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2002 Mazda NB Miata Track Review - THIS Is How You Make A Slow Car Fun To Drive!

Zygrene

12,743 views

This NB Miata is a prime example of how to set up a low powered car to feel engaging and rewarding to drive at the limit.

Check out the owner's YouTube: ‪@pengofaster‬

Use promo code ZYGRENE to save on your next track day with Lightspeed Track Events.

Check out Minus 273 driving gloves and use code ZYGRENE273 for 25% off: https://minus273.biz/

See how I rank the cars I've reviewed in my Zygrene Performance Index (ZPI): https://bit.ly/3Vo0Idd

Mod list:
Xidas coilovers (one way) 16k/9k
-3.2 camber front / -2.0 rear
Flyin miata front and rear swaybar on softest setting
949 racing 6UL 15x8 on Bridgestone Potenza RE71-RS 205/50
Sparco Evo S with 6 point harness
Mazda comp engine mounts & diff mounts
Wilwood 4 piston with GLOC R12 / R10, SS lines, Motul brake fluid
Stage 1 Flyin Miata Clutch
Supermiata coolant reroute
Supermiata cross flow radiator
Singular Motorsports hood vents
Racing beat header
Catless midpipe
Racing Beat muffler
Cobalt intake
Power steering and working AC
Shorin front lip & Mazdaspeed wing
OEM hard top
Stock power, control arms & diff

Follow me on IG: Instagram: zygrene
Email me if you'd like me to review your car: zygrene@gmail.com

20 Comments

@pengofaster 6 months ago (edited) Pinned

Owner of the NB here, thanks for the kind words! Such an honor to have my car immortalized on your channel like this!

It was a pleasure to see you drive my car with a similar approach & lines that I take on east. We’ll have to do this again in the s2000 when the time comes!

@n9athan 6 months ago

Every time Fenton drives a MX5 "oh my god I love this car." Every time Fenton buys a new car, it's not a MX5. smh

@wongkmatthew 6 months ago

My fav part was the dinosaur hanging from the rear view mirror lol

@stevemartegani 6 months ago (edited)

My first ever track day was at Thunderhill East in a 110hp 1.8l N/A AWD Impreza, and it was so slow that I could exit the last corner and go flat out all the way through corner 1 without lifting at like 105mph 😂 😅

Was still a ton of fun though!

@JDM251-s7q 6 months ago

Yet another perfect example of why the NB Miata will always be my favorite

@antonyingram 5 months ago

What a great looking car, and looks so nicely set up, the balance seems spot-on. The very first time you went over a kerb it seemed to ride it so much smoother than a lot of other stuff you drive at this track. Real Spec Miata vibes here, all about maximum momentum at all times.

@DYhondaman 6 months ago (edited)

so, one constant issue i have with videos at Thunderhill and the times posted is that one turn (T11?) where everyone puts 4 tires off the track limits. i understand and see a lot of people do it, but it not representative of the course. I understand theres a camber on vs off change, but it just bugs me. thanks for the miata content

@Kashhunny 6 months ago

Ay what a collab! Two good channels

@psych0s15 6 months ago

Love the dinosaur plushy/analog G-meter, LOLZ!

@samueldowney2806 6 months ago

What a beautiful car! That looks so sweet, so well balanced, so much fun. Unless you're a rich guy with exotic machinery, I'm not sure I'd have much more fun in anything else on track. Pushing it to it's limits, feeling it moving around, then trying to be smooth and fast. Wonderful. 2:09's must be really flying in this thing!

@jaredgarcia2040 6 months ago

nice to see this. nearly my exact set up

@MarkSchrader-y2e 6 months ago

Miata's at Thunderhill are never snoozefest, especially when there are 40 or more

@AustinWolfe-t1m 6 months ago

Sounds so good! Would be super fun to rip around

@samulis8275 6 months ago

Lovely track profile.

@P37rP4n 6 months ago

Nice Driving!

@h.j.victory6103 6 months ago

Looks like a pretty balanced car....

@BuckyLaGrange 6 months ago

My dream build is a k24 swapped NC3 on xida coilovers

@davidzebar6876 6 months ago

That might be the best sounding Miata I've heard. Wonder if it's the mid pipe and header? Usually they sound too raspy

@SummitCityLimits 5 months ago

Looked to me like shifting out of 4th was pretty pointless

@Jimjams_Garage 5 months ago

I noticed you kept stating how light the steering felt. Was this giving an incorrect or numbed feeling when giving driver inputs into the steering? Also, I don't believe it was mentioned, but is this NB still stock power steering or depowered rack? Seem to hear a lot of back and forth between PS and depowered racks in the miata world. I have a 95' NA and would love to learn more about setting the car up for the track!