need mx5 advice

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Mon Dec 29, 2008 11:22 am

Hello all, hope that Christmas was wonderful for everyone. I had a nice time myself w/ all of the family. Speaking of that, I'm an uncle again as my brother had his second child. He's happy to finally have a boy now.

Anyway, getting back on track, I need some advice. I've heard from the mustang, s2000 and subi guys about cars and now I'm looking for advice on the newer mx5's. Contemplating one and I know I can fit if Mike Miller can drive one! Anything I need to look for or stay away from? There are some '06's on cars.com that are in my price point.

Advice?

RobLupella · **Posted:** Mon Dec 29, 2008 11:39 am

Sit in Mike's, or someone elses. Everyone is built different and has a different driving style. If it ain't close to comfortable, don't buy it. If you are even thinking about going on track, check to see where your pumpkin is relative to the top of the car.

You may also want to look at the Solstice/Sky as they may be a bit biggerer.

Just my $.02

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Mon Dec 29, 2008 11:46 am

RodneyWright wrote:

Anyway, getting back on track, I need some advice. I've heard from the mustang, s2000 and subi guys about cars and now I'm looking for advice on the newer mx5's. Contemplating one and I know I can fit if Mike Miller can drive one! Anything I need to look for or stay away from? There are some '06's on cars.com that are in my price point.

Advice?

Sit in one with the top up and your helmet on. Chances are (if you plan to track it) you won't fit. I know people say that you can get low enough if you are tall, but Bernie has his seat bolted right to the floor and I still don't fit (legally) with a helmet on.

BriceJohnson · **Joined:** Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:33 am **Posts:** 2230

theres a BIG difference between the newer MX5's and Bernie's miata though

Robert Goodwin · **Posted:** Mon Dec 29, 2008 1:28 pm

I'm 6'5" and drove an MX-5 with Skip Barber. Although it was their
"big boy car" with the seat bolted way back and low, my head still hit
the cage on drivers left. If I had flipped it, my head woulg have
extended (with g forces) beyond the confines of the cage. Don't
forget that while slumping to fit you might be O.K. but in a rollover...
FWIW my measurement from the floor to the top of my helmet is 39".
Good luck.

Eric Peterson · **Joined:** Mon Sep 01, 2003 10:24 am **Posts:** 494

Rodney,

If you get one definitely get a version that allows you to put the MSR package on, then you'll have one of the hot setups for C Stock. TWithout the MSR, then your car is not competitive. I've heard the cars are easy to drive with the MSR pack and they are obviously fast and have reasonable low end grunt for a small sportscar. Those cars lauched like stink at the Pros.

Good luck,
Eric

David Spratte · **Posted:** Mon Dec 29, 2008 8:40 pm

When they were announced I heard about all the additional room and ended up being disappointed when I sat in it. YMMV.

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Mon Dec 29, 2008 10:18 pm

I believe for CS autocross use you have to have a 2007 *only* if you want to put the MSR package on it. Cue the rules-maker-haters here.

I'm not sure how big you are, but in stock form the headroom ain't so good. Saini is close to 6'4" and fit in an MX-5 Cup car and those cages do let the factory hard top fit, but those seats are on the floor and all the way back with no sliders for HIM to fit. I am 6'2" and need one with no sliders, too, really.

I've never been in one with a stock seat and a helmet except for a passenger seat in an MX-5 and let me tell you, I felt TALL. I don't think I was under the top of the cage. But I was doing just a couple hot laps with Saini on a private track in a car with a sick motor. And I was still full of PH3AR!11!!

--Donnie

steve remchak · **Posted:** Mon Dec 29, 2008 11:11 pm

Z3M cou-paye Rodney. lest you forget your roots.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Tue Dec 30, 2008 12:26 am

steve remchak wrote:

Z3M cou-paye Rodney. lest you forget your roots.

Seriously thought about the z3, but in talking w/ Dave Davis, there's that damn rear subframe tear out issue. While the car will be basically stock, I'm having a hard time getting around that issue. He also said the z4's were worse.

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Tue Dec 30, 2008 7:15 am

RodneyWright wrote:

Seriously thought about the z3, but in talking w/ Dave Davis, there's that damn rear subframe tear out issue. While the car will be basically stock, I'm having a hard time getting around that issue. He also said the z4's were worse.

There is soooo much humor in there I don't even know where to start.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Tue Dec 30, 2008 8:01 am

Ryan Holton wrote:

RodneyWright wrote:

Seriously thought about the z3, but in talking w/ Dave Davis, there's that damn rear subframe tear out issue. While the car will be basically stock, I'm having a hard time getting around that issue. He also said the z4's were worse.

There is soooo much humor in there I don't even know where to start.

Ditto!

Chuck Frank · **Posted:** Wed Dec 31, 2008 12:11 pm

I fit in my 99 without issue and my helmet just cleared the "broomstick" with the HDHC bar. My helmet would rub on the top when up unless I tightened the shoulder harness real tight, I'm 6'2". The fabric seats sit lower than the leather seats.
The Solstice is a lot roomier than the Miata, but you need to get a late 2007 or later to get the electric seat height adjustment standard. Again the fabric seats sit slightly lower than the leather.
IMHO The Sol is a lot less expensive to set up competitively for CS than the Miata especially by the time you buy the MSR package. (This going to get flack, but there were no MSR package delivered, all were converted from trunk packages, and they were very few done. I'd check to see if the trunk package is still available for the 07 before buying one to convert. AFAIK the package was assembled by and only available from Mazdaspeed. Not trying to start anopther controversy, just giving a heads up since the "option" was mentioned.)

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Wed Dec 31, 2008 12:26 pm

The Solstice is a better value and looks a lot better IMHO than the new MX-5. For autocrossing, unless you were chasing a National Championship, the Solstice is the best pick for the local autocrosser/track day car... although, I don't know about the rollbar options for it.

I do think the MS-R optioned MX-5 is the top dog for CS, but I think the Solstice in the right hands can still get it done for a jacket.. and with GM struggling, zero % financing is likely available as well. - AB

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Wed Dec 31, 2008 12:59 pm

Chuck Frank wrote:

I fit in my 99 without issue and my helmet just cleared the "broomstick" with the HDHC bar. My helmet would rub on the top when up unless I tightened the shoulder harness real tight, I'm 6'2".

If your helmet rubs the top then how do you pass the broomstick test? The height of the rollbar is generally not equal to the A-pillars. That means the broomstick would actually angle down as it goes from the top of the A-pillars to the top of the roll bar. The covertible top goes up slightly in a domed fashion which is how I can drive mine without my head rubbing with the top up. If I had on a helmet, no way I could fit. That is why I ran the first Greenville event (it was cold as balls) with the top down.

I don't know the difference (headroom-wise) between the NA and NB Miata, but in Bernie's NA, even with the seat bolted to the floor, I wouldn't pass the broomstick test. I'm 6'-2" as well.

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