year cost to run your Miata
#1
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So, I searched and didn't find a thread on this, so hopefully I didn't miss anything.
I'm interested in getting a Miata but I'm also looking at a few other vehicles.
What would you say you spend a year in maintenance?
I'm mostly interested in full race and street/weekend race vehicles.
How many how many races do you attend and how many miles a year on your vehicle?
I appreciate any info/feedback you guys have.
I'm interested in getting a Miata but I'm also looking at a few other vehicles.
What would you say you spend a year in maintenance?
I'm mostly interested in full race and street/weekend race vehicles.
How many how many races do you attend and how many miles a year on your vehicle?
I appreciate any info/feedback you guys have.
#2
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Over the last five years I have consistently budgeted about $150 a month for maintenance, consumables, fuel, and minor mods. I run 8-10 weekends a year, typically 7-8 TT sessions per weekend. I drive zero street miles now, so some of that fuel money is actually fuel for the tow rig.
That figure doesn't include reg fees or major mods like suspension, seats, hard top, etc.
That figure doesn't include reg fees or major mods like suspension, seats, hard top, etc.
#3
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I just gave advice about running cost to an endurance racer.
Here it starts at about $400 per hour (3kSEK), if everything is pristine when you start and nothing breaks. Probably a bit more since long term consumables isn't included (only tires, brakes, gas, oils).
But those who runs "HDPE" usually don't want to know what the true cost is, they focus on the admission fee only.
Fun exercise; Sum up the total money spent on a HDPE day...
Here it starts at about $400 per hour (3kSEK), if everything is pristine when you start and nothing breaks. Probably a bit more since long term consumables isn't included (only tires, brakes, gas, oils).
But those who runs "HDPE" usually don't want to know what the true cost is, they focus on the admission fee only.
Fun exercise; Sum up the total money spent on a HDPE day...
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#4
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Brake rotors, pads, and tires are the consumables you will use most. Miatas have some of the cheapest costs related to these items of any of the vehicles you will commonly see at the track. Upgrade parts, because Miatas are the single most raced model of vehicle in the history of motorsports, are more plentiful and less expensive than most or all other choices. For going to the track inexpensively, being reliable, and having decent lap times, you can't beat it.
We are a notoriously cheap and practical group. If there was a better alternative that was cheaper, we would be there instead.
We are a notoriously cheap and practical group. If there was a better alternative that was cheaper, we would be there instead.
#5
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Are you competing to win or just to go out there and have fun? That will effect what tires, brakes and pads you will use and how often you change them. Running something like RS3s and hawk Hp+ will give you larger number of miles then something like nittos and more aggressive pads. Especially if you don't mind loosing a little time on heat cycles rubber.
The bigger expense is the entry fees, gas to and from and at the track and lodging if you plan on staying the weekend and it's far away. This varies greatly with what region your in and what organizing group you go out with. Plus the occasional major damage repair bill that is inevitable and will hit you when you least expect it.
Last time out I blew an engine at a track 170 miles away from my house. Without AAA it would have been a $1500 tow. Without working on my own cars it would have been a $800 engine swap. Instead it was $120 annual AAA premium and $200 craigslist engine to get my miata running again. Be smart, plan ahead, and prepare to spend more than you expected on this hobby.
The bigger expense is the entry fees, gas to and from and at the track and lodging if you plan on staying the weekend and it's far away. This varies greatly with what region your in and what organizing group you go out with. Plus the occasional major damage repair bill that is inevitable and will hit you when you least expect it.
Last time out I blew an engine at a track 170 miles away from my house. Without AAA it would have been a $1500 tow. Without working on my own cars it would have been a $800 engine swap. Instead it was $120 annual AAA premium and $200 craigslist engine to get my miata running again. Be smart, plan ahead, and prepare to spend more than you expected on this hobby.
Last edited by cyotani; 05-18-2015 at 12:52 PM.
#6
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Fuel isn't something I'm worried about.
Tires, brakes, repairs, etc are stuff I'm interested in. As it stands right now, I'm looking for a stress relief. I think it would be foolish to think I can step out onto the track and expect to win anything right now.
So, a good reliable setup that will last a year is probably all I need. I don't mind freshening things over the winter. I used to be a technician and I still do a ton of fabrication now.
What is a good ball park price on entrance fees and whatnot to run for a weekend? Anytime I have been on the track, it was for a media day and we don't pay anything. So, I don't have any idea what a normal entrance fee would be.
Tires, brakes, repairs, etc are stuff I'm interested in. As it stands right now, I'm looking for a stress relief. I think it would be foolish to think I can step out onto the track and expect to win anything right now.
So, a good reliable setup that will last a year is probably all I need. I don't mind freshening things over the winter. I used to be a technician and I still do a ton of fabrication now.
What is a good ball park price on entrance fees and whatnot to run for a weekend? Anytime I have been on the track, it was for a media day and we don't pay anything. So, I don't have any idea what a normal entrance fee would be.
#9
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OP, track fees depends on your location and who you run with. The cheaper groups will stuff more people on the track at a time or run shorter sessions of more run groups which is how they can afford to charge you less. In the so cal area the cheaper track events are about $100 and the less crowded events about $160
I upgraded from 100 miles to 200 miles just in time for that event I blew the engine at. Now I wouldn't consider going to an event without it
I upgraded from 100 miles to 200 miles just in time for that event I blew the engine at. Now I wouldn't consider going to an event without it
#12
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A few years back myself and a couple friends ran two 7 hour endurance races for about $2500. Figure a 24hr endurance race might be twice the cost. And that's not factoring the cost to rebuild the engine after blowing it up on the last lap.
I think some Spec Miata guys are going through $800-1000 a weekend but they go through a lot of tires.
I figure about $400 for a 1 day HPDE. That includes food and gas.
Tires and brakes depend on variables but I'd plan for at least one set of each each year, maybe more.
I think some Spec Miata guys are going through $800-1000 a weekend but they go through a lot of tires.
I figure about $400 for a 1 day HPDE. That includes food and gas.
Tires and brakes depend on variables but I'd plan for at least one set of each each year, maybe more.
#13
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Miata tires and brake pads are cheap compared to any other track car. I had a BMW for a while.
I run $20 NAPA rotors, 205/50/15 RRs are $165 each, Maxxis and Nittos are less. Hawk pads are $120 & $65 a set.
Most maintenance parts are available at local auto parts stores.
Most repairs are easily done with hand tools, much cheaper than paying someone to do them.
And, when I researched it, Miata's were considered the best car to learn to drive on track. Not enough power to cover bad technique. Reward you when you do it right, and punish you when you do it wrong.
I run $20 NAPA rotors, 205/50/15 RRs are $165 each, Maxxis and Nittos are less. Hawk pads are $120 & $65 a set.
Most maintenance parts are available at local auto parts stores.
Most repairs are easily done with hand tools, much cheaper than paying someone to do them.
And, when I researched it, Miata's were considered the best car to learn to drive on track. Not enough power to cover bad technique. Reward you when you do it right, and punish you when you do it wrong.
#16
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I think everyone will agree- if you want a track rat, start with a 1.8l car with a torsen, so 1994-2005 (leather or special editions usually have the torsen).
Pretty much everything is interchangeable, and none of them are significantly more or less reliable. NB's (1999+ have slightly better engines, steering geometry and slightly more room for tires, but are heavier and more expensive due to being newer.)
Pretty much everything is interchangeable, and none of them are significantly more or less reliable. NB's (1999+ have slightly better engines, steering geometry and slightly more room for tires, but are heavier and more expensive due to being newer.)
#20
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Not a big deal. $400-$600 for a Torsen. A couple of hours to change it.
Get on DFWMiata.net to watch for cars, and Craigs List. Sometimes there's some 'deals' in rural areas. I found mine out by Longview, real cheap.
There's a shop in Lewisville that usually has some minimally molested NBs. http://www.acepdr.com/.
Also, check out the shops at MSR-C. They have a few 'track ready' Miata's out front. And Gary at Track Dog may have a customer trying to get rid of one.
Get on DFWMiata.net to watch for cars, and Craigs List. Sometimes there's some 'deals' in rural areas. I found mine out by Longview, real cheap.
There's a shop in Lewisville that usually has some minimally molested NBs. http://www.acepdr.com/.
Also, check out the shops at MSR-C. They have a few 'track ready' Miata's out front. And Gary at Track Dog may have a customer trying to get rid of one.
Last edited by EricJ; 05-20-2015 at 07:11 PM.