Lack of Zoom

Hmm. Does anyone else detect a slight contradiction here? If you redline fifth, at circa 120 mph, do you really need to grab sixth in a hurry to fend off that Hyundai? And you're worried about cops on country roads, but not about redlining fifth on the highway? Perhaps the issue here is the skill required to use more than half a Miata's potential on twisty roads, versus stomping the gas pedal in a straight line...

No matter. Not everyone should own a Miata. Trade yours on that Mustang and live happily ever after (or at least until your pubescent hormones subside a bit).

At 50+ I guess those pesky pubescent hormones just don't know when to quit! Power is power there is no age on when you realize you like it or not. That why some drive K-cars and some drive Hemi's the bottom line is although the Miata is a great looking car is has very poor acceleration and at 142 hp I would think it would be far better. I really do feel that light to light speed is very important and part of the fun of driving a small agile car. A friend at work has a Toyota Corolla with an automatic that until I shift to fourth all I see our his tail lights. Again are you listening Mazda! Give us more power or have it develop at a lower RPM.

That zoom zoom commercial sucks, but Mazda never implied that the miata is a drag racer of any sort. It doesn't take much research to find out the 0-60 and quarter mile times for the 2002 miata. Did you test drive the car before you bought it? Pat '96M

Did you happen to test drive it?

Does anyone else see the irony in this sentence?

Dana

This is a load of BS--I'm guessing this guy had a '93 and thought that a "newish" model was going to have followed the same path as most other cars--add horsepower, weight, and dollars until the balance was gone. Although the newer models are not my cup of tea, they have remained more faithful than one could expect to the original genius--this guy should have bought a 5.0 Mustang, that's what he really wants!

Or kept the '93... My '90 is going to be mine for at least another 10 years (if I last that long!).

My wife and I bought a 2003 SE yesterday. It might not have much zoom, but it drives around turns like it's on rails! We are very happy with it so far.

Slow Poke,

Have you thought about the " FM III turbo" from Flin' Miata ? That will give you about 300 HP at the rear wheels and get you "there" long before you are ready to be "there" ! This sucker will have you changing tires every other time you stop for gas ! This will take the "lead" out of your ass and put it on the "gas", ( if that's what you want ! ) All those "hot Hyundai's" eating rubber & blacktop as you hit 2nd and they will not even see you after that ! :-)

Go for it ! You will love it !

Bruce RED '91 (without a turbo, but lots of ZoooooooooooooooooooM )

And next time take a test drive before signing on the bottom line... Geez, seems obvious to me.

Look, all you need a Jackson Racing Supercharger. For about $3K and a weekend of your time, you can bolt-on just the amount of horsepower that you need. Nothing could be simpler, believe me. I've had mine for about 2 years now. There haven't been any warranty issues and the car goes real good. If you've got another $450, bolt on a header, you'll love the sound/response. Okay, so you've increased your investment to $23-$24K; but I ask you, what other car can you buy for that price that goes and handles and sounds that good?

You'll love it.

Just do it.

Steve McMahon Green JRSC '00LS

Are you using regular gas? Since 2001 the compression is 10:1 and the owners manual says any octane less than 91 can be used but, will impede performance. Also if you are trying to get some where fast, keep your foot to the floor and never shift at less than 6500 rpm. 4th gear it good for 97 mph before fuel shut off, and my 03 gets there a full second faster than my

Thanks for all the input both negative and positive it all helps. Again I did test drive the car but a few spins around the block really don't tell you much. Im sure I will get over my temporary heat induced tantrum and maybe when my factory warranty runs out I will try a Turbo or Supercharger if I still feel I want more power. The sticker on my heavily loaded LS was just above 27K and I paid just under 25K so adding

3 or 4K more for a Turbo or Supercharger makes my car a bit pricey for a Miata at this time but who knows what the future will bring. I hear Power Ball is over 240 million dollars for Wednesday drawing.

Is the octane thread re-appearing? :-)

My pal John has a '91 Mercedes 500SL and he's still shaking his head that my '02 SE out-pulls him to at least 60MPH. He's really amazed by it. I must say that the power delivery of the 1.8l is quite linear and smooth and is perhaps deceptive.

Dana

Have you guys heard of the after market? Trk Jackson Racings' website, they got ZOOM ZOOM PARTS LOUIE

Gee, you don't imagine the extra 2000 pounds has anything to do with that? :-)

I have always used 93 octane fuel in my 02' and have even tried Sunoco Ultra 94 but really did see any difference between the two. I have a close friend with a 500SL and although we have never been side by side at a light it sure seems quick when you are sitting in it and you stomp on the gas.

Air Conditioning? You mean mine has airconditioning? Why would I need that when the top never goes up. BTW I live in Ramona CA and it gets over 100 here but I have not used it yet and plan on deleting it. If you really want more power jsut talk to Moss (Jackson Racing) if you want a little bit more or Flyin Miata if you really want more. BTW Miata is listening, They sell more cars than the S2000's and BMW's combined because most people don't need that much more. So either buy the big heavy fast car or get a Turbo. No whining!

Robert

Eh, speak for yourself about the A/C. I find owning a convertible isn't much fun when it's nearing 100 degrees with high humidity. I'm top up, A/C cranked, and I've found no evidence that my Miata is any less fun.

Truth be told, I would have bought it even if the top didn't go down.

Ya know, AC works pretty good with the top down. Personally, I put the top up during heavy rain, and without AC it fogs up too much.

You're kidding, right? What a glutton for punishment...