- 10,841
- Belgium
- bramturismo
OH LAWD!
More EVO IVs please!
Also a big
to all the Supras posted. Nothing better than a Supra squat đź‘Ť
Imports
- Thread starter Puffy
- 31,198 comments
- 3,215,404 views
OH LAWD!
More EVO IVs please!
Also a big
to all the Supras posted. Nothing better than a Supra squat đź‘Ť
Keef
Premium
- 25,197
- Dayton, OH
- GTP_KeefRacer
- GTP Keef
It actually makes it quite a lot better to drive. More room for your hands and your knees, less shuffling about. That looks like a 320mm Momo Monte Carlo.
- 5,428
- Midship_Express
It would start to become an issue if you don't have power steering. I am by no means a girly man but I do prefer my 360mm wheel over a smaller wheel.
- 1,522
I have a 320mm Monte Carlo in my Miata. I have no power steering and (when I go "driving") 20-offset wheels with R888s and I definitely prefer it that way. Once the car is rolling it's fine and not to mention you get so much better feedback. Drifting, on the other hand, is a different story...at least with anything but stock wheels and tires.
- 27,223
- United Kingdom
I very much doubt I'll swap the wheel in my car for anything smaller, it's just about the perfect size for me. I'm not a big bloke anyway so I've never had a problem with needing more elbow room or whatever.
As for shuffling about Keef, the rack on the MX5 is pretty quick anyway so I can virtually always keep my hands on the wheel. Even on tight roundabouts crossing my arms gives enough lock, and in all honesty I think a larger wheel would be probably better when you're parking too so I've no reason to change.
And, in my opinion, the smaller ones look stupid. Out of proportion compared to the rest of the interior. Not so much in the Miata, but definitely in that Civic.
As for shuffling about Keef, the rack on the MX5 is pretty quick anyway so I can virtually always keep my hands on the wheel. Even on tight roundabouts crossing my arms gives enough lock, and in all honesty I think a larger wheel would be probably better when you're parking too so I've no reason to change.
And, in my opinion, the smaller ones look stupid. Out of proportion compared to the rest of the interior. Not so much in the Miata, but definitely in that Civic.
- 9,089
- Scotland
- 5,428
- Midship_Express
- 8,480
- P_Balance
It's not that you need to change it, it's just better, that's all. Well, in my case, I need more leg room, but otherwise.
It's the same argument people use to defend not upgrading brakes past lines, pads and fluid. Sure it can lock the brakes, and it feels "fine," and if the pads are good enough, they won't overheat, it's just that there's still a lot of room for improvement in driving feel and precision. A whole bunch of these little improvements, and then you drive a stock one and suddenly you realize how solid and connected your car feels to the road as opposed to one missing all these little "unnecessary" improvements.
Keef
Premium
- 25,197
- Dayton, OH
- GTP_KeefRacer
- GTP Keef
- 5,428
- Midship_Express
Wedsport SA55M.
- 27,223
- United Kingdom
Worth bearing in mind that changing brakes is a genuine improvement whereas changing the steering wheel is down to personal taste. I'd change suspension, tyres, wheels, bushes and all manner of other things if I wanted to change the way my car felt before doing the steering wheel.
Increased steering effort shouldn't be confused with "feel". Sometimes they positively correlate, but not always.
McLaren
Premium
- 45,776
- Texas
Invisi. +rep sir. đź‘Ť
Edit*
Checked their website. Look like they'd fit my car without any extra mods.
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- 1,522
A steering wheel that provides much better steering feel and is designed specifically to be held the correct way is not personal taste. A steering wheel is the cheapest and quickest way to improve the feel of your car while also receiving more feedback (due to the massive loss in weight and grip design.) I would get a steering wheel for a car long before any of the other things you mentioned.
- 8,480
- P_Balance
I don't think you've driven a car with a truly proper, good steering wheel, have you?
- 1,654
- dougboyy
The blue accent is incredibly disgusting. After CR-Kai's and TE's, those are the most replicated wheels ever and every other ricer seems to be getting a set of black with blue accent.
On another note, I did a few snaps for my buddy's Type-R.... actually its a CSX- Type-S with full JDM conversion. Here they are for your viewing pleasure.
- 23,800
- Philippines
On the contrary... the question is... have you driven a car with a truly proper, good stock steering wheel? There are cars that could use a better steering wheel, but HFS's Miata isn't one.
Personally, only reason I'd change a stock wheel is if the stock wheel is too tall (which Mazda wheels aren't) or too thick for me to grip properly (again, aren't). Have never had any problems in hard driving or on the racetrack. For a track-only car, it does make sense, mind.
Personally... I see both sides of the argument as equally valid, depending on what car you're coming from and what purpose you're doing the change for.
- 5,428
- Midship_Express
Black with red pinstripe is disgusting. Thats the first time I've seen the black & blue and I am in love with it.
- 8,480
- P_Balance
Yes, I have driven cars with good factory steering wheels (Mitsubishi Evos, a few Toyota steering wheels, the one in my 240sx isn't bad off the top of my head), I was going to mention the Miata is definitely not one of them.
It actually kind of sucks, honestly:
The older one even moreso, with the design being the same except for having sharper edges around the spokes, not to mention the thick spokes are right where your hands need to be, preventing a proper hand position.
The problem isn't that the wheel that is too thick to grip properly, it's that it's too thin. They also flex a lot, and have a weighted feel to them that dulls down feel. A good aftermarket one will feel very sturdy but light, comparable to riding a bike with a heavy frame and suspension, or one with a light, stiff one. I'm sure everyone can relate to that comparison.
The only reason I see for keeping the stock wheel is to retain the airbag, which hasn't been mentioned yet.
EDIT: I would also like to agree with Time_Attack in saying that the blue/black looks good. It's not common at all, nor are those wheels "the most replicated after CR-Kais and TEs." Rota makes a knockoff, and it's not really the same, but other than that I can't think of anyone else. I do see black and red everywhere though.
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WeinerSchnitzel
(Banned)
- 1,179
- GTP_W-Schnitzel
That car looks delicious, Doug!
- 23,800
- Philippines
+1, you guys got shafted on steering wheels...
(our local ones are LHD... but the ones I've driven have steering wheels like this...)
At least your NBs got the Nardi wheels everyone else got. Great wheels... if a little slick for track use.
(our local ones are LHD... but the ones I've driven have steering wheels like this...)
At least your NBs got the Nardi wheels everyone else got. Great wheels... if a little slick for track use.
- 8,480
- P_Balance
Ah ok, I knew they made a Nardi wheel, but I thought it was simply an option, I didn't think it came standard everywhere except for here.
And indeed the automatic Miata must be boring to drive.
That wheel is a lot better, in which case I would in fact upgrade the suspension and other stuff before the wheel, but I still think it's a very effective upgrade that shouldn't be overlooked in a car. Even the factory Nardi wheels still have some weight to them that just isn't the same as an aftermarket wheel. (though apparently Keef says I'm thinking the one for the NB Miatas.)+1, you guys got shafted on steering wheels...
(our local ones are LHD... but the ones I've driven have steering wheels like this...)
At least your NBs got the Nardi wheels everyone else got. Great wheels... if a little slick for track use.
EDIT: So Keef shows me a picture of Homeforsummer's car, with a Momo wheel. I guess it would make sense to not care about replacing it if it's already got an aftermarket wheel on it.
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- 1,522
The only reason why I wouldn't eventually install a steering wheel like the Monte Carlo on any car is because it already has one or one similar. There aren't even allot of cars that have decent ones. The S2000 and Elise ones are pretty good, for example, but that just means I'd buy a Profi SPG before the wheel 
Also the NA Miata (what PB posted photos of) wheel is horrible. The area behind it where your other 4 fingers are supposed to grip around is too wide for that too be possible so the only thing that's really gripping it is your thumb and the skin between your thumb and index knuckle (If that's even a proper name for it.)
Also the NA Miata (what PB posted photos of) wheel is horrible. The area behind it where your other 4 fingers are supposed to grip around is too wide for that too be possible so the only thing that's really gripping it is your thumb and the skin between your thumb and index knuckle (If that's even a proper name for it.)
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- 2,321
Re: Steering wheels for MX5s/Miatas, I can't speak for Europe but as far as I know NZ NA6/8 MX5s that don't have a drivers airbag wheel have a Momo wheel standard (The centre has a removeable cover on it but you just whip it off to see that Momo goodness), and a lot of Japanese new NA6/8 Eunos Roadsters have the Nardi 3 spoke wheel. And that Momo is a nice little wheel, probably the nicest I've used.
- 1,301
- Pennsylvania
My Corrado's steering wheel is just about perfect in my opinion... the only way it could be better is if it was a little bit thicker.
- 1,522
Wow I have to ask: Have any of you ever tried a steering wheel such as this:
Or the Personal on the left:
I seriously could not see myself doing any kind of performance driving on any of those steering wheels you guys label as good. Especially the one on the Corrado
I have to ask: Have any of you ever tried a steering wheel such as this:
Or the Personal on the left:
I seriously could not see myself doing any kind of performance driving on any of those steering wheels you guys label as good. Especially the one on the Corrado
- 5,677
- United Kingdom
- Dragonistic
The simple fact of the matter is, different people will like different steering wheels from size to material.
