Has anyone come off a MC or out of a roadster ..?

[humfrz]

Hi Folks,

My wife and I have recently "transitioned" from an MX-5 (Miata) to a FR-S.

Why? Because we are more "comfortable" in our FR-S.

So, if you have come off a touring bike or out of a roadster, into an 86/FR-S/BRZ, please say "hi" and consider giving your reasons for the change ....

humfrz

[zc06_kisstherain]

welcome to the club.
i had NA (97 Miata M-edition) before BRZ.

my first impression on test driving FRS/BRZ was "wow! i feel like it's like my miata's handling but with more power" I don't know what year of miata you had but NA miata is very light so i felt 86 is little heavier. (of course! still light-weight car as mordern cars get heavier)
Reason that i came out of roadster is i couldnt bear wind noise from soft-top and not enough space. i also was watching 86 project from beginning and wanted one

[Jond63]

I had a Miata, then an S2000, and now FR-S -- always wanted a coupe and now I have one. Especially compared to the Miata the chassis rigidity and security of fixed roof not being able to be cut (or torn by cats/raccoons sleeping on it) is my biggest reason, and now I don't have to decide whether or not to take the hard top off! (and store it)

The FR-S feels like the car I've always wanted...

[wrxgoose]

you said MC, and first thing i thought was a Mini Cooper. Did have a 1st gen Miata though. loved that car

[wheelhaus]

I'd never leave my bike for a car unless I had no choice, but next to the bike, the 86 is the best candidate for providing great feedback and fun that met my criteria; price, fun factor, manual RWD, weight, mileage, cargo space, and looks. The bike (w/145whp@450lbs) satisfies my craving for raw power and raw feedback, the car is for rainy/snowy days.

[JanneB]

Had a Smart Roadster, great fun, light weight and superb feedback. Had it for nine years but it started to get old and gave me problems so it was a relief to get a GT86. Feels a bit heavier (the roadster was 800 kg with 95 bhp). The GT 86 feels a bit more of a mans car, much more solid but gives me at least the same smile. The only backside is that it is much more thirsty...

[hushypushy]

There was already a thread about this...albeit in the Track/Autocross section so the discussion was focused mainly on that...

I used to have a mildly modded '94 Miata. Although I loved the Miata, I don't regret going to the FR-S at all. The only thing I really miss is cruising through the city with the top down.

The main reason I switched was simply because I got a new job and suddenly had a lengthy commute. I loved my Miata but 70 miles a day (35 miles/45 mins each way) was killing me. I thought about all types of tin-topped cars but I've been in love with the FT86 since I first laid eyes on the concept.

Miatas are EXTREMELY slow. We're talking 9-seconds-to-60 slow. The FR-S weighs more, gets better fuel mileage, and makes it to 60 three seconds faster. Although I've driven many much faster cars, the FR-S is plenty fast for me, especially on the horrible stock tires. Hell, the Miata was usually fast enough for me anyway, except when it came to passing on the freeway.

[bcj]

Didn't give up the bikes. I've got two, Suzuki SV650 and a BMW K1200RS that I use for commuting and grocery getting.
Much easier to cope with downtown on a bike and costs half of the car fare on the boats. Also get on and off first.
I've been backed up in line to the next boat with a car too often.

The FR-S is my new road trip vehicle. Sold my Grand Caravan recently.
Going south or east from here in spring summer or fall gets into the high temperatures and I appricate my air conditioning 8)
Top down, nope. I want a hard top without dopey holes drilled in it. And I got a whiteout to reflect more heat away.

[PNW FRS]

Ride a VTX 1800 C....



But... it gives me the evil eye ever since the FR-S (MT) joined the family! The "X" sits way too many nice days lately... b/c I'm just loving taking the FR-S out on the back roads usually frequented on 2-wheels.

[buzznasa]

I couldn't give up the bike either...





Both are fun but in different ways.

[humfrz]

Hi Folks,

As a follow up to my OP, while on the miata.net forum, I found several people who "transitioned" from a touring bike to a miata, for their touring type pleasure.

So, I was wondering if many people in this community have gone from an open topped roadster to a FR-S/BRZ coupe.

I reckon after 88,000 open topped miles, over 7 summers, in a 2006 (NC) Miata, we were ready for a change.

We have found that the FR-S is just as much fun to drive, while having a bit larger trunk space, larger seats, a spare tire and a "back seat" to put stuff in.

Actually, the REAL reason is that my co-pilot (and wife) got a bit weary of being blown by all the air and cooked by the sun in a open topped roadster.

Are we alone here ....

humfrz

[DarkSunrise]

Good thread, love Miatas. Hard to beat open-top motoring.

[Clembo]

Still have my NC MX-5 Grand Touring too. Just couldn't give it up. Where else would the cats sleep? They love that convertible top!!

BTW, two of our cats sleep on the MX-5 every night and believe it or not, they don't cause any damage. Just have to vacuum off the fur occasionally.

[Calavera]

Went from 02 BMW Z3 to the FR-S . Major reason I got a great deal on the FR-S. The repair costs on the BMW scared me to death even though never had any. In South TX is not really the best place to enjoy a convertible. The wind noise really got annoying with the top up. Overall the Z3 was a great car but just could not pass up the deal on the FR-S.