Putnam Park Sept. 28th

Spate car for cruising?

Steve, the AR SuperCruise next month would be great time to break in that spate car for cruising? ;) Just saying...Mike P.:D
 
mplunk said:
Steve, the AR SuperCruise next month would be great time to break in that spate car for cruising? ;) Just saying...Mike P.:D
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Yes it would be. Don't know what to get yet. Considering -

'68 - '72 corvette

late 70s, early 80s MB SL500

Honda s2000

Primary requirement - convertible.

Steve
 
Steve Fehr said:
Yes it would be. Don't know what to get yet. Considering -

'68 - '72 corvette

late 70s, early 80s MB SL500

Honda s2000

Primary requirement - convertible.

Steve
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I would lean HEAVILY toward the S2000. Competent brakes and handling...a firm but tolerable ride... reliable and fun to drive. And...they are pretty fuel efficient for 240HP. The engine in both of my Acura RSX's were a detuned version of the 2.0L engine in the early S2000...and I was impressed with how well they ran. The 2004 and newer S2000 has a larger 2.2L engine that would be my choice. Lots of aftermarket support. Car does a lot of things well.

The 68-72 corvettes are too long...MUCH too heavy, lousy ride, hot footwells and slow dead handling.

Can't speak to the SL500
 
I see those at the track pretty often, and they make good track cars. Having said that, the Miata makes a better one...
 
Purple Venom said:
I see those at the track pretty often, and they make good track cars. Having said that, the Miata makes a better one...
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....Only if you go by the name of Lightning McQueen and call your tow vehicle.... Tow...Mater.:D

I never could fit in a first gen Miata comfortably...and they looked too much like a car Barbie would drive....

They are light...but the Honda has a better engine.
 
Could be, but a 440 RWHP Cobra can't keep up with it at the track. Very nimble and fast car through the turns. Their has to be something good about them as there are very large fields at any club racing event for spec Miata's. I've never seen an S2000 have it's own class, not disagreeing with you on the car, but the Miata does have it's own niche.
 
""Could be, but a 440 RWHP Cobra can't keep up with it at the track."

Tim, maybe the extra weight of your big block is slowing you down a bit? ;):D:D Mike P.
 
Purple Venom said:
Could be, but a 440 RWHP Cobra can't keep up with it at the track. Very nimble and fast car through the turns. Their has to be something good about them as there are very large fields at any club racing event for spec Miata's. I've never seen an S2000 have it's own class, not disagreeing with you on the car, but the Miata does have it's own niche.
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Tim my 350 HP Daytona keeps up just fine. Take a look at one of the races this summer for an example. I out ran all the stock class Miatas, but they are on 200 TW tires compared to my 100 TW tires. Now compare that to Tom Sotiropoulos who has a nationally competitive Miata with all the tweaks running on 40 TW Hoosier A6's. Tom is a driving instructor and is ranked very well at "Nationals". He bettered my best raw time by .05 seconds on a very tight course. Now you put him in my car (he is a much better driver than I am) on the same tires on a open course where the top speeds will be 30 mph different, the Miata will not stand a chance.

Miatas are the 6th class, I am the 13th class, Tom is the 17th class due to his tires and mods: http://www.stlsolo.org/sites/default/files/event5_fin_1.htm

Now lets compare the top level cars and drivers in the nation by using the 2013 SCCA National Championships. Lets look at the top 3 cars in B stock (S2000 class) and E stock (Miata class).

S2000: #1- 129.937 #2- 130.072 #3- 130.142
Miata: #1- 132.810 #2- 134.662 #3- 135.883

The best Miata with a 132.810 would have placed 9th in the S2000 class. While you are on page 17 note that Tom S. placed 7th at Nationals last year in a new car he had very little seat time in. BTW the best stock Elise ran a 128.811 on page 31 and was beat badly by the C5 Vettes with a 124.886 (same class).

B stock is on page 14 and E stock is on page 17: http://scca.cdn.racersites.com/prod/assets/2013 Solo Results FINAL1.pdf

IMO I would take the S2000. Also the S2000 drivetrain will handle around 400HP with boost and very few Mods. The extra HP combined with the potent chassis would make a fun car to play with. Steve if you go with the Honda try not to embarrass us Cobra guys too much.
 
If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times Mike...bring your car to a road course and see if you can do the same.... The Miata is a momentum car and I would think it doesn't make a very good autocross car because of that. But, it makes a great road course car. It can carry higher speeds in to, through and out of the corners. My car obviously will eat it up on the straights, but then, there it is come turn 3. An autocross course, due to it's very nature of being on parking lots, is tight and very few places to accelerate and keep momentum through turns. So, comparing the autocross times/performance to what I'm talking about on a road course.....they are different. See what I'm sayin?
 
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