SP vs SE vs Supercharged NC

[denod1958]

Good afternoon, this is my first posting so please be patient.

I'm considering an MX5 for weekends and 3-4 club sprint days per year. Car will be a long term hold. Have had numnerous cars Westfield, V8 MG's etc and curently have very capable daily drivers but want something that is quick on the track but can still be used on the road in reasonable comfort. Budget up to $35k if need be.(any more than this then I'd just get a Lotus Elise)
Whilst there are other car make options in this price range that are quick in standard form (BMW M3 E36, 350Z, Porsche 944T) the MX5 are tempting due to their weight, simplicity and good
handling.

My options are:
1)SP - with good tyres and pads (pros: good standard performance cons: good examples are rare and overpriced)
2)SE - low mileage cars can be had for low $20k's plus $6-8k in performance mods to equal or exceed the SP
3)NC - supercharged

Any constructive comments would be appreciated especially around options 2 & 3.

many thanks

[Hellmun]

Is there a lap-time you'd like the car to be capable of at a particular track or a particular category to race in (there are MANY different supersprints regs)? Each car has different limits/required mods depending on how fast you really want it to go and how competitive in what category. As much information as possible on what you consider a good comfortable daily would be a good idea too as power can overcome squishy suspension to a degree if that's required etc.

SE will probably be the least work of all 3 though if it has to be lawfully registered and modified. SP's are rare and always command a premium, NC never came with the charger so it's going to require engineering/emissions to lawfully register/insure. They also have the strictest emission requirements...

What else have you had on the track?

[bruce]

Looks like you've researched the forum, so you already know the answers! Don't know if there can be much added.
SE is a known and much modified quantity.
NC supercharged is only starting to be done locally, so is still a bit 'new' (as in there are only a few getting around - one or two literally).

[raceme81]

im going the sc nc just waiting on news on the insurance
this has me real worried

NC never came with the charger so it's going to require engineering/emissions to lawfully register/insure. They also have the strictest emission requirements...

[NitroDann]

Im here just to say thankyou for such a well written and well thought out first post.

Appreciate the effort and research you have already done.

Dann

[OurCognitiveSurplus]

IMHO the NC feels like a better bolted-together car. The doors close nicely, the soft-top is nicer to use and close etc. Also safety is better on-road.

In terms if laptimes, a stock NC is fairly similar to a stock SE (happy to be corrected on that). But if an NA goes like a FI, you have to be pretty impressed by the NA.

If the budget works for the charged NC, that's what I'd look at. Esp if the car will be used in the real world.

[NitroDann]

Ok here I go lol.

The NC feels better quality because its heavier, and has more modern features that remove the sports car feeling from it.

This is why so many hold the NA so highly.

Dann

[Hjt]

Try all 3, the se and sp perform so different. Stock and modified.

[Zohxoco]

Exactly. Driver, tyres, suspension, alignment, and general track readiness is more important if you are only looking at lap times. Another excellent option is an NA NC with retune and/or rebuilt engine.

I would argue that you would buy an MX-5 because you either want an MX-5 (ie. a roadster- meaning you like the look, the convertible nature, the lifestyle), or as a relatively cheap track only vehicle. If you just want a quick car that is also practical, there are plenty of other options, some of which you have highlighted- but there are many others. Likewise I think a Lotus is also a specialist vehicle, which I don't think is a serious daily driver IMHO.

[JBT]

You may have trouble fitting into an SE if you are tall unless the seats have been modified or changed for aftermarket types. A blown NC would be great but I'm not sure that all the issues (engineering, reliability etc.) concerning this modification have been completely resolved. Even a naturally aspirated NC with an ECU tweak and some suspension mods can be very quick - see Reggie's posts - 1:13s at Wakefield Park on KU31 tyres is excellent.

[bruce]

Maybe a modded NC (not supercharged) might be the car for you. As said, I think a stock NC is as quick as a stock SE.
What State are you in? This affects the registration question of a supercharged NC.

[deviant]

Think carefully about what you want when you are on track especially if you want to compete for times. Having a car with forced induction can put you in a class against some very serious bits of kit with even more serious drivers or serious cars with clueless drivers that can still be quicker just through having all the gear....everyone says they are okay chasing their own times but I dont believe a word of it myself, better to be in a more standard car and compete for class wins I say.

Also the less modified a car the less it is going to cost you in fuel, tyres, brakes, servicing.

[Zohxoco]

Some excellent advice from bruce and deviant. Specifically, we need to know more from the OP regarding what he is really after. I mean really. As in what is the goal? To have fun on the track, to be in a motorsport scene, to be the quickest no matter what, etc etc. What makes you tick, and why.

As I said before, the MX-5 can be a capable track machine but it's not the quickest. Pushing it to be so is to miss the point. Alternatively, as a road car it is fun and rewarding to drive- but the OP never mentioned that, just said that it should be able to drive on the road in "reasonable comfort". Again, subjective. One man's reasonable is another man's excruciating. I know people who find the MX-5 claustrophobic and extremely uncomfortable. And on the street, what would it be used for, given that he already has "very capable daily drivers". Not being cynical here, we just need more information. Fun was not mentioned by the OP but to me is the main reason to get an MX-5. Outright speed it is not and never will be.

[hks_kansei]

Ok here I go lol.

The NC feels better quality because its heavier, and has more modern features that remove the sports car feeling from it.

This is why so many hold the NA so highly.

Dann

True, but remember that one of the OP's values is that it must be somewhat comfortable.

Depending on what he/she classifies as "somewhat comfortable" could rule out an NA



Although, seeing that they've owned a westfield in the past I would say they can live with some pretty rough comfort.

[JBT]

An NA wasn't on the OP's list of options.