Shopping for a BRZ vs Miata RF, 370Z

[jmark]

If you like the Si you will love the CTR. Tried to buy a ND. Just wasn't big enough. Bought a BRZ before the CTR came out. Was able to get a CTR at MSRP. Sold the BRZ. Love the CTR.

[JR]

I would recommend the CTR over the Si as well if it is in your price range and you don't mind the styling.

[Vracer111]

CTR is an awesomely capable car...amazing how fast it is around tracks. Just absolutely disgusting to look at... and weighs too much. Civics now weigh 3k+ lbs and are absolutely big next to the FR-S (might as we be a minivan) - what has this world come to? First time a new civic parked next to my FR-S I actually thought it was a new Accord...my jaw dropped. I thought my Civic DX 4 door sedan was a little heavy at 2200 lbs... If Honda could ever get back to their roots (lightweight vehicles, double wishbone front suspension, high revving bulletproof NA motors with character) I'd go back. No way for that to happen in the current automotive climate though. The 86/BRZ and MX5 is the last bastion of NA powered lightweight vehicles.

[imped4now]

Originally Posted by Vracer111

CTR is an awesomely capable car...amazing how fast it is around tracks. Just absolutely disgusting to look at... and weighs too much. Civics now weigh 3k+ lbs and are absolutely big next to the FR-S (might as we be a minivan) - what has this world come to? First time a new civic parked next to my FR-S I actually thought it was a new Accord...my jaw dropped. I thought my Civic DX 4 door sedan was a little heavy at 2200 lbs... If Honda could ever get back to their roots (lightweight vehicles, double wishbone front suspension, high revving bulletproof NA motors with character) I'd go back. No way for that to happen in the current automotive climate though. The 86/BRZ and MX5 is the last bastion of NA powered lightweight vehicles.

I agree with your last sentence. The new Civic is actually light *for what it is* and for its size. The Si weighs about 2900 lb and the Type R is about 3100. My Focus RS weighs about 3400 lb. The Type R is the lightest of the "mega hatches" nowadays.


So, they may not be ultra light but considering the BRZ weighs about 2800 lb, I wouldn't consider any of the current Civics heavy *by today's standards.*

[AnalogMan]

The plot thickens… She Who Must Be Obeyed At All Times and In All Things (Mrs. AnalogMan) has ‘suggested’ that I should buy a “practical” car that would be usable in the winter, since my Mustang has the traction in the snow of a hockey puck on wet ice, and she doesn’t want us both needing to use the Subaru in winter weather. In New England that means FWD or AWD. So, I’ve tentatively decided to buy the Civic Si Coupe (I just can’t stomach the looks of the Type R… I respect that it’s a fantastic performing car, but, being on the wrong side of 60, I would feel silly driving it).

BUT – in her Infinite Benevolence and Wisdom, I’ve been encouraged to consider buying another car(!) in addition to (but after) a ‘practical’ one, purely as a toy (especially since I probably won’t be keeping the Mustang forever).

So, another thing to ponder – would it be silly to have both a Honda Civic Si Coupe and a Subaru BRZ? Are they too similar? Two 205 hp, similarly sized and comparably performing coupes, differentiated primarily by RWD vs FWD?

[Code Monkey]

You will probably fall in love with one of them and never drive the other.

[s2kbobby]

I sold my 2013 BRZ to a nice young girl who said she had been wanting one "all my life." I found the BRZ wanting horsepower and a little more luxury. We went with this AWD Lexus RC350 F Sport.

Sorry about the stock image.

[AnalogMan]

Originally Posted by s2kbobby

I sold my 2013 BRZ to a nice young girl who said she had been wanting one "all my life." I found the BRZ wanting horsepower and a little more luxury. We went with this AWD Lexus RC350 F Sport.

Sorry about the stock image.

s2kbobby, you read my mind. I was just thinking that I could get exactly that car for the combined price of a BRZ and Civic Si.

BUT... I have always loved and driven manual transmissions, and was looking forward to another one. I hadn't even considered any automatics (otherwise the Infiniti Q60 would also be on the list).

The Lexus is only available with an automatic. Do you miss driving a stick? Is the auto sufficiently satisfying in that car?

Thank you!

[JR]

Originally Posted by AnalogMan

The plot thickens… She Who Must Be Obeyed At All Times and In All Things (Mrs. AnalogMan) has ‘suggested’ that I should buy a “practical” car that would be usable in the winter, since my Mustang has the traction in the snow of a hockey puck on wet ice, and she doesn’t want us both needing to use the Subaru in winter weather. In New England that means FWD or AWD. So, I’ve tentatively decided to buy the Civic Si Coupe (I just can’t stomach the looks of the Type R… I respect that it’s a fantastic performing car, but, being on the wrong side of 60, I would feel silly driving it).

BUT – in her Infinite Benevolence and Wisdom, I’ve been encouraged to consider buying another car(!) in addition to (but after) a ‘practical’ one, purely as a toy (especially since I probably won’t be keeping the Mustang forever).

So, another thing to ponder – would it be silly to have both a Honda Civic Si Coupe and a Subaru BRZ? Are they too similar? Two 205 hp, similarly sized and comparably performing coupes, differentiated primarily by RWD vs FWD?

They're two completely different vehicles and you will notice it as soon as you sit in one, but like another person mentioned, you will probably end up driving one a lot more than the other. I would recommend getting your "practical" vehicle with an automatic and your "toy" with a manual.

[86MLR]

STI

[JR]

Originally Posted by AnalogMan

s2kbobby, you read my mind. I was just thinking that I could get exactly that car for the combined price of a BRZ and Civic Si.

BUT... I have always loved and driven manual transmissions, and was looking forward to another one. I hadn't even considered any automatics (otherwise the Infiniti Q60 would also be on the list).

The Lexus is only available with an automatic. Do you miss driving a stick? Is the auto sufficiently satisfying in that car?

Thank you!

Watch this and thank me later

[alphasaur]

Originally Posted by AnalogMan

The plot thickens… She Who Must Be Obeyed At All Times and In All Things (Mrs. AnalogMan) has ‘suggested’ that I should buy a “practical” car that would be usable in the winter, since my Mustang has the traction in the snow of a hockey puck on wet ice, and she doesn’t want us both needing to use the Subaru in winter weather. In New England that means FWD or AWD. So, I’ve tentatively decided to buy the Civic Si Coupe (I just can’t stomach the looks of the Type R… I respect that it’s a fantastic performing car, but, being on the wrong side of 60, I would feel silly driving it).

BUT – in her Infinite Benevolence and Wisdom, I’ve been encouraged to consider buying another car(!) in addition to (but after) a ‘practical’ one, purely as a toy (especially since I probably won’t be keeping the Mustang forever).

So, another thing to ponder – would it be silly to have both a Honda Civic Si Coupe and a Subaru BRZ? Are they too similar? Two 205 hp, similarly sized and comparably performing coupes, differentiated primarily by RWD vs FWD?

rear wheel drive does as well as fwd with the appropriate shoes on.

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by AnalogMan

The plot thickens… She Who Must Be Obeyed At All Times and In All Things (Mrs. AnalogMan) has ‘suggested’ that I should buy a “practical” car that would be usable in the winter, since my Mustang has the traction in the snow of a hockey puck on wet ice, and she doesn’t want us both needing to use the Subaru in winter weather. In New England that means FWD or AWD. So, I’ve tentatively decided to buy the Civic Si Coupe (I just can’t stomach the looks of the Type R… I respect that it’s a fantastic performing car, but, being on the wrong side of 60, I would feel silly driving it).

BUT – in her Infinite Benevolence and Wisdom, I’ve been encouraged to consider buying another car(!) in addition to (but after) a ‘practical’ one, purely as a toy (especially since I probably won’t be keeping the Mustang forever).

So, another thing to ponder – would it be silly to have both a Honda Civic Si Coupe and a Subaru BRZ? Are they too similar? Two 205 hp, similarly sized and comparably performing coupes, differentiated primarily by RWD vs FWD?

Focus RS is what you're looking for. If you want something classier, also consider the Golf R or S3.

[dhuang]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

If you want something classier, also consider the Golf R or S3.

A MK7 Golf .:R would fit the bill -- I was surprised by how capable that hatch was. So much faster and refined compared to my MKV GTI.

I bet boss lady would be happy.