Quote:
Originally Posted by KAuss
Been gone for a few, but points taken in so far <snip/>
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Few things I feel worth noting, for reasons that mostly escape me. But maybe it helps.
1. The reason the Miata feels 'fun' so much more often is that body roll. Also, it does launch better from a dead stop, which is one place the twins lack. That's a very real thing, but understand where it comes from. The power delivery difference is less about the torque dip than about the body roll and the ~.2sec better 60' time. Also maybe tires... Oh, and the throttle takes some getting used to (I haven't driven the Miata for comparison, but that's a general observation I've had)
2. The urge to mod, or not (is it a money pit?), is down to the owner. Both cars either drive people nuts, or are just fine, as they are. As you've noted, the loud-mouth twin drivers are all on the younger side and insist everything is done wrong from the factory and needs to be fixed... usually in grandly horrible fashion, no less. But again, that's the driver, not the car. If you're the type to fiddle, you'll do so with either platform. A little negative camber up front makes so much difference on turn-in ($2x crash bolts and an alignment away...) and that's about the only thing I think wasn't done well...
3. Fuel economy. If you mention this and 'torque dip' in the same sentence...
I often average high 20's in the city though; I can cruise on most of the 30mph roads in 5th. I'm slow to stop and to get moving, 'cause it isn't worth the effort. It can take me 20 minutes to go the 4 miles to the highway... so the idling DOES eat fuel... it can be worse, of course. Also, fundamentally, if the torque dip is the top issue, I don't think either car is right for you.
4. I sort-of wish I had more suspension travel, the potholes around here...
They are very different cars. Different gearing, different power delivery, different suspension philosophy. The things that make both of the cars great are, on average, the same; fun, light, great in a corner. They go about it differently.
I personally find even sitting in a Miata to be uncomfortable and a bit claustrophobic, and the lack of utility is a no-go for me. Actually, I'm running into trouble even with the BRZ in that regard, but lumber (especially sheet goods) is probably a bit on the uncommon side of things. Our usual road trips would not be possible in a Miata, though. And I love tossing a full day's equipment and such into the car (tires, jack, food, water, rain gear) and still have room for a passenger in a pinch. I get really annoyed with a lot of the owners though...
Both great cars. If one speaks to you, it's the right one. But you'd already have chosen in that case, which makes me think that neither is right. It really seems like you're already compromising to have narrowed the field to these two.
Good luck.