Quote:
Originally Posted by Toyarzee
Honestly I find it hard to comprehend how a mini Cooper is more "practical".
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I completely agree that most people overestimate their actual needs for 'practicality', however my dad has a new Mini and it blows the 86 away on the practicality scale in terms of interior storage space and seating space. I'd call the Mini actually comfortable for 4 people to ride inside of. Shame he ruins it by keeping his KW's on full stiff and super low all the time... I'd almost recommend it to the OP as it can be had cheaper than a new 86 and about as fast stock for stock but the new BMW engine is a question mark so maybe not a huge improvement there.
After 43k miles I still have confidence in my 86, but I have a high tolerance for cars that need attention at this point in my life. It's also been extremely rare that the 86 has been too impractical for me and I had to resort to borrowing a truck or sedan/wagon. Worst case is going out to lunch I can really only drive one other person.
Miata is probably safer on the reliability front as the FA20 is still relatively unproven but the SkyActiv 2.0L has been on the road since '12 in the Mazda3 and other models since, many more miles racked up on those.
I won't pretend to know anything about snow. Good luck, keep test driving. Worth noting that the new WRX's fuel economy is not significantly lower than the 86 (24 vs 25 combined), the Miata's and Mazda3's is much better (30+).