These are indeed great RWD coupes, both 1st and 2nd gen. The oil pressure "problem" is wildly overblown. Our 2023 BRZ FA24 has nothing but track miles for the last 2 years and has good oil pressure, which we log via an aftermarket sensor on our AiM SOLO2 DL and a CAN bridge. Only change we made was an oil pan baffle on day one, and we don't run ridiculous 0W20 oil weights (5W40 Motul FTW). And we do NOT have an external oil cooler, which itself *will add an oil pressure drop* to any engine. Virtually all of the FA20 and FA24 engines we see that fail are from people that mechanically over-rev the engine and/or let the engine "bounce" off the hard cut rev limiter, which are both catastrophic to engine life. Adding a "soft" rev limiter via EcuTec on our FA24 removed the latter issue completely. As the engine approaches 7400 rpm the DBW throttle body starts to just close to the point where it will not rev higher. This way the driver cannot "hit" a hard cut rev limiter - where the large mass and momentum of the heavy timing chain can wreck havoc on valvetrain.
The oil pressure problem is an elephant in the room. And a big one. Fix that and I would have bought this. Instead I sold my Gen 1.5 86 for an ND2 Club.
I just rented a ND2 miata for the weekend and had a blast! mountains and all! I think for ownership/daily driving I lean towards bmw m2, gr86 or maybe even z4 just to get little more cockpit space and power.
The Gen 1.5 (2017-2021) is the sweet spot for these cars. The FA20 is much more refined, easily makes 200WHP on E85 and is a better daily than a MX5 for sure. The MX5 is a better toy and sports car. Pick your poison basically. I had my 86 for 6 years and regret not having the room to keep it around.
Never was. The Miata became less so after cars like the Mustang and Camaro, even the twins offered comparable handling without as many trade offs. A SS Camaro will easily out pace an ND2 on any track. It’s selling point was handling, but time and time again, I see them not taking top spot in my local autox. losing out to Camaros, Vettes, and even the 86/BRZ.
It doesn't need a lot of power but it most definitely needs a lot more than it has. And a Nissan Z is a joke of a sports car. It holds boost because of the weak manual transmission....and its suspension leaves a lot to be desired. Nissans handicapped this car. Let's put this against a Camaro 1le on the same tire on a moderately sized track, and let's have a conversation.
These are indeed great RWD coupes, both 1st and 2nd gen.
The oil pressure "problem" is wildly overblown. Our 2023 BRZ FA24 has nothing but track miles for the last 2 years and has good oil pressure, which we log via an aftermarket sensor on our AiM SOLO2 DL and a CAN bridge. Only change we made was an oil pan baffle on day one, and we don't run ridiculous 0W20 oil weights (5W40 Motul FTW). And we do NOT have an external oil cooler, which itself *will add an oil pressure drop* to any engine.
Virtually all of the FA20 and FA24 engines we see that fail are from people that mechanically over-rev the engine and/or let the engine "bounce" off the hard cut rev limiter, which are both catastrophic to engine life.
Adding a "soft" rev limiter via EcuTec on our FA24 removed the latter issue completely. As the engine approaches 7400 rpm the DBW throttle body starts to just close to the point where it will not rev higher. This way the driver cannot "hit" a hard cut rev limiter - where the large mass and momentum of the heavy timing chain can wreck havoc on valvetrain.
Unfortunately it does it all….including blowing its engine on the track…😢
So weird when a tube video does not waste time on filler.
The oil pressure problem is an elephant in the room. And a big one. Fix that and I would have bought this. Instead I sold my Gen 1.5 86 for an ND2 Club.
A real shame toyota hasn’t done a recall or something for the oil and rtv issues.
Yup. That why i chose the miata myself also..
Wow, me too. Passed up the BRZ/86 and got a ND2 Club.
I just rented a ND2 miata for the weekend and had a blast! mountains and all! I think for ownership/daily driving I lean towards bmw m2, gr86 or maybe even z4 just to get little more cockpit space and power.
The Gen 1.5 (2017-2021) is the sweet spot for these cars. The FA20 is much more refined, easily makes 200WHP on E85 and is a better daily than a MX5 for sure. The MX5 is a better toy and sports car. Pick your poison basically. I had my 86 for 6 years and regret not having the room to keep it around.
I’m definitely considering one! The prices have really not moved that much though
Got a 2014 BRZ and I couldn’t be happier. Getting into autocross and it’s great!
It would be great with a TRD Camry V6 301hp...
So the answer to every sports car question * isn't * Miata anymore... ?
Still is.
Never was. The Miata became less so after cars like the Mustang and Camaro, even the twins offered comparable handling without as many trade offs. A SS Camaro will easily out pace an ND2 on any track. It’s selling point was handling, but time and time again, I see them not taking top spot in my local autox. losing out to Camaros, Vettes, and even the 86/BRZ.
Dang it I really want to take your advice...
it can do everything except turn right lol
😂😂😂
Lol
It doesn't need a lot of power but it most definitely needs a lot more than it has.
And a Nissan Z is a joke of a sports car. It holds boost because of the weak manual transmission....and its suspension leaves a lot to be desired. Nissans handicapped this car.
Let's put this against a Camaro 1le on the same tire on a moderately sized track, and let's have a conversation.
I don't even consider the new Nissan Z. Try finding one that's not marked up to the moon, it's impossible. I've only seen 1 nissan Z on the road, ever