Looking for a sports car bargain: $5K rebate on '08 Miatas!

[goof2]

Originally Posted by z06boy

The monster Miata or another version of it would be a beast and a blast to drive. Similar to the Cobra kit cars I would imagine. I've driven two of the Cobra replicas...one from Superformance and one from FactoryFive Racing but never a V8 Miata. Well come to think of it I've never driven a Miata period.

I think the biggest difference would be the inability to put serious tires on the Miata without significant body work. Putting 400+ horsepower through 225s is guaranteed to induce some pucker.

[z06boy]

Originally Posted by goof2

I think the biggest difference would be the inability to put serious tires on the Miata without significant body work. Putting 400+ horsepower through 225s is guaranteed to induce some pucker.

Very true. I had 225's on a 92 5.0 Mustang with 440 rwhp so I switched to 245's and it was better but still not enough meat.

My Vette has 295's but still no match for the power without putting drag radials on it.

From a roll they both were/are fun.

[Chris S]

V8 Miatas are fun, but I don't have time for a project car, and I shuffling 5 vehicles around the garage/driveway is already a royal PITA. Can't wait to sell the old Miata, and we're thinking about selling the Jetta. The M3, new Miata, and Ridgeline would make a great combo and cover all our needs.

[Homeslice]

Originally Posted by Triple

Fairly certain a properly set up LS1/2/etc Miata will slaughter the Beemer in every aspect of performance. Style and comfort, no, but definitely speed and handling.

In speed? Doubtful unless it had a V8. I don't think you could boost the stock 4-cyl enough to beat the M3.

[Cutty72]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

In speed? Doubtful unless it had a V8. I don't think you could boost the stock 4-cyl enough to beat the M3.

Do they make a 4cyl LS1?

[Homeslice]

Yeah well I wouldn't want to put a V8 in that car. People can claim it has no effect on handling, but that's BS. Just because it might acheive the same lateral G's or slalom doesn't mean it handles exactly the same. There is a certain lightness in the steering and tossability that would be lost. Also, personally it's more fun to drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slow. In a V8 Miata your throttle foot would be itching all the time, with almost nowhere to use it.

[101lifts2]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

Yeah well I wouldn't want to put a V8 in that car. People can claim it has no effect on handling, but that's BS. Just because it might acheive the same lateral G's or slalom doesn't mean it handles exactly the same. There is a certain lightness in the steering and tossability that would be lost. Also, personally it's more fun to drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slow. In a V8 Miata your throttle foot would be itching all the time, with almost nowhere to use it.

But is is more fun to drive a fast car, fast?

[Adeptus_Minor]

Originally Posted by 101lifts2

But is it more fun to drive a fast car, fast?

I would have to say yes, but where are you going to drive what amounts to "fast" in a fast car? You can feel fast in a sufficiently agile 'slow' car in real world (ie. less potential for flaming death) driving situations.

Originally Posted by Cutty72

Do they make a 4cyl LS1?

Sure, just pull four spark plugs out of the regular LS1.

[Chris S]

Originally Posted by 101lifts2

But is is more fun to drive a fast car, fast?

Yes, at least until you see the flashing blue lights in your rearview mirror or end up w/ a crunched up car &/or body!

[goof2]

Originally Posted by Homeslice

Yeah well I wouldn't want to put a V8 in that car. People can claim it has no effect on handling, but that's BS. Just because it might acheive the same lateral G's or slalom doesn't mean it handles exactly the same. There is a certain lightness in the steering and tossability that would be lost. Also, personally it's more fun to drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slow. In a V8 Miata your throttle foot would be itching all the time, with almost nowhere to use it.

Any modification will have an effect on handling. One kit for LS swaps adds less than 200 lbs and has the engine pushed back enough to put about 1/3 of the additional weight on the back wheels. It will effect handling, but with weight on the front wheels increasing by less than 10% it shouldn't completely change the dynamics of the car. Putting huge wheels and tires on one would probably have a more detrimental effect on handling. Concerning the power, that is a personal choice. For people who want more there is no replacement for displacement. I would be curious to see what a 260 horse Cosworth motor would do, but that costs 3 or 4 times what a brand new LS motor costs.