Replace Mazdaspeed Miata with.....?

No no... this isn't for me.

The guy that sold me the MSM has been having a hell of a time finding a replacement for this car. He sold it because it wasn't going to pass smog in CA again.

His criteria: 2 seater small vert sports car. Used is ok, but would like newer than the MSM.

He's trying to match the Miata as close as he can, he misses it terribly.

The catch: The miata had a Flyin' Miata Big Enchilada kit with an upgraded turbo. 245whp @ 13-14psi on 91 octane, fairly conservative tune.

He test drove a new Miata, and was very unimpressed with it. He's driven an S2000, and was similarly unimpressed, mainly with power. That said, i don't think he really wrung it out, so i can understand why he'd be unimpressed.

I believe he's also driven a Z4M, and wasn't turned on by it at all.

What else is there out there? I mentioned an Elise, but it's a bit "hardcore" for him to daily drive.

Any awesome ideas? He's not against modifying the car, as long as it stays simple bolt ons and is CARB legal.

I'm starting to feel bad for taking his ideal car from him.

Festiva.

running on 3 of the 4 cylinders.

That should be the right amount of power for a guy who wants far, far, far more power than he really needs. Well, i wonder if he needs it to impress others. Based on his lack of ideas for alternatives.

If he can't find real alternatives, I'm not so sure that help is something he really needs. There are ooldes of other high power cars out there.

Time for a Lotus Sevenesque car.

Not turned on by the Z4M, what about a Z3M coupe.

Love-hate looks but I like them.

This is the same problem i've having coming up with ideas. I can think of many things i would buy for the budget... but the "newer" and "convertible" really limit things.

Alfa, i'm not sure that the power is really the issue... i think it's more than he's unfairly comparing these cars he's test driving in stock form, to what is now my Miata.

He drove the car rather.... "spiritedly."

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: He test drove a new Miata, and was very unimpressed with it. He's driven an S2000, and was similarly unimpressed, mainly with power. That said, i don't think he really wrung it out, so i can understand why he'd be unimpressed.

I'd probably go for the Elise or Sevenesque, but you have to really be hardcore to drive something like that to work. You didn't mention the Solstice GXP, although they're fast I think the styling is really not aging well, and they seem less engaging to drive than you'd think.

Also, if he's going to do an S2000 test drive justice, he's got to drive the piss out of it (especially so if it was an AP1). That's one of my favorite things about the car, when I drive it to work off vtec, it feels a lot like a stock Miata, but every on-ramp run or high-rpm back-road hustle still make my hair stand on end.

In reply to 92CelicaHalfTrac:

So he wants 500hp/Viper kind of power/performance for Miata budget?

Still, if you ask me, he's looking to you so that he can have a "out" since the next car surely won't add up to the image that he's looking for.

Don't be an excuse for him. You are better than that.

(that's how I read his opinions, at least. I surely could be wrong)

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: Any awesome ideas?

Viper SRT-10

alfadriver wrote: In reply to 92CelicaHalfTrac: So he wants 500hp/Viper kind of power/performance for Miata budget? Still, if you ask me, he's looking to you so that he can have a "out" since the next car surely won't add up to the image that he's looking for. Don't be an excuse for him. You are better than that. (that's how I read his opinions, at least. I surely could be wrong)

Oh... no... Considering he was looking at newer Z4Ms... i'd say he's got $30-$40k. (Just as a ballpark.) He knows the best he'd do for what i paid him for the Miata would be an S2000 or maybe a ragged out Boxster.

He's a good guy, just not really a "car guy" like us. I gave him some input when i was out there, and he hadn't thought about a lot of the suggestions. He's not looking for an "out" or anything of the sort.

MCarp22 wrote:

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: Any awesome ideas?

Viper SRT-10

Heh, i just sent him an email with that suggestion, thank you.

my uncle just got one, he likes how complex the top is with umpteen motors driving it. (i countered with the simplicity of my miata, we had some funny comparisons)

if you can break him of the age thing a bit C5's are decent as well...

Hell, if you put the right one in, V8 miata should be legal in california. (e-rod package? will the exhaust parts fit? )

Only other thing I can think of is a Boxster S...
Or, if it's legal, Miata with a rotary swap. (2200-2500 lbs, 200+hp)

Even a non vert Corvette may fit the bill since the top does come off...

996 convertible?

I like all the suggestions so far, but since I like throwing wrenches in the mix

How about a Saturn Sky Redline? Then if he hasn't killed himself yet, he can swap in a LSA and do the job right.

the saturn looks better than the solstice.

I really agree with Apex and MW. Sounds like a vette may be for him

FlightService wrote: I like all the suggestions so far, but since I like throwing wrenches in the mix How about a Saturn Sky Redline? Then if he hasn't killed himself yet, he can swap in a LSA and do the job right.

I sent him that one, because the Solstice is fugly, but the Sky isn't.

I also think with the factory support on that thing, he'd be happy with the power, should have no problems being just as quick as the MSM, while retaining what might be left of the warranty these days.

I loathe GM

That being said, I would so own a Sky

I'd really suggest he'd have another look at an Elise. It depends a little on his commute but he might be pleasantly surprised.

In reply to alfadriver:

Did someone piss in your wheaties today or what? Geesh. I think you and I must've read the original post entirely differently.

BoxheadTim wrote: I'd really suggest he'd have another look at an Elise. It depends a little on his commute but he might be pleasantly surprised.

If I had the money, I would rock an elise for my commute. But I also drive a coilover suspended 318ti for my daily commute.. I am sure the Elise rides softer

If he's hung up on a roadster, Boxster S is the obvious choice, but the Cayman S would be my choice. The running joke at the local PCA chapter for the question "How fast will my 911 be at the auto-x?"... "About 2 seconds slower than a Cayman."

I may be the only one that likes the Solstice better than the Sky.

With that said, I've autox'd a Solstice GXP several times and every time I've come away impressed.

This is a Corvette solution.

FlightService wrote: I like all the suggestions so far, but since I like throwing wrenches in the mix How about a Saturn Sky Redline? Then if he hasn't killed himself yet, he can swap in a LSA and do the job right.

Heavy; nearly 3K curb weight. I'd rather have a C5 Corvette for another ~300 lbs (for the vert). A little less if you go with the targa top.

Cost isn't terribly different.