FRS/BRZ vs. ND Miata
 

Look at this thing... it's gorgeous! What do you think?

This is a great time to be into cars. So many cheap, fun, lightweight options. I feel like 5 years ago there was only one option: NC Miata. 10 years ago there was the NB Miata, S2000, and MR-S.

Personally, I cannot wait to see these two duke it out. I will probably not buy a Miata because I think the Z4 is a better road trip car, but wow, this thing looks amazing. 155HP and 2300 lbs.

And this Club Edition with additional aero, BBS wheels, Brembo brakes and Bilstein shocks... WOW!!!

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/...jxgdfcdt78.jpg

1) BRZ, FRS
2) Fiesta ST
3) ND Miata
4) Honda S660 (That we are not getting ... yet)

Actually, I hate the tail of the ND Miata... but the front makes it look super menacing!

So many cheap, fun lightweight options?
Name some.

I saw it at the la auto show and while it looked pretty good, I still prefer the twins.

All the pics where it looks really good, they are at low angles, which would make any car look good. And you will rarely/never see as the car is tiny.
The front fender to wheel well ratio killed it for me.
Bigger wheels and top down does help a lot though.
http://s28.postimg.org/rk4e9jti5/S2000_v_ND.png
http://blog.caranddriver.com/wp-cont...04-626x382.jpg
http://japanesenostalgiccar.com/word...ND-640x426.jpg
17's?

I wouldn't call that "so many"...
ND miata isnt out yet. But sure.
s660 is unlikely to make it here. Not soon anyways.

The thing for me about the MX5 is how it's design compares to the FT86 on paper (since real world drives aren't available yet).

The twins make a big deal about how low the engine sits, allowing a low hood. But having seen the twins and ND MX5 back-to-back at an auto show, the Mazda sure looks like it has a lower hood and is a lower car overall.

The boxer engine is short and wide and Subaru boasted how they were able to mount it so far back (especially compared to AWD Subaru cars) yet Mazda managed to get a longitudinal in-line engine behind the front axle whereas for the twins the engine sits on top of the front axle.

They were also able to hold weight and size down to an amazing degree (helped by only needing two seats, of course).

Just imagine if they had the money to make an enclosed 2+2 version of this.

Look at this crazy chassis. Double wishbone all around (the rear looks weird but is that still a wishbone?) Look at the shifter... it feeds directly into the gearbox. So awesome.

Too bad it's so small. I had an NA Miata 94R and it was just too tiny for me. I'll test drive one of these for sure.... personally I'll be waiting for a power retractable hard top in Club Sport edition. I won't mind the extra weight of the hardtop for the extra security and durability. The dang car starts out at 2300 lbs!!! Amazing.

http://www.longlivetheroadster.com/i...iata_10_lg.jpg
http://www.longlivetheroadster.com/i...iata_11_lg.jpg

Love the face but that ass end is terrible. Looking forward to see this on the streets. Would I buy one or trade in on one...? Never.

Now I'm thinking about replacing my wife's car with this... she is driving a 2003 Z4 2.5i 5MT. Her complaints about the previous Miata were that it looked too girly for her :)

Man, this ass looks HORRIBLE tho. Would look better with a more prominent diffuser or more black on the bottom. What do you think?

http://img2.autoweek.com/styles/gen-...?itok=0LD5w9sG

The Club Edition is going to be off the hook:
http://img2.autoweek.com/styles/gen-...?itok=WZHZS_9I

I'm excited about the autocross rivalry renewed

Eh, the inline vs. boxer comparison is easy to spot if you check out the @donoman post above, consider that in the 86 the top of the engine is at most a few inches above the bellhousing whereas on the Miata it's nearly half the unit and the driveshafts are probably within an inch of each other in distance from the ground. I would be surprised if the ND has a lower c.g. than the 86, very very close, but not lower. Considering they have the same size wheels (17") it looks like the hoodline of the ND is higher off the ground than the 86 with roughly equivalent beltlines at the door. 86 height: ~50.6", ND height ~48.6"

Undoubtedly the ND will have a better weight distribution front to back, there's almost no overhang on the front. The shorter wheelbase and less weight will definitely result in a more nimble chassis.

However the primary trait of the stock Miata IS the body roll and a compliant suspension, based on the preliminary reviews the ND retains it's 'playful' character stock. It's not going to break any skidpad records but it will instill lots of confidence to the driver.

Slap on some stiff coilovers and sticky rubber and you've got a monster on your hands.

http://www.subaru.ca/content/7907/Me...ze/207_BRZ.jpg

http://image.motortrend.com/f/roadte...-side-view.jpg

The base MX-5 possesses the roll of the old Miatas. Hopefully, the Club Edition will sport stiffer springs and bigger sway bars along with the Bilstiens to limit body roll and make for a C Street competitor. Once you throw on coilovers the MX-5 goes to STR and the twins go to STX so there is no rivalry to renew there. Now, on the road racing circuit you may see them going head to head. There is a FR-S running in TCA but all the MX-5s took on the bigger engine (2.5L) that the SCCA allowed when they let the Caymans into TC and moved up to TC. Maybe there will be some ND drivers that will enter TCA.

You're right. The rear is the one view of the car I do not like...it just looks droopy or something?

175 hp stock and a better rear would have had me looking at this Miata as a future purchase...oh well, still good to have such a lightweight, RWD new car around :cheers: