miataturbo.net-like debauchery thread (about the ND or something)
'Great minds think alike' and all.. we did the same thing 
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I'm not sure the ND is gonna be as big a track car as the NA and NB due to the lack of hardtop and possibly needing to remove the softtop for some rollbars. Mazda really dropped the ball by not offering a hardtop.
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 18,643
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From: Beaverton, USA
A hardtop is rumored to be coming. And 949 will have a hardtop out next spring. You have to pull the soft top on NA/NBs for some roll bars. Not sure how its any different.
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Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Lake Forest, CA
Hardtop is coming, both from 949 as Aidan said, and I expect from Mazda as well.
For now it won't be as much of a track car because it's so much more money, not to mention not very available. But 10 years from now?? Yep. They'll be everywhere out there.
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Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Montreal, QC
I went to a Mazda drive event on Friday. They had a couple of their crossovers as well, but the main event was a pseudo-autocross course they set up for the Miata (at Transport Canada's enormous vehicle testing facility, which is an impressive place in itself). They had a 2015 PRHT so that you could compare it against the manual and auto 2016s they had on offer to try. I was surprised that they really encouraged us to go as fast as we wanted through the cones, which included a sweeper, a hairpin, a short slalom, and a braking box. The dude that rode along with me said he had an NA of his own, and he later took a spin at full pace through the course in the NC.
I couldn't tell much from the ~30 seconds I had behind the wheel of each on an unfamiliar course, other than that both NC and ND pull a lot harder in a straight line than my NB, and they're certainly both much smoother and more solid-feeling than my 16 year-old car. Big surprise. The thing that struck me most, I think, is how much more confidence-inspiring the brakes in both cars feel. Obviously at an autocross, power isn't an issue, but directness and ease of modulation are, and the newer cars were worlds better than my car, even with its embiggened master cylinder and booster.
To top it off, they had a big tent where they served lobster rolls, shrimp, and a few other tasty appetizers. It was a fun way to spend an hour.
I couldn't tell much from the ~30 seconds I had behind the wheel of each on an unfamiliar course, other than that both NC and ND pull a lot harder in a straight line than my NB, and they're certainly both much smoother and more solid-feeling than my 16 year-old car. Big surprise. The thing that struck me most, I think, is how much more confidence-inspiring the brakes in both cars feel. Obviously at an autocross, power isn't an issue, but directness and ease of modulation are, and the newer cars were worlds better than my car, even with its embiggened master cylinder and booster.
To top it off, they had a big tent where they served lobster rolls, shrimp, and a few other tasty appetizers. It was a fun way to spend an hour.
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Does the ND even need a rollbar? Obviously it's a good idea but most modern convertibles (S2000, z4, etc) have factory roll protection that is acceptable to tracks.
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holy ****, what a 1-2 punch of ******* dogshit in a thread about traction control. Keep in mind, this is after both Savington and I posted "if you're regularly engaging traction control on the street, you are doing something that is both dumb and dangerous"
I'm going to have to respectfully disagree. I do turn it off every time I drive, unless I forget to. Just pulling out of my neighborhood on a well polished asphalt road crossing two lanes of traffic while turning up hill and therefore with a limited sight distance requires a rapid take off on a traction limited surface in order to get clear of potentially unseen traffic safely ... and the traction control if left on will pull throttle there every time thus putting me in harms way and without full control of the vehicle. On top of that I will confidently say that I can think of no circumstance that traction control will help me. I will accept the assistance of most modern ABS brakes, but frankly there are circumstances there too where I could do it better myself. Go ahead and call me cocky if you want, but I've got this I don't need the help of any electronic nanny. The day I do need help is the day you can sign me up for a Google car and I'll just read the paper while the computer keeps me alive. I am a skilled and experienced driver, I want full control and I don't trust a computer to know what is best. This has nothing to do with reckless driving, though I will admit that being able to steer with the throttle is critical to enjoying the car.
No one is so good that a little extra margin is a bad idea
It amuses me when someone is a great driver because they can autocross. We see great autocrossers most often fall way behind when faced with real world mountain driving.
What I am saying is that we are all the best drivers in the world so who really cares if the next guy chooses TC or not
What I am saying is that we are all the best drivers in the world so who really cares if the next guy chooses TC or not
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Joined: May 2012
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From: NYC
Anecdotal evidence is best evidence.
Real rollbar is only rollbar.
As soon as "real world mountain driving", or similar, is brought up as some sort of measurement, I nope the **** out of whatever conversation I'm in. There's no convincing those people that all they're doing is driving like dangerous ******** and not, in anyway, proving their driver skill.
I do see a good deal of Toyobaru twins at the track, though most are overly modified and driven slowly. A handful came into TTD this year after a local push for a Spec class. They've also proven not exceptionally fast.
Real rollbar is only rollbar.
As soon as "real world mountain driving", or similar, is brought up as some sort of measurement, I nope the **** out of whatever conversation I'm in. There's no convincing those people that all they're doing is driving like dangerous ******** and not, in anyway, proving their driver skill.
I do see a good deal of Toyobaru twins at the track, though most are overly modified and driven slowly. A handful came into TTD this year after a local push for a Spec class. They've also proven not exceptionally fast.
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As soon as "real world mountain driving", or similar, is brought up as some sort of measurement, I nope the **** out of whatever conversation I'm in. There's no convincing those people that all they're doing is driving like dangerous ******** and not, in anyway, proving their driver skill.
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From: Northridge, CA
Only if you care about your safety at all
With every step of the way I am more and more impressed with the job Mazda did on making the car lighter.
The factory hoops however, are a total joke.
For anyone that has this idea that "it's probably just like an S2000 under the plastics", it's not even close.
S2k, if I recall correctly, has the hoop structure made out of 1.5"x0.080" Steel tube. It's not SCCA requirements or anything, but it's something..
The NC has Steel hoops too, but they are 1"x0.062" which is not even close to anything.
The ND went a step further and the whole hoop structure is made out of Aluminum with dinky tubes for hoops that you can flex by hand.
If you're planning on tracking an ND do yourself a big favor and plan on buying a roll bar too, the stocker is literally good for nothing.
The factory hoops however, are a total joke.
For anyone that has this idea that "it's probably just like an S2000 under the plastics", it's not even close.
S2k, if I recall correctly, has the hoop structure made out of 1.5"x0.080" Steel tube. It's not SCCA requirements or anything, but it's something..
The NC has Steel hoops too, but they are 1"x0.062" which is not even close to anything.
The ND went a step further and the whole hoop structure is made out of Aluminum with dinky tubes for hoops that you can flex by hand.
If you're planning on tracking an ND do yourself a big favor and plan on buying a roll bar too, the stocker is literally good for nothing.
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Re: Traction control on the street
The guys having to push it on the track to have it engage were on wide, sticky tires. Skinny all seasons would be easier.
Re: Not keeping up on the mountain
Maybe slow guy is not less capable, just smarter. He recognizes unsafe situation and would like it not to be the last day he takes a breath.
The guys having to push it on the track to have it engage were on wide, sticky tires. Skinny all seasons would be easier.
Re: Not keeping up on the mountain
Maybe slow guy is not less capable, just smarter. He recognizes unsafe situation and would like it not to be the last day he takes a breath.
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Joined: May 2012
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From: NYC
Exactly. Or, not even risking their own lives, but how would those people feel if they went around a blind turn at 20mph over the posted limit, just barely hugging over the inside white line, and there was some pre-license high school kid out on his bicycle. I used to be that kid, and I'd been Hella pissed if some snobby, ignorant miata driver had ended my life because he was getting his jollies off driving so hard bro you don't even understand these S. DRIVES ARE SO TIGHT! HUNHGG.
Last edited by dasting; Oct 19, 2015 at 10:43 AM.
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Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Lake Forest, CA
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