My heart is set, I want a Roadster.

"Atlantian" (Atlantian) 09/01/2014 at 02:55 • Filed to: Drifting

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First of all, I've always loved the small size, pop-up headlights and teeny tiny tires.

And I was at !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! in Canby, OR today (I'm only attending the first day). Helping out a friend and getting rides in all sorts of drift cars. I haven't had my own RWD car to dick around in a while.

Been craving a "real sportscar"(looking around on Craigslist for affordable 911s, and nothing comes close to what I can trade my Passat TDI for) and this guy's open top roadster really sealed the deal for me.

It's a bit cramped with a cage, but it's do-able (my girlfriend and I are both around 5' 7"), the wind-in-your-hair motoring would more than make up for it.

I don't have videos or photos yet (phone's dead and currently charging), but here's a video of a similar car drifting at Japan's Ebisu:

Now, that being said, how cheap can I get a frame damaged Miata? (I'm going to replace the bumper structures with tube frame and the front A-arms with narrower arms for steering-angle clearance, anyways)

mcseanerson > Atlantian 09/01/2014 at 03:06

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Can't believe I'm helping a drift bro trash a perfectly good Miata. That being said you're looking for a damaged one already so it's not like it's really a perfectly good Miata. A rough but still decent driver's Miata ready for Solo or track duty can start around 2k so I imagine what you're looking for can be found around 1-1.5k. Miata.net is for nicer cars so you probably want to look at club roadster and miata turbo . Craigslist is also a good source for similar condition Miatas. If you were looking for cheap clean one's I wouldn't recommend it though. The last and most reliable place I see for the best deals on Miatas is my local Miata club. Check your area and follow them. I see them trading hands all the time on facebook now.

Atlantian > mcseanerson 09/01/2014 at 03:13

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Thanks man, I might just ask around in the Pat's Acre drift community for a track ready NA with I can fabricate to replace as I beat it up, steering angle accentuations, and a dedicated-line hydraulic handbrake setup.

And I'm not really a "drift bro", I usually kart, but drifting is a more accessible car-hobby to me than club racing. I figured I'd get a drift car since I can score free (note: cheap er , fuel, tires, tools, and travel still cost money) drift days.

Other cars I've gotten a ride in today didn't come close to how awesome the Miata is being thrown around. An FC3S Turbo II that is stock, but is slower to accelerate because of turbo lag (?), and kind of wimpy since it was out of boost most of the time. KA24 S13, was alright, but it's pretty dull and expensive because of "drift tax". My boss was thrashing a Q45 (with a 300zx 5mt swapped in) from the shop, but even with grabbing the handbrake and clutch kicking, the car was a bit ungainly, he said it felt like trying to handle my Passat.

There is also a Jaguar X300 XJ drift car built by the same shop/guy that build the Q45. I'll post some pictures of that tomorrow. It was simply the best looking car at the track today, no contest.

Either way, I think a Miata would be the perfect car to offset my resentments for my Passat.

mcseanerson > Atlantian 09/01/2014 at 03:29

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Yeah that's basically how I got sold on Miatas. I went to a bunch of autocrosses and rode in as many different cars as I could and what really did it was going from a C5 vette to a Miata and realizing the Miata was faster. That blew my mind. I think the big thing is just how good Miatas are at making the driver look better. They make crappy drivers look decent and good drivers look great.

Atlantian > mcseanerson 09/01/2014 at 03:31

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Edit: Actually, here is the X300

This is obviously not my picture, but I'll post pictures of the interior and what's under the hood (from my phone) tomorrow.

Atlantian > mcseanerson 09/01/2014 at 03:33

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The lack of power cannot cover up bad driving, makes a driver with an alpha personality to make up for it by improving themselves.

That's my theory, at least.

mcseanerson > Atlantian 09/01/2014 at 03:37

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I mean that it's a good car to learn on. If you're trying to learn anyways.

Atlantian > mcseanerson 09/01/2014 at 03:40

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Should always seek to learn, I suppose we should.

Edit: Whoops, I just realized I AM a drift bro. I have a picture of me doing doughnuts in a 190e Cosworth as my avatar. Derp. I really enjoy karting more than I do drifting nowadays, but it's still really pleasurable.

Besides, if I get sick of drifting with a caged miata with a hydraulic handbrake.. I can always go rallying with it.