924Board.org

sirhc · Joined: 17 Feb 2004 Posts: 15

Hey guys. I've been planning on getting a 924 as an autocross / racecar / toy project. Been a vw/audi guy my whole life, and really like the idea of it. Heres the thing...

I've been driving a friends miata a bit, and it handles great! Sticky tires, shocks & spring upgrades, this thing flat out rocks. My limited exposure to 924s have been in stock cars, probably tired suspensions... never really got a chance to push it.

Similar weight, similar aftermarket... which car will handle better after similar upgrades? I still love the idea of a 924, but would hate to get whooped up on too bad by his miata.

Thanks...
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Chris

92' UrS4
86' 5ktq - for sale!

Khal · Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2004 11:55 am Post subject:

My two cents... If you want -and can afford -a Miata (MX-5 here in Oz) get one!

I was lucky enough to have one for a long weekend in New Zealand a couple of years back and I loved it! Not enough superlatives for it! Felt like you were part of the car. The one I had, like your mate's, had upgraded suspension, wheels, tyres and engine mods.

They sell a factory turbo version here in Oz, too

Much newer car. Infinitely better than a 924. Oh, that gearchange: Like a rifle bolt! But a lot more expensive, too...

The 924 is cheap. Very easy to work on. Performance upgrades are probably relatively cheap vs. a Miata if you know where to look. Handling would be comparable with similar mods, I'd guess, at least in ultimate numbers i.e. cornering g's. But without some serious engine mods too, you're gonna get whipped by a Miata no matter which way you slice it.

But it's all about the feel, and the Miata/MX-5 just felt better to me.

Only drawback to a Miata/MX-5 is that they're seen as a bit of a girls car, at least here they are. If you can get over that, they're a hell of a lot of fun!
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'80 924 Turbo

JP Shelton · Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2004 8:44 pm Post subject: A car for "Shelia's"?

Khal,

It's kind of the same deal here in California, too... The MX-5 seems to be a girl's car, because most of them I see in my corner of the world are driven by 'em. But then, it's the same deal with Porsche Boxsters, too, as well as TJ Jeeps.

But.....

Years ago, there was a company down in San Diego that was shoe-horning the old EFI 5.0 litre pushrod Ford V8 into the MX-5 and selling the completed converted car as a "Monster Miata".

What a car! And I know, because I had the opportunity to drive one. I determined that I "wasn't packing the proper gear" to own the car and keep on living, so I didn't buy the thing. I also figured I might come across a genuine Sunbeam Tiger for what the guy with the Monster Miata was asking. I'm still looking for the right Tiger.

The point is that I know of at least one Miata on public roads that is about as masculine as you'd ever wish a two-seat roadster to be.

-JPS
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Life..... Powered By Porsche

Llamaguy · Joined: 02 Jul 2003 Posts: 711 Location: Indiana

924RACR · Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2004 11:13 pm Post subject:

I can hang with the Miata on-track. Race them often. But all of the above still applies, they're quite nice cars. Probably a little more likely to be reliable off the bat, with less attention. 924's tend to be more neglected, and require more work to get to that point...
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Vaughan Scott
Webmeister
'79 924 #77 SCCA H Prod racecar
'82 931 Plat. Silver
#25 Hidari Firefly P2 sports prototype

ryoji · Joined: 10 Oct 2003 Posts: 168 Location: NNJ

Umm

.

I've never be able to keep up with SpecMiata as well as ITA miata by 924 race car on the streight of the Glen. It's from T2 - T3 -T4 to bus stop with FWO. I think it is an area least amount of skill needed but car-setup.
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R.I.P.:a 924 ITA race car

Khal · Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2004 1:34 pm Post subject:

Coincidentally, I'm going to Melbourne in two weeks and I've hired a Miata/MX-5 so I can go for a drive along the the Great Ocean Road

Should be great fun!

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'80 924 Turbo

Kenodog · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 2669 Location: Vancouver,B.C.

Hey Khal,you suck. JK,lucky bastard.
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1979 Euro 931, Olive
1981 931, Sabine
1991 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4, Ricky
1996 Ford E-350 ex-FedEx Van
2014 Mazda CX-5 (Kinderwagon)
2019 KTM 790 Adventure
2024 KLX300
2024 KLX140

Khal · Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2004 1:58 pm Post subject:

Yeah! I'm almost jealous of myself!

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'80 924 Turbo

Lizard · Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2004 3:27 pm Post subject:

Well imo I think with properly tuned suspension the 924 will handle better/be easier to control on the edge driving, but the miata will probably have more in line performance, however if you want to dump alot of money into the 924 engine then you should be able to pass it. biggest issue is age of wiring imo
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3 928s,

Khal · Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2004 3:44 pm Post subject:

Khal · Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2004 4:06 pm Post subject:

By the way, do you guys get the RX-8 over there? How cool is that thing?!
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'80 924 Turbo

Lizard · Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2004 4:08 pm Post subject:

Khal · Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2004 4:10 pm Post subject:

No doubt!
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'80 924 Turbo

WA924-77.5 · Joined: 17 Sep 2004 Posts: 16 Location: Texas

But how about something else than concrete to drive on...Miata on snow!!?? 924 with good all season tires will do GREAT ..This 50:50 weight distribution you know-the bad side is if you work with car experts they will tell you the days before snow forecast."do not bother calling in and saying you cannot make it you car can definitely handle this"
actually 924 handles ice not badly either...with alittle sand bag on rear axle. Miata might be better parked all Winter (so would Mustangs..but I am not going to go there..)