RE: 2019 Mazda MX-5 vs Toyota GT86 Blue Edition

[VeeFource]

Absolutely brilliant article, thanks PH!!! I keep going back and forth between each of these exact 3 cars as my next purchase in a few years after some depreciation happens.

I would be interested to know how they compare on a long motorway journey as boring as it is, given it's a necessary evil on most weekends away.

Shappers24 said:

Never understood why they always test these together like this. One is a top down two seater roadster and the other is a four seater coupe with sizeable boot that also happens to be rwd... you might as well bung in a low spec bmw 4 series if you’re going to start testing rwd coupes against roadsters.

Would you test a boxster against a Merc coupe? Probably not, as they’re not comparable...

Anyway. Ex GT86 owner and I do miss it... once the primacy tyres were swapped for something abit grippier. Sideways fun is all well and good but to a detriment to braking performance wasn’t for me!

What on earth are you talking about? Can you not see the link between them that is ultimate driving pleasure in around the same price bracket with a dash of practicality (i.e. a roof and some storage here and there)? If boot size, a limited ability to carry extra passengers, a removable roof and which wheels are driven aren't deal breakers then these cars end up having a hell of a lot in common from a driving perspective (and this is PH - hence all the positive comments so far!).

What's important to me is involving handling, decent power, a diminutive size to keep the weight down and still capable of grocery runs & weekends away etc.. So I'm sure as with many other non-parenting PHers on here, these 3 are top of the list.

Edited by VeeFource on Sunday 23 September 10:37

[towelie]

I’ve seen disabled crabs accelerate faster than a gt86.

Overpriced, slow and boring

[Mackofthejungle]

Neither do it for me.

I really wanted to like the GT86. I sat in one 6 years ago but even then it felt 10 years out of date. The seating position was cracking, and the extra space in back meant it was almost practical, but the weight, the crap engine...the rust that pretty much every Japanese car seems to have at the 3-4 year old point in their lives.. And with the monies involved nobody's realistically going to turbocharge it. And you wouldn't want to anyway - half the point of these cars is the lack of a fking turbocharger.

The Mazda sounds great fun, but is obviously totally impractical. It's a second car for someone like me, sadly, and if I ever have a second car it won't be a 25 grand MX5. I mean, it'd be a second car - it's going to be far more impractical than this.

Quality is being sacrificed in search of speed in the hot hatch segment, so that becomes less interesting by the day, so it's hard to know what to do these days. If I was looking at a new 20-25 grand car, despite all the crap, I'd probably be looking at the Toyota/Subaru. But I couldn't spend that sort of money on such a flawed car.

I'd order a new Jimny. There's a car nailing every little part of its existence.

[Deep Thought]

Mackofthejungle said:

The Mazda sounds great fun, but is obviously totally impractical. It's a second car for someone like me, sadly, and if I ever have a second car it won't be a 25 grand MX5. I mean, it'd be a second car - it's going to be far more impractical than this.

There are people it will suit as a primary car though. They'll run it for a few years, then it'll drop in value, and it'll become more viable as a second or third car. I think £3,000-£5,000 MX-5s are good value for a weekend toy. I dont think anyone would buy one of these brand new as a weekend car.

Likewise, what £25K new car is going to be impractical enough to only warrant being a 2nd / weekend car?

[Honeywell]

I really like the Gt86 engine.

It sounds rough, it’s low on torque, you need to wring it’s neck. All of which serve in stark and refreshing contrast to most other modern cars.

The power builds and builds as you get to the top end. You spend ages blatting along at 4500rpm and the throttle response is lovely - it makes it feel faster than it is. My 535d at 75mph down a B road is barely whispering at 2000rpm. The Gt86 feels as frenetic as if your hair is on fire. Same speed, totally different feel.

If you want to have a car that likes a damn good thrashing, that will step the back end out, that flirts with a dab of oppo - then the Gt86 is for you. It’s an Escort RS2000 for the modern age.

I couldn’t care that much about acceleration. Thrust is just an aspect of driving fun and you can soon get immune to it (I find as a BMW535d owner).

[Mr-B]

Deep Thought said:

There are people it will suit as a primary car though. They'll run it for a few years, then it'll drop in value, and it'll become more viable as a second or third car. I think £3,000-£5,000 MX-5s are good value for a weekend toy. I dont think anyone would buy one of these brand new as a weekend car.

Likewise, what £25K new car is going to be impractical enough to only warrant being a 2nd / weekend car?

I did and it's been great.

@VeeFource motorway journeys aren't too bad, it is noisier than a tin top obviously but it's not something that particularly bothered me. You have three choices anyway, turn the stereo up, get the roof down so you then expect a lot more noise or get the roof down and turn the stereo up, they all work for me.

[Deep Thought]

Mr-B said:

Deep Thought said:

There are people it will suit as a primary car though. They'll run it for a few years, then it'll drop in value, and it'll become more viable as a second or third car. I think £3,000-£5,000 MX-5s are good value for a weekend toy. I dont think anyone would buy one of these brand new as a weekend car.

Likewise, what £25K new car is going to be impractical enough to only warrant being a 2nd / weekend car?

I did and it's been great.

@VeeFource motorway journeys aren't too bad, it is noisier than a tin top obviously but it's not something that particularly bothered me. You have three choices anyway, turn the stereo up, get the roof down so you then expect a lot more noise or get the roof down and turn the stereo up, they all work for me.

Cool

If we bought one (and its on the radar to test drive) it would be a DD. We had a mk3 MR2 from brand new as a DD for 3 years, practicality isnt big on our list.

[edo111s]

I sold a GT86 for an ND MX-5 earlier this year. Having driven both extensively I enjoyed this article, thanks PH!

IMHO:
The GT86 driving position, seat and steering are much better than the Mazda
On a slow twisty track the GT proved immense fun, and it wasn't that slow.
The way you could control the car's angles with the throttle input and feeling it all through your seat ... masterpiece. Ah, and the electronics could be switched off truly - ABS aside - just google for the 'pedal dance'.
On the road the GT is fun on twisties and roundabouts, but when you have to do longer miles it's bit boring, as the engine needs to be revved too much.

The 'old' Mazda 2L engine is very linear instead though its redline is too low sometimes - I'd love to try the 2019 one.
The MX5 is fun though not very fast either and has a well-known wobbly behavior with no steering feel (but 12 years of Elise driving spoiled me in that respect).
Its light weight is definitely fantastic for such a modern car - you can take advantage and 'chuck' the car at a corner.
So it's a great overall package - if you can afford the limited space (it's my main car, not a toy, but my wife drives the family mpv !) - makes most journeys a true pleasure (Android Auto and Bose audio help when stuck in traffic :-)

Bottom line ... though I would not have bought the (old-engined) MX-5 if it wasn't for the open top, given we had such nice weather this year I'm quite happy. I'd love to try the 2019 engine ...

[Black S2K]

POPE Paul said:

Good article, and as we all know, the 'horses for courses' equation, I can't help being drawn to the MX5, seeing its 6.5s performance; but then thinking... what a lovely used Boxster you can get for less money?! I know which route would give you the biggest 'grin-factor 8'.

I just had a flashback to years ago when I had an NA and took a 986 2.5 out for a test drive. It was a very, very good car, but just didn't feel quite as exciting, somehow...

It's weird, I know.

[Deep Thought]

POPE Paul said:

Good article, and as we all know, the 'horses for courses' equation, I can't help being drawn to the MX5, seeing its 6.5s performance; but then thinking... what a lovely used Boxster you can get for less money?! I know which route would give you the biggest 'grin-factor 8'.

Yes.

Thats probably one of the debates we'll be having next year when our primary car is due to be changed - used Boxster or new MX5.

£25K will get you maybe a 6-7 year old Boxster though, potential big bills, MOT, wear and tear, the same £25K gets you a new MX5, 3 year warranty, etc, etc.

[edo111s]

Black S2K said:

POPE Paul said:

Good article, and as we all know, the 'horses for courses' equation, I can't help being drawn to the MX5, seeing its 6.5s performance; but then thinking... what a lovely used Boxster you can get for less money?! I know which route would give you the biggest 'grin-factor 8'.

I just had a flashback to years ago when I had an NA and took a 986 2.5 out for a test drive. It was a very, very good car, but just didn't feel quite as exciting, somehow...

It's weird, I know.

Faster cars are not necessarily more fun on the road. Actually they can become frustrating!!
One of the main reasons I sold my Elise was that I started to enjoy it only on track - so it became an unjustifiable toy ...

[VeeFource]

Mr-B said:

@VeeFource motorway journeys aren't too bad, it is noisier than a tin top obviously but it's not something that particularly bothered me. You have three choices anyway, turn the stereo up, get the roof down so you then expect a lot more noise or get the roof down and turn the stereo up, they all work for me.

Cheers Mr B. My Suzuki Swift Sport is quite noisy on the motorway and I find turning the music up means it's a bit full on after a few hours. Might start using my musicians earplugs (which I use for my motorbike), it lets you still hear but just turns everything down a notch.

[bozzy.]

Mackofthejungle said:

...the rust that pretty much every Japanese car seems to have at the 3-4 year old point in their lives..

I don't know what Japanese cars you are referring to regarding rust, however, it can’t be a Toyota. It’s usually only extremely old cars or ones that have had a body repair by Fred in his shed that show any signs of rust.

Toyota don’t put a 12 year anti-corrosion warranty on their cars without knowing they’re going to stand the test of time.

[CABC]

Black S2K said:

I just had a flashback to years ago when I had an NA and took a 986 2.5 out for a test drive. It was a very, very good car, but just didn't feel quite as exciting, somehow...

It's weird, I know.

Snap!
I had 40k earmarked for the Boxster “upgrade” 15 yrs ago and backed out because of the fun factor. The Boxster was, and is, a great car. But as a second car it wasn’t as satisfying.
Eventually got an Elise. Epic.

[Kawasicki]

Honeywell said:

I really like the Gt86 engine.

It sounds rough, it’s low on torque, you need to wring it’s neck. All of which serve in stark and refreshing contrast to most other modern cars.

The power builds and builds as you get to the top end. You spend ages blatting along at 4500rpm and the throttle response is lovely - it makes it feel faster than it is. My 535d at 75mph down a B road is barely whispering at 2000rpm. The Gt86 feels as frenetic as if your hair is on fire. Same speed, totally different feel.

If you want to have a car that likes a damn good thrashing, that will step the back end out, that flirts with a dab of oppo - then the Gt86 is for you. It’s an Escort RS2000 for the modern age.

I couldn’t care that much about acceleration. Thrust is just an aspect of driving fun and you can soon get immune to it (I find as a BMW535d owner).

Excellent post.

[mikey P 500]

bozzy. said:

I don't know what Japanese cars you are referring to regarding rust, however, it can’t be a Toyota. It’s usually only extremely old cars or ones that have had a body repair by Fred in his shed that show any signs of rust.

Toyota don’t put a 12 year anti-corrosion warranty on their cars without knowing they’re going to stand the test of time.

I think the gt86 will suffer lots of rust as they get older. The sills are not boxed in, (just a plastic rubber trim that doesn't fully fit well and allows water and dirt in. Very easy to peal back from rear wheel arch and see just how bad the insides are. Given they are quite new will be OK for a few years before mot failing rust, but once at mk2 mx5 age don't think they will fair any better

[Mackofthejungle]

bozzy. said:

Mackofthejungle said:

...the rust that pretty much every Japanese car seems to have at the 3-4 year old point in their lives..

I don't know what Japanese cars you are referring to regarding rust, however, it can’t be a Toyota. It’s usually only extremely old cars or ones that have had a body repair by Fred in his shed that show any signs of rust.

Toyota don’t put a 12 year anti-corrosion warranty on their cars without knowing they’re going to stand the test of time.

All Japanese cars. And anti-corrosion warranties aren't worth the paper they're written on.

[Black S2K]

Kawasicki said:

Honeywell said:

I really like the Gt86 engine.

It sounds rough, it’s low on torque, you need to wring it’s neck. All of which serve in stark and refreshing contrast to most other modern cars.

The power builds and builds as you get to the top end. You spend ages blatting along at 4500rpm and the throttle response is lovely - it makes it feel faster than it is. My 535d at 75mph down a B road is barely whispering at 2000rpm. The Gt86 feels as frenetic as if your hair is on fire. Same speed, totally different feel.

If you want to have a car that likes a damn good thrashing, that will step the back end out, that flirts with a dab of oppo - then the Gt86 is for you. It’s an Escort RS2000 for the modern age.

I couldn’t care that much about acceleration. Thrust is just an aspect of driving fun and you can soon get immune to it (I find as a BMW535d owner).

Excellent post.

Indeed! It does remind me of an old Escrote.

The throttle response is a poor lower down (even with things turned off) but it actually is pretty good when you're trying to murder it. Then the damping also then reveals itself to be slightly inadequate and the hopping over ridges increases the antique feel.

[JMF894]

Deep Thought said:

There are people it will suit as a primary car though. They'll run it for a few years, then it'll drop in value, and it'll become more viable as a second or third car. I think £3,000-£5,000 MX-5s are good value for a weekend toy. I dont think anyone would buy one of these brand new as a weekend car.

Likewise, what £25K new car is going to be impractical enough to only warrant being a 2nd / weekend car?

Ginetta G40

Proper toy.

Job done

[VeeFource]

Mackofthejungle said:

bozzy. said:

Mackofthejungle said:

...the rust that pretty much every Japanese car seems to have at the 3-4 year old point in their lives..

I don't know what Japanese cars you are referring to regarding rust, however, it can’t be a Toyota. It’s usually only extremely old cars or ones that have had a body repair by Fred in his shed that show any signs of rust.

Toyota don’t put a 12 year anti-corrosion warranty on their cars without knowing they’re going to stand the test of time.

All Japanese cars. And anti-corrosion warranties aren't worth the paper they're written on.

Ford aren't so great either what with uber thin paint that chips very easily and generally low paint finish quality so I hear.