Quote:
Originally Posted by WolfpackS2k
Personally, also as an engineer, I think you're overestimating. If Mazda, the tiny company that it is, can build a sub 2300 lb sports car then just about anyone can build a 300/3000 rwd car for under $35k.
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While I agree the miata is an impressive feat of engineering
as an engineer, you should be able to see how they shaved that weight.
FR-s
Length 166.7
Width 69.9
Height 50.6
wt 2758
Miata
Length 154.1
Width 68.3
Height 48.6
Wt 2332
So the Miata is 426 lbs lighter than the fr-s. If you take into account the difference in dimensions, the fr-s has about 10% more surface area, which accounts for about 250 lbs, leaving about 175 lbs. If you look at the 2015 miata, a convertible saved them 80lbs over the hard top, which leaves you with 95 lbs or so.
With the lighter weight, everything else is lighter. have you seen that stripped off frame? it's like a go-kart. The suspension arms are tiny, the driveshaft is short, the axles are tiny. the brake rotors are tiny, the brake calipers are tiny, the wheels + tires are tiny. Also no rear seats.
So while it is an impressive feat of engineering, I don't think it really proves anything. Its also about as expensive than the twins. (i thought less weight = less metal = cheap)
I just find it really hard to believe that all this time car manufactures could have made a 300hp/3000lb car for $35k but no one wanted to. If you go around to alot of the forums, that's the car that everyone wants but can't have. People are unhappy with the power of the twins/miata, and the weight of the 370z, mustang, camaro.
Look at the s2k, one off chassis, 160tq, 240hp, 2865 lbs, and yet >$40k in 2015 dollars. (and people qq'd about the hp)
Look at the 370z, they evidently think it wasnt worth the costs for a one off chassis, and even with the cost savings of using a chassis with a decent volume, and using an engine that's used in like every single car they sell, it still MSRP'd at $35k when it came out, now down to $30k, but back up to $34k (though you can get them more for like 30-31) if you want the viscous lsd and the fixed brake calipers.
I think the best chance we have is if GM or Ford try to make one with a 3.0L v6, but I don't think they really have much reason to given the camaro and mustang.
Or if traction control is advanced enough where people can try making cheap mr cars again without all the drivers killing themselves.