is there an obvious alternative?

[rookie]

Others I considered:
370z, s2000, Miata

370z
Drove a 350z and I wasn't impressed and didn't get all the hype around it. Figured a 370z would be similar in almost every aspect and the better engine in the 370z IMO wouldn't be enough to change my mind.

s2000
I've always been a fan of the s2k. I just wasn't able to find one that fit what I was looking for. Some of the nicer stock s2k were going for too much IMO.

Miata
Liked some of the updates the new MX5's got but still left me wanting a little more in the looks department. Also didn't like that it was a 2 seater (though the twins are basically a 2 seater), I want the option of being able to carry more people if they don't mind the squeeze.

[carma143]

I was seriously considering a Miata, S2000, Nissan 350z/370z (until I realized they only had 2 seats), and Infinity G37 coupe. But in the end these all lacked one thing or another. The Miata is relatively unsafe, impractical as a DD, and has a soft top which means it may eventually start to leak 10 or more years down the road and it's easy for people to tear it open silently and steal what's inside. Similar conclusions with the S2000, but I also wanted a physical dash cluster, and the G37 was just a little too "comftorable" for my taste.

I guess I turned of legal driving age at the right time because I have yet to find a vehicle, present or past, that checks all the characteristics I want in a car...well maybe the AE86

[Xinshadow]

Originally Posted by JS + BRZ

That was my rationale for getting my BRZ, too. Super happy 15k miles so far.

Also being a soft top. Every soft convertible I've ever had or ridden in has leaked once it's passed the 3 year mark. Plus track regs sometimes dont allow them.

Was really considering a wrx but i didn't like the driving position and feel of it. Wife loved it though, so we'll probably pick one up for her around new year when my FRS is paid off. Brz/wrx/Matrix makes for a pretty sweet jack of all trades 3 car garage!

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[drewbot]

It was Mini Cooper S, WRX, FoST, or MX5/CRV combo

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[FRed-S]

Originally Posted by JD001

Just got the October edition of Car magazine today it has a review of the Cosworth GT86 and a group test between a GT86 Aero vs MX5 vs Audi TT Roadster... are they really the alternatives?

I can't think of a true alternative and I didn't consider anything else when I got my BRZ.

For me, before I actually started looking for a new car, I went to the Phoenix car show last November and saw a bunch of cars. I was leaning towards a Camaro until I saw the BRZ. I had a brief moment of weakness when I considered the Kia Forte (at least I think it Kia) Turbo. Why? Because it was Turbo lol. When I came to my senses and actually saw a Forte on the road, I thanked God that I didn't get one lol. I was sold on the BRZ, so a few months later, I got an FR-S lol. Why, you ask? Because my last car was a Toyota and when I went to the dealership for something unrelated, I saw it and bought it. The other cars mentioned may be faster or have this or that performance, but price means something. I don't think there's a much better car in that price range with so much potential. Best decision I ever made, Car wise.

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[GhostRai]

Honda Civic Si. It may not be as fun to drive or rear wheel drive, but it does have vtak yo

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by GhostRai

Honda Civic Si. It may not be as fun to drive or rear wheel drive, but it does have vtak yo

I've been in two FWD cars so far I would consider more fun than my 86.

[Mx5racer]

I had to have
Rear wheel drive, ability to carry my 2 daughters
Gas milage 25 or better.
Less than 30K
There was no other choice.

[RandomDeception]

Hopefully it's not abhorrent for me to mention a lower spec muscle car (i.e. not a V8), but the upcoming Chevrolet Camaro 2.0L Turbo certainly is interesting and just about matches what everyone seems to want (maybe except for linear power delivery since I am not sure if it has a twin scroll turbocharger).

It has a coupe form-factor with rear wheel drive and four seats, weighs just over 3,300 pounds with 275 horsepower and 295 pound-foot of torque (better power-to-weight ratio than the new WRX being only slightly heavier) for a sub 5.5 second 0-60 MPH time, and can be easily tuned for even greater performance (with accordance with last year's new Cadillac ATS 2.0T).


[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEEQ7d17d4U"]2016 Camaro: Drifting with Michael Tung | Chevrolet - YouTube[/ame]


Edit: This particular video shows off the new vehicle.

[JD001]

Originally Posted by RandomDeception

Hopefully it's not abhorrent for me to mention a lower spec muscle car, but the upcoming Chevrolet Camaro 2.0L Turbo certainly is interesting.

It has a coupe form-factor with rear wheel drive and four seats, weighs just over 3,300 pounds with 275 horsepower and 295 pound-foot of torque (better power-to-weight ratio than the new WRX being only slightly heavier) for a sub 5.5 second 0-60 MPH time, and can be easily tuned for even greater performance (according to the new Cadillac ATS 2.0T).


Edit: This video shows the vehicle.

Does the low CoG, low weight, small footprint count for anything?

[RandomDeception]

Originally Posted by JD001

Does the low CoG, low weight, small footprint count for anything?

It will be the lightest of the three American muscle cars and is in fact smaller in size than the previous fifth generation Camaro. Not saying the new Subaru WRX is light, but you shouldn't consider its weight to be that heavy this day and age.

The last generation was already quite planted on the track and this generation with the Alpha platform from Cadillac should drive even better, so I wouldn't worry about the slightly higher centre of gravity too much (especially since its a light-weight four cylinder engine block).




http://www.chevrolet.com/performance...-cylinder.html

Just found this chart for the engine's performance. It does have a twin scroll turbocharger for a quite linear power delivery.

[JD001]

If I lived States side I would still have a BRZ as a DD but also have either a Challenger or Mustang but with the big engine. No point in having a 4 pot as we have plenty of them in the UK.

Interestingly 60% of the new Mustangs sold in the UK are MT.

[JD001]

I have seen new posts on this forum that are wavering towards the new MX5. I presume the MX5 would become the 2nd or 3rd car and if that's the case why not go for something like a Caterham?