Anybody else about to move on?

[Vasilis]

Originally Posted by Levi

If there was an MX-5 Coupé, I'd take it over the GT86, despite not having a Boxer engine which is my favorite engine configuration.

Technically there is, the PRHT (power retractable hard top)

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by Vasilis

Technically there is, the PRHT (power retractable hard top)

Technically that isnt

[Vasilis]

Originally Posted by fatoni

Technically that isnt

http://www.mazda.co.uk/showroom/mx-5/mx-5_roadster/

Quoting:
You've always wanted a roadster. A two-seater. The driving exhilaration that goes with it. And now, you can experience it all with the convenience of a power-folding hardtop. Introducing the Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe.


http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carrevi...mazda_mx5.html

Again, named as the Roadster Coupe.


Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupé is the official name.

Technically if it has a fixed hard roof and 2 doors it's a coupe :P

[Blackhalo]

I ended up caving in after waiting for over a year and a half, got a low mileage c5 z06 for 22k... still excited for this car to come out though.

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by Blackhalo

I ended up caving in after waiting for over a year and a half, got a low mileage c5 z06 for 22k... still excited for this car to come out though.

yeah that was a way better idea though. i almost did the exact same thing but then i got an ls430 because i figured my 120 mile/day commute would make me hate not having at least 1 a/t

[Brett]

Originally Posted by Blackhalo

I ended up caving in after waiting for over a year and a half, got a low mileage c5 z06 for 22k... still excited for this car to come out though.

This would be my second choice. I love the C5Z, and the Corvette Forum is awesome. The C5 forum there is full of very useful information.

In the end I decided that I wanted to get a newer car though. Enjoy the 'vette. Take it auto crossing, and take it to the track. You will enjoy yourself!

Brett

[Blackhalo]

Originally Posted by fatoni

yeah that was a way better idea though. i almost did the exact same thing but then i got an ls430 because i figured my 120 mile/day commute would make me hate not having at least 1 a/t

LS430, nice. A reliable LS motor and 26 town/30 highway, I should have bought one a few years ago when I first looked at them. Hopefully be a track car sometime down the road for me.

[Blackhalo]

Originally Posted by Brett

This would be my second choice. I love the C5Z, and the Corvette Forum is awesome. The C5 forum there is full of very useful information.

In the end I decided that I wanted to get a newer car though. Enjoy the 'vette. Take it auto crossing, and take it to the track. You will enjoy yourself!

Brett

Will do, I've been road racing bikes for a while... and still have never got a car out on the track, hopefully that will change here soon though.

[ChrisH]

Originally Posted by Vasilis

Technically there is, the PRHT (power retractable hard top)

Well, this one still carries all the drawbacks of a real roadster:
Softer chassis, less safety in case of roll-over, small trunk and no further space for luggage in interior space.
I thought about the MX-5 often before (as it is sure a great sport car), thought to add a roll-bar or cage and hardtop to bring it somewhat closer to a coupé. But let's face it, even then it is still far away from a real coupé.

Look at the Toyobaru: Nice trunk, interior space can be used well for further luggage, you can combine trunk and interior space to carry bulky stuff, has a very stiff chassis (!), better safety in case of roll-over, no worries about a ripped softtop or defective closing mechanism, better protection in thunderstorms .....

[Vasilis]

I haven't driven the latest MX5 but I'd think it's stiff enough unless you want to track it often in that case you'd need a rollcage and so on.

I don't really find the arguments of defective mechanism or ripped soft tops valid since in that case you might as well get a car without glass windows (less chance for someone to shatter them) or power windows (Even less failing mechanisms :P)

[ChrisH]

Originally Posted by Vasilis

I haven't driven the latest MX5 but I'd think it's stiff enough unless you want to track it often in that case you'd need a rollcage and so on.

I don't really find the arguments of defective mechanism or ripped soft tops valid since in that case you might as well get a car without glass windows (less chance for someone to shatter them) or power windows (Even less failing mechanisms :P)

Don't get me wrong, an MX-5 is sure a nice sports care. It is more, that it could be a little better from the coupé drivers point of view, if it wouldn't be a roadster.

The stiffness question comes up, after you have seen certain comparisons of roadsters an their coupé siblings. E.g. a BMW Z3 Coupé is clearly stiffer than the Z3 roadster, and this stiffnes sure contributes to the driving performance.

From the practical point of view: Try this with a MX-5:

[MikeNSX]

I haven't given up on the BRZ, but have started to think about some comparably priced alternatives...namely the 2013 Genesis Coupe and the 2012 Mustang GT.

For approx. $25k, one can buy the Genesis Coupe with the new 274 hp 2.0 Turbo engine, a redesigned and improved interior to the earlier model, upgraded suspension...albeit with the new front end that I need to see in person before purchasing.

The 2012 Mustang GT right now (through the end of Feb.) has a $3000 factory rebate. Since one can buy a new Mustang GT at several hundred over invoice, that coupled with the rebate, puts a new GT at approx. $25,500. For that, one gets a car with 412 hp and 390 lb ft of torque, a car that will run 0-60 in the mid 4's and the 1/4 mile in the upper 12's, and has pretty good handling with .91 skidpad performance.

Decisions...decisions...

[tranzformer]

Originally Posted by MikeNSX

I haven't given up on the BRZ, but have started to think about some comparably priced alternatives...namely the 2013 Genesis Coupe and the 2012 Mustang GT.

For approx. $25k, one can buy the Genesis Coupe with the new 274 hp 2.0 Turbo engine, a redesigned and improved interior to the earlier model, upgraded suspension...albeit with the new front end that I need to see in person before purchasing.

The 2012 Mustang GT right now (through the end of Feb.) has a $3000 factory rebate. Since one can buy a new Mustang GT at several hundred over invoice, that coupled with the rebate, puts a new GT at approx. $25,500. For that, one gets a car with 412 hp and 390 lb ft of torque, a car that will run 0-60 in the mid 4's and the 1/4 mile in the upper 12's, and has pretty good handling with .91 skidpad performance.

Decisions...decisions...

That is a good deal, but at the end of the day it is still a Mustang (not that that is necessarily bad, just depends what you are looking for). If I wanted a Mustang, I would wait for the '15 with the new Control Blade suspension.

[Capt Canuck]

If you are in the market for a new rwd car right now and can get a GT around $25.5 (+2kish for the brembo package and maybe a different slippy dif) that is a cracking deal!

If you are sold on the FRS/BRZ's USP as the idea for you, then the Mustang won't do anything for you. But if you are open to different ways of having rwd fun, then that is a tough deal to ignore.