Lightyear's SE Replica Track/Road MX-5

Postby **Okibi** » Sun Jul 03, 2016 11:36 pm

Dave, have you still got your WRX?

lightyear · Postby **lightyear** » Mon Jul 04, 2016 8:46 am

No. I lost a lot of money on that car. And realised that a WRX is an expensive way to go fast. To do a 1:43 in a WRX would cost $30k plus. And cost a lot more to run and maintain. I used 45l of fuel on the weekend, and did 33 laps. The WRX used well over 100l of fuel.

Postby **Okibi** » Mon Jul 04, 2016 7:24 pm

Preaching to the converted here. I'm on my 3rd dakdak, they make a great people mover but happy to keep using my MX-5 for motorsport. GC8s are getting dirt cheap but once you have to start paying for PPG or holinger boxes and trick diffs costs start to skyrocket.

lightyear · Postby **lightyear** » Mon Jul 04, 2016 9:46 pm

I think they are a great car for the road, I loved driving it. I had an '04 STI as well. An occasional track day car maybe. But for a full on track car, it's not great unless you want to spend money like crazy.
I can not think of another car that can beat an MX5 for value for money. Is there another car that can be built for under $15k that can do the times mine does? Yes a WRX can be bought for $2-$3k. But even with $10k plus to spend on it, it wouldn't be close.

sailaholic · Postby **sailaholic** » Tue Jul 05, 2016 2:44 pm

Maybe a Honda integra / civic?

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Alex 2550 · Postby **Alex 2550** » Tue Jul 05, 2016 3:23 pm

Another here that lost bucket loads on a WRX mine was a GC8 shell not much else was factory. the MX was the best bang for buck when looking for a replacement "toy". i had more in my WRX drivetrain than i have in the entire MX5 and to be honest can't spend money like that on cars anymore. I actually think the MX is more fun, very different but overall more fun.
i also got overtaken many times at wakefield by "those anoying little mx5s" lol glad to be converted and cant wait to get mine to the track. i would love to have a crack at Phillip island

.

flamingsamurai · Postby **flamingsamurai** » Mon Jul 11, 2016 9:57 pm

Some shots from AROCA PI day

mx5002 · Postby **mx5002** » Mon Jul 11, 2016 11:31 pm

Love that rear wing in that last photo! :shock:

lightyear · Postby **lightyear** » Tue Jul 12, 2016 7:20 am

Rear wing is on a huge AOA. Should have set it a bit lower to see the difference.

Thanks for the pics, you captured the moment. I must have been setting up in the first two pics.

lightyear · Postby **lightyear** » Fri Jul 22, 2016 7:55 pm

I spent 3 hours on the car and it looked like this.

uploading pictures

lightyear · Postby **lightyear** » Fri Jul 22, 2016 7:57 pm

And after another 3 hours it now looks like this.

adult photo sharing

Postby **NitroDann** » Fri Jul 22, 2016 8:06 pm

Dude this car is the sh*t.

May I share any of your pics/videos?

Dann

lightyear · Postby **lightyear** » Fri Jul 22, 2016 8:15 pm

Was the sh*t.... You welcome to use any pics. It's gone from one of the quickest track MX5's in the country back to almost stock in the space of a day. I have a new car coming to replace this one.
I thought this might be like the old red NA8B I built when it comes to selling it, and I was right. The NA8B and this car where the perfect track day packages. But nobody wants them. The turbo bits and track bits will be going onto my carbon fibre car. I can't get onto the engine builder, and he has the ECU and loom. So can't use the good motor.

smy0003 · Postby **smy0003** » Fri Jul 22, 2016 8:53 pm

I'm surprised how well it has shined up. Looks great.

lightyear · Postby **lightyear** » Sat Jul 23, 2016 7:53 am

Me too, it was looking very rough - like a track car should. I thought the sikfofkex was going to be worse to get off, but it was the packing tape residue that was the worst. Large quantities of wax and grease remover and acetone have been used.