Miata to BRZ

[perryair]

counting the move from main forum to the 'vs' one in 3...2...1..

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by perryair

counting the move from main forum to the 'vs' one in 3...2...1..

It is a holiday and the Mods hardly appear to move this sort of stuff anymore anyway. They have moved on in life and have better things to do now.

[CAPSLOCK]

Originally Posted by Teseo

You have a build thread or something? Very clean miata, before jumped to the frs i was contemplating an NB

Thanks, I used to until Photobucket broke all my pictures so I stopped updating.

[pkolanko]

I had a miata, s2000, and two BRZs. The miata is more fun to drive, but that's it. The BRZ is more practical with the larger trunk space, more head and leg room (I'm 6'3) and a larger cabin. I feel the miata is only good for joy rides and cruises where the BRZ can be a DD if needed. All three vehicles are awesome to drive, so you can't go wrong with any.

[Atropine]

I have owned a 2013 BRZ and then bought my Grandfathers 91 NA Miata.

I was extremely close to buying a Mazdaspeed Miata, but it wasn't in as good of shape as advertised.

I like the more analog feel of the NA Miata, but it is very rattle-y...because it is a 26-27 year old convertible.

I have not driven an ND Miata (yet)/

I agree with Hmfrz. If you want a convertible, get a Miata.

If you want a coupe get a BRZ/86.

BUT the Miata RF really complicates things a lot.

I would probably buy the RF, but at $33k...you are now in lightly used Cayman territory.

Really I think all of the cars I have mentioned...they are all good.

Best solution: test drive both...twice.

1 Other important question: Do you have another car that can be a DD? If not I would say the 86 is probably the way to go.

[NCtoBRZ]

Originally Posted by Atropine

I have owned a 2013 BRZ and then bought my Grandfathers 91 NA Miata.

I was extremely close to buying a Mazdaspeed Miata, but it wasn't in as good of shape as advertised.

I like the more analog feel of the NA Miata, but it is very rattle-y...because it is a 26-27 year old convertible.

I have not driven an ND Miata (yet)/

I agree with Hmfrz. If you want a convertible, get a Miata.

If you want a coupe get a BRZ/86.

BUT the Miata RF really complicates things a lot.

I would probably buy the RF, but at $33k...you are now in lightly used Cayman territory.

Really I think all of the cars I have mentioned...they are all good.

Best solution: test drive both...twice.

1 Other important question: Do you have another car that can be a DD? If not I would say the 86 is probably the way to go.

My daily driver is a 2017 Civic hatchback, so this will be a 2nd car with no specific “need” for practicality... but it would still be nice to have the added space that the BRZ offers when I want to take it on the occasional road trip or even to carry something more than a couple of small bags for whatever reason.
I have also considered the RF and will likely test drive one, but as you mentioned, the price creeps up into the territory where one starts thinking “well for about the same money I could buy this or that other car.” Also, the RF offers even less passenger and cargo space than my NC Miata did. I regret selling my S2000 more than any car I’ve parted with, but the prices have skyrocketed too high for what I can justify for a used 10+ year old car.

[TommyW]

Went from a 911 Turbo to an MX5 (just because). Went from the MX5 to an FRS. The mx5 was a great car however I'm just not a convertible guy and how 'bout that body roll folks?. The FRS now with the proper tires (Yoko Neovas) and lowered is an amazing car. Added track pads and fluid and just a great track car. Looking forward to more changes.

My brother has an MX5 with coilovers, 235 tires, exhaust and intake and now THAT is how they should come from the factory. Very planted. If anyone is considering a Miata those changes greatly transform the car from a hairdressers DD to an amazing little machine.

[Poodles]

Yeah, I'm not going to say I don't miss having some kind of convertable... There is those days that you just wish this car had a targa or something.

[Last Lemming Alive]

My wife has a ‘01 Miata, and while it was sharper in response (by just a little) I found its power delivery to be wheezy - it always felt like the power was being fed through one of those coffee stirring straws. For some reason I never hear one big plus in the BRZ corner is the limited slip that comes standard. That’s huge for me, going around corners has a much better feel than with an open diff like my wife’s car had. Granted you could option or pick a upgraded trim level in the Miata to get limited slip, but to me any self respecting sports car should come with LSD as standard.

[JohnnyK]

The Miata was in DD contention with the BRZ. The BRZ won out due to practicality (of course, I was wrong about that one), and price. I quite wanted a convertible!

[nikitopo]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

It is a holiday and the Mods hardly appear to move this sort of stuff anymore anyway. They have moved on in life and have better things to do now.

I already started shifting my interests too. Car modifications are done and not interested anymore doing the same discussions.

[NCtoBRZ]

Originally Posted by Last Lemming Alive

My wife has a ‘01 Miata, and while it was sharper in response (by just a little) I found its power delivery to be wheezy - it always felt like the power was being fed through one of those coffee stirring straws. For some reason I never hear one big plus in the BRZ corner is the limited slip that comes standard. That’s huge for me, going around corners has a much better feel than with an open diff like my wife’s car had. Granted you could option or pick a upgraded trim level in the Miata to get limited slip, but to me any self respecting sports car should come with LSD as standard.

It seems that most all of the replies so far have been from those with experience only with the NA or NB Miatas (not complaining, just observing). I owned an NB years prior to owning the NC, and they are totally different animals. The NB, as you mentioned, felt a bit wheezy. The NC was actually pretty quick, and my NC had the suspension pack with LSD and Bilstein shock absorbers so it handled beautifully. The ND Miatas are even quicker and better handling (albeit with body roll on the stock suspension). I agree that the LSD should be standard on any sports car, which is my main complaint about the US spec ND Miatas, you only get the LSD on Club trim levels... it isn’t even an option on the Sport or Grand Touring trims.

[ermax]

Originally Posted by Last Lemming Alive

My wife has a ‘01 Miata, and while it was sharper in response (by just a little) I found its power delivery to be wheezy - it always felt like the power was being fed through one of those coffee stirring straws. For some reason I never hear one big plus in the BRZ corner is the limited slip that comes standard. That’s huge for me, going around corners has a much better feel than with an open diff like my wife’s car had. Granted you could option or pick a upgraded trim level in the Miata to get limited slip, but to me any self respecting sports car should come with LSD as standard.

I agree. The LSD was a huge priority when selecting the FT86. I would have included several BMWs on my list too if BMW wasn’t so stubborn about only allowing M cars to have LSDs. I actually considered the ATS sedan because it had an LSD. The problem is it is literally impossible to find one with a 6MT.

So many companies are missing the point these days on what makes a good drivers car. They are dropping the manual transmission because on paper it looks better. They are also dropping the LSD because they think it’s a traction control device and figure they can just limit the power to the inside wheel with some brake application. But that isn’t the same thing as an LSD.

[guybo]

I don't really understand "torque vectoring". Isn't that really just using the brakes strategically to do what a LSD would do a lot better without slowing down?

A lot of people say the only reason to get a manual is because it's faster and now that automatic tech has caught up & newer A/T and are as fast as M/T, that's why companies say they are going away from manuals. These people and companies don't get it. Who cares which is faster- GIVE US THE M/T OPTION!

Anyway, I have never owned a MX5. Convertibles make my nose itch, but that new targa top MX5.... That's a hot looking car! I want to do a T-Top or moonroof conversion to my FRS.