09/04/2026 7:55 pm
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I finally pulled the trigger on a clean 2019 ND2 in Soul Red and man i am so stoked to get this thing on the road properly!! I've been saving for months and finally found the right one near San Diego so now the mod bug is hitting me super hard lol. My goal is to make it a weekend canyon carver but still keep it streetable because it's my only car for now and I gotta commute in it occasionally.
I've got about $2500 set aside for the first round of upgrades and I'm really torn between two different directions. Option one is basically all handling... I'm looking at the Flyin Miata stage 1 suspension kit with the Koni yellows but part of me wonders if I should just blow the whole budget on Ohlins Road and Track coilovers instead because everyone says they're the gold standard even if it wipes out my bank account for the month.
Then there's option two which is more about the look and some light performance. I'm looking at:
- Konig Hypergrams (17x8)
- A decent set of Continental ExtremeContact tires
- The Rev9 ducktail spoiler because the rear end looks a bit naked to me
The thing is I have a track day at Buttonwillow coming up in three weeks and I really want to have at least one of these setups dialed in by then. Is it better to have the amazing suspension on stock wheels or have better rubber and a more aggressive look first? I can't decide if the Ohlins are overkill for a beginner or if i'll regret not just getting them right away... what do you guys think would be the better move for a first timer?
4 Answers
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09/04/2026 7:55 pm
Go for the wheels and rubber. Im running Konig Hypergram 17x8 wheels with Continental ExtremeContact Sport 02 215/45R17 and the car feels way more planted. Its a solid setup for Buttonwillow and works well for commuting too. Stock suspension is fine for your first few events, but better tires are a massive upgrade you wont regret. No complaints here after a year of track days.
4
22/04/2026 2:01 am
Unfortunately, I've seen way too many guys prep for their first track day by only looking at the fun stuff and then their car ends up on a flatbed. I had issues with my old setup because I ignored the cooling and focused on the stance... it really wasn't as good as expected when the temps hit 95 degrees. Since this is your only car, you gotta be extra careful not to break it. If you're heading to Buttonwillow, please look at the CSF High Performance Aluminum Radiator 7088. The stock unit is fine for commuting but track work is a different beast and you dont want to overheat your new ND2. I'd also suggest grabbing some Goodridge G-Stop Stainless Steel Brake Line Kit 21066 to help with that pedal feel. It makes a huge difference in confidence when you're braking hard at the end of the straight. I know a radiator isnt as exciting as a new spoiler, but keeping the car running is way more important imo. Hope you have a blast tho, those canyon runs are gonna be killer once you're sorted.
2
09/04/2026 8:20 pm
Satisfied with my Ohlins Road & Track Coilovers 7k/4k setup because the DFV tech manages high-piston velocities perfectly on track.
1
09/04/2026 9:30 pm
> track day at Buttonwillow coming up Agree with the tire advice, but be careful. I cooked my stock brakes once... youll definitely need Castrol SRF React Racing Brake Fluid and Hawk Performance HB843N.604 HP Plus Brake Pads for safety tho.