Got to drive an 05 Mazdaspeed Miata for a day - F-Body Road Racing and Autocross Forums

My wife's dad bought her mom an 05 Mazdaspeed Miata last night, and left it with us for today (we're taking it up to her tonight to suprise her). It's the first Miata I've driven, and I must say I'm fairly impressed with it. Extremely well balanced, great steering feel, and it's pretty quick. I'm also fairly suprised that there's no noticeable turbo lag, and if I didn't no it had a turbo, I'd think it was just a regular high output small displacement 4 cylinder. The Mazdaspeed version comes with the added turbo, the six speed manual, upgraded suspension, wheels and tires. Very nice overall package, and would be a great little autox/track car. Might be a little too stiff for street use for some people, but I like it, so if my wife's mom doesn't care for it, we'll offer to drive it for her. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Overall, definitely a fun little (big empahsis on little) car, but not something I'd want for everyday use. It does have a useable trunk, and the ergonomics are excellent (especially the top, it only take about 10 seconds to drop it, and can be done sitting in the car). The catch is that there's very little space in the car, and even with the useable trunk, you aren't going to fit much.

LT4Firehawk View Member Profile	May 11 2006, 06:07 PM Post #1
Moderator Group: Advanced Members Posts: 863 Joined: 23-December 03 From: Tulsa, OK Member No.: 5	My wife's dad bought her mom an 05 Mazdaspeed Miata last night, and left it with us for today (we're taking it up to her tonight to suprise her). It's the first Miata I've driven, and I must say I'm fairly impressed with it. Extremely well balanced, great steering feel, and it's pretty quick. I'm also fairly suprised that there's no noticeable turbo lag, and if I didn't no it had a turbo, I'd think it was just a regular high output small displacement 4 cylinder. The Mazdaspeed version comes with the added turbo, the six speed manual, upgraded suspension, wheels and tires. Very nice overall package, and would be a great little autox/track car. Might be a little too stiff for street use for some people, but I like it, so if my wife's mom doesn't care for it, we'll offer to drive it for her. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) Overall, definitely a fun little (big empahsis on little) car, but not something I'd want for everyday use. It does have a useable trunk, and the ergonomics are excellent (especially the top, it only take about 10 seconds to drop it, and can be done sitting in the car). The catch is that there's very little space in the car, and even with the useable trunk, you aren't going to fit much.

Blainefab View Member Profile	May 12 2006, 06:49 AM Post #2
I build race cars Group: Advanced Members Posts: 4,748 Joined: 31-August 05 From: Central coast, CA Member No.: 874	I drove a friends SM at Buttonwillow for a session - it was my first time driving a 'momentum' car, and it sure was fun. Took about 2 laps to get comfortable and find the limits - a lot finer edge between traction and sideways than a CMC car, and just no power at all, tho I think I was driving it a gear down from optimum in several places. I've got a 2002 Miata in the shop now for an ITE buildup ie: no rules ;-). This one will get a blower of some sort on it, some CF and some aero, and a minimalist dash. Target dry wt is 2100#.