Anyone Driven an MX-5 and BRZ?

[EAGLE5]

I've test driven about 8 Miatas over the years, going back to 2000. It's always sounds perfect. It's always not right. From beater to brand new, NA, NB, and NC, it was never right. Maybe it's because of my height. Maybe it's because it's a convertible. I dunno. It just never happened. I couldn't bring myself to buy one. I'm sure it's a wonderful car, but it doesn't feel wonderful to me. Not at all.

I sat in the FR-S and was sold the moment the tail let out without even trying. Insane. Wonderful. Kids in the back. Wonderful. Sounds? Wonderful. Seats? Great. Sold.

[Soravia]

I test drove FR-S with 6MT, also drove S2K AP2 6MT (Bilstein PSS9), E85 Z4 6MT, RX-8 6MT, NB2 Miata 6MT (upgraded Bilsteins 7 Coilover), then finally 2013 Miata Club 6MT.

FR-S had very stiff suspension, stiffer than my NB2 with Bilstein and springs that are twice as stiffer than OE. This means less body roll but also less compliance over broken pavement. It pulled much better than NB2 of course, the power drop in the middle is there but that's what down shift is for.
What I liked was the seat feeling almost like expensive bucket seats with recliners, linear steering, stiff body, sporty suspension, little body roll, and wide front view. Engine was also potent for small 4 banger.

What I didn't like was loud engine noise intruding to the cabin all the time thanks to the ISE. The shifter wasn't that good. Felt more like run of the mill Impreza shifter or the one from the Kia Forte. Just didn't feel like a sports car shifter. Throws are long and very clunky.
Steering wasn't like my 2010 Corolla electric steering. Better than RX-8 electric steering in terms of feel, more linear. But nothing like the Miata NB or NC. Even my old B6 Audi A4 had more feedback.

Side view was really bad. I'm 5'10" with long torso and I can't look easily to my blind spot. The low seat and high belt-line of the door was the cause. Maybe raising the seat might have helped.
Space up front is great inside the car for a small sports car. Feels almost like RX-8.
The interior material in the FR-S was not up to snuff for the money it asks for Hyundai and Kia cars have better interior. BR-Z also has it better. FR-S/BRZ has clean steering with only horn.

My NB is old so I won't mention it, but even that old 6MT shifts better than FR-S 6MT (I did replaced cracked bushing and put in Synchromesh fluid). Maybe it might improve if FR-S had some of the name brand transmission fluid? I don't know what Subaru put in there at the factory.

Now the Miata NC2/3.
Better interior than FR-S on the Club, BR-Z Limited will have to compare with GT version, both are good for their money. But the NC2/3 interior is slightly upgraded from NC1 (2006-08).
Visibility is great all around, especially with drop top or hard top. Soft top makes a lot of blind spots inaccessible.
Interior space is limited. But there are cubby storage here and there to make best use of it.
Seats are very good, not as bolstered as FR-S/BRZ or RX-8 but better than Z4 and S2K. S2K suffers on lower lumber support.
Miata NC2/3 can have steering mounted volume and Bluetooth phone control.
Noise level is MUCH lower than NB Miata using extra carpet padding. Also not as noisy engine sound compared to FR-S. With soft top up things quiet down a bit. Removable Hard Top or Power Retractable Hard Top works a little better. Miata engine (not exhaust) sounds more like a sports car. It doesn't sound like it's trying really hard to keep up, even when pushed to redline.

Suspension is very compliant even with Bilsteins. But also rolls more than the BR-Z, upgraded Miata NB2, S2K, Z4, RX-8. I blame this on very soft springs from the factory. But I like the suspension reaction to places like rail road crossing and broken pavement. Obviously made for older crowd who are main customers. Bridgestone RE050A helps a lot on the traction.
If ypu go NC1, even with Bilsteins, they roll a lot more. NC1 sits higher as well.
Chassis is way stiffer than braced chassis of NB2 series Miata and MazdaSpeed Miata. But not as stiff as S2K, unless aftermarket braces are added.

Steering on Miata NC2/3 is pretty much the same as NB series, very responsive and lots of feed back. Only stiffer, must be due to sticky and big tires. I've had only the S2K come up to that level.
Shifter on the Miata NC2/3 is the same as RX-8 gen II, very good piece. Some like the S2K shifter better but I think S2K is too close and short, and tight. Miata NC2/3 is not as short, not as close, and not as tight. Comfortable for daily driving but also good for speed shifting.
Clutch is not firm like my NB2. Nearly as light as FR-S.
Both FR-S and NC(all) use electric throttle. But NC2/3 has upgraded response over NC1.
Miata NC is claimed to have 34 MPG highway at 70 MPH. Better than the Miata NB series topping around 32.


So, I made my choice for DD sports car.


BTW, don't know about BRZ/FR-S prices. But you can EASILY knock down $27,750 Miata Club to $24K or so. That's a good price for car with Bilsteins, LSD, and 6 speed. Miata Sport has none of that.

[warplane95]

the miata look gay... just my opinion

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[Soravia]

Your opinion is heard, none taken.

Originally Posted by GTM_Challenge

I told myself I'd sell my red NA when I got the FR-S. That was 4 weeks ago and I still haven't been able to even list it for sale lol. Something about it.

Tell me about it. I have a hard time letting go on my NB. It's like driving the same car between the two. Just slight differences.

[Soravia]

Originally Posted by Turbowned

I just drove an NC Miata again; haven't driven one since they came out in '06. So much fun!!! I can confirm what pretty much all the auto journos say: the engine revs more freely and sounds better, the gearbox is excellent, the steering has nice weight to it, but there is more body roll and it feels a little more cramped in the cabin (I'm 6' 2").

Unfortunately, I am too big for this car. The roof is too low, the top of the windshield blocks my vision of stoplights, the seats don't go low enough, and the steering wheel doesn't telescope (at least it tilts now, unlike the older ones!) If I were 5' 11" I'd definitely have a hard time deciding between the MX-5 and the BRZ/FR-S. But at my height, the choice is clear.

I hear you I'm 5'10". My NB2 has poor visibility for traffic lights, NC is better but still not as good as super low seat FR-S. Steering was tilt since NB2 came out in 2001.

If a Miata bites anyone, it's due to the suspension setup. They are soft and rolls easily. Easy to shift weight. And if you shift weight at the wrong time either by brake, steering, or throttle release, you will spin out due short wheel base. NC has longer wheel base to compensate for it. Still not as long as BRZ/FR-S.

[EAGLE5]

Originally Posted by warplane95

the miata look gay... just my opinion

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Are you 12 or something?

[Justin.b]

I have to say that since the warm weather is here again I find myself taking the Miata out a whole lot more. That car is so fun to drive I feel like I snuck something illegal onto public roads.

When the sun is shining, I really feel like I'm missing out on something in the FR-S.

-Justin

[SillySaxon]

Are MX-5 any better than the older Miatas? I ask because my bud had a 2000 Miata and it was an unreliable piece of trash.
He used to give me crap because I drove a civic but I would tell him that he'll be watching my civic drive past him while he's broken down on the side of the road.

I have never liked the Miata because I've always heard stories about their terrible build quality.
If the latest generation is better I might hate them less.

[GTM_Challenge]

Originally Posted by SillySaxon

Are MX-5 any better than the older Miatas? I ask because my bud had a 2000 Miata and it was an unreliable piece of trash.
He used to give me crap because I drove a civic but I would tell him that he'll be watching my civic drive past him while he's broken down on the side of the road.

I have never liked the Miata because I've always heard stories about their terrible build quality.
If the latest generation is better I might hate them less.

From experience, NA/NB miatas are some of the most reliable cars out there. Ive see hundreds with 200k + miles on the original drivetrain that are still going just fine.

[thill]

Yeah, the RX-8 is not reliable, but the MX-5's are. I have owned lots of Mazda's including a Miata and they are very reliable cars.

As for the difference between these cars, I will always have a special place in my heart for a Miata. It is truly more of a roadster and even though I love my BRZ, I still think the Miata is the better drivers car. That said, it just won't work for me anymore. I live in Minnesota (so no ragtop for me) and I need the occasional four seats and storage the BRZ has with the back seats down. As impractical as most people think the BRZ is, the Miata is ten time more impractical. It is pretty much a weekend only car in the summer for me vs the BRZ which I can drive daily all year long.

These cars are both great drivers cars, and I have to say, are pretty close for me in a head to head battle (based on driving dynamics only). It is not like the BRZ is giving up much.

[SillySaxon]

Weird, I've always seen them be rattly and shakey and just a cheap garbage feel. Maybe thats just a personal thing.
He always had issues with the transmission too.

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by SillySaxon

Weird, I've always seen them be rattly and shakey and just a cheap garbage feel. Maybe thats just a personal thing.
He always had issues with the transmission too.

well the transmission from the miata is the same one found in your frs. i dont know if the frs will be as durable as the miata overall either so enjoy that.