Cosworth GT86 review in Pistonheads

[Jaden]

Originally Posted by cycleboy

I'm sure this question has been asked, but I'm going to ask it again anyway.

Why is there the insistence that this car needs more power, but the same isn't said of the Miata? Is our P/W ratio that much worse?

It's because miatas are for girls...

Jaden

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Jaden

It's because miatas are for girls...

Jaden

Oh crap!

[airjonny]

Originally Posted by cycleboy

I'm sure this question has been asked, but I'm going to ask it again anyway.

Why is there the insistence that this car needs more power, but the same isn't said of the Miata? Is our P/W ratio that much worse?

It does. Go to miata.net and you'll see people rightfully upset that the ND's engine wasn't even tuned.


Cars like the twins and Miata are good DESPITE the power, not because of it.

[stevesnj]

To me doing this is like hitting a fly with a sledgehammer, If money wasn't a concern then i would go all out with the Cosworth, but in the end why wouldn't you just get a corvette which would be about 10k more and still outrun the Cosworth FR-S! To each their own but to me this is a huge ripoff.

[themadscientist]

I'd trade peak power upgrades for a flat torque curve. The latter is much more of a problem then the former.

[NOHOME]

Originally Posted by cycleboy

I'm sure this question has been asked, but I'm going to ask it again anyway.

Why is there the insistence that this car needs more power, but the same isn't said of the Miata? Is our P/W ratio that much worse?

The cars are very similar in a lot of ways. Where they differ is in how they were slipped into the market.


The Miata was aimed at a market that consisted of old guys like me who wanted to relive their MGB or other shit-box Brit car days with something that actually ran and a top that did not leak. Gurlz liked the car cause it was cute and easy to drive. This main focus group had very low expectations of the car and were given much more than they would ever need for performance and handling. The fact that the cars were also as tough as cockroaches did not hurt either.

The real beneficiaries were the guys who wanted to race the Miata. Burred under the chick car camouflage, the Miata is a very able performer. The after market quickly came in to fill any voids or niches that Mazda left on the table.

Toyota on the other hand, introduced the product from a different angle and its early videos show the car drifting and hoonning around in a very race-car oriented manner. As such, it is perceived to be a racecar first and foremost. And not much else. Entering the market with that kind of swagger it has been called-out on its perceived shortcoming. Such an image out the gate also repels the mainstream buyer who does not want to be seen in that light. The car's looks don't help in this matter either as it is a bit of a Darth Vader clone from the front.

[350matt]

Originally Posted by stevesnj

To me doing this is like hitting a fly with a sledgehammer, If money wasn't a concern then i would go all out with the Cosworth, but in the end why wouldn't you just get a corvette which would be about 10k more and still outrun the Cosworth FR-S! To each their own but to me this is a huge ripoff.

rip-off how? the SC kit is pretty resonable priced isn't it?

pretty comparable to the innovate / sprintex kit once you've added the equivalent kit parts ,( air temp , tune, IC kit)

not to mention its got more potential than the Sprintex as it can spin faster and the cooling has about 4 x the capacity, so no overheating on trackdays

[tennisfreak]

Originally Posted by 350matt

rip-off how? the SC kit is pretty resonable priced isn't it?

pretty comparable to the innovate / sprintex kit once you've added the equivalent kit parts ,( air temp , tune, IC kit)

not to mention its got more potential than the Sprintex as it can spin faster and the cooling has about 4 x the capacity, so no overheating on trackdays

Stage 1.3 costs $6141 (this is not the supercharger)

Stage 2.0 costs $6495 (this is the supercharger)

To get max HP from the power packs you need both 1.3 and 2.0.

Total cost: $12636 just parts not including installation

Base car: $26000 + 12636 for Cosworth = $38636 (with no factory warranty)

Its a dramatic increase in the cost of the car especially if you dont install everything yourself.
Anyone who needs professional installation can probably add another $2-4K to the price.

Originally Posted by stevesnj

To me doing this is like hitting a fly with a sledgehammer, If money wasn't a concern then i would go all out with the Cosworth, but in the end why wouldn't you just get a corvette which would be about 10k more and still outrun the Cosworth FR-S! To each their own but to me this is a huge ripoff.

Bare bones Corvette with credit union discount = $51245

Difference is $12609 so more than $10K. I get what your saying though and agree.

Would not dump over $12k into new FR-S that would void warranty and leave me at huge risk.

[extrashaky]

Originally Posted by tennisfreak

Stage 1.3 costs $6141 (this is not the supercharger)

Stage 2.0 costs $6495 (this is the supercharger)

To get max HP from the power packs you need both 1.3 and 2.0.

Total cost: $12636 just parts not including installation

Can the stock axles really handle the extra power? I suspect that people who do this will also end up with other mods to be able to get the power to the pavement without breaking shit.

Not to mention that there's practically nobody who will install just these mods by themselves. The car that has this supercharger is also going to end up with suspension, rims and tires, probably before the Cosworth order is ever placed. By the time you get all that on there, you're even closer to that Corvette, but without a warranty.

[NemesisPrime909]

Originally Posted by Jaden

It's because miatas are for girls...

Jaden

Jaden you're on you're own with that one.

[themadscientist]

Originally Posted by NOHOME

The cars are very similar in a lot of ways. Where they differ is in how they were slipped into the market.


The Miata was aimed at a market that consisted of old guys like me who wanted to relive their MGB or other shit-box Brit car days with something that actually ran and a top that did not leak. Gurlz liked the car cause it was cute and easy to drive. This main focus group had very low expectations of the car and were given much more than they would ever need for performance and handling. The fact that the cars were also as tough as cockroaches did not hurt either.

The real beneficiaries were the guys who wanted to race the Miata. Burred under the chick car camouflage, the Miata is a very able performer. The after market quickly came in to fill any voids or niches that Mazda left on the table.

Toyota on the other hand, introduced the product from a different angle and its early videos show the car drifting and hoonning around in a very race-car oriented manner. As such, it is perceived to be a racecar first and foremost. And not much else. Entering the market with that kind of swagger it has been called-out on its perceived shortcoming. Such an image out the gate also repels the mainstream buyer who does not want to be seen in that light. The car's looks don't help in this matter either as it is a bit of a Darth Vader clone from the front.

Absolutely nailed it there. I thought a Miata was something you give your daughter when she graduates college. I thought that for years, then I saw a Japanese guy chew up a gymkhana course with one and I changed my perspective.

The twins were rolled out like phenom lightweight fighters and while they are fantastic little cars they do suffer from being overshadowed by the hype.

I would toned down the marketing like this.


Girl waiting for her boyfriend and he drives up in a twin. She comments on how racy it looks, but he scoffs and talks about the price and the warranty and such. Then he pops the trunk and helps her stuff a ton of stuff in there and she starts to think it's practical and gives her approval in that respect.

They jump in and start discussing the features of the car on the way to the airport, she's worried about getting there on time so he uses the Nav system (I know, I know. It's marketing, it's a lie)

She comments on the seat comfort and how warm they are, now we talk about seat heaters. She asks him to adjust the climate control, oh dual zone, "set your side anyway you want, honey."

A squirrel runs across the road and she flips, but he deftly avoids it with no tire squeal. This opens the discussion for the ABS and the traction control and he mentions he got the LSD "for safety."

NEVER LET THE CAMERA SHOW THE BACK SEAT.

They get to the airport and as he gets her on her way to whatever trip she's going on she pauses looks back and gives some sort of comment of approval that some focus group has vetted to make women feel ok with some purchase.

The guy gets in and drives off. As the airport fades away he looks in the rearview, an evil grin crosses his face and he reaches down to turn off the traction control, downshifts and takes off with a tire bark and cranks up through a few gears as he fades out of camera.

The tagline appears on the screen.

"What she doesn't know..."

[extrashaky]

Originally Posted by themadscientist

Absolutely nailed it there. I thought a Miata was something you give your daughter when she graduates college. I thought that for years, then I saw a Japanese guy chew up a gymkhana course with one and I changed my perspective.

The twins were rolled out like phenom lightweight fighters and while they are fantastic little cars they do suffer from being overshadowed by the hype.

I would toned down the marketing like this.


Girl waiting for her boyfriend and he drives up in a twin. She comments on how racy it looks, but he scoffs and talks about the price and the warranty and such. Then he pops the trunk and helps her stuff a ton of stuff in there and she starts to think it's practical and gives her approval in that respect.

They jump in and start discussing the features of the car on the way to the airport, she's worried about getting there on time so he uses the Nav system (I know, I know. It's marketing, it's a lie)

She comments on the seat comfort and how warm they are, now we talk about seat heaters. She asks him to adjust the climate control, oh dual zone, "set your side anyway you want, honey."

A squirrel runs across the road and she flips, but he deftly avoids it with no tire squeal. This opens the discussion for the ABS and the traction control and he mentions he got the LSD "for safety."

NEVER LET THE CAMERA SHOW THE BACK SEAT.

They get to the airport and as he gets her on her way to whatever trip she's going on she pauses looks back and gives some sort of comment of approval that some focus group has vetted to make women feel ok with some purchase.

The guy gets in and drives off. As the airport fades away he looks in the rearview, an evil grin crosses his face and he reaches down to turn off the traction control, downshifts and takes off with a tire bark and cranks up through a few gears as he fades out of camera.

The tagline appears on the screen.

"What she doesn't know..."

And instead we got the Uber commercial with two gay dudes.

[cycleboy]

Good responses about the Miata guys!

Here's another take on the new one, which could substitute FT86 in for a lot of the commentary.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars...155-is-enough/

I agree though about this Cosworth stuff. It's cool and all, but jeez it is expensive!

I mean really, approaching or over $40K for an 86 and no warranty?

[PNW-BRZ]

Would not dump over $12k into new FR-S that would void warranty and leave me at huge risk.

Looks like it may not void the warranty, which would be a huge plus in my book

http://www.gtspirit.com/2014/11/11/c...86brz-package/

Beyond the upgrades, one of the most important aspects of the Cosworth upgrades is that they’re offered under the standard factory warranty which is believed to be a first in the aftermarket tuning scene.