By Chris Tropea
May 28, 2020
The Mazda Miata MX-5 has been a staple in our community since its launch. Is the 2020 Miata still the best choice, even with other competitors like the Toyota 86 in the market? We took the latest MX-5 Club to the official test track of Grassroots Motorsports, The Florida International Rally & Motorsport Park. Presented by CRC Industries.
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5/28/20 12:47 p.m.
Great video! I'm saving up for a Toyobaru right now more for the type of car it is than its minor performance differences vs. the MX5. The Toyobaru is a cheap sport compact that can carry 2 or maybe even 3 passengers and has a ton of cargo space, while the Miata can carry 1 passenger at most and a small fraction of the Toyobaru's cargo. For a dual-duty street and track car, that makes the Toyobaru far more practical, and being able to haul all your equipment to the track without a utility trailer or support vehicle is a nice option to have too.
5/28/20 1:20 p.m.
Having lived with both, can I say that neither is a wrong answer? Although we haven't brought the latest Civic Si into the conversation yet....
5/28/20 1:41 p.m.
Having owned both I can say that the FRS is a much more practical car while still delivering similar chassis feel. Drove 4 kids to their HS prom in the FRS, no coulda done that with the Miata.
My very brief experience with the ND was that I felt crowded by the high rear bulkhead.
Not sure about in the US, but in Canada the ND carries a big $$$ premium over the FRS making the FRS a better value proposition.
5/28/20 1:50 p.m.
In reply to David S. Wallens :
Or if you are willing to get into something a little older why not a 986 Boxster? Slightly bigger with more storage than the MX5 and the top still goes down.
For a newer car though, Civic Si gets my vote over the MX5 and 86/BRZ.
5/28/20 3:54 p.m.
I can't imagine a FWD no matter how good being more fun than an 86. It's just so fun to slide the rear around.
5/28/20 9:35 p.m.
What is the visor on your helmet? I need one!
5/29/20 7:27 a.m.
I considered both when I bought my last new car about a year and a half ago.
I like most things about the Mazda but I have no interest in putting the top down or taking the roof off so decided not to get one.
As for the BRZ I am really not interested in owning another Subaru motor - especially one without a turbo. Otherwise the BRZ fit most of my requirements. If it had a WRX turbo motor that probably would have convinced me, but 200 horsepower is not enough to make it worthwhile to own a boxer again.
I will say it again that if Mazda ever comes out with a true hatchback/fastback hardtop Miata, I will go to the dealer and buy one new because my Porsche 924 is my favorite interior arrangements for a car but without the mechanical practicality/reliability for a daily driver that a miata would have.
6/27/20 5:36 p.m.
Just to warn you, the back seat is really more of a shelf. I'm 6 foot or a little more, and the back of the front seat touches the bottom of the rear seat. My wife road in the back exactly once, and that's the only time someone has ridden back there. I like to call it an extended cab Miata.
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