Originally Posted by mazeroni (Post 2899216)

The 86 is $10K cheaper.

On Willow, the BRZ + PP might have made some amount of difference, but I don't imagine the Sachs shocks, bremos, or 10mm wider tires would suddenly transform the car and make them think different about it on the street, which is obviously a sticking point.

Is .13 seconds worth $10K?

No.

Not at all.

Originally Posted by guybo (Post 2899154)

If a mag is doing anything other than comparing like-for-like, they are selling something, not reviewing anything. MotoTrend is automotive "journalism" at its worst. Pick up the print magazine and check out the ads- the people paying the bills. Then look at the "review" of that product a few pages later. It happens all the time, they cannot be unbiased or they'll bite the hand that feeds them.

Originally Posted by WorldRallyB (Post 2899152)

I'm not going to regurgitate everything said, but i'll include some highlights.

[about the 86]
"Can you explain to me why the front of this car looks like a jack-o-lantern in December"? -Jason Cammisa :bellyroll:

"This sounds like two garbage trucks arm wrestling in a dumpster" -Jonny Lieberman:
"Garbage trucks are too big, more like two drain disposals, one gargoyling on marbles the other on silverware" -Jason Cammisa :iono:

[about both cars]
"I loves these things, they're like fighter planes, not the heavy bombers" -Randy Pobst

"Picking a winner was tough, we preferred whatever car we got out of last.. until we drove them to work. On normal roads at normal speeds its the miata that turns the drudgery into comedy and puts the 86 in second place" -Jason Cammisa

Jonny and Jason comparison comments:
-86 Rides better than the miata
-86 Quieter than the miata
-maita more fun at 10/10
-miata lots of body roll (duh), lots of movement with lots of control
-86 More roomy cabin, likes the seat and steering wheel adjustment/telescoping
-86 "sit the way you want to sit"
-86 They're not a fan of the boxer exhaust and rumble, evident by my quote above
-86 drives every bit as good as the miata
Randy's comments:
-86 less body roll, likes the feeling of control that goes with it
-86 pulls better at higher rpm
-86 better sense of control
-miata behaves better on bumps, 86 gets more upset with "snap oversteer"
-miata felt planted over a bumpy section on the track
-miata you can change direction better

Streets of Willow hot lap times:

86: 1:30.26
RF: 1:30.39

Jonny tries to beat Randy's times in a Hellcat (yes you just read that) and clocks a 1:40.79

Miata RF WINS Head 2 Head

My thoughts on the video:
I really enjoyed it, very entertaining and for as much crap these guys give our cars in other videos they had a lot of nice things to say. The review did an excellent job capturing my enjoyment i have driving my brz. Based off this video, what should you do? Buy a BRZ PP!:thumbsup:

Originally Posted by WorldRallyB (Post 2899152)

Streets of Willow hot lap times:

86: 1:30.26
RF: 1:30.39

Jonny tries to beat Randy's times in a Hellcat (yes you just read that) and clocks a 1:40.79

Miata RF WINS Head 2 Head

My thoughts on the video:
I really enjoyed it, very entertaining and for as much crap these guys give our cars in other videos they had a lot of nice things to say. The review did an excellent job capturing my enjoyment i have driving my brz. Based off this video, what should you do? Buy a BRZ PP!:thumbsup:

Originally Posted by jmark (Post 2899199)

Agreed. I suspect the more equal comparison with the BRZ PP would have made the difference.

Originally Posted by venturaII (Post 2899214)

So the somewhat slower, significantly more expensive, and less convenient vehicle is the winner? Nice to see Motor Trend hasn't changed.

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise (Post 2899253)

Thanks for the summary. These two seem really closely matched from their comments. If the Miata RF was an actual coupe, it'd be a difficult decision for me deciding between the two. But since it's not, 86 (or the better looking BRZ) would be my choice.

Originally Posted by TylerLieberman (Post 2899263)

I would still choose the normal mx5 lol. The mx5's greatest weapon is the light weight, and the extra 120lbs (and higher price tag) turn me off. 120lbs is a 5% increase in weight, and it's all at the highest point of the body.

Call me crazy, but I actually don't like the way the RF looks. It's better with the top down, in my opinion.

Originally Posted by TylerLieberman (Post 2899263)

I would still choose the normal mx5 lol. The mx5's greatest weapon is the light weight, and the extra 120lbs (and higher price tag) turn me off. 120lbs is a 5% increase in weight, and it's all at the highest point of the body.

Call me crazy, but I actually don't like the way the RF looks. It's better with the top down, in my opinion.

Originally Posted by funwheeldrive (Post 2899275)

I would also pick the Vert over the RF. The RF complicates the simplicity of the Miata that I love. I've owned convertibles before and don't enjoy using them as daily drivers. Even if I didn't need the rear seats in my FRS I would stick pick the 86 platform for its fixed top. I also don't like the idea of bolting in a roll bar to a brand new car.

Originally Posted by Lynxis (Post 2899286)

Now on the other hand, if you need any measure of practicality because you can only have one vehicle either due to space or cost restrictions, the 86 wins automatically.

Originally Posted by funwheeldrive (Post 2899260)

I'm surprised the 86 was slightly faster. I guess the RF's roof does slow it down a little.






These are 2 cars based on driver enjoyment. They thought the ND was more fun to drive, which is was a lot of reviewers have been saying.


If you want a cheap practical car, buy a new Civic Si. That will probably be faster than both of these cars for less money.