NC MX-5 or FR-S?

BriceJohnson · **Joined:** Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:33 am **Posts:** 2230

For purposes of discussion, if I'm considering these two cars for my next daily driver, which would you pick and why? I will continue to autocross the Mini, FWIW, so classing/autocross competitiveness isn't the driving decision maker. Gas mileage is a wash, I don't really care between the two. I would consider some mods, although given a 35 mile commute each way, I wouldn't want to add any bone crushing coilovers or loud exhaust. I WOULD put wider wheels and sticky tires on either, maybe aftermarket sway bars, and likely a cold air intake, but not a lot of mods other than that.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Thu Mar 13, 2014 5:07 pm

You're taller than I am and both of these cars are going to be an issue for you because they are for me. You need to sit your lanky a$$ in both of these before you make any buying decisions....

Scott Johnson · **Posted:** Thu Mar 13, 2014 5:09 pm

Do you want a convertible?

Do you want a back seat?

If I weren't doing track events or hauling 3 people periodically, I would have a Miata. The FRS will offer significantly more cargo capacity (but that's what the Mini is for). You can get a used NC and save a bunch of money, not so much with the FRS.

Matt McGrain · **Posted:** Thu Mar 13, 2014 5:10 pm

Twins...

Then again I've only ever driven one Miata, a first gen with 150k+. But still, a C-Street Scibaru would be more 'practical' if you fit in it.

Les Davis · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 2:04 pm **Posts:** 2059

Scott Johnson wrote:

Do you want a convertible?

Do you want a back seat?

If I weren't doing track events or hauling 3 people periodically, I would have a Miata. The FRS will offer significantly more cargo capacity (but that's what the Mini is for). You can get a used NC and save a bunch of money, not so much with the FRS.

This. The NC is an awesome daily driver if you think you would enjoy the convertible aspect and have a second car and don't need a back seat. The trunk in an NC will hold a surprising amount of stuff as well the passenger seat if its empty of humans/dogs.

Performance wise the cars are very similar. I think the NC might respond a bit more to basic mods. I still have an AEM intake I'd probably part with for a good price.

Andrew Jonell · **Joined:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:43 pm **Posts:** 1350

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDYaSwd4mmk

I'd look for at least an NC2+ if you decide to go with the Miata. Forged internals!

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Thu Mar 13, 2014 9:22 pm

What kind of commute may be the determining factor. Certainly nothing like the Southern California back road used for the comparison.

How much "fun" can any car be in freeway traffic for 70 miles each day surrounded by cars, suv's, and pickups that are all trying to alternately block you or hit you while not even knowing you are there?

shawnwhipple · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 6:28 pm **Posts:** 603

MX-5 or FR-S? Neither, get the BRZ

But I might be biased?

BriceJohnson · **Joined:** Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:33 am **Posts:** 2230

Another interesting discussion, why did you pick the BRZ over the FR-S? ME, I simply like how the FR-S looks better more than anything else. From what I read, it sounds like the front springs are softer and the rear springs stiffer on the FR-S.

shawnwhipple · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 6:28 pm **Posts:** 603

For me, the BRZ won out because one of the roles I wanted this car to fill, was a GT car for my wife and I to take trips in. Comparing the BRZ to the FR-S, for a few more dollars you got a lot of extra stuff. For example, the BRZ limited comes with leather seats, dual zone climate control, navigation, rear spoiler, and upgraded headlights. The BRZ seemed a little more up market and the FR-S felt a little more boy racer to me.

The deal was sealed for me because I found the BRZ I bought used and ended up paying base FR-S money for a fully optioned BRZ with 1400 miles. I probably would have gone with FR-S if I'd found a smoking deal on one of those.

I agree with you that the FR-S looks a little better. I think it's something to do with the more aggressive front bumper? The FR-S would probably be a slightly better autocross car because of the springs and slightly lower weight but they are close enough that the differences would only show up at the top end of a national level autocross.

Les Davis · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 2:04 pm **Posts:** 2059

Andrew Jonell wrote:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDYaSwd4mmk

I'd look for at least an NC2+ if you decide to go with the Miata. Forged internals!

I don't know if I agree with it as I've never actually driven an Scibaru, but I love Kim's violin analogy in that video.

Scott Johnson · **Posted:** Fri Mar 14, 2014 12:27 pm

As a commuter, I really like the heated seats in my BRZ. They are also nice for Feb-March AX events when it's cold waiting in grid.

Scott Johnson · **Posted:** Fri Mar 14, 2014 2:09 pm

I've got to ask, why not an S2000?

For a convertible, I fail to see what a Miata has to offer that isn't done better by an S2000.

Andrew Jonell · **Joined:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:43 pm **Posts:** 1350

Smiles per hour~~

Serious: lower running cost, access to Mazdaspeed, direct competition against Mike Miller and Shawn Whipple, can actually get hardtops for them, warranty

JamesShort · **Posted:** Fri Mar 14, 2014 2:59 pm

Andrew Jonell wrote:

Smiles per hour~~

Serious: lower running cost, access to Mazdaspeed, direct competition against Mike Miller and Shawn Whipple, can actually get hardtops for them, warranty

I don't agree. S2000s are probably the most robust cars I've ever experienced. What breaks on them?

Miatas have a semi-short list of relatively cheap parts that have 'issues' but honestly nothing ever breaks on the S2000.

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NC MX-5 or FR-S?

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