RE: 2024 Mazda MX-5 RF vs. Toyota GR86
Discussion
BricktopST205 said:
911Spanker said:
Obviously not the same as you have the endless new car Vs used car argument.
But for similar cash I have a 3.9 911 and a modded 130i. No 7 year warranty of course but putting running costs aside and purely considering driving enjoyment, they kill the GR.
Shock horror that modded second hand cars "kill" a standard car. But for similar cash I have a 3.9 911 and a modded 130i. No 7 year warranty of course but putting running costs aside and purely considering driving enjoyment, they kill the GR.
Believe it or not a GR86 did the ring in 07:59 with just stickier tyres on a full lap. That's 15 seconds faster than a BMW 1M and 17 seconds faster than a 996.2 Carrera. Add things like Brembo calipers and a decat exhaust and you have a seriously quick car.
Your loss in the end.
OPC100 said:
The overgrown hedgerows on the single track roads didn't help, but i bet a Caterham would be in its element up there.
I had a Caterham for a few years, I always thought the worst aspect of them on the road is visibility:a. you're very low to the ground, so you can't see over humps or above even a small hedgerow. this can make overtaking can quite difficult at times, and just generally slows down your progress as you can't see over the next hump or around the next bend. this also confuses people in big SUVs that can consequently go twice as fast on some roads and wonder why they're being held up by a little sports car.
b. people don't see you at all sometimes, not as bad as a bike, but people have wandered into my lane on motorways on several occasions and not seen me at junctions.
Had an ND2, never loved it. The easiest way I've found to describe it is that it was less than the sum of its parts. Think I'd like the GR86, though as usual it seems like there are a few foibles now that the dust has settled. Holding their value really well as expected, don't think I'd be paying £30k+ for one.
A nice BRZ/GT86 for £15k, plus a bit of cash to for a manifold and remap, that's something I'd consider.
A nice BRZ/GT86 for £15k, plus a bit of cash to for a manifold and remap, that's something I'd consider.
bigyoungdave said:
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!!
I'm 6' with a 33" inside leg, so I just fit in a roadster. Just like the S2000, it could so with a modified (lower) seat rail. RF felt like a Kei car...even made it feel narrower, somehow.
mackie1 said:
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.
It's pretty bouncy rather than harsh over road surface imperfections, but hit a more serious bump and the damping is fantastic.Both these are fantastic choices and a great way to see out the manual gearbox RWD ICE breed. Every time I see a GT86 (have seen only one GR86 so far) or an ND MX-5 I feel a slight pang of desire. Also want to doff my cap to someone who has gone the leftfield route rather than the usual turbo charge/paddle shift route. Not sure which I would choose. I've owned an MX5 and loved it, so as I sit looking at the sun outside, probably the MX5, but either is a great car to own. Kudos to the Japanese for making three stand out cars in 2024, with these two and the GR Yaris. Most other nations have given up.
Never driven a GR86 but the MX5 for me is just about perfect as a drivers car on our crowded roads. Driving position and controls weight fine, power adequate for what you can use, ride is even reasonable and it's fun. Only downside is drivers in SUV's can't see you and blind you at night and you get enveloped in spray on wet motorways but this would be true of any low slung car.
Can't believe though that they charge extra for a paint finish that looks like they've left it in primer.
Can't believe though that they charge extra for a paint finish that looks like they've left it in primer.
I bought a GR86. Only managed 1,500 miles in 18 months. Not for any particular reason, I just don't do that many miles now, what with WFH and whatnot.
It's a great car, no doubt, although I'm really irritated by the clutch. Once you are up into the 3rd/4th zone it's fine, but at low speeds it's very easy to kangaroo the thing.
Also the seats are a bit narrow, but that may be because i'm a fat lump.
I really ought to drive it more. I must say I enjoy it, but I will need to fettle it a bit to get it to be properly enjoyable...
It's a great car, no doubt, although I'm really irritated by the clutch. Once you are up into the 3rd/4th zone it's fine, but at low speeds it's very easy to kangaroo the thing.
Also the seats are a bit narrow, but that may be because i'm a fat lump.
I really ought to drive it more. I must say I enjoy it, but I will need to fettle it a bit to get it to be properly enjoyable...
I own a GR86 and have owned an early 1.5 ND MX5.
The GR86 is fantastic to drive - sharp and involving. Plenty quick enough, nicely damped, just enough grip. Plus, as I'm finding out at the moment it is practical enough for use as a family car at a push. I can fit my son in his enormous rear facing child seat, my 4 years old in her normal high back booster, their full size pram and my wife (just) with me driving. I'm not suggesting you part ex your estate for one, but as a second car it works for us.
That said, if I didn't have those pesky kids I would probably still have the MX5. It was certainly less focused and more roly poly, but for a road car I think I enjoyed that more. Plus the theater of being able to remove the roof with a flick of the wrist.
Both are great cars.
The GR86 is fantastic to drive - sharp and involving. Plenty quick enough, nicely damped, just enough grip. Plus, as I'm finding out at the moment it is practical enough for use as a family car at a push. I can fit my son in his enormous rear facing child seat, my 4 years old in her normal high back booster, their full size pram and my wife (just) with me driving. I'm not suggesting you part ex your estate for one, but as a second car it works for us.
That said, if I didn't have those pesky kids I would probably still have the MX5. It was certainly less focused and more roly poly, but for a road car I think I enjoyed that more. Plus the theater of being able to remove the roof with a flick of the wrist.
Both are great cars.
bqf said:
I bought a GR86. Only managed 1,500 miles in 18 months. Not for any particular reason, I just don't do that many miles now, what with WFH and whatnot.
It's a great car, no doubt, although I'm really irritated by the clutch. Once you are up into the 3rd/4th zone it's fine, but at low speeds it's very easy to kangaroo the thing.
Also the seats are a bit narrow, but that may be because i'm a fat lump.
I really ought to drive it more. I must say I enjoy it, but I will need to fettle it a bit to get it to be properly enjoyable...
Set your seat a bit further away from the clutch. It worked for me. It's a great car, no doubt, although I'm really irritated by the clutch. Once you are up into the 3rd/4th zone it's fine, but at low speeds it's very easy to kangaroo the thing.
Also the seats are a bit narrow, but that may be because i'm a fat lump.
I really ought to drive it more. I must say I enjoy it, but I will need to fettle it a bit to get it to be properly enjoyable...
I found I just got used to the clutch with time but there is an assist spring mod that can improve the feel that may be worth trying.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/235330953548
Bloody expensive for just a spring though! I'm sure the specs are on the internet somewhere if you have a local friendly purveyor of springs.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/235330953548
Bloody expensive for just a spring though! I'm sure the specs are on the internet somewhere if you have a local friendly purveyor of springs.
bqf said:
I bought a GR86. Only managed 1,500 miles in 18 months. Not for any particular reason, I just don't do that many miles now, what with WFH and whatnot.
It's a great car, no doubt, although I'm really irritated by the clutch. Once you are up into the 3rd/4th zone it's fine, but at low speeds it's very easy to kangaroo the thing.
Also the seats are a bit narrow, but that may be because i'm a fat lump.
I really ought to drive it more. I must say I enjoy it, but I will need to fettle it a bit to get it to be properly enjoyable...
I changed the spring in mine but I think also the clutch has bed in now I am on 6k miles or have just gotten used to it. It's a great car, no doubt, although I'm really irritated by the clutch. Once you are up into the 3rd/4th zone it's fine, but at low speeds it's very easy to kangaroo the thing.
Also the seats are a bit narrow, but that may be because i'm a fat lump.
I really ought to drive it more. I must say I enjoy it, but I will need to fettle it a bit to get it to be properly enjoyable...
mackie1 said:
I found I just got used to the clutch with time but there is an assist spring mod that can improve the feel that may be worth trying.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/235330953548
Bloody expensive for just a spring though! I'm sure the specs are on the internet somewhere if you have a local friendly purveyor of springs.
I even bought the spring because of everyone going on about it. I've never had an issue with the clutch so never fitted it. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/235330953548
Bloody expensive for just a spring though! I'm sure the specs are on the internet somewhere if you have a local friendly purveyor of springs.
Water Fairy said:
BricktopST205 said:
911Spanker said:
Obviously not the same as you have the endless new car Vs used car argument.
But for similar cash I have a 3.9 911 and a modded 130i. No 7 year warranty of course but putting running costs aside and purely considering driving enjoyment, they kill the GR.
Shock horror that modded second hand cars "kill" a standard car. But for similar cash I have a 3.9 911 and a modded 130i. No 7 year warranty of course but putting running costs aside and purely considering driving enjoyment, they kill the GR.
Believe it or not a GR86 did the ring in 07:59 with just stickier tyres on a full lap. That's 15 seconds faster than a BMW 1M and 17 seconds faster than a 996.2 Carrera. Add things like Brembo calipers and a decat exhaust and you have a seriously quick car.
Your loss in the end.
KobayashiMaru86 said:
I even bought the spring because of everyone going on about it. I've never had an issue with the clutch so never fitted it.
I'm a bit puzzled by the criticisms of the clutch and throttle pedals. I've had absolutely no issues with them. Clutch is very light I suppose, but that's modern cars for you. Put Senna spec socks and loafers on your Christmas list for the required deft touch.
Leftfootwonder said:
KobayashiMaru86 said:
I even bought the spring because of everyone going on about it. I've never had an issue with the clutch so never fitted it.
I'm a bit puzzled by the criticisms of the clutch and throttle pedals. I've had absolutely no issues with them. Clutch is very light I suppose, but that's modern cars for you. Put Senna spec socks and loafers on your Christmas list for the required deft touch.
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