Considering a miata...

[SaphusGT]

Hey guys, I currently have a 94 3000gt... but it is, well, ridiculously heavy, fwd, and has an ATX. I'm considering a miata, for the sake of the rwd manual and lightweight... the only thing that bugs me right now is that it has only 95 hp to the wheels. (Considering an early 90s model)

what can you guys tell me?

[nismogt_rfreak]

Go for it, you can always add horsepower and miatas still handle great. If you do get one though, I'd suggest writing your will if you haven't already. If you get in a crash, your screwed.

[Rand Race]

Actually, Miatas are pretty good at crash survivability. Light weight can help there too (you bounce of some things that heavier cars would plow into).

I was worried about the power thing too when I switched from an RX-7 to my Miata but it hasn't been too big a deal. Nobody races you in a Miata and it's such a joy to drive that the only competition you'll care about much is yourself.

"Can I take this corner a bit faster than last time" or "Just 2 inches closer to the apex and I'll freakin rule!"

Not that it isn't underpowered, it certainly is, but the car is so much not about power it is forgivable... a bit. It can be disheartening to mash on the gas at the exit of a perfectly taken uphill corner and get very little. I am saving up for a cold-side supercharger after all.

Speaking of which, something to keep in mind is that there is virtually no way to add any significant power to the Miata for under $2,000. 1.6L cars can be turboed for 2 grand and 1.8s can be hot-side supercharged for the same, but CAIs, exhaust mods and such will just make the car sound better.

[badboy916]

my 03 miata can smoke most cars off the line for a few seconds because of the weight factor. after that your toast. i bought my miata for the joy of having a convertible in a sporty package.

[toolfan8102]

Actually if you want to do the work yourself you can get a turbo kit for about $1100. It will take a day or two to install but you can save lots of $$.
You can run 5psi without major mods, and get 175-200 hp, depending on the other mods you have.