2013 MX5 Thrashed in Super Slow Motion! Plus a comparison with the FT86! [VIDEO]
 

Mazda Canada kindly loaned me a 2013 Mazda MX5 to review recently. Here is the result! And to take it all in context, I offer my comparison with my own beloved FT86!

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ht8GCDmleU"]drivingvancouver.ca 2013 Mazda Miata MX5 in slow motion! Review versus the Scion FRS and Subaru BRZ! - YouTube[/ame]


If I could have only one car, it would still be an '86, no question. Stiffer, bigger, more spacious inside, more practical, better interior, newer, the list goes on. But considered purely as a driving experience, I think the MX-5 offers a REALLY compelling alternative to enjoy. They are so different that I would actually consider having BOTH. I love this car!

So... would you rock an MX5? Would the girlier image of the car put you off?

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sure why not? if it is free and cheap

i love the miata granted i have a 90. i really applaud mazda for keeping what made the car special twenty years ago in the recent models. i think the biggest difference is (as you mentioned) the precision. the miata is more fun imo but it takes a little longer to settle into a corner. that can be a good or bad thing depending on perspective and either way its totally changeable with aftermarket suspension. the brz just seems to settle into the corner so much faster which is a little more confidence inspiring yet a little less dramatic

I haven't driven in one yet but I just see too many old guys driving it. That is not an issue, rather a random fact. The car does not seem aggressive at all and does not scream "mod me". I agree with you that the 86 is more practical and spacious which is why I got to roll with the 86.

This. I see quite a few of 55+ guys driving these around in my area.

Why is this?

Maybe because some older people rather drive a cheap sports car that does not have a lot of horsepower.

its because older people dont typically have the inhibitions of the younger crowd. the miata is just pure simple fun and i think older people have a better time not being sucked in by image. im all but certain that the miata is the most raced car in the world and thats not by mistake

A lot of them are probably chasing after the British-style convertible sports cars that were popular when they were younger. A gas-guzzling V8 and an extra $20k on the sticker probably doesn't sit too well with someone looking towards retirement either.

Motortrend also did a head to head with the FR-S vs MX-5. The Miata won. Barely.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDYaSwd4mmk"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDYaSwd4mmk[/ame]

I love the Miata. Problem for me is that it is a convertible (I live in Minnesota) and has no backseat. And if I was going to buy a third car for a weekend convertible summertime car, it would be a used S2K... Having a lot of time behind the wheel of both, I prefer the S2K.

I was this close to pulling the trigger on a used MX-5 hardtop 2009 Galaxy gray color. But the price they were asking was to much. Not to mention no back seats, no truck space. But I can't deny driving with the top down was hella fun in that car.

Agree with your review in all respects. The Miata is a very fun car for sure.

I also appreciate the Miata for all that it is, but to have a DD I needed some space and that's where the BRZ really fits my life perfectly. I have a few friends that have older Miatas and when we see each other we usually swap cars for the day and we both come away loving the others car.

I was never a fan of the styling on the older Miata's, but I'm loving the styling on the new ones.