Everyday Driver - ND Miata vs. FR-S vs. BRZ

[DarkSunrise]

Everyday Driver compares the ND Miata vs. FR-S on MPSS tires vs. stock BRZ. Results are a bit surprising.

I expected Todd to prefer the edgier Twins (given his ideal car is a hardcore Elise), but Paul chose the Twins as well. I think their time with the FR-S on track has spoiled them a bit lol. Either way, good review.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0om4AKnpOjs"]The Driver's Choice? - MX5 vs FRS (Gt86, BRZ) - Everyday Driver - YouTube[/ame]

[AsianStyle]

I think majority of the magazines that compared the two cars compared the mx-5 sport to the frs, which adds the blistein shocks and a lsd.

I think everyone agrees even with the shocks and lsd the miata feels softer and rolls a great deal more, but still gave the nod to the miata in the sport trim due to the power delivery.

I wonder how the guys would have rated the miata in sports trim.

[jvincent]

Well balanced review.

I like that the FRS looks to be rocking the same wheels (Enkei PF01) that I am running, except his look like 17" and I have the 18".

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by AsianStyle

I think majority of the magazines that compared the two cars compared the mx-5 sport to the frs, which adds the blistein shocks and a lsd.

I think everyone agrees even with the shocks and lsd the miata feels softer and rolls a great deal more, but still gave the nod to the miata in the sport trim due to the power delivery.

I wonder how the guys would have rated the miata in sports trim.

Yeah I was thinking the same thing - wonder if the clubsport trim would have made a difference.

[DAEMANO]

A lot of people have made this very point. Base for base the $26K '86 is a better car than the $26k MX-5 even on the stock Primacys. Everyday driver's write-up that accompanies the video fleshes this out even more. No wonder why Mazda didn't provide base $26k Miata's to the press. As it is, the tested car was a "Launch Edition" that basically adds a bunch of comfort mods to make the interior even nicer. That point is noted in the review.

http://everydaydriver.com/episodes/d...miata-vs-fr-s/

The Miata tends to be favored only when the factory $3.5k Clubsport trim (adds LSD) + BBS Wheels/Tires/Brembo brake package (another $3k) is added. That improved the Miata beyond an '86 (both performance-wise and dynamically). Still that's a lot of extra parts and money needed to get the Miata to that point. Meanwhile, all the '86 needs is $700 - $1k worth of tires, pads, and fluid to vault back into the lead. Add a UEL to nix the torque dip for another $500 if you want.

The '86's chassis, steering, weight distribution, and suspension are even better than they're given credit for especially when compared stock for stock to it's closest competition.

[MrDinkleman]

Thanks for the vid!


There is an equivalent video at Miata.net where the "winner", naturally, is the ND MX-5. LOL. For that guy, the open top made all the difference.


I haven't driven the ND, mainly because I have an NB and through it (the NB) I've discovered that dropping the top doesn't really add to the experience. So there was no reason for me to try the ND.


I bought my NB because in 1999, there was no other small, 4-cylinder, RWD, MT car available. Although, a few years later, Mazda did tease the world (especially me) when they produced a very limited run of JDM-only MX-5 coupes.


The FR-S/BRZ is basically the MX-5 coupe I wished Mazda had brought to the US. I'm loving every minute I am in it!

[SUB-FT86]

Damn! The steering is old school arcade video game light? Thanks Daemano for the write up. I would hate this car with that kind of steering. I just drove a Porsche Panamera today and the steering was stupid light with 0 feel and the overall driving was horrible for a luxury sport sedan. I can't believe Porsche approved that shit. And I can't believe Mazda did the same with the 2016 MX-5

[bodayguy]

Originally Posted by DAEMANO

A lot of people have made this very point. Base for base the $26K '86 is a better car than the $26k MX-5 even on the stock Primacys. Everyday driver's write-up that accompanies the video fleshes this out even more. No wonder why Mazda didn't provide base $26k Miata's to the press. As it is, the tested car was a "Launch Edition" that basically adds a bunch of comfort mods to make the interior even nicer. That point is noted in the review.

http://everydaydriver.com/episodes/d...miata-vs-fr-s/

The Miata tends to be favored only when the factory $3.5k Clubsport trim (adds LSD) + BBS Wheels/Tires/Brembo brake package (another $3k) is added. That improved the Miata beyond an '86 (both performance-wise and dynamically). Still that's a lot of extra parts and money needed to get the Miata to that point. Meanwhile, all the '86 needs is $700 - $1k worth of tires, pads, and fluid to vault back into the lead. Add a UEL to nix the torque dip for another $500 if you want.

The '86's chassis, steering, weight distribution, and suspension are even better than they're given credit for especially when compared stock for stock to it's closest competition.

How much would it cost to cut off the 86's roof??

[bodayguy]

Originally Posted by SUB-FT86

Damn! The steering is old school arcade video game light? Thanks Daemano for the write up. I would hate this car with that kind of steering. I just drove a Porsche Panamera today and the steering was stupid light with 0 feel and the overall driving was horrible for a luxury sport sedan. I can't believe Porsche approved that shit. And I can't believe Mazda did the same with the 2016 MX-5

Yes, the ND steering is light, except at higher speed where they add some weight in the electrics. Very different from the twins.

[DarkSunrise]

Ultimately I don't think there's really a "winner" or "loser" between these two cars. I'm sure on the Miata forums they're convinced the ND is better and the reverse may be true on this forum, but to me I see the ND Miata and Twins having respective strengths and weaknesses that suit different buyers. I could understand if someone preferred one over the other because they're different in some crucial ways and have differing philosophies on fun. I thought this video did a good job highlighting the differences, although I definitely did not expect Paul to prefer the FR-S.

[DAEMANO]

Originally Posted by bodayguy

How much would it cost to cut off the 86's roof??

$28.99
http://www.harborfreight.com/6-amp-h...saw-61884.html

How much would it cost to add a back seat and a solid roof to the MX-5?

[glamcem]

I owned and really liked both cars (NC Miata and BRZ ) but I have to admit they're both a bit overpriced IMO.. these days, you get a lot more car for $28-30k..the fair price for both cars would be anywhere between $20-22k (with LSD and proper suspension of course)

if you think about it, and besides the mediocre engine and suspension upgrade (Bilstein) that still needs an upgrade , the only real advantage that Miata has over the other sport cars is the weight advantage and that's not because they use exotic materials or aluminum/magnesium in the chassis to keep the car light which ultimately bumps the price but because they bring a smaller car. By saying that I mean literally deleting the glove box, reducing the already small trunk space, using smaller hubs (5x114.3 vs 4x100) ..etc.. In other words, they offer a smaller car but still with a same or bigger price tag.. It may sound a bit funny and irrelevant but when I traded my car in for a 3 row Nissan Pathfinder and purchased a Mid Size SUV with 5000 lbs towing capacity, V6 engine for less than what I paid for my BRZ, I felt like I got hosed a bit (of course not comparing them in any way and of course I will get another sports car) ..

I still really like lightweight cars and wouldn't mind paying the premium to get more power and proper suspension..good engine and proper suspension are the two most important things in a sport car

[JS + BRZ]

I don't know. We are living in the world where a loaded Civic costs +$25K, a loaded Accord costs +$35K, and a loaded 335i costs close to +$55K. Don't think the cars are that overpriced. Just my 2 cents.

[SUB-FT86]

I agree the cars are not overpriced. I think people are obsessed with defining that price should correlate with big horsepower/practicality rather than the overall driving experience. The 86 Twins and Mx5 is literally the cheapest true sports cars in the North America.