Confused about SE compared with SP

[bootz]

Apart from the engine and some bits of chrome mine looks IDENTICAL to an SP.

All it took to differentiate the SP from the 'ordinary' car and make it uber collectible would be some Mazdaspeed seats, rims, lsd and a rear spoiler. Maybe a build # plate proudly displayed. Come on how difficult is that?

The SP engine is superb, but that is all you are paying for, apart from that I am

[Hjt]

SP doesn't have rare seats, any LSD, any spolier etc.

Are you confusing the two models?

[Regie]

SP doesn't have rare seats, any LSD, any spolier etc.

Are you confusing the two models?

I think that's what boots would like to have seen in the sp

[hks_kansei]

Remember though, the SP wasn't really designed to be a rare or collectible car.

It was (from my understanding anyway) more of an experiment, thrown some turbos onto NB8Bs to show Mazda that it was possible, and then sell them to show there was a market.

They were really more of a way to convince Mazda HQ that it was worth the effort and cost to develop a proper factory turbo Model. (which was the SE)

[bootz]

SP doesn't have rare seats, any LSD, any spolier etc.

Are you confusing the two models?

I think that's what boots would like to have seen in the sp

Yep, a properly marketed limited edition with the above would be droolingly desirable.

Another great option would be to have had all 100 SP painted white with red leather interior which would really stand out from the crowd.


I think HKS has hit the nail - the SP project is just an engine experiment done by some talented Aussies.

[davekmoore]

Is this a new record for a thread rising from the dead?

[Sean]

If I had to keep it dead stock I'd take an SE.
If I could spent $2k on it, I'd take an SP.

[bootz]

If I had to keep it dead stock I'd take an SE.
If I could spent $2k on it, I'd take an SP.

With me it would totally be the opposite. Diff strokes.....

[ForceMajeure]

Knowing the collectible car scene if there was one car i would keep original it would be an SP, in fact if i was going to get another mx5 it would be an SP, when you think about just how common even an early na mx5 is let a lone the millions and millions of other cars over several models it makes you appreciate just how rare that those 100 SP cars are.

If an mx5 is going to be in a Shannons or a Bonhams & Goodmans auction its going to be a low KM SP.

[Lokiel]

Knowing the collectible car scene if there was one car i would keep original it would be an SP, in fact if i was going to get another mx5 it would be an SP, when you think about just how common even an early na mx5 is let a lone the millions and millions of other cars over several models it makes you appreciate just how rare that those 100 SP cars are.

If an mx5 is going to be in a Shannons or a Bonhams & Goodmans auction its going to be a low KM SP.

+1

SPs are rarer and stock cars hold their value more than modified cars.

- based on that, you're better off buying a standard NB and modifying it, it'll be MUCH cheaper than the premiums paid for the SP and SE (and you end up upgrading the SE and SP anyway which actually devalues them).

FYI: I'm speaking from experience, I bought an SE and intend to upgrade the turbo too so there's not much "SE" left - the only benefits was that it started with additional stiffening braces and had a LSD. After adding a roll bar, front strut brace, FM Frame Rails and the Beatrush PPF brace to a standard NB, the additional SE chassis stiffening is a moot point (the LSD is good though). Also, the SE's 17" rims are crap/heavy so you end up ditching them in favour of 15" rims, so there's even less "SE" left.

[hks_kansei]

FYI: I'm speaking from experience, I bought an SE and intend to upgrade the turbo too so there's not much "SE" left - the only benefits was that it started with additional stiffening braces and had a LSD. After adding a roll bar, front strut brace, FM Frame Rails and the Beatrush PPF brace to a standard NB, the additional SE chassis stiffening is a moot point (the LSD is good though). Also, the SE's 17" rims are crap/heavy so you end up ditching them in favour of 15" rims, so there's even less "SE" left.

At least you'd still have the silly little "SE" sticker with the laurels.

[Lokiel]

FYI: I'm speaking from experience, I bought an SE and intend to upgrade the turbo too so there's not much "SE" left - the only benefits was that it started with additional stiffening braces and had a LSD. After adding a roll bar, front strut brace, FM Frame Rails and the Beatrush PPF brace to a standard NB, the additional SE chassis stiffening is a moot point (the LSD is good though). Also, the SE's 17" rims are crap/heavy so you end up ditching them in favour of 15" rims, so there's even less "SE" left.

At least you'd still have the silly little "SE" sticker with the laurels.

- I don't even have that, my car didn't come with it and I suspect that the PO "souvenired it". I do have the SE floor mats though!

Not to worry, I've added "proper" MAZDASPEED badging to the car since that's what the car SHOULD be called anyway.
In the US, the 2002 Titanium NB is referred to as the "SE" whereas the 2004 factory turbocharged version is called a MAZDASPEED Miata (or MSM for short).
In Australia, "speed" or "racing" cannot be used when badging a car because any such wording is believed to promote irresponsible driving of the car, which is why the MSM was called an "SE" here and all MAZDASPEED badging was removed (except for on the top of the tailpipe, they obviously missed that one since you wont see it unless you're actually looking there). This is why Toyota ended up using the unfortunate "TRD" (I always read this as "TuRD") acronym in it's advertising and you never see "Toyota Racing Division" actually spelled out in full. I used to annoy the crap out of a mate who drove a Supra which I always referred to as "The TuRD" - he subsequently bought a WRX and I suspect I may have influenced that decision

[cooper1896]

Having recently aquired an SE (with mods), and briefly dríven an SP here are a few of my thoughts

SP Pro's
-Engine more responsive; not sure if this is turbo of VVT. Turbo is definately better
-more colours
-better exhaust, intercooler,
-cloth seats (personal)
-no body mods (again personal)

SE Pro's
Pretty much everything else. big ones are
-LSD
-Non VVT head (lower compression & easier to tune)
-strengthened drivetrain

[NitroDann]

NB8A $8000
Torsen+ Install $1500
SP equivalent Turbo setup+ install $4500
Coilovers+ install $1500
Swaybars+ install $350
Clutch+ install $650
ECU+tune $1700

Thats everything a modified SE or SP will ever amount to in this budget, using brand new components and done right.

Dann

[Lokiel]

NB8A $8000
Torsen+ Install $1500
SP equivalent Turbo setup+ install $4500
Coilovers+ install $1500
Swaybars+ install $350
Clutch+ install $650
ECU+tune $1700

Thats everything a modified SE or SP will ever amount to in this budget, using brand new components and done right.

Dann

Chuck in a rollbar (which the SE and SP don't have),
a LSD (which the SP doesn't have),
Frame rails (which the SE and SP don't have)
front strut brace
additional gauges
light 15"rims & tyres,
- and you have a bloody good MX5 which will be better than an SE or SP and cheaper than one with all these modz.

Getting engineering certification for the turbo+ECU will be a hassle though.

This looks like it's going to be the aftermarket kit to purchase when it becomes available: http://www.miataturbo.net/prefabbed-turbo-kits-3/trackspeed-engineering-turbo-kit-65534/

Unfortunately it uses an AEM ECU - these don't have the greatest reputation, or supply of local tuners Hopefully with all of Savington's input/experience, that won't be an issue.