Cheap RWD manual cars - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

squelchy451 · 05-14-2019, 06:43 PM

I have a Turo coupon and may want to use it on the upcoming Memorial day weekend to test out either the BRZ or a NC Miata soft-top to get some medium-term experience with how it'd be living with these cars.

For anyone who's had both (86/BRZ and any Miata variant), which one did you find more comfortable to daily drive? I'll choose my Turo rental depending on your answers.

Thanks!

Leonardo · 05-14-2019, 06:50 PM

I had a S2000 for a few years, which is basically the same size as a miata to DD.

I now have had my FR-S for almost 7 years.

I would pick a twin EVERYDAY over a miata (or other similar small car)

The twins are a great to DD. Trunk size is decent, back seat is usable in a pinch, and visibility is better IMO than a convertible.

86MLR · 05-14-2019, 07:22 PM

As a daily, the twins get my vote hands down.

funwheeldrive · 05-14-2019, 07:52 PM

Not exactly a Miata, but I rented a Fiata when I was down in socal. I loved having a convertible, but my FRS was more comfortable and more practical.

HKz · 05-14-2019, 08:09 PM

virtually any roadster will be worse to DD compared to any normal coupe when it comes to NVH & wind noise and if you're referring to any practicality & occupant space concerns, then the roadsters are worse too. The only thing going for a stock NC in terms of DDing would be the softer suspension

Mr.ac · 05-14-2019, 08:19 PM

Call me silly but isn't all cars on turo auto?

mav1178 · 05-14-2019, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.ac

Call me silly but isn't all cars on turo auto?

nope.

https://turo.com/rentals/cars/ca/la-...rchId=3IJncdhH

funwheeldrive · 05-14-2019, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.ac

Call me silly but isn't all cars on turo auto?

I've rented a manual spider, Elise, and civic type r on turo.

MrDinkleman · 05-14-2019, 09:08 PM

I have both an NB Miata and FRS. I have a hardtop on my Miata so there isn't much difference between the Miata and FRS, wrt NVH. Without the hardtop, it is much noisier. I prefer to drive with earplugs in my Miata when the hardtop is off.

My Miata is the 10th Anniversary Model so it has the sport suspension. The ride is about the same. Handling is about the same. The NC reportedly has a much softer suspension, BTW.

What you get with the FRS is more interior space and more trunk space, even when the FRS rear seats are up. Put the rear seats down and end of discussion.

I've said this many times, here and other forums: If you want a convertible to get the wind in your hair and bugs in your teeth, get a Miata. If you want a coupe with a tighter chassis (although the Miata chassis isn't that bad) and lots of storage space, get one of the twins. Really, that's the only decision you have to make.

strat61caster · 05-14-2019, 09:54 PM

NC nvh is worse than BRZ Imho, stock suspension is probably a bit more compliant but I've only driven a modded NC. LA traffic? Low speed crap roads good weather, try the NC Imho, then do the BRZ soon after, the Dynamics are different even just regular street driving and the practicality is the make or break for most people so try the less practical car longer term before committing.

My friend loaned me his NC for a few days before I bought an FRS, it's an excellent car and imo one of the best bargains right now for under $10k.

Mr.ac · 05-14-2019, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funwheeldrive

I've rented a manual spider, Elise, and civic type r on turo.

Really? Must be just my location. I am in the middle of Bumfuckvill.

DarkPira7e · 05-14-2019, 10:22 PM

I had an NA Miata. I'll never own a convertible again. Loved the car, but it's not feasible. Newer revisions of the car may be better as far as the interior are confirmed, but the FRS/BRZ definitely gets my hands down vote for a DD. Also consider an E36 BMW for a DD if you're on a budget or want a project car of sorts that well sorted out.

squelchy451 · 05-15-2019, 12:29 AM

Slim pickings on E36 when I look at Craigslist (though it isn't all that often).
I'll go with the 86 for the weekend. Thanks for all your feedback.

Tcoat · 05-15-2019, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.ac

Really? Must be just my location. I am in the middle of Bumfuckvill.

LOL I have a spectacular choice! Remember this is a city of +500,000 people.

https://turo.com/search?country=CA&c...rtTime=10%3A00

05-14-2019, 06:43 PM	#1
squelchy451 Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Drives: Pending Location: Los Angeles Posts: 36 Thanks: 2 Thanked 23 Times in 7 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Cheap RWD manual cars I have a Turo coupon and may want to use it on the upcoming Memorial day weekend to test out either the BRZ or a NC Miata soft-top to get some medium-term experience with how it'd be living with these cars. For anyone who's had both (86/BRZ and any Miata variant), which one did you find more comfortable to daily drive? I'll choose my Turo rental depending on your answers. Thanks!

05-14-2019, 06:50 PM	#2
Leonardo Country Boy 4 Life Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: 19' & 06' Ridgelines, 13' FR-S Location: EUGENE Posts: 5,228 Thanks: 6,719 Thanked 5,291 Times in 2,720 Posts Mentioned: 47 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	I had a S2000 for a few years, which is basically the same size as a miata to DD. I now have had my FR-S for almost 7 years. I would pick a twin EVERYDAY over a miata (or other similar small car) The twins are a great to DD. Trunk size is decent, back seat is usable in a pinch, and visibility is better IMO than a convertible. __________________ I LIKE TIRES!

05-14-2019, 07:22 PM	#3
86MLR Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Drives: 2002 VX Commodore SS LS1 Auto Location: Sydney Posts: 2,203 Thanks: 500 Thanked 2,185 Times in 1,111 Posts Mentioned: 13 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	As a daily, the twins get my vote hands down. __________________ Disclaimer: This post represents the official views of the voices in my head at the time of posting. http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133311 I'm only here for the biscuits

05-14-2019, 08:19 PM	#6
Mr.ac [insert cool phrase here] Join Date: Aug 2015 Drives: BRZ Premium Location: Central Coast CA Posts: 2,369 Thanks: 709 Thanked 1,558 Times in 930 Posts Mentioned: 30 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Call me silly but isn't all cars on turo auto? __________________ New daily driver - Subaru BRZ Premium Weekend fun/track car - '91 MR2 Turbo Gen3 Old daily driver - '88 MR2 Supercharged

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05-14-2019, 07:52 PM	#4
funwheeldrive Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Drives: BANNED FOR TELLING THE TRUTH Location: MODS ARE ON A POWER TRIP Posts: 3,447 Thanks: 7,830 Thanked 3,022 Times in 1,409 Posts Mentioned: 38 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	Not exactly a Miata, but I rented a Fiata when I was down in socal. I loved having a convertible, but my FRS was more comfortable and more practical.

05-14-2019, 08:09 PM	#5
HKz Reformed Join Date: Sep 2014 Drives: '23 GRC, '11 Prius, '04 RAV4 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 1,313 Thanks: 1,234 Thanked 1,133 Times in 588 Posts Mentioned: 8 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	virtually any roadster will be worse to DD compared to any normal coupe when it comes to NVH & wind noise and if you're referring to any practicality & occupant space concerns, then the roadsters are worse too. The only thing going for a stock NC in terms of DDing would be the softer suspension

05-14-2019, 09:08 PM	#9
MrDinkleman Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Drives: 2016 Oceanic, "base" model Location: Gardena, CA Posts: 398 Thanks: 129 Thanked 179 Times in 128 Posts Mentioned: 5 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	I have both an NB Miata and FRS. I have a hardtop on my Miata so there isn't much difference between the Miata and FRS, wrt NVH. Without the hardtop, it is much noisier. I prefer to drive with earplugs in my Miata when the hardtop is off. My Miata is the 10th Anniversary Model so it has the sport suspension. The ride is about the same. Handling is about the same. The NC reportedly has a much softer suspension, BTW. What you get with the FRS is more interior space and more trunk space, even when the FRS rear seats are up. Put the rear seats down and end of discussion. I've said this many times, here and other forums: If you want a convertible to get the wind in your hair and bugs in your teeth, get a Miata. If you want a coupe with a tighter chassis (although the Miata chassis isn't that bad) and lots of storage space, get one of the twins. Really, that's the only decision you have to make.

05-14-2019, 10:22 PM	#12
DarkPira7e Rust bucket enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2017 Drives: 2013 Turbo Firestorm FRS Location: Vermont Posts: 3,934 Thanks: 3,200 Thanked 4,095 Times in 2,045 Posts Mentioned: 31 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I had an NA Miata. I'll never own a convertible again. Loved the car, but it's not feasible. Newer revisions of the car may be better as far as the interior are confirmed, but the FRS/BRZ definitely gets my hands down vote for a DD. Also consider an E36 BMW for a DD if you're on a budget or want a project car of sorts that well sorted out.

05-15-2019, 12:29 AM	#13
squelchy451 Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Drives: Pending Location: Los Angeles Posts: 36 Thanks: 2 Thanked 23 Times in 7 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Slim pickings on E36 when I look at Craigslist (though it isn't all that often). I'll go with the 86 for the weekend. Thanks for all your feedback.

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