Trying to decide between an ND Miata, upcoming BRZ, or Civic si

[falcon_wizard]

Originally Posted by 86TOYO2k17

Cool.
Doubt any of that applies to OP.
Can strap to roof and/or get a mini trailer and do pretty much the same.

I did look into rack options, and while there a couple reports of people fudging something together there are no proper Quality/safe options for a roof rack available on the 86. It would also kill the look of the car and risk damaging the paint, notwithstanding the fact that the space between bars eould be so narrow that you would not be reliably be able to put much on top. Regarding towing, kind of same thing, it technically can be done with a lot of limitations, but it’s not really design to tow. Most lightweight trailers will get you near max towing capacity just being empty without any gear, with barely any safety margin left. If I needed a roof rack and tow, I would simply get another car, like the wrx instead.

I forgot to mention, My road/hybrid bike also fits in the trunk of my brz with the seat folded down, with the front wheel taken off via its quick release. Its a bit tight but it fits. When getting my winter/summer tires changed, they also all fit in folded seat area, with the rest of the trunk still available. Like I said, surprisingly practical...

Wrt choosing between them, as others have said my recommendation to the OP would be to test drive each of them back to back, and then decide. Personally I was debating between the brz and wrx and tried both, and chose the brz for how engaging it is to drive. 8 years later I don’t regret my choice one bit and plan to keep it for as long as it’s going to go. Initially I was concerned about driving it in the winter, and I’m now in my 8th year of driving it all year round including heavy snow and ice. All you need a top shelf set of winter tires like the Nokians Hak9 or studded Hak9 and you’re all set. As a matter of fact, driving it in winter is a lot of fun...

[86TOYO2k17]

Originally Posted by falcon_wizard

I did look into rack options, and while there a couple reports of people fudging something together there are no proper Quality/safe options for a roof rack available on the 86. It would also kill the look of the car and risk damaging the paint, notwithstanding the fact that the space between bars eould be so narrow that you would not be reliably be able to put much on top. Regarding towing, kind of same thing, it technically can be done with a lot of limitations, but it’s not really design to tow. Most lightweight trailers will get you near max towing capacity just being empty without any gear, with barely any safety margin left. If I needed a roof rack and tow, I would simply get another car, like the wrx instead.

I forgot to mention, My road/hybrid bike also fits in the trunk of my brz with the seat folded down, with the front wheel taken off via its quick release. Its a bit tight but it fits. When getting my winter/summer tires changed, they also all fit in folded seat area, with the rest of the trunk still available. Like I said, surprisingly practical...

Wrt choosing between them, as others have said my recommendation to the OP would be to test drive each of them back to back, and then decide. Personally I was debating between the brz and wrx and tried both, and chose the brz for how engaging it is to drive. 8 years later I don’t regret my choice one bit and plan to keep it for as long as it’s going to go. Initially I was concerned about driving it in the winter, and I’m now in my 8th year of driving it all year round including heavy snow and ice. All you need a top shelf set of winter tires like the Nokians Hak9 or studded Hak9 and you’re all set. As a matter of fact, driving it in winter is a lot of fun...

The roof and/or trailer which plenty of people do all the time was a suggestion for the miata to be able to do on occasions all of the things you had mentioned.

Personally I would never use either vehicle beyond transport from A to B, or as a toy. They both have plenty of space for basic things like daily luggage, and groceries.

I can only imagine what your interior condition looks like trying to cram all that inside.

and again how much of what you are saying applies to the OP.