RE: 2024 Mazda MX-5 RF vs. Toyota GR86
Discussion
Do wonder why Mazda never went down a similar route that Triumph did with the Spitfire and GT6. The RF is as near to a fixed head as any MX-5 has ever been (aside from some very rare Japan only factory stuff).
Am sure a fixed head with a larger engine would have done well, slightly smaller than a Cayman, close to similar power but a lot cheaper.
Am sure a fixed head with a larger engine would have done well, slightly smaller than a Cayman, close to similar power but a lot cheaper.
We bought a new GR86 but really didn't like clutch / throttle response, it felt like I was learning to drive all over again! Didn't like the ride much either. Fortunately sold it quickly & made a few bob on it. Bought this instead & put some cash back in the bank.
BBR 220 - just love it.
BBR 220 - just love it.
hm, I like the looks of that GR86 and the 2.4 engine power (not driven any, just the idea)
but the weight differences between those 2?
Is the Toyota that much havier? and is that also incl the 75kg driver? as by the MX5? but stil big weight difference I think.
SPECIFICATION | 2023 TOYOTA GR86
Weight: 1,275kg-1,314kg
SPECIFICATION | 2024 MAZDA MX-5 2.0 EXCLUSIVE LINE RF
Weight: 1,120kg (including 75kg driver)
but the weight differences between those 2?
Is the Toyota that much havier? and is that also incl the 75kg driver? as by the MX5? but stil big weight difference I think.
SPECIFICATION | 2023 TOYOTA GR86
Weight: 1,275kg-1,314kg
SPECIFICATION | 2024 MAZDA MX-5 2.0 EXCLUSIVE LINE RF
Weight: 1,120kg (including 75kg driver)
R8FUN said:
We bought a new GR86 but really didn't like clutch / throttle response, it felt like I was learning to drive all over again! Didn't like the ride much either. ]
both these points were certainly true of the GT, so I guess those characteristics carried over. I forgave the car as is was a 'pure' sports car in other aspects. there are no basic sports cars from Germany or other European manufacturers anymore so we should celebrate the Japanese for persisting, warts and all. every car is a compromise in some way. BBR 220 is a great call though
cerb4.5lee said:
OPC100 said:
No losers here. These are two of my three favourite cars. Add the GR Yaris and that's it for me. Perfect cars for UK roads. Where I live anyway. 
Maybe a Caterham too.
Obviously the Caterham is very compromised. However as something to just jump into and drive...they definitely take some beating I reckon. They seem to put a smile on peoples faces when they see them as well I've found. It is a happy car. Maybe a Caterham too.
I've never driven either a GT/GR86...or the MX-5. But I'd love to try both though, because they both have a lot of ingredients that I really like with a car.
OPC100 said:
I took my GR86 for a drive on the roads up and around Bulbarrow Hill in Dorset last weekend and it was the first time that I felt, "I could really do with something smaller. A Caterham 7 would be great". The overgrown hedgerows on the single track roads didn't help, but i bet a Caterham would be in its element up there.
scary as hell on those roads. vulnerable. EshAsh said:
Both great cars, but what hasnt been mentioned is the following.
Pretty much anyone can fit in and drive a GR86. The same cannot be said for the MX5. For me and I suspect, many others, this will remain one of the biggest question marks in the history of car design and sales strategy. We are constantly reminded about the scale and volume of sales worldwide of this fantastic little car. Surely though, the elephant in the room here is, how many more millions would they have sold, if they had given it about an inch more headroom, and/or an inch or two more legroom, or at the very least given it a height adjustable seat?? Would any of that really have made a SIGNIFICANT addition to weight etc, which is what we’re always told??
They’d have sold so many more if they’d just made it a fraction bigger inside. This is the tragedy for me of the MX5; a fantastic small beautiful car, compromised by cramped interior space and thereby rendering it only saleable to those of small to average build/height. Tragic!!
I'm 6'2". I have owned an NB for 13 years and have driven an ND for a day. I've never had a problem with the size of the cabin in either. Maybe my height is distributed strangely! Or perhaps it's because I have the roof off at any opportunity Pretty much anyone can fit in and drive a GR86. The same cannot be said for the MX5. For me and I suspect, many others, this will remain one of the biggest question marks in the history of car design and sales strategy. We are constantly reminded about the scale and volume of sales worldwide of this fantastic little car. Surely though, the elephant in the room here is, how many more millions would they have sold, if they had given it about an inch more headroom, and/or an inch or two more legroom, or at the very least given it a height adjustable seat?? Would any of that really have made a SIGNIFICANT addition to weight etc, which is what we’re always told??
They’d have sold so many more if they’d just made it a fraction bigger inside. This is the tragedy for me of the MX5; a fantastic small beautiful car, compromised by cramped interior space and thereby rendering it only saleable to those of small to average build/height. Tragic!!
R8FUN said:
We bought a new GR86 but really didn't like clutch / throttle response, it felt like I was learning to drive all over again! Didn't like the ride much either. Fortunately sold it quickly & made a few bob on it. Bought this instead & put some cash back in the bank.
BBR 220 - just love it.
Took me a while to get used to those and TBH I may still go for a throttle tuning box to make it a bit more linear but on the plus side it makes heal and toe very easy and satisfying. I’ve developed much better pedal finesse because of this car. BBR 220 - just love it.
Skaben said:
One defining feature of the gr86 is it's back seats. Although they are not for full size humans, they do allow kids seats to fit in.
Practicality is actually okay as long as you are not driving cross continental. I can get my daughter and son in the back with the wife in the front no problem and I am over 6ft3". It does somewhat stunt enjoyment though as you are adding 150ish KG to the kerb weight! You can fit full-sized adults too but I wouldn't want to go far doing that unless you are a male who is closer to 5ft.
Pablo Escobar said:
"Why Mazda made this car in so many dull colours is a puzzle."
That was an anniversary colour, though and you have to really like orange Edited by Pablo Escobar on Saturday 15th June 12:14
I should add, in response to the noise complaint in the RF that I am 5'6 and I don't find it particularly noisy but my son is nearly 6 foot and does notice the noise so it's partly a height issue.
mackie1 said:
I wish I fitted in an MX5 whereas the GR86 can genuinely fit a 6’3” human and still have room for easy heal and toe.
I absolutely love mine, it’s way more than the sum of its humble parts. Great write up, long may they live.
It’s worth touching on the huge aftermarket for both cars that add a whole new dimension to the ownership and driving experience. The basic car is great but there’s a huge amount of reasonably priced and easy to DIY potential to dip into if you’re partial to it.
Hi, looks great, can you share details of the wheels ? Do they also have spacers.I absolutely love mine, it’s way more than the sum of its humble parts. Great write up, long may they live.
It’s worth touching on the huge aftermarket for both cars that add a whole new dimension to the ownership and driving experience. The basic car is great but there’s a huge amount of reasonably priced and easy to DIY potential to dip into if you’re partial to it.
jackal said:
Hi, looks great, can you share details of the wheels ? Do they also have spacers.
No spacers (not a fan) but the wheels are 8.5” wide vs 7.5” standard and are ET38 meaning the faces sit about 22mm further out. They are JR Wheels SL01s and are flow formed and about 1kg lighter than OEM. I was after something with a bit of dish without having to go up to 9 or 9.5 inch. Tyres are 225/40ZR18 Goodyear Supersports.The comments about harsh ride are a bit puzzling to me, it feels very well damped and there’s plenty of travel. I’m running HKS coilovers with a good amount more spring rate (5/6.5 F/R) and it’s still not harsh. It’s all relative I guess but IMO the stock setup can take anything a British B-road can chuck at it.
Minimarvel said:
That comparison does highlight just how expensive the MX5 has become. That might be the decider when the day comes to finally buy my perfect three car garage.
.
No you're just becoming old, MX-5 was £14,500 in 1990..
This equates to £42,000 today relative to consumer prices and £49,000 Vs incomes.
The top of the range MX-5 cost £23.5k in 2015 which equates to £33k today in retail prices and £31k in incomes which shows what has happened to the economy.
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