to make it all work.

I'll chime in here for a moment- because of the years spent with both my turbo'd 02 and a friend's MSM with all the typical bolt-ons.


The MSM isn't all that bad....kinda. More than performance/rwhp upgrades, I'd first look for a 3.9 rear-end or 3.6 gear-set. Next, I would swap in a 99-03 steering rack (yes, it is different...the MSM rack has multiple feet more turning radius). Those two things would make the MSM lightyears better. Next, ditch the shitty suspension (if someone else hasn't already done so). After that, start making power.

I do like the unique colors and small details of the MSM and it doesn't take much to make them the fun/quick car that Mazda should have sold them as.

Dont matter, the OBD2 still has to show green everywhere sooo.

Went today, seems decent. The Ohlins suspension rides nice I must say. The car is kinda dirty, some serious frame rail damage (pancaked) that looks like from a speed bump. The ACT Extreme clutch is pretty darn heavy and grabby. The tune on the megasquirt seems alright, stalls when AC is on sometimes.

It sucks that the soft top is not in there. I would need to get a new frame and top, but supposedly it will fit with the rollbar :/.

I dunno if I fully trust the work, I will have to think about it. Plus the interior was missing alot of trim, trunk was gutted out and the meth injection takes up half the trunk haha. Was pretty quick though.



I also found a bone stock one with less than 70k miles that I looked at. Drove very nice, I might be able to get him to $10k... hmmm. It was in very nice shape, just had water pump/timing belt done. Could feel the speed difference for sure from the other one though.

Why do you need a 2004+?

An s2k isn't really any more money than an MSM after you do what you need to do to the MSM. And will still probably be faster around a track. And more stock for more reliability.

Because the 04+ is the ap2 with much nicer parts and moar displacement.

I know what the 04+ is... but i'm asking OP. I prefer the F20 cars, gearing works a little better and they feel better. :makeout:

I guess you hate torque and really really good looking cars? lulz

The carbon synchros actually make the ap2 even slicker shifting, and the extra engine girth gives the powerband at least a shred more torque. Maybe the ap1 is better for track? I wouldn't know.

correct me if i'm wrong... but don't 94-97 cars have retarded obd2 that can't really be hooked up to and read from by smog shops? I thought these cars were sniffer only and no obd2 hook up?