Spec Miata vs Spec E46
Updated October 9, 2026
Pick Spec Miata if you want the biggest fields, the cheapest consumables and the most places to race: it runs in both SCCA and NASA. Pick Spec E46 if you want a faster, heavier rear-drive car with a straight six and you have NASA events nearby. A Spec E46 costs more to buy and more per weekend in tires and brakes.
What they cost to buy
These are live asking prices from cars listed on RaceCarStuff:
| Class | For sale now | Lowest | Median | Highest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spec Miata | 7 | $10,000 | $17,000 | $40,000 |
| Spec E46 | 2 | $35,000 | $36,500 | $38,000 |
In both classes, the spread within the class is mostly about engine freshness, safety gear dates and spares. See the Spec Miata and Spec E46 pages for every car and its price.
Where you can race
Spec Miata runs in both SCCA and NASA, and the rules are closely aligned, so most cars hold logbooks in both clubs. That doubles the number of race weekends you can choose from in most of the country.
Spec E46 is a NASA class. Some regions and endurance series give it a home too, but check the NASA schedule for your region before you buy. SCCA vs NASA covers how the two clubs differ.
How they drive
A Spec Miata is light, slow in a straight line and all about carrying corner speed. Drafting packs are the norm, and the racing is very close. It's a great place to learn racecraft, because small mistakes cost you places right away.
A Spec E46 is a BMW 330i or 330Ci with the M54 3.0-liter straight six. It's heavier and noticeably faster, with more power to manage on corner exit. Drivers coming from Spec Miata usually find it a natural step up.
Running costs
The Miata is lighter, so it uses tires and brakes more slowly and its parts are cheaper. An E46 is heavier and faster, so it goes through more of both each weekend. Both classes use spec parts that keep power and suspension costs in check, and both have big used-parts markets.
| Spec Miata | Spec E46 | |
|---|---|---|
| Clubs | SCCA and NASA | NASA |
| Car | 1990–2005 Mazda Miata (NA/NB) | BMW E46 330i / 330Ci |
| Engine | 1.6L or 1.8L four | 3.0L M54 inline six |
| Drive | Rear-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive |
| Consumables per weekend | Lower | Higher |
| Field sizes | Largest in North America | Growing; varies by region |
Which one to buy
If this is your first race car, a Spec Miata is the safer bet. It's cheaper to buy and run, it has more places to race, and it holds its value because there are always buyers. If you've already raced or done plenty of HPDE and want more speed, and your NASA region has a healthy Spec E46 field, the E46 is the more rewarding car.
Whichever you pick, run through how to buy a used race car before you make an offer.
FAQ
- Is Spec E46 faster than Spec Miata?
- Yes. The E46's 3.0-liter straight six makes much more power than a Miata's four-cylinder, so it's quicker around most tracks despite being heavier.
- Can a Spec E46 race in SCCA?
- Spec E46 is a NASA class. An E46 can be built for some SCCA classes, but it won't race as a Spec E46 there.