I've been karting for 6 years and looking to get a car for autocross and HPDEs, then eventually rent seats in endurance racing (ChampCar, NASA TREC, etc). I'm a mechanical engineer by trade. I don't need this as a daily driver so I don't mind if street driving is a bit uncomfortable.

I'd appreciate any advice you have regarding the options I see in going down this path! I see the following three options with regard to Miatas:
- Buy a near-stock NA or NB and do upgrades at my own pace (roll bar and seat right off the bat so I'll fit)
- Buy an autocross/track-prepped naturally-aspirated NA or NB
- Buy a turbocharged autocross/track-prepped NA or NB

At 6' 3" and 170lbs, I'm trying to look at Miatas in my area and sit in them to see how much (if any) margin I have to the broomstick test with different seats and roll-bars. I think which of the three paths (above) that I choose could be heavily influenced by what's available in my area.

I'm looking at this one soon. I've been trying to read about the 2560 turbo and Tein Flex Z's. Do any of you have thoughts on the good/bad with this setup so that I know what to look for in this and other postings?
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...5-2c66af57faba

Thank you in advance and I'm excited to learn from you all.

 

Welcome! Short answer, my opinion (others will vary), but you should look for option 1 or 2. I love my turbo car on the street, but for autox and racing a turbo puts you into really competitive classes (for autox in particular), heat management is a BIG thing with racing turbo BPs to a point that I don’t really think it’s worth the constant worry and maintenance of racing one. YMMV

edit: looked at your link, looks like a decent build in todays market