tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745824333843276309.post7172730635870305653..comments2023-08-10T03:46:17.650-07:00Comments on Just JoeP: "Dubs" ... Why?JustJoePhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882794348703779345noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745824333843276309.post-82986862322757366352009-06-04T18:06:30.790-07:002009-06-04T18:06:30.790-07:00i was eyeing the Miata this time last year, after ...i was eyeing the Miata this time last year, after I asked my Austrian, VW/Audi/Porsche-repairing mechanic about TT's and Boxsters.<br /><br />he told me to get a Miata.<br /><br /><br /><br />also, my word to submit this comment is "pingism". good word.zimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05072367389475963710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745824333843276309.post-34134823197510275892009-06-04T11:15:59.712-07:002009-06-04T11:15:59.712-07:00Crash worthiness, structural stiffness for handlin...Crash worthiness, structural stiffness for handling, airbags, ABS, heavy-duty drive train to handle more power - these all have been on the increase since 1990 and these all add weight.KnuckleSplitterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08979553706592601644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745824333843276309.post-9567272519359298482009-06-04T11:15:05.790-07:002009-06-04T11:15:05.790-07:00...and the Taiwanese I worked with, in 99-03, stat......and the Taiwanese I worked with, in 99-03, stated (while trying to suppress their laughter) that the '88 Civic EX I used to drive, would only be owned by teenagers in Taiwan, who would tune & race it. They were more than a little amused that a 30 something man would own such a vehicle - and this was a whole office of 2 dozen educated aerospace engineers, ages 25 to 50, who all had a resounding laugh when they heard Joe drove a Civic.JustJoePhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02882794348703779345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745824333843276309.post-42624490959716150092009-06-04T11:09:17.092-07:002009-06-04T11:09:17.092-07:00perhaps the lightness of being, is why my 95 Civic...perhaps the lightness of being, is why my 95 Civic EX garnered $6.5k used, with 160 miles on it, from Geico, when Christopher wrapped it around a tree on Neely Ferry Road in 2003 (at 15, with no lisc). I was expecting 2 or $3K, but my insurance adjuster stated that nope, even with all those miles, the rated value was $6.5K. 90s made lighter cars, then safety kicked in, in most places?JustJoePhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02882794348703779345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745824333843276309.post-71210824817825235872009-06-04T11:03:50.958-07:002009-06-04T11:03:50.958-07:00"Racing Fast 'n' Cheap: Spec Miata
Th..."Racing Fast 'n' Cheap: Spec Miata<br />The ideal race car for rookie or expert"<br /><br /><br />http://www.motortrend.com/features/112_0407_race_miata/index.htmlKnuckleSplitterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08979553706592601644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745824333843276309.post-47215541312876420792009-06-04T10:56:34.970-07:002009-06-04T10:56:34.970-07:00I was at Thunder Hill Raceway all last weekend rid...I was at Thunder Hill Raceway all last weekend riding/tuning in a 2005 STi with 450awhp (at the wheels!), race compound tires, and 14" brakes under 18" rims. Miatas with 200hp would just pass us by in the turns and we would overtake them on the straights (140mph on the front straight).<br /><br />1000lbs in weight makes a huge difference. It helps/hurts turning, braking, and acceleration.<br /><br />Anybody that knows anything about real racing (ya know - with turns - both left *&* right) knows that the Miata is a killer cheap platform for a race car.KnuckleSplitterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08979553706592601644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745824333843276309.post-3597440840819511912009-06-04T10:47:51.134-07:002009-06-04T10:47:51.134-07:00Thank you, I did not know that.
Perhaps, this is...Thank you, I did not know that. <br /><br />Perhaps, this is also why BMW no longer makes the Z3, and went to the Z4. When I used to do consulting work at the Spartanburg BMW plant, seeing the semi-assembled shells of the Z3s, they appeared remarkably light, structurally non-confidence building (Robert Tyler instilled engineering practice from US3). The Z4 cross sections and explosions I have seen look much more beefy, substantial / heavier / safer.<br /><br />You are the first adult male, who I have respect for, who has spoken highly and praised the Miata (modified, yes... qualification). I've shifted my paradigm.JustJoePhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02882794348703779345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745824333843276309.post-57343411975833393302009-06-04T10:42:19.983-07:002009-06-04T10:42:19.983-07:00The RS and WRX before 2001 were light - <2800lb...The RS and WRX before 2001 were light - <2800lbs for the 2-door version. The newer safer, stronger ones only come in 4-door and are more like 3400lbs. With 400-600hp these cars are very hard on brakes. Mazda Miata, Honda S2000, Mini Cooper, Datsun 240Z - all lightweight cars. A mod'd Miata is a awesome handling car at the track.KnuckleSplitterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08979553706592601644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745824333843276309.post-36881674327794689022009-06-04T10:35:02.307-07:002009-06-04T10:35:02.307-07:00"Heavy cars like the WRX/STi" ?
What ..."Heavy cars like the WRX/STi" ? <br /><br />What are 2 or 3 examples of "light cars"?<br /><br />I understand the geometric spatial limitations on calipers - ok. The larger rear wheels on 80s muscle cars actually DID provide more traction, and had some practical application, albeit minimally effective. <br /><br />Fa Fa Fa Fa Fashion! - I don't get.JustJoePhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02882794348703779345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745824333843276309.post-84804156368224207822009-06-04T10:28:28.452-07:002009-06-04T10:28:28.452-07:00It is fashion - plain and simple. No different th...It is fashion - plain and simple. No different that spoilers which are rarely functional (even OEM ones). When I was in high school it was fashionable to take a muscle car and put big tires on the jacked-up rear and little tires on the front to give it the drag racer look. In the nineties it was lowered mini pick-up trucks and neon lighting on the undercarriage. Today it is dubs and/or the import "ricer look".<br /><br />Now I know some guys who put 18's or 20's on their cars for real reasons. Heavy cars like the WRX/STi need big brakes for the track. In order to put 14" brakes on there it needs 18" wheels to clear the calipers.KnuckleSplitterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08979553706592601644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745824333843276309.post-17440652201392307392009-06-04T02:30:06.659-07:002009-06-04T02:30:06.659-07:00maybe the suspension is so soft and mushy on these...maybe the suspension is so soft and mushy on these cars that going to extreme harshness from the tires feels like an improvementpykerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06845984235403387118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745824333843276309.post-82433833428113704352009-06-03T19:31:45.842-07:002009-06-03T19:31:45.842-07:00i think there's a perception of better handlin...i think there's a perception of better handling, though i reckon the looks (which don't appeal to me at all) are the main reason.<br /><br />the trend 'round here is for those giant SUVs to run such tires (if not bigger). might as well "go all the way", as it were, and get tires that don't need air -- just a slab of rubber wrapped around a wheel.zimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05072367389475963710noreply@blogger.com