"Vince-The Roadside Mechanic" (vincent-becker)
05/03/2014 at 14:03 • Filed to: None
3
28|
"Vince-The Roadside Mechanic" (vincent-becker)
05/03/2014 at 14:03 • Filed to: None | 3
| 28 |
Welcome to Budget Battles a series I do here on Oppositelock. Today we compare to Opponaut favorites The Miata and the Toyobaru twins.
THE MIATA
Price-$23,720
Engine-2.0 inline 4
Horsepower-167
Torque-140
MPG-28
Weight-2,480
Body type- 2 door, 2 seater roadster
Transmission- 5 speed manual
Brakes-4 wheel disk
THE TOYOBARU TWINS
Price-$25,255
Engine- 2.0 Subaru boxer 4 with Toyota Direct injection.
Horsepower-200
Torque-151
MPG- 34
Weight-2,758
Body type- 2 door, 4 seater hardtop
Transmission-6 speed manual
Brakes- 4 wheel disk
IN MY OPPOINION.
Well the Miata is currently the king of entry level sports cars, It is a 2 seated convertible that handles extremely well. Why well it is a convertible it is a two seater if you have a family you will need another car. It also doesn't get as good of mpg as the Toyobarus. The Toyobarus are the poisoned chalice of King Miata. Yes, you heard that right for a little less money you get more power, better mpg and it is sort of practical. I have sat in the back of one ad it is sort of cramped but not as cramped as the back seat of a Miata. The Toyobarus also handle just as well as the Miata. But it all comes down to one word for me PRACTICALLITY. For about 2 grand more why wouldn't you get a Toyobaru.
WINNER
The Toyobaru Twins.
P.S. Miata owners please don't start a riot and burn me with your hair dryers.
Manuél Ferrari
> Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
05/03/2014 at 14:08 |
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I think it's hard not to vote for a twin if buying new.
What makes the Miata so compelling is that it's been out forever so you can buy a used one cheap. And they're not expensive to maintain.
When the twins are older and can be had for cheap their following will grow.
jariten1781
> Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
05/03/2014 at 14:11 |
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For about 2 grand more why wouldn't you get a Toyobaru.
3500-4500 is why.
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Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
> Manuél Ferrari
05/03/2014 at 14:12 |
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I agree completely.
PS9
> Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
05/03/2014 at 14:13 |
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The FR-S doesn't seem to be having as good a time of it. Wonder what's up. Trouble at home?
Milky
> jariten1781
05/03/2014 at 14:14 |
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How does that even happen?
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Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
> PS9
05/03/2014 at 14:14 |
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His girlfriend dumped him he is going through a rough time currently.
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PS9
> Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
05/03/2014 at 14:18 |
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Unfortunate...but...understandable. I mean, come on. Look at her. No way he was going to be able to afford to maintain her long term. It wasn't meant to be.
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Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
> PS9
05/03/2014 at 14:20 |
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Maybe the Miata looks so happy because he is high?
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jariten1781
> Milky
05/03/2014 at 14:40 |
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Nobody knows. People theorize that it was purposefully put in there for emissions or efficiency but there's never been any official explanation that I've heard. UEL headers smooth it out apparently even without a tune.
Garrett Davis
> Manuél Ferrari
05/03/2014 at 14:46 |
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Nailed it. The Miata is starting to look dated as well, and I know I'll be cast out as a heretic for saying so, but it needs more power. 200 would be the sweet spot for the next model, IMO.
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Manuél Ferrari
> Garrett Davis
05/03/2014 at 14:59 |
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If the next Miata has 200 HP and more torque and weighs the same or less it will be an amazing car. It will win over people that aren't yet Miata fans.
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Garrett Davis
> Manuél Ferrari
05/03/2014 at 15:01 |
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Agreed. It would be a huge mistake on Mazda's part to not give it at least that much, in my opinion.
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Milky
> jariten1781
05/03/2014 at 15:03 |
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Well at least there is a solution.
YSI-what can brown do for you
> jariten1781
05/03/2014 at 15:04 |
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I think that is the problem with the boxer engine layout itself. Look at a Porsche Caymen stock dyno! Also, like you said, get some UEL headers and a tune and you are good to go!
And here is one with the 991!
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Manuél Ferrari
> Garrett Davis
05/03/2014 at 15:09 |
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If it looks good and has those specs sales will jump again. There wouldn't be any convertible like it in that price range.
Logansteno: Bought a VW?
> Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
05/03/2014 at 16:18 |
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I reject your choices and substitute my own:
MSRP: $23,555
Engine: 3.6L DOHC V6
Horsepower: 323
Torque: 278 ft/lbs
MPG: 17/28
Weight: 3719lbs
Transmission: 6-speed manual
0-60: 5.9 seconds
I know it's not really in the same category as the Miata and FR-S, but it's hard to resist all that power at the same price. It only faults in one place and that's weight.
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Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
> Logansteno: Bought a VW?
05/03/2014 at 17:45 |
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Both an Fr-s and a v6 Camaro are things I would like.
RotaryLover
> Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
05/03/2014 at 19:16 |
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Now will the FR-S/BRZ/GT-86 be available brand new in another 5 years? I know the Miata will.
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Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
> RotaryLover
05/03/2014 at 20:09 |
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I bet they will and no offense to your choice of a Miata but I just don't think they are as good of a choice as a Toyobaru. and I think the Miatas days might be numbered unless they wow people with something new.
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RotaryLover
> Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
05/03/2014 at 20:27 |
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Oh really? http://jalopnik.com/step-inside-th… TURBO BITCHES!!!
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Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
> RotaryLover
05/03/2014 at 20:29 |
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Probably won't make it into production but if it does I am wrong. I mostly hate them because I can barely fit into them.
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RotaryLover
> Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
05/03/2014 at 20:34 |
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I bet it will make it to production. Mazda will put in production funky engines with no fear and I'm not talking about Rotaries only. Think about the Millenia. The Precidia with the smallest v6 ever. Hell, the skyactiv units.
burdickjp
> Logansteno: Bought a VW?
05/06/2014 at 23:33 |
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Weight is EVERYTHING.
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burdickjp
> Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
05/06/2014 at 23:34 |
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The miata is lighter, and with a few Cosworth goodies makes more power.
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Logansteno: Bought a VW?
> burdickjp
05/06/2014 at 23:38 |
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Not true in the least. Tell that to 5,600b trucks that can do 0-60 in 5.4 Seconds
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burdickjp
> Logansteno: Bought a VW?
05/08/2014 at 09:48 |
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O RLY? So 0-60 is everything?
Heavier means bigger brakes, fatter tires, and more power to match the performance of a lighter car.
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Logansteno: Bought a VW?
> burdickjp
05/08/2014 at 12:34 |
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Well, obviously. But a Camaro 1LE that weighs a lot more can match the performance of a Miata or similar easily, if not better. A 0-60 in the high 6s for a "sports car" is tragic in 2014. And don't even get me started on how the Miata drives better than almost anything else on the road, because it simply isn't true as of right now, maybe when the new generation comes out it will.
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burdickjp
> Logansteno: Bought a VW?
05/08/2014 at 19:52 |
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I'm actually not a Miata fan. When driving them, I feel like I'm steering a boat.
I would argue the definition of a 'sports car' has little to do with 0-60 times and more to do with driver interaction and feel.
For full disclosure, this is my car:
