Miata Mailing List: April 1994, Message #124
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   From: dquara@encore.com (Doug Quara)
Subject: Re: Any experience with the R-1 package
   Date: Thu, 7 Apr 1994 09:12:09 -0400

Al Staats, On Apr 6, 10:38pm, writes:
> Subject: Re: Any experience with the R-1 package
> On Wed, 6 Apr 1994, Quentin Fennessy wrote:
> 
> > I have seen the R-1 package (LSD, good wheels, tighter suspension)
> > listed in Mazda literature, but have not yet driven one.
> > 
> > Does anyone have any experience with this new package?  How does it
> > handle compared to the base car?
> > 
> > Quentin Fennessy
>  
> We had one of Mazda's R-1 press cars at our club meeting last night and
> had a chance to drive it. The best way to sum it up is to say that it
> drives like a truck. The steering is so hard that it overwhelms the
> suspension which is quite tight... and the tires stuck good on the
> concrete surface I was driving on. The overall impression was positive
> though. I wouldn't want to drive it around DC everyday, but it will make a
> hell of a weekend canyon racer (with the addition of an Aerodyne Turbo of
> course!) The quasi-Cobra stripes are a little hokey.
> 

Hi.  Please allow me to introduce myself.  I'm a new member to the list.
My name is Doug Quara, and I currently drive a '91 Mustang LX 5.0.
It has handling modifications (lowered, subframe connectors, other
chassis stiffeners, poly bushings, Konis, and a few other tweaks).  
It's currently up for sale.  As soon as it is gone I plan to purchase 
a '94 Package B.

I've investigated the R package, and from what I can tell it is nothing
more than a regular LSD Miata with Bilstein shocks and manual steering.
While I haven't driven one (I plan to soon; I'll let you know how
it goes after I've driven it), I would imagine that the manual steering
isn't as satisfying as the power, since the manual ratio is slower
(20:1 vs 15:1).  I've driven power assisted Miatas, and I find the
feedback good (but then again, look at what I'm comparing it to:
a 3200-lb torque monger that isn't really known for communicative steering
:-)

I don't really see the benefit of the R package over any other Miata
with the LSD.  Chances are I'll put a set of adjustable Konis in the
car anyways, and I don't like the slower steering of the R.  (Also,
I'm not enamored by the spoilers, either, but that's a matter of
personal taste.)

Looking forward to the car and to the list conversation.
I'll be asking about aggressive alignment specs, tire pressures,
etc. for autocrossing after I get the car and start sorting it
out.

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