Advice on which NB to buy for autox/daily?

I'm on the "must get a Miata" rampage and am seeking a little feedback from the peeps here who autocross stock NBs. Since I've had two NAs I wanted to go newer this time 'round, but I kinda don't want a 99-00. It's going to be a daily driver too so I want the VVT and some options (a/c, cruise, power stuff). What years/option packages are best? 15s or 16s? 5 or 6 speed?

I need to make a decision fairly soon since I must order Falkens that I won from Discount/SCCA (thanks Todd!). Don't worry, this doesn't mean I'm selling the beloved Shaggin' Wagon Mk II. Thanks in advance for any help.

The stock NB has some very tough competition in CS. Not a lot of AX'ers still running stock NB's for that reason...I can't think of anyone left on the forum who still does.

I would run it in the paxed street tire class with SCCA/ER. Plus NTAXS and the BMW/Porsche clubs don't use SCCA classing. I really don't want to buy race tires.

Just an FYI - I own a 2002 Miata (bought new in 2001) with VVT in its stock form has to have Premium fuel or it knocks. If you put the cheap stuff in it the computer limits timing to the point your willing to buy it premium fuel. It also doesn't sip fuel at a Miata like rate but a lot of that has to do with the way my wife drives it.

The Six speed in it is OK but I prefer a 5-Speed 2nd gear on the 6-Speed is short IMHO. It is an LS so it has all the bells and whistles and has been a good daily driver for my wife.

It had the 16" wheels but those went away a few years ago since we switched to the more TCB 15" rims. So it isn't stock class eligible currently but I think it would get owned if it was. ;-)

My '99 sport was the bomb but the CS re class wasn't going to do it any favors so we went our separate ways (aka. I sold it)

I'd low-ball this guy if it were me! ;)
http://www.dfwmiata.com/showthread.p...1996-M-Edition

15" wheels and ABS for AX....plus has all the bells & whistles (cruise, etc) to make it DD friendly too.

I like my 2005 MSM, but it does require premium and I don't take it autocrossing, so I am unsure of the restrictions put on it for the Turbo.

Thanks for the replies everyone, but I'm looking more along the lines of "the 15 inch wheels make second gear too short for most autox courses" or "the 6 speed gearbox/diff is perfect". Again - I'm not going to run 'er in CS. I really don't want another NA (esp not a blue one, mine were both black) since I like the NB interiors much better and just want something different than what I've already owned. And silver is my all time favorite car color. Even a damn minivan can possibly come close to looking not-quite-so-puke-inducing when it's silver.

LOL let us know exactly what responses you want us to post and we should be able to help! :rolleyes:

NB1 seats suck... NB2 seats are "ok".

Make sure you get a limited slip. After I installed a torsen in my 00 it was a night and day difference. Even though I went from 4.3:1 to 4.1:1 the car feels way faster.

An NB with a suspension would be a lot of fun in STR. Not Nationally competitive, but just fine locally.

Maybe a 10AE, since we do not have enough of those around? ;)

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Originally Posted by jrj512

Maybe a 10AE, since we do not have enough of those around? ;)

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I will be selling mine eventually, gotta wait til the house sells. ::Rant::

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Originally Posted by jrj512

An NB with a suspension would be a lot of fun in STR. Not Nationally competitive, but just fine locally.

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Based on how surprisingly slow STR has been the NB might be the car to have!

The NB is hard to beat when it comes to parts availability, aftermarket and reliability/age. They really range in price; some people thinkt hey are still worth big $$. Don't rule out the NC, as you can find them pretty close to $10k if you search around, especially in the 5-speed.

One advantage to the pre-VVT NB's is the ability to play with the ECU.

I have an 01 LS and a 99 and they both drive differently.
Both are used for DD/fun and both are 5-speed. I like how far 2nd gear is able to go.
Both have the 15" rims. 99 has Bose, leather etc.

Even for daily use I definitely prefer 205/50 for the tires. (there goes stock lol)

As far as the 01 VVT requiring premium, the sticker says recommended and I never have problems with 87. I actually get 2 more mpg with 87.

I will say that for some reason, the 99 feels faster. It seems to rev quicker.

If you don't want to have to worry about speed bumps etc, the 99 lip is much better in that area. As careful as I am, my 01's lip is all scraped up.

Definitely get the limited slip.

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Originally Posted by OZMDD

One advantage to the pre-VVT NB's is the ability to play with the ECU.

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News to me. I guess I'll have to take the supercharger off my car since I can't play with the ECU. :rolleyes:

Didn't say you couldn't do it on VVT cars, but my understanding is that it is easier on the non-VVT. By all means, boost away.

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Originally Posted by OZMDD

Didn't say you couldn't do it on VVT cars, but my understanding is that it is easier on the non-VVT. By all means, boost away.

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The non-VVT cars just make more horsepower when boosted from what I've seen. Not sure how correct my observation is though..

I think he needs a '94 LT-1 corvette!

And I know just where he can find one! :D

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Originally Posted by brandonmpace

The non-VVT cars just make more horsepower when boosted from what I've seen. Not sure how correct my observation is though..

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I don't know where you are taking your observations or where Mike thinks that non-VVT is easier. The only real difference is intake manifold was revised and the added VVT which just adds MORE tunability. Everything I've seen the VVT has a slight edge if you use it right. IMO I wouldn't care if it has VVT or not cause it really doesn't change anything much. If you let the stock ecu control the VVT then tuning them is exactly the same exercise.