Early BRZ / 86 vs NC MX5 thoughts?

[GravelBen]

Apologies if this has all been covered before, but most comparisons I've found so far were from back when they were new and things can be quite different when comparing older second hand cars.

I'm contemplating updating my NB MX5 (Japanese import RS 1.8 6-spd with Mazdaspeed suspension) at some stage, the obvious thought was an NC MX5 but I've realised that the cheaper BRZ / 86s on the market are now dropping into the same price range here in NZ, and not all that much more than I might get for my NB.

Take the fun way home by gravelben, on Flickr

Just looking for some thoughts from those who have driven both, comparing the feel and driving experience etc. Also any common faults to look out for?

Would be mainly road use (including gravel fun) but might get back into the odd track day again as well.

My daily driver is a work Hilux so this would be a cheap toy used mostly for fun weekend drives and the occasional road trip. Minimal traffic grind driving, I live in small town rural southern NZ...

Outright performance isn't a big deal for me, I'm sure both of them are in the right ballpark to be fun at sensible speeds.

I'll have to toss up how much I value the convertible experience vs extra practicality (and ability to squeeze a mtb in the back) of the BRZ86, but if one is significantly more fun to drive that will be more of a deciding factor than convertible vs coupe.

So that's my ramble, what can you tell me about how they compare to drive?



PS Mods, please don't move this into either the Subaru, Toyota or MX5 sub-forums - hoping to get views from people who have ended up on both sides of the question.

Edited by GravelBen on Friday 26th December 03:56

[Nickp82]

I was disappointed with the BRZ, it rides too hard, the engine is pretty devoid of character and the one I had was awful in the wet (tyres weren’t the greatest brand tbf). Good seats though

I get the whole thing of the car being a base to modify though so I’m sure decent coilovers and wider tyres would make a better car.

I’d always choose an MX-5 though, the NC is probably my favourite of them all.

[350Matt]

I'd say a gt86 / brz is good buy for a slightly more practical option as a daily. There is little to choose between the two from behind the wheel though. the BRZ engine is a bit cr'p mid range and you have to rev it out to release the go. the Mx5 engine is better and because of the mazda 's weight advantage the performance is very close

there are however a wealth of tuning goodies for the BRZ and with a turbo / super conversion you can have 250-280 bhp without having to pull the engine apart. BRZ brakes are better than Mx5 too

however the Mx5 will feel more biddable and ready for fun as the turn in is better and its a more 'sporty' feel all round.

drive both I'd say and then make your mind up. As each is so easily modified you can make either into something quite special and thats wholly yours