CTS-V to a Miata
10-14-2011, 11:43 AM
#1
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Lakeland, FL
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CTS-V to a Miata
Yep, sold my 04 CTS-V and picked up a track-prepped NA Miata! Couldnt be happier!
After input from a few different forums, driving instructors, pro-drivers, all recommending that if I want to learn to drive, ditch the heavy, high-hp car and get a miata, I did it.
I searched everywhere for a track prepped Miata that was in somewhat decent condition body-wise, engine was stock, but still had some suspension and safety mods already done that I didnt have to worry about, and around $5k. I was also looking for something with a few creature comforts where I could drive to and from the events with (a/c, p/s, radio) and was streetable. Most of the stuff I found was either a full-out race car that was out of my budget, a track-prepped street car with a bunch of engine mods (supercharger, turbo), or a bone stock car.
I finally came across a car that was caged, had seats, harnesses, and suspension, but stock engine, trans, p/s, a/c, radio, etc., and was in my budget. Called up the owner, whittled him down on the price, bought a plane ticket to CT, and drove it back to Florida. Here's the ad:
http://www.racingjunk.com/Other/2283...Full-Cage.html
drivetrain has 158k on it, stock, no leaks, looks mint, runs great, has a new clutch, waterpump, timing belt, new fluids. I had the owner take off the worn-down RA-1s and put on BFG G-Force Sport tires to get me home. Oh, and it HAD A/C, from CT to NY... lol, another "to-do" item on my list now.
So far I've put a new Sparco Evo 2 plus seat in, Miatacage quick release w/ 320mm suede MOMO wheel, Schroth 6 pt HANS for drivers side and RCI 5 pt for the passenger, painted the cage and interior white, 15x8 black 6ULs w/ 225/45 Hankook RS3s (on order), ditched the RB springs and put in FM springs, and a few other things here and there.
After I get a season of seat time in this thing, my plan is to drop in a BP-4W longblock (99 motor) and am looking at the Rotrex S/C kit and adding an air-to-air intercooler. The car is going to be a track rat used in the Florida heat year round, so I'm going for reliability and not neccessarily the most power. Any input would be welcome!
I cant wait to get this thing out on track, but man what a difference hopping out of the V into this car, haha. I think I actually enjoy driving it more; I could care less about the lack of power, it's so fun how this thing handles like a go-kart. My goal for this car is to put the least amount of $$ into it as possible but keep it as a cheap, fun, reliable track toy.
Here's how it sits now, and my old CTS-V is picture below.
After input from a few different forums, driving instructors, pro-drivers, all recommending that if I want to learn to drive, ditch the heavy, high-hp car and get a miata, I did it.
I searched everywhere for a track prepped Miata that was in somewhat decent condition body-wise, engine was stock, but still had some suspension and safety mods already done that I didnt have to worry about, and around $5k. I was also looking for something with a few creature comforts where I could drive to and from the events with (a/c, p/s, radio) and was streetable. Most of the stuff I found was either a full-out race car that was out of my budget, a track-prepped street car with a bunch of engine mods (supercharger, turbo), or a bone stock car.
I finally came across a car that was caged, had seats, harnesses, and suspension, but stock engine, trans, p/s, a/c, radio, etc., and was in my budget. Called up the owner, whittled him down on the price, bought a plane ticket to CT, and drove it back to Florida. Here's the ad:
http://www.racingjunk.com/Other/2283...Full-Cage.html
drivetrain has 158k on it, stock, no leaks, looks mint, runs great, has a new clutch, waterpump, timing belt, new fluids. I had the owner take off the worn-down RA-1s and put on BFG G-Force Sport tires to get me home. Oh, and it HAD A/C, from CT to NY... lol, another "to-do" item on my list now.
So far I've put a new Sparco Evo 2 plus seat in, Miatacage quick release w/ 320mm suede MOMO wheel, Schroth 6 pt HANS for drivers side and RCI 5 pt for the passenger, painted the cage and interior white, 15x8 black 6ULs w/ 225/45 Hankook RS3s (on order), ditched the RB springs and put in FM springs, and a few other things here and there.
After I get a season of seat time in this thing, my plan is to drop in a BP-4W longblock (99 motor) and am looking at the Rotrex S/C kit and adding an air-to-air intercooler. The car is going to be a track rat used in the Florida heat year round, so I'm going for reliability and not neccessarily the most power. Any input would be welcome!
I cant wait to get this thing out on track, but man what a difference hopping out of the V into this car, haha. I think I actually enjoy driving it more; I could care less about the lack of power, it's so fun how this thing handles like a go-kart. My goal for this car is to put the least amount of $$ into it as possible but keep it as a cheap, fun, reliable track toy.
Here's how it sits now, and my old CTS-V is picture below.
Last edited by smbstyle; 10-14-2011 at 12:11 PM.
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10-14-2011, 11:54 AM
#3
Welcome to the site smbstyle
Make sure to check out MTs picture gallery here
CLICK TO CHECK IT OUT - RATE PICTURES
Make sure to check out MTs picture gallery here
CLICK TO CHECK IT OUT - RATE PICTURES
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10-14-2011, 12:11 PM
#4
Welcome to the site! I have a non-turbo tracked miata also. I think there is quite a couple of us here, but most are turbo'd.
Visit the track section for info and I think you will love tracking a miata. As slow of car as it is, we definitely have the most fun out there. Speaking of which...I am going to CMP in less than...5 hours
Visit the track section for info and I think you will love tracking a miata. As slow of car as it is, we definitely have the most fun out there. Speaking of which...I am going to CMP in less than...5 hours
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10-14-2011, 09:56 PM
#5
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Ventura County, CA
Posts: 45
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welcome, I too have come from more powerful cars and just prefer the miata over them.
I had a heavily modded WRX and my miata at the same time, sold the WRX bought a 2006 M3 competition coupe which I'm now selling, because in my world the M3 just doesn't do it for me like my miata does.
the "Track Prep" sub forum has legit stuff going on if your in to DIY track mods.
I had a heavily modded WRX and my miata at the same time, sold the WRX bought a 2006 M3 competition coupe which I'm now selling, because in my world the M3 just doesn't do it for me like my miata does.
the "Track Prep" sub forum has legit stuff going on if your in to DIY track mods.
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10-14-2011, 10:15 PM
#6
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Lakeland, FL
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Welcome to the site! I have a non-turbo tracked miata also. I think there is quite a couple of us here, but most are turbo'd.
Visit the track section for info and I think you will love tracking a miata. As slow of car as it is, we definitely have the most fun out there. Speaking of which...I am going to CMP in less than...5 hours
Visit the track section for info and I think you will love tracking a miata. As slow of car as it is, we definitely have the most fun out there. Speaking of which...I am going to CMP in less than...5 hours
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10-14-2011, 10:17 PM
#7
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Lakeland, FL
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Welcome to the site! I have a non-turbo tracked miata also. I think there is quite a couple of us here, but most are turbo'd.
Visit the track section for info and I think you will love tracking a miata. As slow of car as it is, we definitely have the most fun out there. Speaking of which...I am going to CMP in less than...5 hours
Visit the track section for info and I think you will love tracking a miata. As slow of car as it is, we definitely have the most fun out there. Speaking of which...I am going to CMP in less than...5 hours
welcome, I too have come from more powerful cars and just prefer the miata over them.
I had a heavily modded WRX and my miata at the same time, sold the WRX bought a 2006 M3 competition coupe which I'm now selling, because in my world the M3 just doesn't do it for me like my miata does.
the "Track Prep" sub forum has legit stuff going on if your in to DIY track mods.
I had a heavily modded WRX and my miata at the same time, sold the WRX bought a 2006 M3 competition coupe which I'm now selling, because in my world the M3 just doesn't do it for me like my miata does.
the "Track Prep" sub forum has legit stuff going on if your in to DIY track mods.
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10-14-2011, 10:28 PM
#8
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Ventura County, CA
Posts: 45
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haha, yeah, i had an M3 too (E36 though). Just too complicated, expensive to repair, not a big fan. I've bought a TON of parts for the Miata for the price of like a gasket for the M3. I just cant get over how cheap and easy these cars are to maintain, and how readily available they are.
$500 for awesome miata tire, or $1500 for ok M3 sized tires
$3000 for 150+WHP added to the miata, or $3000 for potentially 20WHP for the M3.
When you look the dollar per fun ratio on the miata, then look at the M3 its kinda a joke.
Ive come to the conclusion while the M3 may not be the best in any one particular category its pretty much a close 2nd, and because of that if you could only have one car it would be a good car to server many functions. But personally id rather have an STi or EVO for the fun on the street factor as they are more "hyper" than the lazy dog M3.
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10-14-2011, 11:09 PM
#9
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I know!!!
$500 for awesome miata tire, or $1500 for ok M3 sized tires
$3000 for 150+WHP added to the miata, or $3000 for potentially 20WHP for the M3.
When you look the dollar per fun ratio on the miata, then look at the M3 its kinda a joke.
Ive come to the conclusion while the M3 may not be the best in any one particular category its pretty much a close 2nd, and because of that if you could only have one car it would be a good car to server many functions. But personally id rather have an STi or EVO for the fun on the street factor as they are more "hyper" than the lazy dog M3.
$500 for awesome miata tire, or $1500 for ok M3 sized tires
$3000 for 150+WHP added to the miata, or $3000 for potentially 20WHP for the M3.
When you look the dollar per fun ratio on the miata, then look at the M3 its kinda a joke.
Ive come to the conclusion while the M3 may not be the best in any one particular category its pretty much a close 2nd, and because of that if you could only have one car it would be a good car to server many functions. But personally id rather have an STi or EVO for the fun on the street factor as they are more "hyper" than the lazy dog M3.
yeah cant beat the bang for your buck with the Miata.
You still can't go wrong with an M3, if I had the money I would have kept mine and built it up to be a track car, but I'm ballin on a budget.
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10-15-2011, 09:07 PM
#11
hehe, no worries. I am having fun for the both of us
Not sure where lakeland is in florida, but if Road Atlanta is a plausible drive for you, then you should sign up for the NASA-SE Road Atlanta event in December. there is a couple of MFr'z and mt guys going to that (including me and sixshooter).
Not sure where lakeland is in florida, but if Road Atlanta is a plausible drive for you, then you should sign up for the NASA-SE Road Atlanta event in December. there is a couple of MFr'z and mt guys going to that (including me and sixshooter).
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10-15-2011, 11:06 PM
#15
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Location: Lakeland, FL
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hehe, no worries. I am having fun for the both of us
Not sure where lakeland is in florida, but if Road Atlanta is a plausible drive for you, then you should sign up for the NASA-SE Road Atlanta event in December. there is a couple of MFr'z and mt guys going to that (including me and sixshooter).
Not sure where lakeland is in florida, but if Road Atlanta is a plausible drive for you, then you should sign up for the NASA-SE Road Atlanta event in December. there is a couple of MFr'z and mt guys going to that (including me and sixshooter).
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