ls1 NA miata vs c5 corvette
 

Which do you prefer in terms of the driving experience?

I don't believe a fully prepped v8 miata will overtake a fully prepped 'vette, but I'm not building my car because I need it to be the fastest thing around. I'm building it to enjoy driving it. Maybe 10 light hearted track events a year for me, and lots of weekend cruising and road trips.

I've never ridden in or driven a v8 miata, but it seems that it's diminuative size would make full throttle more exciting than the chevy. On the other hand, struggling with traction may get frustrating and the 'vette's more modern interior may make things more comfortable for road trips. Then there's the obvious benefit of not having to deal with doing a drivetrain swap...

C5 is nicer for tooling around.

C5 is cheaper then trying to build an LS1 Miata.

C5 is ready to roll.

C5 tires are 250-300 per in NT01 flavor.

Miata with an LS1 takes some time to build.

Miata with an LS1 is faster.

Miata parts are cheaper once built.

Miata is easier to work on.

Miata tubs are cheaper if you wad it up into a wall.

Miata tires are 125 per in NT01 flavor.

Miata gathers more attention (very annoying when your a hermit/loner type or in a hurry)

The choice is yours.

I've passed plenty of Corvettes at the track with my Ford 331 Miata. Come to think of it, I actually passed quite a few with my older 240 rwhp Ford 306 Miata as well. The 306 would catch up and pass them on the infield and then hold on for dear life on the strights. They get in the way all over the track with the 331.

Granted, simply owning a Corvette does not mean you know how to drive it though.

-Jason

I guess the biggest issue I see is how limited the miata is when it comes to tire sizes. It seems that even if the miata manages a better power to weight ratio, a race prepped vette can fit a lot more rubber.

In any case, I'm not really concerned with which has the most ultimate potential. I was just hoping to get some insight into other's opinions about which has a higher "fun to drive factor."

You can stuff a 275 tire under these cars, so I'm not sure I'd say they are really tire limited.

For toss around fun, the turbo 4 cylinder takes the cake.
From a price point, the turbo 4 cylinder takes the cake.
For warp speed fun, the LS1 Miata takes the cake.
For cruising/cross country jaunts with occasional play time, the C5 takes the cake.

That sums it up pretty well! Although.. I don't know of a 275 width street tire that will fit under a miata?

We have a GTM here locally who runs A6's on the street. Like with pain tolerances, everyone's street tolerance is different. My limit was 225 NT01's on 6UL's

from 949 Racing website. 275's on 9 in 6UL's front and rear.

Let me give some input as I am a new member. I formerly owned a C5 ZO6, this
car dynoed at 375 at the wheels. However, after a while the car just felt slow..
I guess the chassis is so well controlled that the car doesn't really feel that
fast, even though it can turn a low 12sec et.

My son right now has a 99 C5, with a modded ls1 that has dynoed at 445 whp.
He just turned an 11.7 at 128 mph on street tires...probably good for an 11.2
on slicks. I have driven this car too...and it just doesn't feel that fast.

I guess there is more excitement factor in a v8 miata because of its size and
weight...the thing that really appeals to me is the sleeper factor...would love
to blow the doors off a Ferrari with a lowly miata.

Funny you say that. My maiden voyage out after aligning it we ran across a Ferrari who came FLYING up. I went from 6th to 3rd and pulled on him. He caught the hint, slowed down, down shifted, and tried again. The result was the same, but with bus lengths. He turned off at the next off ramp :)

Has no one built an LS1 Miata for less than $17k or $18k???

Seems like I've seen some budget builds for less than that? Not trying to go against the grain, but just curious as I'm in the beginning stages of the build.

Omit the suspension, brakes, safety stuff, and use a 5.3, then I bet you could get it in under 10k. You could also buy the NB Nick39t is selling and have some super goodies with only 10k wrapped into the car.