Anyone Driven an MX-5 and BRZ? - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

Dzeremijs · 07-04-2012, 07:21 PM

Hey guys, I know they've been compared before, but I'm interested to hear what you guys have to say.

The reason I ask is because I test drove a Miata yesterday since I've heard they are similar. I found the Miata to have good steering, felt like a lot of fun, great shifter, but it did feel underpowered.

I ordered a BRZ back in early april so hopefully it feels a little more powerful! but if not, i'll get used to it. I'm coming from a big fat 03 Eclipse GTS, by the way.

Exhaust · 07-04-2012, 07:43 PM

Theres so many threads on this...

Dzeremijs · 07-04-2012, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exhaust

Theres so many threads on this...

Ah ok, find me one please that addresses these issues specifically and is not just a car magazine review. I havent seen one. Thanks man!

FT-86GOD · 07-04-2012, 08:04 PM

Yeah I've driven both... Mum owns an mx-5... Fantastic car.... Handled much better than my Holden SS Thunder 6litre Ute and was more "fun" because it was more predictable and forgiving.. The gts86 I test drove is better still even though it's slightly different in handling to the BRZ which i have not test driven.. Under powered but a drivers car with massive potential..

The thing is EXHAUST is right... There has been many threads on this and we can't tell u any better or be any more informative than what pro car reviews are saying... We all agree with them which is why the community is what it is... It's an epic car...

Re~Mix · 07-04-2012, 08:12 PM

I'm not a Miata owner, however I test drove both a 2006 Mazdaspeed Miata and 2012 MX-5 Grand Touring prior to purchasing my FR-S.

To me the feel is very very similar while driving. However, the MX-5 is a bit less harsh of a ride (softer suspension) and offers a lot of amenities like push button start, heated seats, steering wheel mounted controls, a hard top retractable roof etc.

To me the decision came down to the driving feel, trunk / "passenger" space and overall appeal. I simply liked the styling of the FRS/BRZ better and it has a lot more space to put my hockey gear, groceries, etc. in. As a daily commuter, the FRS made more sense.

Power wise, I wasn't the best stick shift driver when I was testing all these so I can't say much. They both drive like little go-karts and put everything larger i've driven (regular cars, not sports cars) to shame.

MmmHamSandwich · 07-04-2012, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dzeremijs

Ah ok, find me one

Dzeremijs · 07-04-2012, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MmmHamSandwich

Well was taken out of sarcastic context, but that's cool. Thanks for the real responses though, I appreciate the input.

Mazdaspeed · 07-04-2012, 10:09 PM

My experience has been that they're essentially the same, it's just a question of whether you want top-down fun or a boost in practicality.

UncleFester · 07-05-2012, 12:27 AM

I have owned an NC MX5 that I sold when I got my FRS and I still own/race an NB.

They feel significantly different from the FRS to me. The most noticeable differences are the gearing, weight, and suspension.

MrH · 07-05-2012, 12:34 AM

Same here. I'm getting rid of my NC when my BRZ comes in. Not sure how people can say they feel the same. The BRZ I test drove is noticeably different. But why do you want to read what I have to say about the differences? Professional writers have made this comparison and put it in a ton of car magazines already. They're better with words anyways.

Hawaiian · 07-05-2012, 01:02 AM

A friend of mine who owns and races mx-5s loves my car and wants it.

ryude · 07-05-2012, 11:50 AM

A few of my friend put it like this, "The BRZ is a Miata without the gay jokes."

SEC · 07-05-2012, 02:52 PM

I've owned three NA Miatas and I've got an NB right now which I plan to keep. I can't speak to the NC because I never warmed up enough to that car to buy one. In general, I think the driving dynamics of the two cars are pretty similar and you would get enjoyment out of driving either one. Sure, there are differences in how they drive, but both are proper handling cars. For me, there are days when I don't want to drive the Miata because it's not top-down weather or I need something more practical. The Miata has a lot more road noise, so I don't drive it if I'll be on the highway. If I had to pick one as a daily driver, it would be the FR-S because it's a better all-around car. If it's for a second car, it's hard not to want a convertible.

Turbowned · 07-05-2012, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryude

A few of my friend put it like this, "The BRZ is a Miata without the gay jokes."

I describe it as "a Miata with a fixed roof and dignity".

07-04-2012, 07:21 PM	#1
Dzeremijs Member Join Date: May 2012 Drives: 2013 WR Blue BRZ - MT Location: Iowa Posts: 36 Thanks: 1 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Anyone Driven an MX-5 and BRZ? Hey guys, I know they've been compared before, but I'm interested to hear what you guys have to say. The reason I ask is because I test drove a Miata yesterday since I've heard they are similar. I found the Miata to have good steering, felt like a lot of fun, great shifter, but it did feel underpowered. I ordered a BRZ back in early april so hopefully it feels a little more powerful! but if not, i'll get used to it. I'm coming from a big fat 03 Eclipse GTS, by the way.

07-04-2012, 08:04 PM	#4
FT-86GOD Senior Rocket Bunny Join Date: Oct 2010 Drives: 1982 XX KE70 Location: Western Australia Posts: 1,177 Thanks: 0 Thanked 218 Times in 143 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Yeah I've driven both... Mum owns an mx-5... Fantastic car.... Handled much better than my Holden SS Thunder 6litre Ute and was more "fun" because it was more predictable and forgiving.. The gts86 I test drove is better still even though it's slightly different in handling to the BRZ which i have not test driven.. Under powered but a drivers car with massive potential.. The thing is EXHAUST is right... There has been many threads on this and we can't tell u any better or be any more informative than what pro car reviews are saying... We all agree with them which is why the community is what it is... It's an epic car... __________________ BOSOZOKU STYLE BITCH........

07-05-2012, 02:52 PM	#13
SEC Member Join Date: May 2012 Drives: 12Focus, 16MX5, 99VFR Location: Chicagoland Posts: 58 Thanks: 13 Thanked 13 Times in 5 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I've owned three NA Miatas and I've got an NB right now which I plan to keep. I can't speak to the NC because I never warmed up enough to that car to buy one. In general, I think the driving dynamics of the two cars are pretty similar and you would get enjoyment out of driving either one. Sure, there are differences in how they drive, but both are proper handling cars. For me, there are days when I don't want to drive the Miata because it's not top-down weather or I need something more practical. The Miata has a lot more road noise, so I don't drive it if I'll be on the highway. If I had to pick one as a daily driver, it would be the FR-S because it's a better all-around car. If it's for a second car, it's hard not to want a convertible. __________________ SEC

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07-04-2012, 08:12 PM	#5
Re~Mix Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Drives: 13' Scion FRS MT Location: San Francisco Bay Area Posts: 737 Thanks: 290 Thanked 333 Times in 191 Posts Mentioned: 7 Post(s) Tagged: 3 Thread(s)	I'm not a Miata owner, however I test drove both a 2006 Mazdaspeed Miata and 2012 MX-5 Grand Touring prior to purchasing my FR-S. To me the feel is very very similar while driving. However, the MX-5 is a bit less harsh of a ride (softer suspension) and offers a lot of amenities like push button start, heated seats, steering wheel mounted controls, a hard top retractable roof etc. To me the decision came down to the driving feel, trunk / "passenger" space and overall appeal. I simply liked the styling of the FRS/BRZ better and it has a lot more space to put my hockey gear, groceries, etc. in. As a daily commuter, the FRS made more sense. Power wise, I wasn't the best stick shift driver when I was testing all these so I can't say much. They both drive like little go-karts and put everything larger i've driven (regular cars, not sports cars) to shame.

07-04-2012, 10:09 PM	#8
Mazdaspeed Member Join Date: May 2012 Drives: 2013 WRB BRZ Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 82 Thanks: 5 Thanked 33 Times in 16 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	My experience has been that they're essentially the same, it's just a question of whether you want top-down fun or a boost in practicality.

07-05-2012, 12:27 AM	#9
UncleFester Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: BRZ Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 597 Thanks: 157 Thanked 178 Times in 120 Posts Mentioned: 15 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I have owned an NC MX5 that I sold when I got my FRS and I still own/race an NB. They feel significantly different from the FRS to me. The most noticeable differences are the gearing, weight, and suspension.

07-05-2012, 12:34 AM	#10
MrH Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: 20 Outback XT, 23 BRZ on order Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 45 Thanks: 13 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Same here. I'm getting rid of my NC when my BRZ comes in. Not sure how people can say they feel the same. The BRZ I test drove is noticeably different. But why do you want to read what I have to say about the differences? Professional writers have made this comparison and put it in a ton of car magazines already. They're better with words anyways.

07-05-2012, 01:02 AM	#11
Hawaiian That guy Join Date: Feb 2012 Drives: Ultramarine mt FR-S Location: chicago Posts: 2,370 Thanks: 692 Thanked 1,389 Times in 730 Posts Mentioned: 71 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	A friend of mine who owns and races mx-5s loves my car and wants it.

07-05-2012, 11:50 AM	#12
ryude Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Drives: Volkswagen GTI Location: Louisiana Posts: 466 Thanks: 6 Thanked 32 Times in 13 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	A few of my friend put it like this, "The BRZ is a Miata without the gay jokes."

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