Which MX-5 should I buy for track use?

CrazyRacer · Postby **CrazyRacer** » Fri Nov 13, 2015 7:44 pm

Dave, calling me dumb is rather unkind. I'm not under any illusion that I'm saving money, but when I was looking I couldn't (and still can't) find a decent stock NB8B under $9500 - $10000+ and the sellers refused to budge on price at all (I think eBay might have killed the art of haggling). The only one I did manage to find had every panel smacked in. At those prices, by the time I got it ready for the track it was going to be more than I was prepared to spend on a toy.

If I found a decent one in the future for a reasonable price, I might still be tempted to buy it and move the NB8A I bought (which was very cheap - less than half what an NB8B was going to cost) onto one of the kids who will be needing a car next year.

In the meantime I'll limit the mods to things that can be transferred onto an NB8B if I find one and get out on track and have some fun for $$ that I comfortable spending.

lightyear · Postby **lightyear** » Fri Nov 13, 2015 9:08 pm

Not saying you are dumb, but people do dumb things. I do dumb things all the time. Like buying a WRX.

If you are going to be modifying an NB8A by swapping to the NB8B brakes, 6 speed, etc. You are better off starting with an NB8B.
The price difference is pretty small really, when considering all the extras. And the power of an NB8B motor with exhaust and intake can only be matched by a worked NB8A motor with ECU, etc. A lot more dollars at the end of the day.
The best way is buy a car already built.
Also, not sure why you don't want ABS. Some guys spend a lot to retro fit it. It doesn't seem to affect my laptimes. If you can brake without ABS, it won't even kick in. If it is kicking in, you would have locked a wheel.

Hoolio · Postby **Hoolio** » Fri Nov 13, 2015 9:57 pm

lightyear wrote:Also, not sure why you don't want ABS. Some guys spend a lot to retro fit it. It doesn't seem to affect my laptimes. If you can brake without ABS, it won't even kick in. If it is kicking in, you would have locked a wheel.

I presume that this refers to my original post.

I have dríven cars on track both with and without ABS and I understand what you are saying. With my skill levels where they are at the moment I am sure that my lap times would be better with ABS. However my aim is to improve my driving with a view to racing single seaters at some time in the future, so I have a feeling that I ought to be learning how to brake without ABS.

With that in mind, do you think that I would be better off with it or without it at this stage?

rascal · Postby **rascal** » Sat Nov 14, 2015 12:00 am

Your lap times shouldn't be any different with or without abs. It isnt some magic pill that miraculously overcomes physics and allows you to stop 50m later. It's just a safety overide to let you know you've exceeded the tyre grip without the expensive smoke signals.

Abs is awesome for rainy days, to make it easier to stay within the tyre grip limits, and to stop flat spotting expensive tyres.

I would vote for having abs, so you can learn where the grip limits are without trashing your tyres in the process. But the better driver you are/become, the less you need it.
If you are engaging abs at every corner then you are overbraking and relying on the abs to cover for that. However you can start out doing that and work towards never engaging it while maintaining maximum braking. The point just before it engages is the most effective stopping and that's where you want to get to every time.

Hjt · Postby **Hjt** » Mon Nov 16, 2015 9:41 pm

I have a vehicle that will be put to the market shortly, if your'e interest in details send me a PM.

It's a heavily modified NB8A 99 model. Has all the mods you have listed plus many more. Currently unregistered but can be registered in any state with a few changes.

I will also send you a PM with my details.

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Tue Nov 17, 2015 8:24 am

Hoolio good to chat at Lakeside yesterday.

Hoolio · Postby **Hoolio** » Tue Nov 17, 2015 1:49 pm

I had a good day – seems like a great bunch of people and a well run event. Thanks to everyone I spoke to for giving me their opinions and showing me their cars. I look forward to joining in next year, and am now keeping my ear to the ground for a car to buy…

Hoolio · Postby **Hoolio** » Tue Nov 17, 2015 2:56 pm

Hjt: You have got PM receipts disabled.

Can you give me an idea of the mods on the car and how much you want for it? If the car needs changes before it can be registered, and is not local to me, it will have to be very good value to appeal.

PM me if you prefer.

Postby **beavis** » Wed Nov 18, 2015 9:09 am

lightyear wrote:The answer is always NB8B. Thinking you are saving money buying an NB8A is dumb.

lightyear wrote: If you are going to be modifying an NB8A by swapping to the NB8B brakes, 6 speed, etc. You are better off starting with an NB8B.

Not everyone will buy an NB8A and then start swapping in NB8B brakes/gearbox etc. So your point is not always valid.
But, NB8A is the ugly duckling of the MX-5. And lets not get started on NC1's.

lightyear · Postby **lightyear** » Wed Nov 18, 2015 6:34 pm

I have no problem with people buying an NB8A. But if lap times are important to you, and you plan on doing normal mods. Then buy the NB8B. If you are going crazy on mods, then start with any model.

Hoolio · Postby **Hoolio** » Fri Jul 29, 2016 10:15 pm

Well there has been a few months' delay while I have got some other aspects of my life in order, and I am now back into track mode

Two days ago I bought this:

I won't go into lots of detail here as I will start a thread for it in due course, but it is a CAMS log booked 2F car. I'll be using it in sprints in the short term, but of course the avenue is open to race it properly later on. I won't make QR on Monday, but I expect to be at club Lakeside events later in the year.

It's got a mod plate for the relevant aspects, and yesterday I got it road registered. I'm not interested in using it as a road car, but it will be very handy to be able to drive it to events without faffing around with a trailer.

Looking forward to seeing you out there…

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Sat Jul 30, 2016 8:28 am

Road registered with a full cage and internal brake adjuster? Is it a CAMS rally car rego?

Hoolio · Postby **Hoolio** » Sat Jul 30, 2016 9:53 am

Full road rego. It was mod plated under the old scheme before Qld adopted the National Code of Practice, so the full cage is legit. Don't know whether the internal brake bias adjustment is really legit for rego, but the brake installation is mod plated.

sailaholic · Postby **sailaholic** » Sat Jul 30, 2016 10:10 am

Internal bake bias is 100% not legit for road rego. One of the reasons I didn't look at this car further. Intersting to know you got it through a road worthy.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk