"Luken10" (luken10)
02/16/2018 at 22:15 • Filed to: None
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"Luken10" (luken10)
02/16/2018 at 22:15 • Filed to: None | 1
| 22 |
2009+ NC Miata or FRS/BRZ? I keep going back and forth. One month I’m set on an FRS and the next it’s the Miata.
First off the Miata: A convertible is on the top of my WANTS list as I live in Southern California. The car + insurance is cheaper, and i’m sure maintenance is cheaper as well. Arguably more fun at lower speeds. However, it is not a practical car by any means.
FRS / BRZ: I’m a tall guy and will more or less fit in this car. I would have to replace the seat in the Miata. It’s practical (relatively speaking), and looks great. There is also a time attack series in my area called the 86 Cup. I want a strong social factor for my next car, so having a group to go to the track with every month or so would be epic. I know the Miata has a great motorsports following, but I haven’t come across anything similar to the 86 Cup.
What are your opinions Oppo? If you want to think outside the box I am looking for a RWD car that is cheap to maintain, lots of fun, under 14k USD and can be taken to track days occasionally. Will also be my DD.
Thomas Donohue
> Luken10
02/16/2018 at 22:37 |
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BRZ. When your budget allows, buy an old NA/NB Miata as a second car if you wish.
NC is a tough DD. Better in that capacity than an NA/NB, but still won’t be as good as a BRZ.
Chuckles
> Luken10
02/16/2018 at 22:38 |
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Tough call, and I really think it boils down to what kind of roof you want. I live in PA, where my Miata goes into the garage for the winter and it’s still worth it. I love having a convertible.
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Luken10
> Thomas Donohue
02/16/2018 at 22:42 |
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I can definitely agree with you on this. I’m renting an NC tomorrow just to see how livable it is as a DD. The thing is, my commute is only a couple of miles and I don’t really HAVE to have much cargo room. I’m trying to decide if it’s worth it to give up some creature comforts for more fun on the weekends.
TheDutchTexan
> Luken10
02/16/2018 at 22:42 |
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I haven’t driven a NC Miata yet but I have a BRZ (Toyota 86, 860 edition automatic, I have the unedited review on my hard drive right now... won’t be out till next month but I digress). Everyone says they are very similar in road handling, so it becomes a question of wanting to deal with a ragtop or have a coupe. A coupe is quieter and generally stiffer. The boxer means you can get some really nice sounds from it if you wish to go with unequal length headers. I also think the Toyobarus are the better looking of the two.
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Luken10
> Chuckles
02/16/2018 at 22:44 |
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I think it would be fun to have a convertible. Even if I only kept the car for a year or so. A friend of mine had an NA that he used to let me drive all of the time. That was the most fun I’ve had in a car.
MarquetteLa
> Luken10
02/16/2018 at 22:47 |
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How often do you foresee changing spark plugs?
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Luken10
> TheDutchTexan
02/16/2018 at 22:48 |
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I agree about the looks. Especially cruising at night, the 86 family looks fantastic. Part of what keeps drawing me back to it, even though I feel like I may have more fun with the rag top. From what I’ve read the Miata is a bit more lively to drive than the twins. That’s interesting that you have heard how similar they are. I’m renting an NC tomorrow, so it will be interesting to compare the two.
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Luken10
> MarquetteLa
02/16/2018 at 22:50 |
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Lol, hopefully only once or twice over the life of the car. I’m assuming you are referencing the boxer engine. From what I have read it’s a pain in the ass, but is still completely doable.
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Chuckles
> Luken10
02/16/2018 at 23:00 |
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Driving my NA with the top down is therapeutic. After a long 12 hour workday (only getting paid for 8), I’d walk out to my 94 Miata, drop the top, hop on the 70 mph speed limit highway, blast some music and just find my happy place.
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Luken10
> Chuckles
02/16/2018 at 23:03 |
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That’s what I’m hoping to experience. I’m renting an NC tomorrow to know for sure.
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Chuckles
> Luken10
02/16/2018 at 23:13 |
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Here’s a post I made back in November about a good driving day.
https://oppositelock.kinja.com/making-the-most-of-a-warm-ish-day-1820740181
In an enclosed car, I would have felt more separated from the environment. I’ve had a lot of great driving days in my Miata, and it always puts a smile on my face.
Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
> Luken10
02/16/2018 at 23:38 |
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Hands down FRS! I’m a huge Miata nut, hence why I have one but I’ve seriously loved the 86 twins when I’ve driven them. It’s the same wonderful driving experience except so much more practical and in my opinion better looking. Compared to an NC, it’s no question to me, I just don’t really like that generation. Now I would not go out and get an FRS and get rid of my NB but given a flat choice if I had to get another one, I think I would get the 86. It’s the driving dynamics that get me. Just the way the car feels alive on a twisty road is special. Now though if you made me decide between an ND Miata though, I might have a hard time choosing. I definitely think you should drive an ND first!
Unrelated note, you are in Socal, definitely check out my post about a mailing list and email me!
AestheticsInMotion
> Luken10
02/17/2018 at 01:29 |
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Brz over an NC, but I would pick an NA/NB/ND over a Brz any day. For what it’s worth, I’m 6'1, 200lbs and daily my NA, and have for two years. Tons of driving, work commute, weekend fun and long adventures on and off road. Socal is the best place to own a Miata. Look into the Supermiata series for a fairly accessible race series that’s a bit more advanced than basic lapping. The community is hands down one of the best in the automotive world. Tons of fantastic owners, and great events. Here’s a writeup of one specific event again, there are TONS in your area, and many more across the west coast.
Another plus of going with a Miata.... You’re in the heart of the aftermarket Miata community. 949 Racing, Blackbird Fabworx, and many more of the best vendors and fabricators live in your Pbackyard. It’s cheap to mod, and a reliable platform with years of development. Plus, chances are as the years go on you’ll be less and less likely to be able to DD a small convertible. Enjoy it while you can. The Brz will only be getting cheaper. Unfortunately NA and NB Miatas are at the bottom of the curve (and rising). NC’s not so much, but they’re pretty unloved compared to the other generations.
wafflesnfalafel
> Luken10
02/17/2018 at 11:45 |
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Go rent a Miata for a couple days - either you will love the convertable or not. Voila. (Full disclosure - I’m not a big convertable fanatic, me likes the tin top over my head.)
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Luken10
> wafflesnfalafel
02/17/2018 at 12:54 |
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Renting one tonight for that exact purpose! I had a friend with an NA miata that I loved driving, but of course things can be more fun when it isn’t your only car.
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Luken10
> Chuckles
02/17/2018 at 12:57 |
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Having a hard top is great for commuting and longer trips, but you’re right, top down allows you to experience so much more.
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Luken10
> AestheticsInMotion
02/17/2018 at 13:09 |
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Looks like SuperMiata is wheel to wheel racing. While that sounds the most fun, I can’t realistically do that in my DD. Contact is inevitable. 86 Cup is a time attack series. While obviously not as fun as wheel to wheel, I can live with the smaller risks involved. Thanks for sharing that post, that event looks awesome.
I used to/still have the same train of thought as you regarding the NC being the awkward bunch between the four generations. However, as you mentioned, NA and NB models are starting to go up in value. There are some great deals on NC Miatas with super low mileage. Having a few more modern amenities would be appreciated in my usage. Some people also say the NC is actually much better than the NA and NB just because it used a much more modern platform. I’m renting one today to find out for myself. I wish I could get an ND, but it’s out of my price range.
Your comment about growing out of a convertible is probably the main reason I don’t want to get stuck in a FRS/BRZ. I feel like I need to live the convertible lifestyle before my life says I can’t.
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Luken10
> Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
02/17/2018 at 13:20 |
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Pretty sure I would get the ND if I had the money and could actually fit inside of the car. They did an excellent job on that car. Thanks for your opinion on your FRS. It’s interesting to hear why people prefer one over the other.
I’ll shoot you an email!
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Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
> Luken10
02/17/2018 at 19:33 |
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From a raw emotion side, the Miata is more fun. But the FRS is a much better car to live with. I spent 3 years with just a miata and made do with it. The convertible thing is wonderful to have but you could always pick up a REALLY cheap one if you had room for another car. I am the biggest proponent of top down all the time but it’s really not my first priority. Being in Socal, it would be particularly useful to always have that option. Really you can’t go wrong with either option though.
t0ast
> Luken10
02/18/2018 at 00:01 |
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There is currently an ‘07 NC (built up for STR class autocross) and a ‘13 FR-S (stock) in my driveway. As much as I love the NC, it took some modifications to get it “just right”, and the FR-S comes pretty darn close to being just as fun as what I have assembled right out of the box... at least once you get rid of the garbage OEM tires. I think the NC still wins by a narrow margin in the daily driving category thanks to the drop top and better (IMO) steering and transmission feel, but overall I think I’d be just a little bit happier with the FR-S if it had the same set of modifications.
Also you said the magic words of “tall” and “track”. That combo doesn’t bode well for a dual-purpose NC. At a minimum, you’re talking some manner of seat and roll bar replacement with a level of cost / complication / daily driving discomfort related to how tall you are if you want to pass the broomstick test. The Toyobaru would be much less of a hassle in this regard, so I think it’d be the way to go here.
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Luken10
> t0ast
02/18/2018 at 20:47 |
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Thanks for your input! How would you compare your two cars in regards to DD fun and track capability?
In my opinion a car that is loads of fun on the street my not be as fun/capable on the track. There are trade offs for everything. From my reading it sounds like the FR-S may be a little more capable on the track, but the Miata is more fun to toss around town. Any thoughts?
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t0ast
> Luken10
02/19/2018 at 13:36 |
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Around town, like I said above, the NC edges out the Toyobaru IMO and it just feels fun without any fuss or compromises. I’ve had it for almost 10 years now, and I still look forward to driving it whenever I can. It’s been dead reliable, and parts (for both maintenance and modification) have been reasonably priced as well. The (non-sport) stock suspension was a little tall and soft for my tastes, but it did at least make for a slightly more comfortable ride.
The Toyobaru belongs to my husband, so I don’t have as much seat time in it, but I still get opportunities to drive it semi-regularly. It’s nearly as fun of a ride in stock form, but it comes with a few minor detractions that may or may not bother you. IMO, the transmission is more difficult to work with, with a compound-bow-like clutch pedal and a shifter that’s a little more sensitive to how you time your shifts. There’s also the torque dip, but it’s relatively unnoticeable unless you’re asking the car to accelerate briskly through that specific range.
As for track work, the closest I have is autocross for both. I don’t have a stock-for-stock comparison since I started when my NC was already modified, but I can at least take a guess. Performance-wise, the Toyobaru is almost certainly going to be faster with its more powerful engine and better stock suspension, but their behaviors and fun factor will vary.
The NC’s daily driving straightforwardness carries over into performance driving. It’s not as sharp as the Toyobaru, but the flip side of that coin is that it’s the more friendly platform to learn in. There aren’t any odd or surprising quirks needing additional effort to work around (save for perhaps a little bit of body roll), and it’s great at providing direct feedback to the driver. It’s just a simple and honest car that gently emphasizes good driving practices. It just won’t be particularly fast until you start modifying it.
The Toyobaru feels more potent and playful overall. It gives you the power and freedom to rotate the car more freely than the NC, which increases the learning curve slightly, but adds some flexibility and entertainment factor. It doesn’t feel as directly connected as the NC from the driver’s seat, but its stiffer suspension helps bridge the gap by providing more responsive and precise handling characteristics. Power-wise, it feels on par with my modified (intake + full exhaust + tune) NC and I suspect the torque dip won’t be too difficult to avoid on track.