April

It does look good! Thanks! But it doesn't address handling or braking;-)

sizzle

Thats why I would go exhaust, springs. Power, braking, and handling for less

April

Changing just springs won't help handling as much as coilovers ($$$), and if done incorrectly (drop the stock shocks outside of the optimum operating range), can make handling worse on the limits - where it really matters. So just changing wheels can give the same overall effect as upgrading your engine, brakes, and suspension without touching those things.

It's why some cars use aluminum or forged suspension parts and/or magnesium wheels. It's also part of the reason why race cars and some street cars have composite brake rotors. Remember it's not just unsprung weight, but also rotational weight. Lots of inertia to overcome. Like trying to play soccer in logging boots vs track shoes;-)

Most sources say that if you take 5lbs off each corner of your car via unsprung weight, and it equates to 0.200 in the 1/4 mile on average. It probably takes more than 20hp, to make similar gains;-)

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14738

http://www.nerocam.com/SCC_TAPnew.asp

(Step 1: Baseline
Curb Weight: 2,762 lbs
1/4 Mile:16.3 @ 84.0 mph
60-foot:2.9 sec.
0-60 mph:8.6 sec.

Step 2: 15-inch Wheels
Curb Weight:2,707 lbs
1/4 Mile:16.0 @ 85.5 mph
60-foot:2.8 sec.
0-60 mph: 8.1 sec. )

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/tech/techpage.jsp?techid=108

All you need to do is watch those (normal everyday) folks driving spec Miatas, and see how quickly an essentially stock Miata can go, to realize that the biggest improvements to a car comes from the driver and not parts you add onto a car.

Sorry if I'm being too pointy headed for you - in the end, you need to go with what appeals to you. I tend to be a bit of a geek:-D<ul><li><a href="http://www.mazda6tech.com/index.php?option=com_content&amp;task=view&amp;id= 16&amp;Itemid=50">http://www.mazda6tech.com/index.php?option=com_content&amp;task=view&amp;id= 16&amp;Itemid=50</a</li></ul>

johnz

and it was amazing how many people would spend $15,000 on go fast parts but didn't think they could afford the money for a good driving school. Also agree that lighter wheels is the first option.

QuattroWerks

<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a5/msgs/30040.phtml">FarnbacherLoles Custom Tuning Thread</a></li></ul>

April

The cars are so capable that the drivers often don't understand how little they know until they are in a pickle.

I've done a bit of instructing (just newb levels), and it's fun to take a person from thinking they know how to drive, to them realizing they don't know squat, to laying a good foundation and making them determined to become better

hemant

The first performance mod should be the driver (driver ed). But since most of you want to make the "car" look or perform better - whatever your motivations may be, but I suspect, mostly for bragging rights. I would go with lighter wheels, suspension mods, brakes, in that order, before adding more power.

IMHO, the biggest benefit of an exhaust upgrade is the sound. If you want to draw more attention to yourself, then go for it.