Quote:
Originally Posted by Marrk
Not to go way off topic here, but what are "frame rails"? Did you have to reinforce the Miata's frame in order to get adequate rigidity? Or to compensate for added HP? (I understand that people had to do this with Z3s.)
I would buy a Miata over a BRZ if Miata would come out with a "superleggera" with 200 HP. Instead, they are coming out with a forced induction engine that will be smaller but produce HP same as existing models, and they're going to sell the frame and powertrain to Alfa Romeo for their re-introduced Spider.
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Yeah - the area under the seats under the car are not structural - so bolting in a set of stainless steel frame rails really adds structural rigidity to the car. I didn't have any hp mods - just handling mods. The Miata only felt low on power on steep highway grades. Mostly I used it for weekend canyon carving and daily commuting. While the wider and heavier BRZ is much nicer in almost every way, that little Miata could dance on its toes with its stickier tires and smaller wheelbase.
Again, I feel the BRZ is just like a grown up more mature sibling to the Miata I had. Against the newer Miata, the differences are probably less pronounced.
Now back to M3's and Porsches!
I had an E39 5 series in the late 90's - I think the E90 3-series sedan is close in size/weight to my old 528i!