Well I am on fence on if I want to get FRS, hence I am asking $18k.
Will keep and be happy if it does not sell.
65 here and getting ready to retire, so the MZspd will out last me if I do not sell.

Tim

Miataes are great cars, real pleasure to drive, similar driving dynamics as the FRS. Love them, you get no respect on the road but who cares as you will be too busy having too much fun!

But skip Miataes and get to the S2000. :)

I had a track prepped NB which was a great car but definitely was down on power compared to the BRZ. It was a great handling car.

I was thinking about getting an NC Miata or S2000 which are both fun cars to drive. They are not as rigid as the BRZ though- you can tell there's some body flex- even in the S2000- but I don't think it makes a noticeable difference on the street.

In the end, I didn't really want a convertible and decided I could use the back seat and extra storage once in a while which made the BRZ a better choice.

I gotcha, I don't think either would be a bad decision! I think if you throw some goodies on to the MSM it might help you decide:happy0180:

I just traded in my 2012 Velocity Red Mica Special Edition Miata for a Firestorm FR-S. It wasn't easy, but I don't regret it. Originally I wanted a BRZ earlier in the year. But I was turned off due to dealer markups at around $2000~$3000. Well, my MazdaSpeed 3 needed a good home, so I dropped it off at the local Mazda dealer when I saw that Velocity Red SE sitting out front at the dealer. This one was my 2nd Miata. A few years ago I had a NA with a modified GReddy turbo setup. It was a blast. But I made a huge mistake and sold it to my cousin. Well recently I saw the Scions and really liked the looks of them. So hitting up a few dealers, I found the one I wanted with the color I wanted. So I picked it up.

Comparing the two, I think each has it's plus and minuses. I will definitely miss the convertible. That was one of my draws to the Miata. Initially when I test drove the FR-S, I thought it was very lacking in power compared to the SE. That is, until I got up higher in the rpms. So my first thoughts on this is that the Miata has a better or more linear powerband vs the FR-S. I kept hitting the "dead" spot everyone has been talking about in the lower rpms. But shifting at redline helped stay out of this spot. Everyday driving though, well, it just feels weak down low. I'm hoping a Visconti tune will help a little.

Another thing I noticed, actually the first thing I noticed was the clutch. I think the Miata clutch feels better... or... easier to operate. The FR-S felt a little "poppy", springing in and out faster. The FR-S transmission also feels a little notchier as well. It's not necessarily a bad thing, it just feels more mechanical. Funny story, I didn't know how to put the car in reverse! haha. I'm used to the Mazdas where you push down and then over. Well, the salesman with me just started working there 3 days ago. They stuck him with me for training. He doesn't know how to drive stick shift. But, eventually I figured it out. I knew the shifter looked funny for a reason!

Ride quality, I will say the SE (in stock form, mine has Eibach/MazdaSpeed Pro kit springs) is/was a boat! As all the magazine articles say, it likes to lean in the turns. The spring and swaybar (Racing Beat) change helped a ton on my SE. Right off the bat, the FR-S was a lot stiffer than the SE. I have yet to take it out on a few good roads, but initially I could feel the difference. The FR-S also feels tighter. Not as tight as my MS3 was, but much tighter than my SE. When I say tight, I mean steering slop or reaction. The steering wheel just feels more direct. I love that.

Gearing, I love the FR-S gearing. At least for 1st and 2nd. I haven't quite checked it, but it seems you can just get to 60 without that shift into 3rd. Or at least with a tune and 300 extra rpms to redline you can. On the Miata, you cannot hit 60 in 2nd. Even with a tune to move redline.

Other thoughts. I think with over 20 years, the Miata does feel more refined. And as many articles have stated, it is a blast to drive. There's just no thought into driving it. My FR-S is very new to me, so I have to put a lot of thought into it as I'm learning the new clutch feel and shifter. The FR-S seats, though mine were not leather like my SE, does feel nicer as it hugs onto you much better. Plus the added space is a nice plus. But I think the FR-S lacks, or needs, a few more compartments to store stuff. At least a better center console arrangement.

Overall, I think the FR-S is going to be a nice fun car to drive. I hope it earns a reputation of reliability that the Miata has. I don't regret the switch, but I will miss the convertible. Mark my words though, that was not the last Miata that I will own. The ND is just around the corner! ;)

I had 97 M Edition Miata and it's fun car and lightweighted. wished little more power.
when i test drove both FR-S/BRZ i was amazed its handling like Miata had. I felt like this car can Turn without Understeer!

My wife hated my miata due to road/wind noise from highway and had to give up.
i am waiting for my BRZ to arrive.

I'm presently in my 2nd Miata. It is an '02. I've only test driven the FR-S one time but to me they're so similar that I would consider it almost a toss up as to which one handles better. I'm not into convertibles that much. I've often said if Miata made a coupe I'd be driving that. The FR-S being a coupe is one attraction to me plus being another, different car I've not had before is another attraction.

I drove an NC years ago when it was new (back to back with an RX-8, no less). From what I remember it feels lighter than a BRZ but is a bit softer.

Although I can vaguely understand the comparison in handling to a miata, the way the inertia transfers through the chassis of a convertible miata, and an 86 coupe is so completely different if nothing more than the way energy flows through a coupe versus that of a convertible. Convertibles must be reinforced in other areas to void itself of the roof and that all accounts for different energy transfer path.

what does that mean?

They handle differently.

Don't worry about these people. Only gay people would call one of the best driver's car of all time gay.

so you just skipped right past things like weight, suspension, wheelbase, polar moment, weight balance and jumped right to the convertible?

I think it means he doesn't know what inertia is. :)