Parting with my GT3 - Racing Yellow
06-07-2016, 09:47 PM
#16
Pro
Thread Starter
Absolutely. If anything, the complaint is that the new Miata is too soft. I F'd mine up with coilovers and more spring rate so it's quite a bit rougher on the street, but it is pretty impressive on track in every way except, of course, power.
06-07-2016, 09:58 PM
#18
Race Director
GLWS- I weekend warrior my car on the streets and traded my GT3 for a GT4. Ended up a great decision for me. Light, nimble, MANUAL- Perfect drivers car. Everyone must do what suits them.
06-07-2016, 10:51 PM
#19
Pro
Thread Starter
That's awfully hard to say. I suppose there is a little bit of that for me, as both my viper and my Miata have manual transmissions and you just have to engage more to use the cars. For some odd reason, when I drove the PDK I was never sure what gear I was in and always had to look at the gear indicator.. When I'm in a manual, I always know what dear I'm in, because I put it there. On track, when going for optimal lap time, no doubt the PDK is the equipment to use. But when enjoying the subjective pleasure of driving, even on track, it's nice to operate a manual transmission and do it well
06-07-2016, 10:54 PM
#20
Banned
That's awfully hard to say. I suppose there is a little bit of that for me, as both my viper and my Miata have manual transmissions and you just have to engage more to use the cars. For some odd reason, when I drove the PDK I was never sure what gear I was in and always had to look at the gear indicator.. When I'm in a manual, I always know what dear I'm in, because I put it there. On track, when going for optimal lap time, no doubt the PDK is the equipment to use. But when enjoying the subjective pleasure of driving, even on track, it's nice to operate a manual transmission and do it well
06-11-2016, 06:53 PM
#21
GLWS. That is a very beautiful car. Every time I see a yellow one ai like them more.
Very interesting feedback on the Miata. We test drove one a couple of months ago and thought it was incredibly good.
Very interesting feedback on the Miata. We test drove one a couple of months ago and thought it was incredibly good.
06-11-2016, 11:34 PM
#22
Race Director
have you considered its sister car, the abarth 124.. stiffer springs and suspension, same engine, better exhaust note.. slightly longer overhangs.. great design throwback.
06-12-2016, 11:23 AM
#23
Three Wheelin'
Originally Posted by CAlexio
have you considered its sister car, the abarth 124.. stiffer springs and suspension, same engine, better exhaust note.. slightly longer overhangs.. great design throwback.
06-13-2016, 12:57 PM
#26
Pro
Thread Starter
Yesterday I drove the Miata and the ACR-E back to back, 2 sessions each at MSR on the 3.1 mile configuration. I have to say both had their excellent points. The ACR is of course much, much faster, but you have to baby the tires in front and I have found that I have to pit 2x per session as the tires will increase 10-12 psi over the session and if you go out with 25 psi cold, you will destroy the inside and outside shoulders, so I go out at 30, stop after 3 laps (fronts up to 37 psi!), bleed down to 32-33, stop after another three laps (back up to 36-37), bleed down to 34 and go for rest of session, but if you develop a push, DO NOT manhandle the car or ba-bye front tires (I am on my third set).
The Miata, just bolt on the 15 x 7 wheels and the R888s from my 1990 Miata Track car (yes, back to the old 4-lug bolt pattern), set tires to 30 psi cold and hammer it as hard as I can for 30 min straight. Coolant stays under 210, and the handling is sublime. I even had the distinct pleasure of passing a less experienced driver in his Cayman GT4. Consumables cost is probably 10-20% of the Viper and it's a worry-free car given the low price of entry. I've put $3K in mods for springs, shocks and brakes on the car and consider it "done" for now. I'd like to add power, but my experience in the past is that cooling and reliability tradeoffs can make the car overall less enjoyable, so I don't plan to be an early adopter on the power adders.
06-14-2016, 01:13 AM
#29
Burning Brakes
The Miata, just bolt on the 15 x 7 wheels and the R888s from my 1990 Miata Track car (yes, back to the old 4-lug bolt pattern), set tires to 30 psi cold and hammer it as hard as I can for 30 min straight. Coolant stays under 210, and the handling is sublime. I even had the distinct pleasure of passing a less experienced driver in his Cayman GT4. Consumables cost is probably 10-20% of the Viper and it's a worry-free car given the low price of entry. I've put $3K in mods for springs, shocks and brakes on the car and consider it "done" for now. I'd like to add power, but my experience in the past is that cooling and reliability tradeoffs can make the car overall less enjoyable, so I don't plan to be an early adopter on the power adders.
06-14-2016, 02:32 AM
#30
Rennlist Member
I am considering one as well but not for the track. I drove the new one when it first came out and it was a really fun drive. The body roll was excessive though. If I got one I'd have to get rid of my jag f type convertible and I'm not sure I can do that yet. It has the best sounding stock exhaust ever, the power is great and has controllable tail happiness I love. We'll see...