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anyone else drive one yet?
Actually, I have firsthand experience with one of these cars. This past weekend I participated in the mazda rev-it-up event in SD. Dont ask how well I did, its embarassing. After my first competition lap, i had some time to kill, and went to the test drive area. I hopped in line for the miata, not realizing that it was the mazdaspeed version. when i got to the front of the line, i realized what i was about to get to drive, and got rather excited.
At this point it would be good to mention that I am a miata guy. I drive a 94 amd autox it regularly and am sold on the little things to start with. So, when i hopped in and took off, it felt normal as i pulled up to the start. As soon as i put my foot in it, i felt a very welcome change from my little car.
To make a long story short, when you hit about 4k rpm the thing just pulls like a mofo, shift at redline you're still in boost. I am very very impressed by this car. Its looks are much improved by the mazdaspeed exterior and the 17" racing hart rims are sexy.
The car still handled like a miata, great balance, slightly tending toward oversteer, perfectly predictable, plenty of grip. my only complaint was the steering and shifting. They have become somewhat smoother. I liked getting the raw road feeling back through the steering wheel and having super positive shifting, but in the interests of 40 year old women, the car is now super smooth and comfy to drive, however the performance is all there.
however, after my second test run, i felt that it was time to show a good friend of mine how miatas can perform. I dont push too hard on the street, and so the cones are my friends whenever possible.
the track i drove was a test course, not a competition course, and therefore shifting at redline, oversteer, and tapping the rev limiter on downshifts were rather frowned upon. I was duly warned by the mazda guys running the test course. I believe his warning went something like this: "Lemme guess, you drive one of these on the street?" "yes" came my reply "well, you know how to drive, but those people in line behind you sure don't, so i gotta warn you, else they are going to end up in one of those concrete pillars over there" "gotcha. have a good one" "you too"
anyway, i think im going to have to start saving for forced induction.....or a rotary swap.
Actually, I have firsthand experience with one of these cars. This past weekend I participated in the mazda rev-it-up event in SD. Dont ask how well I did, its embarassing. After my first competition lap, i had some time to kill, and went to the test drive area. I hopped in line for the miata, not realizing that it was the mazdaspeed version. when i got to the front of the line, i realized what i was about to get to drive, and got rather excited.
At this point it would be good to mention that I am a miata guy. I drive a 94 amd autox it regularly and am sold on the little things to start with. So, when i hopped in and took off, it felt normal as i pulled up to the start. As soon as i put my foot in it, i felt a very welcome change from my little car.
To make a long story short, when you hit about 4k rpm the thing just pulls like a mofo, shift at redline you're still in boost. I am very very impressed by this car. Its looks are much improved by the mazdaspeed exterior and the 17" racing hart rims are sexy.
The car still handled like a miata, great balance, slightly tending toward oversteer, perfectly predictable, plenty of grip. my only complaint was the steering and shifting. They have become somewhat smoother. I liked getting the raw road feeling back through the steering wheel and having super positive shifting, but in the interests of 40 year old women, the car is now super smooth and comfy to drive, however the performance is all there.
however, after my second test run, i felt that it was time to show a good friend of mine how miatas can perform. I dont push too hard on the street, and so the cones are my friends whenever possible.
the track i drove was a test course, not a competition course, and therefore shifting at redline, oversteer, and tapping the rev limiter on downshifts were rather frowned upon. I was duly warned by the mazda guys running the test course. I believe his warning went something like this: "Lemme guess, you drive one of these on the street?" "yes" came my reply "well, you know how to drive, but those people in line behind you sure don't, so i gotta warn you, else they are going to end up in one of those concrete pillars over there" "gotcha. have a good one" "you too"
anyway, i think im going to have to start saving for forced induction.....or a rotary swap.
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