Spec Boxster vs. Miata
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: DFW
I moved from SM to SPB about 5 years ago. One thing I would suggest is if you are racing you look into what race options and tech support you have near you. In Texas there are a ton of choices either way but that is not the case everywhere. If you are just doing DE the lack of power in the SM becomes a bit wearing and I suspect has only gotten worse as more and more high horsepower cars show up.
On the costs I did not see the huge difference mentioned in earlier posts unless you want to go with $10k SM and run near the back all the time. The built SMs are not nearly as durable as the stock ones but they are a faster. I have found SPB to be really reliable (as are SM) and only higher costs have been a few brake pads and I suspect tires are a bit more $$. Body repair will most likely be much lower if racing with the SPB and on race weekends you get a lot more track time with PCA than SCCA / NASA in my experience.
On the costs I did not see the huge difference mentioned in earlier posts unless you want to go with $10k SM and run near the back all the time. The built SMs are not nearly as durable as the stock ones but they are a faster. I have found SPB to be really reliable (as are SM) and only higher costs have been a few brake pads and I suspect tires are a bit more $$. Body repair will most likely be much lower if racing with the SPB and on race weekends you get a lot more track time with PCA than SCCA / NASA in my experience.
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,859
Likes: 250
From: New England
One thing I didnt see mentioned by anyone is how well you fit in the car. I am 6'2" and have never sat in a Spec Miata I would have felt safe in racing. My helmet literally was resting on a cage bar in every car I have sat in. I only just fit in my SPB safely and even then its quite an origami scene for me to get in and strapped up with the helmet blower on. I have the seat sitting on the floor in the SPB and only just get enough head room. In a Spec Miata, I look at the top of the windshield
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,526
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From: East Coast
I have sat in your car when it was on the east coast. My seat is lower
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,859
Likes: 250
From: New England
Sure, can post up some tomorrow. My harness bar is on the firewall and at the correct height. Custom side mounts on Oem Porsche floor. Cushion still in, Recaro Hans seat. The seat is very upright (how I like it) half inch further back and maybe a half inch lower and I would be in the perfect spot, but it's not bad now.
I have sat in your car when it was on the east coast. My seat is lower
I have sat in your car when it was on the east coast. My seat is lower
Since you sat in it I moved to custom floor mounts and a new seat (larger), the harness bar on the cage hasn't changed.
My car is also a piggy, I am 100lbs over with reasonable ending fuel loads, cool shirt, and my 200lb frame.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,176
Likes: 1
From: Houston
While conceding that it can be pretty frustrating to be passed on the straight only to be held up badly in turns, a Spec Miata is still quite a lot of fun to DE. A Spec Boxster is a more fun DE car because it has more power, but that doesn't mean you wouldn't have fun in a Miata.
At least at the DE's I go to, there are usually several Spec Miatas. We often play together.
At least at the DE's I go to, there are usually several Spec Miatas. We often play together.
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,183
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From: Durham, NC
SPEC Miata (the 1990-2004) cars are not fun at DE and generally not streetable. Buying one of the later MX-5s, especially with a 2.5 MZR motor, totally different conversation.
Doesn't sound like you're going wheel to wheel racing, just to track days... correct?
Buy another performance based sports car, add safety equipment, and have fun. When you're fully addicted and want to go RACING (not DE), then rent before buying.
Doesn't sound like you're going wheel to wheel racing, just to track days... correct?
Buy another performance based sports car, add safety equipment, and have fun. When you're fully addicted and want to go RACING (not DE), then rent before buying.
If it has a 2.5 someone swapped the motor or built the motor up. 2006+ miata are 2.0 as are the newest ND chassis.
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 655
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From: Boston, MA
Wow, this turned out to be quite a lively conversation, and went many directions I didn't really expect. I'm not yet a hardcore racer, so some of the considerations around buying a $50K Miata/etc. are well beyond what I'd consider.
I wanted to thank Drew in particular, as I think your answer really got right to the heart of my question.
Where I think I've ended up is on the E36 M3 and doing what some other have suggested -- adding safety gear, suspension, and tires (in that order) and we'll see where I end up.
Given my goals (have fun, feel cool, and work my way up the racing ladder to GT3s hopefully eventually), what do people think of this plan?
I wanted to thank Drew in particular, as I think your answer really got right to the heart of my question.
In your situation, I wouldn't necessarily buy either car. It sounds like your plan is to buy a stock street car and then eventually build it to a race car. While that sounds great in theory, it's the most expensive and time consuming way to get there. Plus, it also sounds like you're just starting out your track career. You may have wheel to wheel racing as a goal, but you might decide it isn't for you.
Instead, I would open up your list to any type of streetable track car. I would keep the Miata and Boxster on the list, but consider others as well. Buy a car that you actually like. Learn on that for a while. If you decide to go racing, buy a fully prepped race car rather than build it yourself.
Until you have a tow vehicle and trailer, one thing I don't like about the Miata and Boxster is limited cargo capacity unless you tow a tire trailer. Something like an E36 M3, just as an example, can carry a set of extra wheels and more tools.
Instead, I would open up your list to any type of streetable track car. I would keep the Miata and Boxster on the list, but consider others as well. Buy a car that you actually like. Learn on that for a while. If you decide to go racing, buy a fully prepped race car rather than build it yourself.
Until you have a tow vehicle and trailer, one thing I don't like about the Miata and Boxster is limited cargo capacity unless you tow a tire trailer. Something like an E36 M3, just as an example, can carry a set of extra wheels and more tools.
Given my goals (have fun, feel cool, and work my way up the racing ladder to GT3s hopefully eventually), what do people think of this plan?
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 113
From: East Coast
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,505
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From: PA
Where I think I've ended up is on the E36 M3 and doing what some other have suggested -- adding safety gear, suspension, and tires (in that order) and we'll see where I end up.
Given my goals (have fun, feel cool, and work my way up the racing ladder to GT3s hopefully eventually), what do people think of this plan?
Given my goals (have fun, feel cool, and work my way up the racing ladder to GT3s hopefully eventually), what do people think of this plan?
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