A very tough choice for the driving enthusiast.

[grant]

Originally Posted by ducati

How does that MCS driving experience compare?

Front Wheel Drive does not compare well to RWD imho...

[mikeo]

Can you say t-o-r-q-u-e s-t-e-e-r?

[imported_MPower]

Originally Posted by grant

Front Wheel Drive does not compare well to RWD imho...

In comparison to my modified 2006 NC Miata, my new 2007 MCS handles much better. In fact, it was the handling of the MCS that won be over more than anything else.

[grant]

Originally Posted by MPower

In comparison to my modified 2006 NC Miata, my new 2007 MCS handles much better. In fact, it was the handling of the MCS that won be over more than anything else.

Then you're not driving them hard enough ;-)

Seriously, I know people who love FWD handling, and the MCS may be the finest example of that layout, but when you really push a car hard (like on the track), RWD is much more rewarding for me - I realize serious people can disagree though - makes the world go round :-)

Another thing to consider is that maybe the steering and other components of the MCS are superior. How would the MCS drive if the engine were in the back seat and was RWD (like the old Renault R5)? I bet it'd be a HUGE improvement (but less practical as a 2-seater).

[imported_MPower]

Originally Posted by grant

Then you're not driving them hard enough ;-)

Seriously, I know people who love FWD handling, and the MCS may be the finest example of that layout, but when you really push a car hard (like on the track), RWD is much more rewarding for me - I realize serious people can disagree though - makes the world go round :-)

Another thing to consider is that maybe the steering and other components of the MCS are superior. How would the MCS drive if the engine were in the back seat and was RWD (like the old Renault R5)? I bet it'd be a HUGE improvement (but less practical as a 2-seater).

You can criticize my driving all you want but your assumption that RWD is better than FWD in every circumstance is very ignorant. The MCS inspires more confidence than the NC did (even with the suspension modifications), and it has more grip despite smaller rubber. The NC was a good driving car but it had a very strange suspension setup that was too soft for serious driving, and a really boring engine. But that's just my opinion of two cars that I have owned. :wink:

[ducati]

Yeah, as the 911 guys I've lapped at PCA HPDE events what they think about FWD performance. (Integra Type R)

That said, I enjoy driving RWD more.

Glad to hear the mini's a hoot.

[atr_hugo]

MPower - I had a chance to drive an NC recently and it didn't feel as good as my NB. Just didn't seem to be as connected as the older Miata. Everyone I know who owns/drives an MCS loves them.

And for those Cooper fanactics out there - here's a shot of what greeted the folks being passed by Tim Webb's old Gulf livery Mini (he has subsequently sold the car - I took this at Hallett last year when ATR was ensconced with Burt Levy driving an ATR member's Elva Courier):

[mikeo]

So much for the "girlie car" argument.

[Klinn]

Originally Posted by MPower

The NC was a good driving car but it had a very strange suspension setup that was too soft for serious driving.

I seem to recall reading a Grassroots Motorsports comparision of the NC with the then-new Solistice, and they also were unhappy with the stock suspension. Just a bit too soft and uncontrolled. I'm hoping that, being a Mazdaspeed model, the suspension will be firmed up. Geez, now I've got two possible cars to keep me in suspense for months before they arrive, it's going to be a long winter. :biggrin: Maybe I should stop visiting all these cool forums.

[KingOfJericho]

You can buy my Lotus Exige

[imported_MPower]

Originally Posted by Klinn

I seem to recall reading a Grassroots Motorsports comparision of the NC with the then-new Solistice, and they also were unhappy with the stock suspension. Just a bit too soft and uncontrolled. I'm hoping that, being a Mazdaspeed model, the suspension will be firmed up. Geez, now I've got two possible cars to keep me in suspense for months before they arrive, it's going to be a long winter. :biggrin: Maybe I should stop visiting all these cool forums.

There are only a few cars that can get away with this, but when comparing a soft-top to a hard-top, the handling characteristics are always going to favor the hard-top because of rigidity. The problem with the NC is that no matter how good the suspension gets, the extra rigidity that comes with nearly every hard-top model is vastly preferred.

When you compare roadster to roadster, the NC's chassis holds up fairly well but even then, it wont set the world ablaze.

[ice13water]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

You can buy my Lotus Exige

ill give you my saved up 14 gs and my pc and any thing else i own

dont make fun of me for only having 14 gs cause im only 16

[Genericuser1]

Mmm 16yr old in an Exige thinking it's a good thing you wouldn't be able to afford it unless you are the most mature grown up 16year old on the planet. I know I would have off'd myself at that age with such a machine or a 135 too. Good thing I could only afford a ford escort

[grant]

Originally Posted by ducati

Yeah, as the 911 guys I've lapped at PCA HPDE events what they think about FWD performance. (Integra Type R)

As a 911 guy, I'd be impressed if you could lap me in your Type R. Not saying you couldn't - just that I'd be impressed if you could

[mikeo]

240 hp and 1900 lbs? I'm thinking there are not many who have lapped you period.

[aesthetect]

^no kidding

the Kabura reminds me of what the RX8 should have been, i hope it replaces it in some form of otto-cycle production version.

the more i think about it, esp given the points mentioned here, the MX5 is really the most direct competition for the 1 series. it and the STi, EVO and MCS being essentially all of the cars for people in that market.

friend of mine just sold his NB and bought a MX5 and his girlfriend has a MCS, cant wait til we take them all out for a spirited drive (i was hoping to while he still had both miatas). and +1 for the comment that miatas seem a lot faster when youre driving them than performance numbers suggest

[grant]

Originally Posted by mikeo

240 hp and 1900 lbs? I'm thinking there are not many who have lapped you period.

Can't say that I remember it happening ;-)

[Genericuser1]

Geez that thing must be a beast! How is the upkeep on it?

[1drive]

I like Miatas, What would be neat would be an Wankel in the Miata.

[grant]

Originally Posted by Design1stCode2nd

Geez that thing must be a beast! How is the upkeep on it?

Great! Most reliable car I've owned. Very simple (manual steering & brakes, etc.), so fewer things to break. And aircooled, so no water pump, radiator, coolant hoses, thermostat (other than oil thermostat) to break or leak...

It's so light that it goes through consummables on the track (tires, brakes, etc.) very slowly. For example, I am on my original brake rotors after 4 years and about 65 track days and 12k more miles on the street. They still have 90% of their meat left in the wear zone. Granted they are the Brembo 4-piston brakes and 2-piece rotors from the 930 Turbo, but I have never seen brakes last anywhere near this long at the track. New Porsche GT3's need to change rotors every 6 track days or so...

[ducati]

Originally Posted by grant

As a 911 guy, I'd be impressed if you could lap me in your Type R. Not saying you couldn't - just that I'd be impressed if you could

As you know, lap times are more about driver than car at the amateur level. At a PCA event, the quality of drivers is quite variable. I found it extremely easy to lap many 911, 944, and Boxster owners.

But I had a SEVERELY difficult time keeping up with 1 Boxster S and 1 or 2 911s. They'd walk on me every lap, until they disappeared in the distance.

I don't own the Type R anymore. It was a great car, though, and quite easy to drive very, very quickly through corners. The straights were a beyotch, tho.

[grant]

Originally Posted by ducati

As you know, lap times are more about driver than car at the amateur level.

Very true - I was lapping a Ferrari F430 every 5th lap at a recent event...