So here i am wondering again if i purchased the wrong car. my car is perfect for driving through turns or at a track, and i have alot of mods. but being a miata and the stigma of a miata especially one that isnt insanely modded there seems to be alot of hate for the car. at most car shows including 5280 its as obvious as the sun when people walk down the line and look at every single car and barely glance at the miata. the riceburners dont want to be associated with a homo/girls car by looking at or voting for it. and the muscle car guys, the miata and civics are the epitome of the tiny slow import that dont even deserve a second glance.
I have always lived by function>form hence why the exterior of my car looks bone stock albeit the wheels and tires. but thats kindof gone against me at things like shows.

I have been to a small local carshow before, that had very few imports, and i entered as well as my buddy in his intake only RSX-s and his car got more questions and interest than my car. and then a honda civic hatch with intake and exhaust. stereo, cut springs, wheels, lambo doors, body kit. and stickers won best import.

the big issue is if i want to say screw it and give up on car shows. or if i want to spend some of my money on aesthetics.
I refuse to do a bodykit or lambo doors. or stickers. hell I took off 17" wheels to replace with 15"s so I dont know what to do with the exterior. carbon fiber would kinda look out of place IMO. i could do a hood kinda like carl but thats alot of money invested in something that will fade/crack if left in the sun. I cant see myself dropping turbokit or engine build kinda money on something like a hardtop or all CF body parts. that do nothing but look different.
the interior I could use a smaller aftermarket steering wheel. roll bar and race seats. and i wouldnt mind covering alot of bits in redline leather. that would help out a fair bit. and a stereo im not sure about I like how mine sounds. and noone wants to steal a stock bose. subs and amps add weight. and thats the only thing my car has going for it..

I guess part of my anger is because it bothers me that it took me till i was 25 and a deployment that led to me being disabled to get a good car thats respectably fast. every mod was paidfor and installed with my own blood sweat and constant cursing. and people could care less about it.. meanwhile 16 year old joeblow's parents get a divorce and feel guilty so they buy him a new STI/corvette/evo and lend him their credit card to take it to a shop. or the fanboys that see a "rare" car like an NSX/skyline/supra thats as stock as the day it left the factory, and think ZOMG LETS VOTE FOR THAT.

Both. Ok, if I had to choose....function.

Screw car shows- I wouldn't let those/that get you down...and that's what it sounds like is making you second guess yourself.

I feel your pain. I've always been function over form hence my flat black rx-7. I'm usually completely ignored at car shows.

RX-7 Chris wrote: I'm usually completely ignored at car shows.

I found this to be extremely humorous. Debating whether or not to use it in my new signature.

Yea, I don't care about plastic trophies. If I were to win one, great, but it's not going on my mantle piece.

Build your car for you. You have a sweet car, screw the haters.

"Form follows function". One of the greatest quotes ever.


^^^ What Paul said.

for me. function < form.

ive done alot to be fast but its not really worth anything imo. looks are everything, i can care less about going fast or whatever. as long as i keep an even power to weight ratio im happy. time to get an FD. cant really go wrong with those.

also ask your self this. do you pick up chicks cause they have a good personality or they look good?






an FD is both of those... just saying... LOL

I say screw car shows. The cars that win at car shows are usually riced to the max and you don't want that. My last couple cars got no respect from most people but I still loved them because I knew what they were capable of. However, I do have to say it's nice with the Mustang because where people used to completely ignore my other cars, I get strangers coming up to me at gas stations and yelling at stop lights to tell me "nice car." That never happened before with my SRT-4 or MS3, heh.

But while that is nice, I still say it's more important for you to love your car and love driving it than what anyone else says about it. During the 4 years I had my SRT-4, I can't tell you how many people would tell me it was "just a Neon." But despite the haters, I still loved that car, and would probably still have it if it wasn't for my long commute at the time racking up miles on it.

So it all boils down to are you happy with the car when you're driving it. If you are, then that's all that matters and screw getting another cookie cutter STi or Evo or something else that you wouldn't enjoy as much just because other people will like it more, unless of course you'd like those cars more too, then by all means look into getting one if you'll be happier driving one.

I love my car, and I care less what others think. I get 10mpg so it's fuel economical. I have about 150hp and 100tq. It's a 2 seater so great for the family of me, myself, and I. Smells like oil... Mmmm right? No a/c. No p/s. No paint. I would take my car over ANY civic. I don't care how many turbos stickers wings or spinners it has. But that's just me.

if you want to make your miata more awesome. Stick a rotary in it. It would be 80 cubic inches of beast jk. Just keep doing what you want to your car. After all it is YOUR car.

Alex may be onto something...
Swap a 13B-REW into it and I'm sure you would get some people interested

Id love an FD but i kinda enjoy the reliability of my car. but ive always wanted a clean FD ever since i was a kid..

about the engine swap, its one of those issues if i basterdize one of 3000 mazdaspeeds. its going to be something crazy. as in 20b 3 rotor or twin turbo LS series v8...

and if i powdercoat the rest of my engine. and get that big turbo I think that it will get my engine bay very noticed. and i would do a wiretuck if i knew how.

Car Shows are Ruthless.
At shows your Ride is a reflection of you and your style.

You put your Ride out to be judged, it might as well be you being judged.

I can tell you there is no perfect show car. I have second guessed myself, in wishing I had a two door coupe vs a 4 door sedan. There are haters for every Ride and there are many haters out there. My Ride has its share of haters. Trust me you have to have thick skin in the car show scene and be ready for disappointment from time-to-time.

Bottom line it's your Ride.
Do whats going to make you happy.

If thats a top show car, be ready spend some big $$ and scarifice some function. It took me until I was almost 50 before I had the time and money to create my Ride. I was broke at 25 paying off my student loan. Once you reach your goal, be ready to obsess with being overly protective and worrying about theft or vandalism.

The Miata does have a stigma. But these cars are competitively raced every weekend across the USA. There are number of Miata and Mazda Clubs that truely know the capability of the Miata.

I have riden in your Miata and I was very impressed with the handling and power as we drove up Clear Creek Canyon this Spring. It was a kick. Your Ride is a true sleeper and I'm sure surpises many unsuspecting drivers.

Once you decide, set your goal and ignore the haters.

Dange wrote:Id love an FD but i kinda enjoy the reliability of my car. but ive always wanted a clean FD ever since i was a kid..

FDs can be driven daily. hell i know a guy here that daily drives it with roughly 400hp on the 13brew. also with 120 degree weather were having lately he still drives it lol. dont believe in all the reliability nightmares. also FDs or RX-7s in general are always down not cause they blew or whatever. usually for mods and what not. or... you can go LS. there's no shame in going LS

if not go widebody with the miata. its sure to attract attention

On another thought.

Join Ron (coloskydiver) and go to the Flyin' Miata Summer Camp and have fun. Before making any decisions.

Like number2 said, f* the haters!!! If you like the car that's all that matters.
I'm vein and more of a form guy (why my ms3 is stock)
I had my geo for 10 years and loved that car, and only modded aesthetics, and ignored the haters. People loved it, people hated it, It was a bomb ### cheap ### car, wish I kept it.

Keep yours, do what YOU want to it, and enjoy it
Down the line if u want a 'popular' car get one when you're ready.