Quote:
Originally Posted by strat61caster
RX-8, and BMW E36/E46 M3, even regular 3 and 5 series are competent with E30/E36 prices still in the Miata realm.
I love the M coupe, it fits the bill, there are three near me for under $18k in better condition than most S2000's at any price but I get why it's a turnoff. Two show up regularly at the AutoX I run, they do pretty solid. Aaaand now it's on the list for if I ever win the lotto.
Considering it's very difficult to find good S2000's for less than $15k and very nice ones are commanding >$20k, the 86 fits your criteria as well, there are more than a few under $20k in decent condition, easy choice if you trust Subieyota to build a car that will last >150k miles.
Sure there's a weight penalty on the BMW's and RX-8 affecting the agileness, as they targeted luxo-sporty buyers, but if you're comparing stock Miata's then I think they're on par if not better in terms of balance, feel, and suspension, you can slap coilovers and stiff swaybars on just about anything afterall.
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I don't really consider the BMWs or the FR-S/BRZ to be classed in the same way. They aren't front-mid engine, and their suspension is a compromise. They are sports coupes with polished handling, but they are also "normal" cars in many ways. They don't have the same sophistication in terms of weight balance & suspension design.
The RX-8 is definitely close (I mean, it's a long wheelbase, 4-seat, coupe version of the NC Miata), for sure.... but it's also heavier, bigger (4 seats), and not particularly attractive when it comes to the engine. I would agree that the handling performance is definitely there though. I would say the RX7 is even closer and probably the closest thing available to what I described. I very much want Mazda to make a new RX7 or high performance coupe version of the Miata.