128/Exocet dilemma

[gixracer]

Dilemma time. I have a 128 sport that’s been well modified and has been a great driver but has also been my track car for about 2-3 days a year. I’m 6’4 and put a fixed seat in for the last track day and loved it even more.
I also have an Race framed Exocet Miata project that was supposed to be my track car full time. This was supposed to be the more fun of the two cars.
My 128 has now popped bondo on the outside of the right rear fender and needs to be fixed. Damage was never reported on car fax and I’m pissed off. I like the safety of a full car but the Exocet expenses/ consumable will be cheaper. I haven’t finished the Exocet yet but am contemplating selling it before my build choices(colors and options) make it too personalized.
The question is do I stay with the Exocet and finish it or broom it to the curb. If I broom it the 128 will get an lsd and 17’ with dedicated r compounds( faster than the 260 treadwears)
Hive thoughts? I want to do more days and up it to 4-5 a year. Not racing, been there done that with motorcycles.

[mabrahams]

I think you are going to get people who stick with the 1 on a 1 series forum. The Miata would be fun however depending on how much you risk it at the track, safety is somewhat of a concern depending on how well the exo was developed.

200 t/w tires now a days are really good compared to full fledge r-comps; and might be a good compromise.

I think it just depends on your budget. I do know that LSD hurdle is an expensive one and you might be better off with track time.

But I hear you on the dilemma... you can see there are only a few of us left doing dedicated track or AutoX...

[SKI-R]

Drove some hot laps in an older Spec Miata (not an Exocet, I know) on the Musselman Honda track in Tucson last December.....it was fine, but felt entirely momentum based (anemic)....although the 1er is no monster either, it does feel much more engaging to me. I've also done the race motorcycle program, so similar frame of reference.

The crux as I see it is whether you'll be able to accept the undisclosed damage/repair of the 1 without it driving you bonkers!

Kinda wish I had your dilemma 😋

[iminhell1]

Exocet, 100%.
But depending on what powerplant you're going with may matter. The miata 1.6/1.8 aren't real fun in the speed sense.
But when you throw 5 times the power at it, it gets real fun.
Local guy to me,

[Ginger_Extract]

Miata
Is
Always
The
Answer

[gixracer]

Thanks for the replies. The Exocet is slated to get powder coated next week. It’s a tough situation cause I love the 128 and am still wondering about the potential of the exo.

[chris_flies]

Exocet. I’m a 128i fanboy through and through, but I think there is nothing better to go out and have fun with than a Miata that’s even cheaper to run, and has no weight. I talked with a guy who has one, and he’s been on the same set of 200TW tires for four years, and the same brake pads since it was a Miata.

The 128i is entirely a slave to it’s excessive weight. As stupidly light as the engine itself is, the body is made of thick German steel, the interior is stuffed with noise insulation, and the suspension is crammed full of cheap rubber bushings and crappy stamped steel arms in the rear. It eats through brake pads and tires like it’s at a buffet, and isn’t too great on fuel either. An Exocet does none of that.

[lowside67]

Perhaps I can be the lone dissenting voice. There is no argument that the Exocet is going to be faster and cheaper to run BUT the idea of having a garage spot, insurance, more wheels/tires, and generally another car to deal with for a few track days a year is very expensive and kind of a pain. I'd personally be more inclined to just track my DD if I truly had no intention to race and just wanted to do a few fun days a year.

-Mark

[mabrahams]

Originally Posted by lowside67

Perhaps I can be the lone dissenting voice. There is no argument that the Exocet is going to be faster and cheaper to run BUT the idea of having a garage spot, insurance, more wheels/tires, and generally another car to deal with for a few track days a year is very expensive and kind of a pain. I'd personally be more inclined to just track my DD if I truly had no intention to race and just wanted to do a few fun days a year.

-Mark

Yup.

[Driven5]

Are you looking to have an apple or an orange? One is a totally impractical, fair weather, awesomely ridiculous street/track toy. The other is a practical, all-weather, moderately sporty street car.

Alternatively, 128i powered Exocet?

[tsk94]

If you're only doing 2-3 track days a year/season, and might be going to 4-5, I say stick with a street car. I don't know if the cost savings from the exocet warrant the inconvenience it is compared to a street car. A lightly modified 128i are a ton of fun on track. The exocet will be faster, but will it be more fun? I don't know - that will vary person to person.

[gixracer]

Originally Posted by Driven5

Are you looking to have an apple or an orange? One is a totally impractical, fair weather, awesomely ridiculous street/track toy. The other is a practical, all-weather, moderately sporty street car.

Alternatively, 128i powered Exocet?

thought about an n20 for a hot second

autocrossed the 1M3 today and was happy with it but good golly its a handful with 4yo PSS's.
the exocet will probably get built. since i started this thread i decided to get a new house built.4 car garage with 15ft ceilings. the 128 had to get a new windshield and will get some paint love this winter. Still have some time this year for another event with the 128.

[Driven5]

Congrats on the new shop with attached living space. Unless you also are a cold/wet weather motorcycle rider, I wouldn't be surprised if your 128i still sees the occasional track day even after building an Exocet...But that'll probably be more than compensated by the reduction in fair weather street usage it will see then too.

Originally Posted by tsk94

A lightly modified E70 X5 3.0 are a ton of fun on track. The 128i will be faster, but will it be more fun? I don't know - that will vary person to person.

Fixed to provide context for those who have never driven anything even remotely like an Exocet.

[tsk94]

Originally Posted by Driven5

Fixed to provide context for those who have never driven anything even remotely like an Exocet.

Not sure if that's the best comparison for context but I see your point now.

[gixracer]

Exocet went bye bye.

Bought back a 128 slicktop I had sold a while back. Got a crashed Msport 11’ 135 6mt and swapped it in, full harness swap, airbag delete and interior gut.A custom half cage is going in in a couple weeks. Got six coils in with some brake upgrades and the standard Apex wheels(17 in)

The Exocet just didn’t fit right and I had my safety concerns. At the end of the day the 1 series is an easy platform to work on. I’ll get a thread going on it soon

[tsk94]

Originally Posted by gixracer

Exocet went bye bye.

Bought back a 128 slicktop I had sold a while back. Got a crashed Msport 11’ 135 6mt and swapped it in, full harness swap, airbag delete and interior gut.A custom half cage is going in in a couple weeks. Got six coils in with some brake upgrades and the standard Apex wheels(17 in)

The Exocet just didn’t fit right and I had my safety concerns. At the end of the day the 1 series is an easy platform to work on. I’ll get a thread going on it soon

So did put the N52 in to the crashed 135, or the N54 from the crashed 135 in the 128 slicktop? Either way, good choice imo.

[gixracer]

N55 went into the slicktop. The 135 was too cooked and because I’m taller I have a thing for the slicks, got3of them now.

[One28i]

the E82 is a great parts bin chassis. if you sort out all the soft rubber bits with m3/1m parts, for the N52 folks with a manual put a 3.73 in the back (that my next mod) sticky tires and decent dampers and springs, this is a solid chassis for the money. yes the extra steel in the chassis is heavy, but think of it as a built in roll cage. last year in GTA, a kid drifted out of control in Brampton, flipped a couple of times, flew over a fence, hit a few cars on a quiet residential street, thank God no one was out just miracle, all the rims flew off the car, and the dude was able to walk away from the scene...

[One28i]

images of the aftermath. this event secured my mind that the chassis is pretty decent from a safety standpoint, as this can happen on the track. I don't know for sure, but suspect the soft RSFB with the added speed perhaps and limited skill / experience of the driver were factors. just glad all were okay, insurance will take car of the rest. #saveitforthetrack