Can't say I do remember much of the 60's. A wide track does have a lot of advantages but I guess the disadvantages may not show up until car gets really wide compared to its length.
Thinking about a "fun" car -- Miata?
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Originally Posted By: IndyIan
Can't say I do remember much of the 60's. A wide track does have a lot of advantages but I guess the disadvantages may not show up until car gets really wide compared to its length.
2007 Solstice GXP
Wheelbase (in): 95.1
Track Width, Front (in): 60.7
Track Width, Rear (in): 61.4
1.56:1
2007 Mazda Miata
wheelbase (inches): 91.7
front track (inches): 58.7
rear track (inches): 58.9
1.56:1
That ratio looks pretty darn close to me!
With the same ratio, I'd take the extra width, personally.
(PS - I averaged front and rear track width to get the ratio, in case you're worried)
Can't say I do remember much of the 60's. A wide track does have a lot of advantages but I guess the disadvantages may not show up until car gets really wide compared to its length.
2007 Solstice GXP
Wheelbase (in): 95.1
Track Width, Front (in): 60.7
Track Width, Rear (in): 61.4
1.56:1
2007 Mazda Miata
wheelbase (inches): 91.7
front track (inches): 58.7
rear track (inches): 58.9
1.56:1
That ratio looks pretty darn close to me!
With the same ratio, I'd take the extra width, personally.
(PS - I averaged front and rear track width to get the ratio, in case you're worried)
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Interesting, I guess the GXP with the slightly wider rear track and much wider back tires looks much much wider. I'd never of guessed the miata's wheelbase is shorter too.
You should try an autocross with your car, as long as you don't go crazy its not too hard on the tires or the car. It's good fun if you don't take it too seriously, some guy with a $800 civic will beat you but after a few events you get up to speed.
I used to spank a lotus elise on raw times but now he leaves me in the dust... Not after adjusted times for classes but he's getting closer.
You should try an autocross with your car, as long as you don't go crazy its not too hard on the tires or the car. It's good fun if you don't take it too seriously, some guy with a $800 civic will beat you but after a few events you get up to speed.
I used to spank a lotus elise on raw times but now he leaves me in the dust... Not after adjusted times for classes but he's getting closer.
Thanks for the advice.
If I were to find out some areas around here to autocross I might definitely be interested in playing around with it.
Is there an easy way to find out locations near you?
We are circle-track folk around here, so I honestly don't know.
I will look into it though!
If I were to find out some areas around here to autocross I might definitely be interested in playing around with it.
Is there an easy way to find out locations near you?
We are circle-track folk around here, so I honestly don't know.
I will look into it though!
Maybe some SCCA events are near you? SCCA NC calender
Originally Posted By: IndyIan
Maybe some SCCA events are near you? SCCA NC calender
Thanks for that post.
Those aren't real close, but not too far away.
I will definitely have to keep these in mind! I appreciate it!
Maybe some SCCA events are near you? SCCA NC calender
Thanks for that post.
Those aren't real close, but not too far away.
I will definitely have to keep these in mind! I appreciate it!
Here's my car and a Miata that parks beside me every now and then at work:
I have a '93 with 107,000 miles on it which I purchased a few years ago when it had 95,000 miles. The previous owners were meticulous and had all the records; car was never driven in the rain. I paid $4500. The car is worth every penny....and MORE!
The first gen (referred to as the NA) are fantastic vehicles in every way. Easy to work on and modify, and an absolute blast to drive. I would not hesitate to buy one that has been cared for, whatever the generation. It is one of the most popular sports cars of all time, and for good reason. The folks over at miata.net are great, and there is loads of info there for you to use.
I change the oil every season with M1 5W-30 and a purolator pureone filter; and put it to bed for the Winter with supertech dino and a supertech filter.
Love the car and have absolutely no regrets about buying it.
The first gen (referred to as the NA) are fantastic vehicles in every way. Easy to work on and modify, and an absolute blast to drive. I would not hesitate to buy one that has been cared for, whatever the generation. It is one of the most popular sports cars of all time, and for good reason. The folks over at miata.net are great, and there is loads of info there for you to use.
I change the oil every season with M1 5W-30 and a purolator pureone filter; and put it to bed for the Winter with supertech dino and a supertech filter.
Love the car and have absolutely no regrets about buying it.
Originally Posted By: BeanCounter
Here's my car and a Miata that parks beside me every now and then at work:
I hate to say it but your car looks a bit "fat" compared to the miata. I guess it is a bit heavier too 3000ish lbs vs. 2500 for this gen miata and the first gen miata's weighed 2200lbs...
Anyways, I'm not bashing your car, I'd take one in a second, it just takes the convertible concept from a different angle than the miata. More absolute performance vs. driving pleasure.
Here's my car and a Miata that parks beside me every now and then at work:
I hate to say it but your car looks a bit "fat" compared to the miata. I guess it is a bit heavier too 3000ish lbs vs. 2500 for this gen miata and the first gen miata's weighed 2200lbs...
Anyways, I'm not bashing your car, I'd take one in a second, it just takes the convertible concept from a different angle than the miata. More absolute performance vs. driving pleasure.
Styling wise and to be more fair, the current model MX5 is far more modern and attractive looking than this one.
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Originally Posted By: IndyIan
I hate to say it but your car looks a bit "fat" compared to the miata. I guess it is a bit heavier too 3000ish lbs vs. 2500 for this gen miata and the first gen miata's weighed 2200lbs...
Anyways, I'm not bashing your car, I'd take one in a second, it just takes the convertible concept from a different angle than the miata. More absolute performance vs. driving pleasure.
It does appear that way in the picture, I agree. I thought of that as well. But really, I'm a tall and thin fellow and standing beside it the car doesn't look big at all. I doubt you'd think it felt fat inside, while it doesn't fit cramped (like the Miata might? I do not know...).
The Solstice comes in at a hair under 3,000 so yep, that is about right. As I've mentioned before, with almost exactly the same ratio of width to length, I think the slightly higher weight is distributed very nicely, just with more of a go pedal.
I'm sure the Miata feels nice with the small weight and reasonable setup though, so don't get me wrong.
I think you're right in that the car was aimed to be in the same category, but a little more performance oriented, hence the wider stance like some of the other performance vehicles in the GM lineup. I really enjoy the way the car drives, as it hugs the road going 45+ around very curvy roads with stock tires extremely well. I won't disagree with you here though.
I hate to say it but your car looks a bit "fat" compared to the miata. I guess it is a bit heavier too 3000ish lbs vs. 2500 for this gen miata and the first gen miata's weighed 2200lbs...
Anyways, I'm not bashing your car, I'd take one in a second, it just takes the convertible concept from a different angle than the miata. More absolute performance vs. driving pleasure.
It does appear that way in the picture, I agree. I thought of that as well. But really, I'm a tall and thin fellow and standing beside it the car doesn't look big at all. I doubt you'd think it felt fat inside, while it doesn't fit cramped (like the Miata might? I do not know...).
The Solstice comes in at a hair under 3,000 so yep, that is about right. As I've mentioned before, with almost exactly the same ratio of width to length, I think the slightly higher weight is distributed very nicely, just with more of a go pedal.
I'm sure the Miata feels nice with the small weight and reasonable setup though, so don't get me wrong.
I think you're right in that the car was aimed to be in the same category, but a little more performance oriented, hence the wider stance like some of the other performance vehicles in the GM lineup. I really enjoy the way the car drives, as it hugs the road going 45+ around very curvy roads with stock tires extremely well. I won't disagree with you here though.
Originally Posted By: andrewg
Styling wise and to be more fair, the current model MX5 is far more modern and attractive looking than this one.
By far, I agree.
I don't think I've seen an MX5 in my lot so I can't compare side by side. There is one a few blocks down from work that definitely looks nicer though.
In posting, I figured this model might be more common to the majority of Miata owners though...and it was convenient, of course, when they park beside me!
Styling wise and to be more fair, the current model MX5 is far more modern and attractive looking than this one.
By far, I agree.
I don't think I've seen an MX5 in my lot so I can't compare side by side. There is one a few blocks down from work that definitely looks nicer though.
In posting, I figured this model might be more common to the majority of Miata owners though...and it was convenient, of course, when they park beside me!
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