[Alfresco]

I don’t have an RMM yet, but it’s likely going to be my next purchase for the car. From what I’ve been reading it also helps reduce wheel hop during harder acceleration off of the line.

That's another common benefit of an RMM (which I glossed over since I don't tend to do drag launches). Because a FWD car's drivetrain swings in the same direction as the car travels, drivetrain slop has a much larger effect than it does on a RWD car. I never felt a need to upgrade mounts on any of my Miatas, but I've put a stiffer RMM on literally every FWD car I've owned (and upgraded main mounts on a couple of the higher power cars).

 

[Leftos]

That's another common benefit of an RMM (which I glossed over since I don't tend to do drag launches). Because a FWD car's drivetrain swings in the same direction as the car travels, drivetrain slop has a much larger effect than it does on a RWD car. I never felt a need to upgrade mounts on any of my Miatas, but I've put a stiffer RMM on literally every FWD car I've owned (and upgraded main mounts on a couple of the higher power cars).

What about concerns re: vibrations? Are those really only during the bushings' break-in, or does the added performance/shifting benefit come with at the cost of lowered livability, for those of us planning to use these more as dailies than as track rats?

 

[Alfresco]

What about concerns re: vibrations? Are those really only during the bushings' break-in, or does the added performance/shifting benefit come with at the cost of lowered livability, for those of us planning to use these more as dailies than as track rats?

That's a fair question that's hard to answer. I think an RMM is of just as much benefit in stop and go daily driving as it is when going hard (Huuuuuge improvement to clutch feel when starting from a dead stop). I've personally driven hundreds of thousands of street miles in cars with aftermarket RMMs. The worst of the vibrations are when new and decrease a lot within the first few hundred miles. How bad the NVH is after that is really a function of how bad the vibrations are for the engine in question (because they're all different, depending on displacement, bore vs stroke, presence of balance shafts, a lumpy cam, etc). That said, before my VN I had an Elantra GT N-Line which is a 1.6T. The post-breakin NVH was not good on that car. Livable but on the upper end of the acceptable range. I took that broken-in RMM and put it on the VN the second day I had it (same chassis with loads of parts compatibility). NVH was significantly lower and I think that's because the 2.0 Theta just produces lower magnitude vibrations than the 1.6 Gamma engine. The only time I really notice the vibrations from the RMM in the VN is when starting from a stop on a significant incline, ie high load, lots of throttle and low rpm. But for me it's not even a consideration, as the benefit is so large.

All that said, you may not even notice the slop in the drivetrain. I just know how I am about such things

 

[Leftos]

That's a fair question that's hard to answer.

Well, if cost is no issue, is the RMM easily reversible to the stock one? If so, then I suppose it's not nearly as much of a concern, since I can try, break it in, decide if I like it, and if not, go back.

 

[Alfresco]

It's a 15 minute install. Very easy.

 

[nomad17]

At first the increased nvh was more pronounced than I had expected around idle but like the others are saying once broken in they almost entirely go away.

 

[EvoXtoVelosterN]

I should preface this by saying I just got to push the car on backroads with friends for the first time yesterday, after having completed the 600 miles of meticulous break-in. Car is bone stock, no mods whatsoever. My other car is a 2019 Miata RF GT-S, so some of my impressions are going to be, whether I want to or not, influenced by the experience my Miatas have offered me the last 2.5 years. My goal with also owning a Veloster was to have a really fun car to drive when there were more than just 2 of us or more stuff than can fit in the Miata.

I'll post back with further impressions the more I drive the car, and you're welcome to share yours as well!

Pros:

• Car is a hoot; loud and childish when pushed
• Dual/customizable personality: at the hit of a button it goes from your fully customized beast to a quiet, mostly comfortable regular hatchback
• The eLSD, any time it detects a hint of understeer, has the entire car rotating around itself as if it's RWD; it's sorcery, it's magic, and given my prior FWD experiences, it makes no sense, but it works. It keeps surprising me with its ability to attack tight corners fast without any worry of loss of control.
• Space is cramped in the back only if you're spoiled by enormous US cars or taller than 5'10''/5'11'' (or have a long torso), in which case headroom might be an issue. Tall friends will have to sit in the front. Other than that, space is perfectly adequate; my first car back in Greece was a 2002 Fiat Punto (compact 2-door hatchback (well, then 3-door? whatever) with a roaring 78hp that was perfectly adequate in taking me and a couple of friends on vacations.
• Spacious trunk.
• Comfy cloth seats; they're bolstered but not too bolstered, perfect for a bigger guy like me.
• Infotainment works great.
• DID I MENTION THIS CAR SOUNDS RIDICULOUS? I just have a constant grin on my face driving it, and that's all I could ask for.

Cons:

• I don't understand the throttle response; it's like the car doesn't want you to use its turbo unless you put your foot on the floor; you get 50% of the car's power for 90% of the pedal's travel, and then if you put your foot all the way down it's like you opened the NOS valve and the car kicks you back and goes crazy. I get that it's trying to give you more granular throttle control than a car where 30% of pedal travel means 100% open throttle plate, making the rest of the travel useless, but I was hoping there could be some sweet medium between one end of the spectrum and the other. Feels like something that could be alleviated/adjusted with a tune, but it is what it is for now.
• Still getting some jerky 1->2 shifts even after 650 miles; the clutch bite point is not communicated at all through the clutch pedal, so it's a matter of building muscle memory and adjusting to the transition between it and the Miata.

• I should preface this by saying I just got to push the car on backroads with friends for the first time yesterday, after having completed the 600 miles of meticulous break-in. Car is bone stock, no mods whatsoever. My other car is a 2019 Miata RF GT-S, so some of my impressions are going to be, whether I want to or not, influenced by the experience my Miatas have offered me the last 2.5 years. My goal with also owning a Veloster was to have a really fun car to drive when there were more than just 2 of us or more stuff than can fit in the Miata.
  
  I'll post back with further impressions the more I drive the car, and you're welcome to share yours as well!
  
  Pros:
  

  • Car is a hoot; loud and childish when pushed
  • Dual/customizable personality: at the hit of a button it goes from your fully customized beast to a quiet, mostly comfortable regular hatchback
  • The eLSD, any time it detects a hint of understeer, has the entire car rotating around itself as if it's RWD; it's sorcery, it's magic, and given my prior FWD experiences, it makes no sense, but it works. It keeps surprising me with its ability to attack tight corners fast without any worry of loss of control.
  • Space is cramped in the back only if you're spoiled by enormous US cars or taller than 5'10''/5'11'' (or have a long torso), in which case headroom might be an issue. Tall friends will have to sit in the front. Other than that, space is perfectly adequate; my first car back in Greece was a 2002 Fiat Punto (compact 2-door hatchback (well, then 3-door? whatever) with a roaring 78hp that was perfectly adequate in taking me and a couple of friends on vacations.
  • Spacious trunk.
  • Comfy cloth seats; they're bolstered but not too bolstered, perfect for a bigger guy like me.
  • Infotainment works great.
  • DID I MENTION THIS CAR SOUNDS RIDICULOUS? I just have a constant grin on my face driving it, and that's all I could ask for.

  [*][*]Cons:
  

  • I don't understand the throttle response; it's like the car doesn't want you to use its turbo unless you put your foot on the floor; you get 50% of the car's power for 90% of the pedal's travel, and then if you put your foot all the way down it's like you opened the NOS valve and the car kicks you back and goes crazy. I get that it's trying to give you more granular throttle control than a car where 30% of pedal travel means 100% open throttle plate, making the rest of the travel useless, but I was hoping there could be some sweet medium between one end of the spectrum and the other. Feels like something that could be alleviated/adjusted with a tune, but it is what it is for now.
  • Still getting some jerky 1->2 shifts even after 650 miles; the clutch bite point is not communicated at all through the clutch pedal, so it's a matter of building muscle memory and adjusting to the transition between it and the Miata.
  • The car, stock, is not meant for bad roads and mountains and canyons in my opinion, and there's a lot of them around where I live. The suspension even at its softest setting makes the car more bouncy than the Miata, and those 19'' wheels and low profile tires are great for looks, but useless otherwise; looking forward to making all of this better once I go down to 18'' Rial Lucca wheels and Michelin PS4S tires.
  • Underwhelming sound system; nothing amazing, nothing horrible, but for the supposed "Premium" sound system I still think the Bose (yuck...) sound system in the Miata somehow sounds better (the subwoofers in the seats help the Miata, though, where loud bass in the Veloster just makes panels rattle); mid-range delivery also feels sub-par; still, it's all tolerable if you keep measured expectations, and probably easy to upgrade the drivers should I decide to down the road.

  [*][*]

  hey were you able to solve the throttle responsiveness ? Can you update how you feel on the car now. Also did you try the 17 wheels?
• The car, stock, is not meant for bad roads and mountains and canyons in my opinion, and there's a lot of them around where I live. The suspension even at its softest setting makes the car more bouncy than the Miata, and those 19'' wheels and low profile tires are great for looks, but useless otherwise; looking forward to making all of this better once I go down to 18'' Rial Lucca wheels and Michelin PS4S tires.
• Underwhelming sound system; nothing amazing, nothing horrible, but for the supposed "Premium" sound system I still think the Bose (yuck...) sound system in the Miata somehow sounds better (the subwoofers in the seats help the Miata, though, where loud bass in the Veloster just makes panels rattle); mid-range delivery also feels sub-par; still, it's all tolerable if you keep measured expectations, and probably easy to upgrade the drivers should I decide to down the road.

 

[EvoXtoVelosterN]

hey were you able to solve the throttle responsiveness ? Can you update how you feel on the car now. Also did you try the 17 wheels?

 

[Leftos]

hey were you able to solve the throttle responsiveness ? Can you update how you feel on the car now. Also did you try the 17 wheels?

Yeah, I installed a Sprint Booster and found a setting I liked on it to get throttle responsiveness where I wanted it. Since I don't need to adjust it anymore, I disconnected the tiny display and button, and all that's left is the harness on the throttle pedal. You wouldn't even know it's there unless you went digging in the footwell.

As for the 17s, yeah, I got Rial Lucca wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S and I have nothing but great things to say. The ride comfort difference is significant, and it comes with peace of mind around potholes as well as curb rash protection with going a little wider than stock. No discernable change on turn-in, the car still handles better than it has any right to. Very happy with that.

 

[EvoXtoVelosterN]

Wow awesome thanks for updating

 

[AgingYoungster_PA]

I ordered the Rial Lucca 18" wheels with Michelin all seasons from Tire Rack. Exact same type as your picture. I hope your fob is not the same frequency as mine... They are due to arrive around 4/17 so I expect to have then around early May or maybe sooner.

 

[Leftos]

I hope your fob is not the same frequency as mine...

Not sure what you mean by that.

 

[AgingYoungster_PA]

Not sure what you mean by that.

Our cars look identical now it would appear. Wait, I don't have a front license plate. The ONLY advantage of living in PA.

 

[Aurablade77]

I should preface this by saying I just got to push the car on backroads with friends for the first time yesterday, after having completed the 600 miles of meticulous break-in. Car is bone stock, no mods whatsoever. My other car is a 2019 Miata RF GT-S, so some of my impressions are going to be, whether I want to or not, influenced by the experience my Miatas have offered me the last 2.5 years. My goal with also owning a Veloster was to have a really fun car to drive when there were more than just 2 of us or more stuff than can fit in the Miata.

I'll post back with further impressions the more I drive the car, and you're welcome to share yours as well!

Pros:

• Car is a hoot; loud and childish when pushed
• Dual/customizable personality: at the hit of a button it goes from your fully customized beast to a quiet, mostly comfortable regular hatchback
• The eLSD, any time it detects a hint of understeer, has the entire car rotating around itself as if it's RWD; it's sorcery, it's magic, and given my prior FWD experiences, it makes no sense, but it works. It keeps surprising me with its ability to attack tight corners fast without any worry of loss of control.
• Space is cramped in the back only if you're spoiled by enormous US cars or taller than 5'10''/5'11'' (or have a long torso), in which case headroom might be an issue. Tall friends will have to sit in the front. Other than that, space is perfectly adequate; my first car back in Greece was a 2002 Fiat Punto (compact 2-door hatchback (well, then 3-door? whatever) with a roaring 78hp that was perfectly adequate in taking me and a couple of friends on vacations.
• Spacious trunk.
• Comfy cloth seats; they're bolstered but not too bolstered, perfect for a bigger guy like me.
• Infotainment works great.
• DID I MENTION THIS CAR SOUNDS RIDICULOUS? I just have a constant grin on my face driving it, and that's all I could ask for.

Cons:

• I don't understand the throttle response; it's like the car doesn't want you to use its turbo unless you put your foot on the floor; you get 50% of the car's power for 90% of the pedal's travel, and then if you put your foot all the way down it's like you opened the NOS valve and the car kicks you back and goes crazy. I get that it's trying to give you more granular throttle control than a car where 30% of pedal travel means 100% open throttle plate, making the rest of the travel useless, but I was hoping there could be some sweet medium between one end of the spectrum and the other. Feels like something that could be alleviated/adjusted with a tune, but it is what it is for now.
• Still getting some jerky 1->2 shifts even after 650 miles; the clutch bite point is not communicated at all through the clutch pedal, so it's a matter of building muscle memory and adjusting to the transition between it and the Miata.
• The car, stock, is not meant for bad roads and mountains and canyons in my opinion, and there's a lot of them around where I live. The suspension even at its softest setting makes the car more bouncy than the Miata, and those 19'' wheels and low profile tires are great for looks, but useless otherwise; looking forward to making all of this better once I go down to 18'' Rial Lucca wheels and Michelin PS4S tires.
• Underwhelming sound system; nothing amazing, nothing horrible, but for the supposed "Premium" sound system I still think the Bose (yuck...) sound system in the Miata somehow sounds better (the subwoofers in the seats help the Miata, though, where loud bass in the Veloster just makes panels rattle); mid-range delivery also feels sub-par; still, it's all tolerable if you keep measured expectations, and probably easy to upgrade the drivers should I decide to down the road.

I'm between deciding on a ND2 RF and the Veloster N- looking to make a decision soon. This is hard! haha