At the wheel of a Miata, the sentiment is amplified by a million percent. You certainly will not win a streetlight drag race but once the curve approaches, you will be braking much later, carrying more speed through the apex and blasting out the other end. Be certain that I am talking about a stock Miata now. This car can read into the driver's thoughts. It will carve into corners with little or no fuss, it is basically an extension of the driver's limbs.
My tester, on loan to me by my new best friend and collaborator, Amyot Bachand, is a little special. It has received a minor once-over with a few enhancements namely to the suspension, braking system, body (aerodynamic add-ons) and chassis (roll and sway bars). This car, although with limited powertrain modifications, feels faster, sounds better and has crisper handling than an original. This Miata is a perfect weekend track car. I wish it was mine...
For a nominal fee, the Miata can be made even sharper and for those that have a little more coin, they can get a Ford V8 shoehorned under the hood should they want to.
Once aboard
The cabin, if you can even call it that, is incredibly snug. Simply put, if you cannot fit in it, too bad, your loss. The seats are comfy and supportive and everything else is a question of compromise. The pedals are small and close together, great for heal-and-toeing, but the steering wheel is not adjustable. This means you will have to match revs with the side of your foot instead as your knee will knock the bottom side of the steering column. Headroom, legroom and elbowroom are tight, the way it should be in this car. The shifter's throws are short and precise but forget about ever using the cup holders, a drink would get in the way of your right arm. After all is said and done, the dashboard is very functional and quite well assembled.
What is going on up front?
In 1990, the motivator of the Miata was a DOHC 1.6L inline 4-cylinder engine. It developed 116 hp and could be mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. Later, in 1994, the motor's displacement was bumped to 1.8L and power climbs to 128 hp and also available with a 5-speed gearbox. A 4-speed automatic was also on the menu however it was rarely selected. The rest of the beast featured a fully independent suspension and 4-wheel disc brakes. Wheel sizes varied between 14" and 15".
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| The Miata makes a great track car stock or modified. |
My tester, on loan to me by my new best friend and collaborator, Amyot Bachand, is a little special. It has received a minor once-over with a few enhancements namely to the suspension, braking system, body (aerodynamic add-ons) and chassis (roll and sway bars). This car, although with limited powertrain modifications, feels faster, sounds better and has crisper handling than an original. This Miata is a perfect weekend track car. I wish it was mine...
For a nominal fee, the Miata can be made even sharper and for those that have a little more coin, they can get a Ford V8 shoehorned under the hood should they want to.
Once aboard
The cabin, if you can even call it that, is incredibly snug. Simply put, if you cannot fit in it, too bad, your loss. The seats are comfy and supportive and everything else is a question of compromise. The pedals are small and close together, great for heal-and-toeing, but the steering wheel is not adjustable. This means you will have to match revs with the side of your foot instead as your knee will knock the bottom side of the steering column. Headroom, legroom and elbowroom are tight, the way it should be in this car. The shifter's throws are short and precise but forget about ever using the cup holders, a drink would get in the way of your right arm. After all is said and done, the dashboard is very functional and quite well assembled.
What is going on up front?
In 1990, the motivator of the Miata was a DOHC 1.6L inline 4-cylinder engine. It developed 116 hp and could be mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. Later, in 1994, the motor's displacement was bumped to 1.8L and power climbs to 128 hp and also available with a 5-speed gearbox. A 4-speed automatic was also on the menu however it was rarely selected. The rest of the beast featured a fully independent suspension and 4-wheel disc brakes. Wheel sizes varied between 14" and 15".
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| A small but potent engine. |