Cal Club Autocross Forums

Hey guys, I've been talking to some of you and asking a lot of questions so I can try to decide what my next autocross car will be. (No, I'm not going to autox the Matrix after this year. ) And it looks like a Miata might be the car to fit my needs. So my question for all you Miata drivers is: what year and type Miata should I be looking at? I want to run SK2 next year, then eventually I want to run STR or stock. I have heard that the '99 is the quickest. And I have also heard great things about the '07 converted to MSR. Input and other ideas will be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

Your best bang for the buck by far is the NA (90-97) It goes in E-Stock (all) and STS (when equipped with open or viscous rear diff).

The NBs (99-06)have unfortunately gone by the wayside for the most part, as they have been outclassed in C-stock by the NC (2006-present), are not eligible for STS, and are seen as too slow for STR.

The NC is a solid competitor in C-stock and STR.

If you start with a cheap NA, the car would not hold you back. Properly equipped it could be top dog in all of the solo categories. ES, STS, CSP, DP...Mod?

Which Miata:

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/articles/mazda-miata/

Sebastian Rios wrote:Your best bang for the buck by far is the NA (90-97) It goes in E-Stock (all) and STS (when equipped with open or viscous rear diff).

The NBs (99-06)have unfortunately gone by the wayside for the most part, as they have been outclassed in C-stock by the NC (2006-present), are not eligible for STS, and are seen as too slow for STR.

The NC is a solid competitor in C-stock and STR.

If you start with a cheap NA, the car would not hold you back. Properly equipped it could be top dog in all of the solo categories. ES, STS, CSP, DP...Mod?

All sounds good to me except the Mod. part; so far, Mod. Miatas get slaughtered in Mod.

That's why I put a ? after mod. I've never seen one do well in Mod either.

A Miata won E-Mod once, but that was before Kiesel built the Sprite.

Jeff Cawthorne's STR miata is for sale. Would be a great place to start if you want to run STR. No changes necessary - just work on your driving, knowing you have a proven winner in your stable.

Technically a MX-5, not a Miata

Mazda didn't actually drop the Miata name like they said they were going to in 2005.

KJ Christopher wrote:Jeff Cawthorne's STR miata is for sale. Would be a great place to start if you want to run STR. No changes necessary - just work on your driving, knowing you have a proven winner in your stable.

What KJ said.

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John Stimson wrote:Mazda didn't actually drop the Miata name like they said they were going to in 2005.

It's kind of odd...they did drop "Miata" for a year or two, but then they brought it back. I question Mazda's logic in dropping the Miata name, even if only briefly. There's so much brand equity and feel-good karma there...

BTW, every Miata I looked at tonight on AutoTrader that was being sold by a dealer was overpriced compared to what NADAGuides.com says. Search was for 2002-2005s.

Thanks everybody for all the info!! Definitely a help! Please keep the opinions/suggestions coming if there are any more!

Ahem...

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Thanks for the link Max! I don't know if I'm ready to buy this soon though.

Am I correct in thinking that a 5 speed is better for autoX?

Matt Cipolla wrote:Thanks for the link Max! I don't know if I'm ready to buy this soon though.

Am I correct in thinking that a 5 speed is better for autoX?

All NAs are 5 speed, and generally yes, they are better for AX.