Rush SR vs Spec Miata: cost and running costs
A Spec Miata costs about $35,000 to build fresh and $297 an hour to run. The Rush SR costs $49,995 new and $150 an hour. Here is the full cost table, with the arithmetic shown.
Side-by-Side: The Numbers
Every figure comes from our racing cost table, which lists purchase price, tires, rebuilds, fuel and brakes for Spec Miata and the Rush SR. The Rush SR runs at $150 per hour. See race car running costs by class for every class.
| Rush SR | Spec Miata | |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price, new | $49,995 | $35,000 |
| Purchase price, used | $46,000 | $25,000 |
| Operating cost per hour | $150 | $297 |
| Operating cost per year | $4,013 | $7,920 |
| Tire set price | $896 | $924 |
| Tire life (hours) | 15 | 8 |
| Engine rebuild cost | $4,000 | $4,000 |
| Engine rebuild interval (hours) | 160 | 53 |
| Gearbox rebuild cost | $750 | $1,200 |
| Gearbox rebuild interval (hours) | 160 | 53 |
| Fuel price per gallon | $3.00 | $3.00 |
| Fuel burn (gallons per hour) | 8 | 12 |
| Brake pad set price | $164 | $275 |
| Brake pad life (hours) | 30 | 10 |
| Power (hp) | 145 | 133 |
| Weight with driver (lbs) | 1,350 | 2,400 |
*US market estimates for a typical competitive season, from racing-costs.csv. Per-hour figures include tires, fuel, brakes, and scheduled rebuilds, spread over hours.
3-Year Total Cost
Purchase price new plus hours per year × cost per hour × 3 years. This excludes entry fees, travel, and incidents, which vary by series and driver.
| Rush SR | Spec Miata | |
|---|---|---|
| 20 hours per year | $49,995 + (20 hrs × $150 × 3 yrs) = $58,995 | $35,000 + (20 hrs × $297 × 3 yrs) = $52,820 |
| 40 hours per year | $49,995 + (40 hrs × $150 × 3 yrs) = $67,995 | $35,000 + (40 hrs × $297 × 3 yrs) = $70,640 |
Who Races Spec Miata
- SCCA: Spec Miata is an SCCA Club Racing class intended as a relatively low cost, production based car with limited modifications. It covers Miatas built from 1990 through 2005.
- NASA and the Midwestern Council of Sports Car Clubs (MCSCC) also run Spec Miata, per the Wikipedia Spec Miata article.
- Allowed cars: 1990-1993 with 1600cc engines, 1994-1997 and 1999-2005 with 1800cc engines. The minimum weight for 1994-1997 cars is 2,400 lbs, per the same article.
Where Spec Miata Still Makes Sense
Lowest cost to get on a grid
A fresh Spec Miata build is about $35,000 in our table, and a used car $25,000. The Rush SR is $49,995 new. If cash on the day you buy is the constraint, a used Miata is the cheaper start.
Grids
SCCA describes Spec Miata as a very popular category. If your region has an active Spec Miata group, that is the draw: the class has a large following.
Several sanctioning bodies
Because Spec Miata runs in SCCA, NASA and MCSCC, you can race it with whichever club is closest, using one car.
A production-based car with limited modifications
SCCA describes the class as a relatively low cost, production based car with limited modifications, so the rules cap what you can spend on development.
Frequently Asked
How much does Spec Miata racing cost per hour?
Our cost table puts Spec Miata at $297 per hour, or $7,920 per year. The Rush SR is $150 per hour.
How much does a Spec Miata cost to buy?
A fresh Spec Miata build is about $35,000 in our table and a used car $25,000. A new Rush SR is $49,995.
How much does a Spec Miata season cost over three years?
At 20 hours a year, purchase plus running over three years is $52,820 for a Spec Miata against $58,995 for the Rush SR. At 40 hours a year it is $70,640 against $67,995. Entry fees, travel and incidents are not included.
What are the Spec Miata weight rules?
Per the Wikipedia Spec Miata article, minimum weight for 1994-1997 cars is 2,400 lbs. Check the current SCCA or NASA rulebook before building.
Ready to Race?
Configure your Rush SR, or price a season of your own.