mazda protege' 2003- should I make it a track car?

[sdef]

It has been a tough 2 1/2 years, mom, dad, and recently my brother passed away.

My brother has a 2003 protege with 15000 miles and a 2.0 engine.

Although I love racing my vette, I am toying with the idea of making the protege a track car. What do you miata guys think of this idea? What changes do you think the car would need-suspension, brake upgrades...?

Thanks for your comments,

Stuart Feldman

[Mark Swinehart]

Here you go -
http://www.race-cars.com/carsales/other ... 0862ss.htm

Start your planning and buying upgrades!!!

[StephanAlfa]

It has been a tough 2 1/2 years, mom, dad, and recently my brother passed away.
My brother has a 2003 protege with 15000 miles and a 2.0 engine.
Although I love racing my vette, I am toying with the idea of making the protege a track car. What do you miata guys think of this idea? What changes do you think the car would need-suspension, brake upgrades...?
Thanks for your comments,
Stuart Feldman

Hi Stu:
I am very sorry to hear this about your family. Please accept my sincere and deepest condolences.

If the car is street worthy I'd be interest to look at it.
Let me know. Pls send me a ppm.

[chaos4NH]

Stu, is that mileage correct: 15,000 miles? I would also be interested in the car as a daily driver!

[paultg]

To be honest with you there are quite a few well prep'd miatas for sale locally; at least 2 or 3 are COM members.

Prices vary from 7500 - 10K. I'm not sure what you plan to spend on the Protege, but if it were anywhere near the range above, I'd skip all the work and buy a prepared car for track use, keep the other as a commuter.

Paul G.

[sdef]

Here is a little more of the story-
My brother was retired so the 15000 miles are correct. He died of a heart attack, was not found for 2-3 weeks, and they threw everything away except for a brief case. We are waiting for my sister to become executor of the estate, and we expect our other sister to cause problems.

So nothing will happen for 6 months to 1 year.
Here is the order of interest in the car-
myself as a track car ( I would be interested in putting up to $5000 into the car). The problem I see with the miata is my size (6ft 2in) fitting into the car which is not an issue with the vette. I am considering moving to NH in which case I would buy a truck such as the toyota tacoma, and a trailer. I would be comfortable towing the mazda but not the vette.
vs.
putting 5000 into the vette with a small trailer for tires/seat. I would buy the truck for local use. This has been attractive since the vette is a track ready car. Either way I still need more track time to hone my driving skills.

2nd, my nephew may need a car for college.

3rd Stephan has interest.

4th Sam has interest in the car.

Stu

[StephanAlfa]

Miata and you size is not an issue. John Spain is about your size (if not bigger) and he and Nate shared a Miata until they bought the "Hawaian Formula Mazola"

[chaos4NH]

Here is my take on making the Proto a track car. If thinking ST4, you are giving up 10 hp and 300 lbs to the Nissan SE-R cars from the git go. $5000 would go a long way to playing catchup, except for the restrictions placed on ST4, such things like a rear package shelf (!), full door panels (unless you put in a full cage with the side bars - but, that costs you extra weight), wheel/tire size restricted by stock fender profile, zero motor mods except for intake, exhaust and ECU upgrade, brakes and rotors stock (unless some other Mazda has bigger calipers that BOLT ON - no aftermarket stuff allowed).
Now, for $25,000, as Mark points out, you could have a killer PC car!
But, you know what? Make the decision that makes you happiest, the rest of us only have opinions and you know what they say about opinions
Keep your chin up Stu!

[breakaway500]

Put the money in the 'Vette and tow it with a full size truck.


Stick with what you know works

[paultg]

Well, sorry to hear the additional info; it is terrible when these difficult times are made more difficult by family members.

Good luck with whatever you decide. If you do end up in NH; let this be an early "welcome!". I live in Londonderry, and really like it here.

Paul G.

[JackFFR1846]

Run the Mazda in showroom stock. Tokiko adjustable shocks, Carbotech brake pads and a set of Hoosiers. Low power cars are quite fun and cheap to run. Every car you're able to pass is a victory.

jack