brad@tirerack.com

Here's one for sale. This is a great site and a good customer of ours. If anyone knows Miatas, these guys do.

Drew_K

I'm another Spec Miata racer, and I highly recommend a Miata if you want a car you can thrash and not have to worry as much about damaging or breaking. The cost to maintain and repair a Miata is a joke compared to a Porsche. Everything is cheaper AND typically lasts longer because a Miata is so light.

If you can trailer the car to the track, then I'd also recommend a used Spec Miata. Great handling plus a roll cage is a good combination.

And don't discount the Miata's performance. It is low on power but it will turn impressive lap times if the driver does his part. I think it'll make you a better driver too. HP can mask a lot of mistakes

LVDell

Wow, great input all. And Michael, great input as usual. So where does one look for SM's for sale?

Drew, I have an enclosed trailer that I would store it in and use to haul it to/from the track. The costs you refer to are another reason I am drawn to this (in addition to the fun factor). The cost to replace one M96 motor on a Boxster is MORE than buying a fully prepped SM!

I'm all for being a better driver as well. With that said, there are pros and cons to driving high hp and low hp WRT learning to drive and the skills you have which I don't want this thread to turn into. Don't need a toque vs. hp type of debate

Mr Michael B

Your in the wrong Miata.

Here are some times off the net for say Blackhawk Raceway IL.:

Spec Miata 1:23
Porsche 993 C4 Cab Stock 1:26
Acura RSXType-S, modified intake and exhaust, R-compounds, 1:26
Honda s2000 Stock, Azenis first time on a track 1:29
Porsche 911 (993), street/track setup (PSS9), r-comps 1:22
Porsche 2004 GT3 PS2 tires 1:21
Porsche 996 GT3 (MPSC) 1:19:1

Putnam Park IN.

Spec Miata 1:21.8
968 Porsche 1:22.04
944 Cup 1:24
911 964 G stock 1:25

Grattan MI.

Spec Miata 1:32
BMW M3 (1997), NASA Time Trial C 1:32.8
Lotus Elise (2006 S2 Federal Version) R-compounds, Base suspension, Intermediate 1st-time Driver 1:34.041
Porsche 911 (993), street/track setup (PSS9), r-comps 1:31

It may not be a Zo6 but... They seem to hold their own well enough.

http://specmiataclassifieds.com Dell!

007DT

^^ Depends on the track.. there would be a huge delta if you are talking VIR as Dell mentioned earlier. Regardless, Fun is Fun..

I bought my E36 M3 Race car and the consumables are 1/2 the $ to race it VS. DE'ing my GT3. And as mentioned above my lap times were not far off at Mid OH as I had both cars there over a 4 day hiatus. Race weekend then DE for 2 Days.

E36, (Bias) is an inexpensive fast fun race car. not sub $10K but Sub $20 and still a tick or two behind your normal lap times in the weapons you've had. As far as fun = competition.. BMWCCA is stacked with similar cars. they also fit well into NASA and are not getting run over since they've taken the Thunder Series out.

As you know "DON'T BUILD IT" BUY IT!!

LVDell

Dave, funny you mention E36 as it is/was on my short list of cars (SM, 944, E36).

If I go E36 I will definitely buy it already built v. build myself.

ukrbmw

I'd have to agree with Dave. To me the best HPDE car that is relatively fast and easy to maintain is an E36 M3. Plus if you're getting a somewhat track car you'll absolutely find one for around 10-12K.

You know I race Spec E30 (although my car is for sale, so who knows for how long) which is almost the same thing and our lap times are very similar. These cars are awesome when raced against the same cars - it's extremely fun and worth every penny. Track days will be very dull - with nobody to play.

Michael B - VIR lap times for SM is around 2:20. Stock C5Z06 on R comps will do a 2:10 relatively easy. It's the same at RA. Only track that really equals them out is CMP. On the plus side the maintenance is a joke compare to P-Cars.

I'd still look at E36 M3 cars if you'll be doing DEs mainly - great car and relatively inexpensive.

ukrbmw

Forgot to mention - when you compare a 996 car to a well driven SM - they may run similar times but in very different ways, so again nobody to play with which kills the fun of the DE environment.

AllanJ

Three of my friends have M3s and they love them. They also have traqmates and are always comparing data and they have a great time.

I really like the idea of a Spec Miata over a street Miata though. All ready for racing (if) you decide to go that route down the road.

Mr Michael B

Sure, as said above per me ...It may not be a Zo6 but... I dunno where the Zo6 reference came from anyhow. Its more of a Mustang eater really. although they are known to snack on regular Corvettes I guess.

Anyhow Dell fine sir my last input on this is:

Here is a photo of the most used tool in my Spec Miata trailer and tool box each & every racing weekend. Come to the dark side my friend - and enjoy.

himself

Yup, exactly my point. It can be driven fast, but it's not a fast car. We all know you can drive fast or you can buy fast. Sometimes you get both, and those folks are all on TV driving for a living

-td

mooty

i have had 944, BSR, E36m3 and SM on track when i used to track more than i work.....
and as you all know i HATE BMW's.
with that in mind, i would still say E36M3 is the way to go....
however, there are many "KINDS" of E36M3's. a "stock" one aint gonna do it. you can wax lyric about this or that, but if you are remotely fast (which you are), a stock E36m3 is VERY frustrating. ask the bimmerheads here.

cfjan

Mooty,

I see that you got a '05 S2000 for sale.. how come we don't see people listing S2000 as affordable DE cars? Seems to fit all the criteria.. (good handling, RWD, most likely reliable, and it is 2x as much power as a N/A Miata, etc.) Just curious.. not a good track platform??

mooty

most ppl dont understand s2000.
it's not good handling, NSX is.
it takes a lot of skills to drive s2000 fast. short wheelbase and very narrow power band, it's very fast but you need to be VERY good driver.

reliable, that engine is more sophisticated than GT3 and more durable too.
it's one hell of AMAZING motor.

but all my friends are rose glassed to drive porsche, thus i either lose the s2000 or lose my friends. thus. honda goes.

OH, s2000 is associated with the image of fast and furious. old fart like us look stupid in it.

cfjan

But would be a good DE car to learn how to drive, I'd think.. maybe need a cage (since it is convertible) to be safe...