New Miata - Option Question

[LoCore]

A co-worker is planning on buying one of the new Miatas, and has a couple of questions regarding some option purchases. I know we have some Miata expertise around here, and offered to toss out the questions to the RMSolo group brain.

The car will be used for both short commutes to work and road trips. I've yet to convince her she needs to come out and play race cars with us. I did talk her into getting the LSD--that's a good thing on the Miatas, yes?

She will be getting one of two "premium packages":

Premium Package #1:
6-speed manual transmission, Xenon HID headlights; Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with traction control; Tochigi-Fuji torque-sensing limited slip rear differential; Mazda Advanced Keyless Entry & Start System; antitheft alarm.

Premium Package #2:
same as #1 plus Suspension Package, costs $500 more (MSRP)

Question

Is the optional suspension package on the 2006 Miata worth getting (and waiting for; currently a customer order is required taking 120 days). It includes "sport tuned suspension and Bilstein shock absobers".

Is the suspension package worth the $500, or should she save that money for suspension mods other than stock? Keep in mind her usage.

I told her this morning that there will most likely be a ton of aftermarket support out there for suspension mods should she decide that she wants something over the stock components.

Opinions? Data?

[Bob Klingler]

David,

My pre-requisite for a Stock Class car is that it should be 1) comfortable on the street, and 2) competitive on the week-end. For my money, any relaxation would have to be made in #1, but that's a personal choice.

Mazda has screwed up with their Options Packages for 2006. The combination of differential and transmission gearing for the six-speed will mean that 2-3-2 shifts will be required frequently on our 50-70 second courses. While it's possible to do that quickly after a lot of practice, it is still more difficult, and potentially not so competitive.

So, we could consider the 5-speed models, which avoid that difficulty. There's only one model, and it's called a Club Spec. It's lighter and less expensive than all of the others because the standard A/C had been deleted. Oh, but in their infinite wisdom, Mazda also deleted the LSD. So, don't count on that being a competive package, either. Maybe a humongous FSB would keep the inside rear tire on the ground, but don't count on it.

Spring rates are low, so maybe the Suspension Package might be a slight improvement, but my advice would be to wait until next year, and hope Mazda sees the light.

Right now, a Soltice probably should be considered for CS, but I don't think their Suspension Option has been approved yet for CS, and maybe it's too late to order one for 2006, anyhow.

Good hunting.

[00 SS]

I'd say Solstice as well. You can still get an '06 and if you shop you can get them at MSRP and not the ridiculous premiums some dealer want.

And Bob, yes the suspension package is available as a factory option and therefore stock legal. It comes on the "Club Sport" package. Similar to the Miata Club Spec, but it comes with the LSD, ABS and the full suspension package. It deletes the AC and the availablitiy of any other options. Club Sport (RPO Z0K) is a $1095 option and will most certainly require a special order. And I agree, this car should be more than competitive in CS this year.

[Captain_Solo]

How serious is your friend about competing? If she's got serious aspirations, then she'd do well to listen to Mr. Klingler and Mr. Minear. BUT-if she's really into the car and she just wants to enjoy it on the weekends, I'd tell her to just buy one she likes, optioned with the sporty shocks and have fun. The bilsteins may be too soft for serious use, but if she's not that serious about competeing then koni's aren't going to make much sense. Running an oem setup, this car should be quite competitive in AT this year...

[BoulderG]

Hi -
This has probably come up for discussion on www.miata.net. Their forums are scarily large and active. You might check there.

Locally, the Peak to Peak Miata Club has a website and mailing list, but there are few serious autocrossers there.

Flyin Miata in Grand Junction (www.flyinmiata.com) makes/sells lots of aftermarket equipment. They are good people and would probably have some input on Mazda's future offerings as well as what FM and others will offer.

[kirstein]

If I read the question right, we aren't talking about a racer but a daily driver. This person has never autocrossed and certainly isnt looking for the ultimate performance package.
If that's the case, the suspension package probably isn't worth it, in fact she may not like the harsher ride. For a racer, the package is a bargain.

The LSD does have advantages in snow or loose pavement, so it's worth it even if the driver never competes.

[Bob Klingler]

.... Pontiac Solstice..........hijack......hijack
And Bob, yes the suspension package is available as a factory option and therefore stock legal. It comes on the "Club Sport" package. Similar to the Miata Club Spec, but it comes with the LSD, ABS and the full suspension package. It deletes the AC and the availablitiy of any other options. Club Sport (RPO Z0K) is a $1095 option and will most certainly require a special order. And I agree, this car should be more than competitive in CS this year.

Mike, I'm told that all of the 06 Solstice are already ordered, so the RPO ZOK option may only be practically available for an 07. And, it was not an available option when the 06 was classified, so even if you could get one, it possibly is not legal for 06 in CS? Chris Dorsey might want to weigh in on this discussion.

[LoCore]

The friend is not shopping for a CS car, rather she is buying a Miata.

The question on the table is for a daily driver and occasional enthusiastic road trip car, should she spring for the upgraded suspension?

We're having trouble figuring out whether there is in fact any significance to the upgrade, given that it is only $500 MSRP. Our thinking is that this money could be better spent on other upgrades, and do the suspension later if she's so compelled to compete.

Asked another way, have the glowing reviews of the Miata always included the upgraded suspension, or is the stock suspension just fine.

Thanks for the comments so far!

[Tom Hunsinger]

I think $500 for the shocks is worth it but I think missing springtime in the Rockies in a Miata sans roof is not. Depending on what car she is coming from, the Miata is probably much lighter and nimbler than what she is used to. The base suspension should be more than sufficient for all but the most discriminating driver. The weather in the Spring and Fall here makes even the drive home from work almost as enjoyable as a drive in the mountains. Get it now and start enjoying it.