FRS/BRZ/86: past vs present (vs future)
 

For all practical purposes, the 86 platform is pretty cool and supportive of whichever driving style you like most (track, DD, weekend canyon, modding, etc.). Kind of like the Gen-1 NSX, I haven't seen the Gen-1 86 change much beyond interior trims and special edition colors (and yes, the different factory suspension tuning and tire setups).


Is there anything the early models do better/worse than present day?


The recent Hakone edition with stickier tires and no real "power/torque gains" seems like it actually makes the car less fun (or equally fun but in a different category) in stock form vs the base model.

I put very sticky tires on my Miata, it sucks now.

The 86 is very playful with the Prius tires.

Bigger, wider, stickier, tires probably make it feel way underpowered.

Balance is everything.

86 has been receiving lots minor changes since 2012, most of it is for durability & rigidity.



2013 B - Ignition Coil & intake/exhaust valve along with Cam

2014 C - Increase rigidity of the front/rear suspension member, updated bolt/ bolt flange in area associated. 1st suspension tuning.

2015 D - 1st Power steering tuning, structural reinforcement behind B pillar

------------------------------------------------------Minor Refresh *Catfish 86* ------------------------------------------------------------------------

2016 E - Increase structural rigidity @ where the V brace mounts in the engine bay/ added spot weld in the rear, Increase the metal thickness of the floor tunnel. Low friction treatment on cam & valve. Increase Engine Block Rigidity

2017 F - 2nd power steering tuning along with added steering column support, 2nd structural reinforcement behind/between B pillar, Reinforced Chassis by where Ac line comes into cabin behind center console.

2018 G - 2nd suspension tuning for none Sachs damper. *BRZ only... probably Japanese market only.


Year listed is the actual Year not model Year.

That's kind of what I figured. "Better" tires makes you yearn for more power, cooling, braking... the cycle continues until you run out of money, or you lose interest in the car. Miata is an awesome concept, but I just don't fit in them. I'm all legs. The S2k isn't an option for the same reason :brokenheart:

Yeah, I guess its all in what you do. If I did auto-X, track days or raced it would be a different story. The Miata used to be lively, now I have to go very fast in turns to get it tail happy. Super planted, but also super boring.

I'm lucky that I live where there are curvy roads. I'd hate the car for just light to light city traffic or my only fun were blasting up an entrance ramp.

I remember a motor journalist raving about the 86/BRZ over the fun nature of the car....without needing to go 100 MPH+. You can find some nice mountain roads with 40-70 switchback and have a blast. Even the low torque is a plus here as it keeps you engaged rowing between 4-5, where a more "grunty" engines could probably remain in one gear.

I really like the car stock, I think it is fun for people to mod, but I think it is really easy to upset the balanced nature the engineers strived so hard for.