The Official MX-5 Miata Thread

[2o6]

I've used the skystace's top. It's not that bad.

[Rich]

I drove a Solstice, a GXP and a 2007 NC.  I preferred the base solstice steering to them all.

The Miata had the better accelerator software and engine though.


I also drove a 2019 Grand Touring RF 6MT, 2019 Grand Touring ST GT-S 6MT, and a 2019 Sport ST 6AT.

The Sport is where it's at.  What a hoot.  I just wish you could select options like the nicer heated seats or body color door panel on it. 

The GT-S package bilsteins and 17" wheel are so aggressive, and leads to rear-view mirror shake and a rough ride.

[MrH]

No LSD is a deal breaker for me.  I think the sweet spot is actually a Club, 6MT, no options.  BBS wheels and Recaro's aren't worth it.

[Onslaught]

Can't you get the LSD in other trims now?

[MrH]

You get add the GTS package to Grand Touring trims for $550.  Adds the club suspension, front strut brace, and an LSD.

Grand Touring with GTS is $32,250, no option Club is $30,510. 

So for $1,740, you get the following, which is all pretty worthless in a miata.

Auto on/off headlights
Rain-sensing windshield wipers
Auto-dimming driver's side mirror
Body-colored heated power side mirrors
Automatic climate control
Auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink
Leather-trimmed seats
Mazda Navigation System
Adaptive Front-lighting System
High Beam Control
Lane Departure Warning
Smart City Brake Support
Traffic Sign Recognition

Navigation is worthless.  Just get the Carplay & Android Auto adapter.  The leather isn't particularly good.  Only thing I'd really want from that list is the homelink mirror.

The biggest thing going for the GT with GTS package is you can get it in Eternal Blue.  It's stupid that's a Grand Touring only color

[Soup DeVille]

I've had homelink in half a dozen cars now.

I've never used it.

[Onslaught]

I use it for my gate and garage.

[MX793]

What type of limited slip do the newer Miatas use?  Torsen?  Hopefully not still viscous like the NBs had...

[Onslaught]

What type of limited slip do the newer Miatas use?  Torsen?  Hopefully not still viscous like the NBs had...

My memory could be wrong but I thought only the 90-93's had viscous?  I've forgotten so much of this shit.

[MX793]

My memory could be wrong but I thought only the 90-93's had viscous?  I've forgotten so much of this shit.

That's right, NAs had them.  Though I thought the Mazdaspeed had a viscous as well?

[FoMoJo]

What type of limited slip do the newer Miatas use?  Torsen?  Hopefully not still viscous like the NBs had...

Does a Miata even need limited slip? 

[CaminoRacer]

Does a Miata even need limited slip? 

I feel like I'd only want one for autox/track. It doesn't seem necessary for the street since it's not a high powered car. My E46 didn't have one and I had plenty of fun with it on the street.

[BimmerM3]

What type of limited slip do the newer Miatas use?  Torsen?  Hopefully not still viscous like the NBs had...

I hate how hard it is to find basic information like this these days. All I can find on Mazda's website is "Torque-sensing limited-slip differential."

[MX793]

I hate how hard it is to find basic information like this these days. All I can find on Mazda's website is "Torque-sensing limited-slip differential."

"Torsen" is short for "torque sensing", so I'm thinking that's what they're likely using.  A good choice.  They don't wear out like viscous or clutch pack types and, depending on setup, can make a car freely turn in like an open diff when decelerating or at neutral throttle while still giving good drive out of a turn.  I've definitely noticed a difference between the Torsen in my current car and the clutch-type in my last.

[MX793]

Does a Miata even need limited slip? 

On the older cars, particularly if you put some wider, stickier tires on them, you were probably OK without even at an auto-x or track.  Newer ones actually have enough under the hood that it could be beneficial in spirited driving and definitely needed for closed-course type driving.

[FoMoJo]

"Torsen" is short for "torque sensing", so I'm thinking that's what they're likely using.  A good choice.  They don't wear out like viscous or clutch pack types and, depending on setup, can make a car freely turn in like an open diff when decelerating or at neutral throttle while still giving good drive out of a turn.  I've definitely noticed a difference between the Torsen in my current car and the clutch-type in my last.

I thought ""Torsen was a trademark.  Perhaps they're using a torsen type setup.

[Soup DeVille]

I thought ""Torsen was a trademark.  Perhaps they're using a torsen type setup.

It is.

[MX793]

I thought ""Torsen was a trademark.  Perhaps they're using a torsen type setup.

Yes, it's a trademark.  There are also other ways to do a torque sensing diff than how Torsen does their's, including using clutches.

A bit of additional research shows that NBs offered Torsen diffs as an option.  At least according to Wiki...

[BimmerM3]

"Torsen" is short for "torque sensing", so I'm thinking that's what they're likely using.  A good choice.  They don't wear out like viscous or clutch pack types and, depending on setup, can make a car freely turn in like an open diff when decelerating or at neutral throttle while still giving good drive out of a turn.  I've definitely noticed a difference between the Torsen in my current car and the clutch-type in my last.

Good to know. Not that I constantly read about differentials, but I've typically seen them referred to as helical diffs when they're not using the name brand.

The word "sensing" makes it sound active to me, like an eLSD that's really just braking or a computer-controlled clutch-pack.

[FoMoJo]

Yes, it's a trademark.  There are also other ways to do a torque sensing diff than how Torsen does their's, including using clutches.

A bit of additional research shows that NBs offered Torsen diffs as an option.  At least according to Wiki...

Using clutches implies wear.  Torsen diffs are more spider gears, I thought; to reverse the action of an open diff.

[MX793]

Good to know. Not that I constantly read about differentials, but I've typically seen them referred to as helical diffs when they're not using the name brand.

The word "sensing" makes it sound active to me, like an eLSD that's really just braking or a computer-controlled clutch-pack.

Torsen is a contraction of Torque and Sensing.  It achieves this by mechanical means.  Basically, as torque levels change, the mechanism reacts differently based on how the gears load up.  There are other implementations that are also mechanical.  I believe e-diffs actually use speed sensors, so they would be speed sensing.

[CaminoRacer]

What style are the Detroit Truetracs? I know those are the vfavorite of a lot of autox/track guys

[Soup DeVille]

What style are the Detroit Truetracs? I know those are the vfavorite of a lot of autox/track guys

helical gear, like a quaife.

[Rich]

I drove a Solstice, a GXP and a 2007 NC.  I preferred the base solstice steering to them all.

The Miata had the better accelerator software and engine though.


I also drove a 2019 Grand Touring RF 6MT, 2019 Grand Touring ST GT-S 6MT, and a 2019 Sport ST 6AT.

The Sport is where it's at.  What a hoot.  I just wish you could select options like the nicer heated seats or body color door panel on it. 

The GT-S package bilsteins and 17" wheel are so aggressive, and leads to rear-view mirror shake and a rough ride.

Scrap that. I think the tire pressures may have been too high. The GT-s had just come off the truck and they usually come with pressures way up for shipping. I'll check next time I swing by the dealer.

[Rich]

Also the GT has all the sensors on the windshield around the rear view mirror that impedes visibility and makes it seem more claustrophobic. The sport I drove felt more like my NB. Like a scrappy puppy vs a corvette.

[12,000 RPM]

Why the switch from the 86.... it handled godly

[Laconian]

Also the GT has all the sensors on the windshield around the rear view mirror that impedes visibility and makes it seem more claustrophobic. The sport I drove felt more like my NB. Like a scrappy puppy vs a corvette.

The sensors are a fucking waste, all they do is drive the lane departure warning. Nothing actually useful to you; no auto-steer, no auto-follow, no auto-brake. Just beeping.

[Rich]

I'm deciding between spending $3.5k on the Miata to fix the rust/front bumper and $400 on the 86 for CarPlay vs just spending it on a Miata and trading in the two and sticking with one car.

When I bought the 86 I didn't know I was going to be married to someone that had a car with room for stuff

[Soup DeVille]

I'm deciding between spending $3.5k on the Miata to fix the rust/front bumper and $400 on the 86 for CarPlay vs just spending it on a Miata and trading in the two and sticking with one car.

When I bought the 86 I didn't know I was going to be married to someone that had a car with room for stuff

Pull the bumper off the Miata, screw the rust and go to full track rat mode.

Lux out the 86 for daily driver goodness.

[Rich]

I prefer a convertible for DD duty a new Miata will also get about 5-6 mpg more on my commute. I'm not sold yet though.