Looking for some emotional responses to car choices

[cityxr]

Hello,

I've been reading and listening to about as much moto-journalism as I can stand about the BRZ/86 and MX-5/Spider small sports cars. This whole car shopping thing is a bit of an addiction for me, and I'm losing my mind with all the test drives and comparisons.

I've driven all the cars and they are all great and perfect for me, however, I alas, can only choose one to park in my garage.

I know some of you had to have shopped the other marques as well as the twins. I'm not really looking for more stats, logic, or figures. Instead, let out those visceral and emotional reasons for choosing the car you did.

Thanks!

[Leonardo]

I love mine! Bought it in July 2012. I had an s2000, it was amazing to drive, but not practical for my life.

[8RZ]

Because Subaru master race.

[Teseo]

[funwheeldrive]

You live in San Diego, buy a convertible.

[strat61caster]

I wanted a do it all car, the 86 is pretty damn close.

I've got two Miata's in my life owned by friends and family, an NB and an NC. I wanted a touch more practicality. I wanted to go to the track, hey the 86 can fit every tool needed and a set of tires in the back, the Miata can barely fit a jack and stands and moderate tool bag, helmet goes in the passenger seat. Road trip? Sure, enough storage space and comfort for days on end, the cabin noise in the NC drove me crazy after two commutes. Hell despite what people say about the rear seats I've had 4 people in the car for a 2 hour drive, nobody complained. I drove two other people with three peoples worth of luggage for a long weekend event from SF to LA and back, while netting 32+ mpg. I wanted to own the car for a long time (buying new, to make it worth it means owning for a long time), the 86 has the potential to grow and evolve with me over the years whether it remains a reasonable DD or a stripped out track machine.

Simply put, there was no other car on the market that had the handling or practicality along with the longevity to keep me entertained for many many years. Next month I will have owned it for 4 years with no plans on selling it. I skipped on the pony cars due to the weight, I skipped on the hot hatches because I believe the handling dynamics would have worn me out after a few years. I think I made the right choice.

If I was in the position where I felt comfortable owning a car for 2-3 years and dumping it and taking the hit on resale, I may not have chosen the 86, I'd probably be flogging an Abarth right now. If I had chosen to buy used and save some money I'd probably be in an RX-8. If my paycheck was 40% bigger I'd probably be in a Cayman or older 911.

Miatas are brilliant, I haven't been in an ND and the NB I was in had crap seats but the weight difference is immediate, the nimbleness is fantastic. If I had Jay Leno money I'd have one in the hanger sized garage ahead of any fancy supercar. But for one space in the garage, I didn't want the sacrifice. Many many people are able to live with it, maybe you can. I didn't want to try.

[Leonardo]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

If my paycheck was bigger I'd probably be in an older 911.

^ This 100%

[gramicci101]

I wanted a car that was fun to drive, because I was driving a Hyundai Elantra and it was mind-numbing. I went to Subaru because I had had two Subarus previously, and there it was. I bought it and drove it home that day. That was Feb of 2014 and I still look forward to driving it as much as possible. As an only car and daily driver, it's great for 99% of everything I need. Obviously it's not going to be useful when picking up plywood from Home Depot.

[yelsew]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

I wanted a do it all car, the 86 is pretty damn close.

^^ This is pretty much the same idea behind what I wanted. I always thought of either, the smaller 2 seaters (mx-5/s2000), or the power hatches/sedans (WRX/mazdaspeed3). My BRZ perfectly blends these two categories. Fun and nimble mixed with daily livability. I couldn't be happier with any of my other options I had at the time. Every single day is exciting to hop in my car!

[ap5512]

I've had the following cars:

2005 Scion tC - cool little car but it was during college so it was mostly a commuter.
Last Gen Lancer Ralliart - good power but felt cheap and unreliable
2006 Honda S2000 - my fave...this car made me feel like a million bucks.
2013 BRZ - I love it but im sure if i were to get rid of it, i would regret it just like the way I regret selling the S2K.

If you've done numerous test drives, go with what made you feel good overall. For me I can tell instantly when I sit in the driver seat if the car was something I could fall in love with. I felt that way about the BRZ when i first sat in it so I bought one.

LOL now i think I've done some mods to kinda ruin the original experience so contemplating going back or fine tuning to achieve my desired driving experience.

It's a touch choice but I don't think you can go wrong with either cars tbh since they are both very good but at the end of the day it's going to be the one that makes you get the feels.

[Tcoat]

Every car I have ever bought had an emotional response love, hate, depression, joy, fear and every other emotion you can think of all depending on the car.

[Ultramaroon]

For my relatively sasquatchesque frame and humble tax bracket there is no other car.

[Atropine]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

For my relatively sasquatchesque frame and humble tax bracket there is no other car.

I just had to say...this description made me chuckle.

[gramicci101]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

For my relatively sasquatchesque frame and humble tax bracket there is no other car.

I completely agree. The fact that, at 6'5", I can sit completely comfortably in such a small car with no clearance issues anywhere is damn near unique for me. Someone somewhere did their job right in that regard.