Fiat 124 vs 86 vs MX5 - Affordable Sports Cars | Everyday Driver TV Season 2
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- Опубліковано 14 лют 2018
- We put the Fiat 124 spider against the Toyota 86 and Mazda MX-5 RF for the first of 6 episodes from TV season 2. These RWD purpose-built sports cars are available new for less than $30k. The MX5 has owned this segment for years, but the 86 offers a definite alternative, and the hard top RF and Fiat 124 give MX5 buyers even more choice.
Paul and Todd spend a great day on a favorite Utah road to find what separates these cars and which one they'd most recommend.
Look for a new TV episode every month right here on UA-cam.
The latest episodes are available on Amazon Prime of Vimeo, find them here:
www.amazon.com/dp/B07WPGDW8K
Remember our Podcast, "the Car Debate" can be found wherever you get Podcasts with new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
Thanks for watching! - Авто та транспорт
I test drove the MX-5 and the Spider before buying. I agree with Paul: the MX-5 lacked personality compared to the Fiat; the little 1.4T Fiat engine is an overachiever; completely transforms the car. And the exhaust sounds like a million bucks! I ended going with the Spider in Abarth guise. Three years later, I still have it, and is one of the best purchase decisions I ever made.
10 more years all the Miatas will be running and a lot of the 124s will be junked
@@fortheloveofnoise As an Alfa Romeo driver in an 09 mito QV with a 1.4 multi-air, I disagree. I am at ~183.000KM's in a 15 year old car. My mother has a giulietta from 2016 with that same 1.4 multi-air in it, also going strong at ~80.000KM's.
@@jilianjing7549 meanwhile Im driving an 08 Mito T-Jet, tuned, with over 265.000KM. These 1.4's are very strong.
“A large percentage of mx-5’s are bought with an automatic” ... WHYYYYYYY?????? The shifter is half of what makes the car so fun!!!
Because chicks buy it.
Because the manual is a dying breed 😔
Dreaded Samurai it is NOT a dying breed. Over in the USA, sure. But not in most other countries. Shame though, having amazing American muscle cars that are driven by the car and not the driver doesn’t sound like much fun.
@@CarlJohnson-wk3rv sad times over here in the states, man. Lol
@@TheCreaTaur In Mexico manual is the shit, God forbid a 2021 car comes out only in automatic here
I disagree. In my opinion the Spider is a better handling, more stylish, and more fun car to drive. I had a 2000 Miata, and test drove the new MX5, then a few days later saw the Spider and drove it. After I did my research, I ended up with one in the garage. Love this car! To each his own...(I'm 6' and although it's "snug", I'm very comfortable...and a seat cushion DOES help on trips),
Who thinks Honda should revive the S2000 or at least make a car that competes with the Hachiroku
I was at a Honda dealer and asked the same question. The GM told me this: Too many people were having accidents. Also, the insurance was very high. Still didn't feel as though he answered my question, but ok. I would have liked a chance to find one and purchase same.
I believe it's the current president of the company that insisted they stay out of the rwd game, apparently except for the bitch stick equipped nsx.
It's a tricky thing, making the worlds most reliable cars and yet being a dead brand to a pretty substantial portion of enthusiasts, but they've done it.
@@RexApplegate It just goes to show you how small of a market car enthusiasts have become. Its not worth their time anymore. :(
Honestly i would cry lol...
Overrated and outdated
"What a great deal. 25-30 grand..." *20 seconds later* "As Tested: $40,500"
Seems a bit misleading.
They meant base models
@@CyberrJunky but they discuss the the benefits of quality and comfort.
The base model doesn’t have that at 30K.
Great episode. But . . . the Abarth is the 124 to have driven. I got tired of waiting for Mazda to permanently fix the problem with the 6MT, and Subaru to fix the torque problem. So I bought the Abarth and am very happy.
What was the issue with Mazda’s 6MT?
@@SilverScarletSpider Well especially the first models had gearbox failures.. 15k miles / 20k km and you were in danger of a gearbox fail. Mazda tried to make it lighter but probably made it too light and weak so they had issues with mostly 2nd and 4th gear. In reality it wasnt that common so theres no reason to scaremonger about the issue - but its there. Apparently theyre better now but still not perfect since the mileage on all cars is going up and their warranty is expiring so there are still people with that problem on mazda/mx5 related forums popping up from time to time. If you buy it just get the extended warranty and youre going to be just fine, so far they almost always replaced them no problem.
My comment might not be too relevant by now though since your comment is 5 months old :D anyway have a good day (or whats left of it)
The 124 Abarth is one flash away from being 197 HP. That makes it really fun to drive and peppy.
Teach me how to turn it into a 197 hp = powertrain
@@serai711 It was a few years ago and unfortunately i don't recall which company I bought the flash from. It was an easy process though.
Surprisingly the same as the stock fiat 124, both the abarth and the non abarth the exact same engine, only the abarth comes with a more powerful tune from stock, but on dyno the different is only 10hp. Both can be flashed to the exact same power.
The 86 driving experience is an addiction.
I bought a ND Mx5 soft top & I don’t regret it one single bit
Ian Townsend me too SOFTOP always my nd is 2016 gt manual
Toyota really fucked the front end of that 86.
Daniel Castaneda couldnt have put it better. Hideous. Thank god for the BRZ
Toyota seems as determined to make every grille a gaping inglorious polygon as Ferrari is to making every car look like Godzilla with no jaw.
Looks kind of like the mouth of those Japanese mask thingamajigs.
Daniel Castaneda Just bumper swap, duh...
For me it's my '16 MX-5 Sport, the base model. It is my everyday driver in central New Hampshire, even through the winter. Here we have frost heaves and broken pavement. The terrain is smaller than in this video, tighter curves, shorter sight lines. Everyday driving in my community means observance of traffic laws, that doesn't mean no driving enjoyment, just that 6,500 rpm shifts are the exception, not the rule. The softer suspension of the Sport works well under these conditions. Coming up on 28K miles on mine, I like it just fine.
Welcome back boys.
Great video. This production value is GREAT.
It will be awesome to see a video with the same idea but seeking second hand cars 3 to 10 years old or so :)
Ah-ha, on my second trip out with you guys, I think I found answer to some of the questions the first video left me pondering. I'd say you guys have the right cadence going. Once again thanks for another cool and informative video. Now i'm subscribed and fixing to dig a bit deeper. Keep up the good work.
It's so sad for the 86. New header and a tune and the torque dip is gone. Toyota/Subaru really needs to do it. It still isn't "fast" , but it drives so much better.
I definitely agree. I installed a JDL Catless unequal length header and a 93 octane tune from HRI Tuning and the torque dip is gone, the noise is up, and overall the car just feels better.
Yes I also did a tune on mine, got rid of (most) of the torque dip and added 22hp, completely different car. And these don't get 205hp at the wheel, its 160 I had it on the dyno. So now it gets 182....well 186 TRD intake and exhaust added another 4hp. With TRD parts and a tune, huge improvements.
@@TheDumpbin if you have e85 around you have your car set up to run that. It gets a little better yet. Flex fuel is best though. Then you can run anything.
Fantastic episode. And keep the 86 talk/reviews coming- I’m obsessed with this vehicle and can’t get enough detail or opinions on the Toyobaru platform. Thanks to you both for great TV and great podcasts.
Can't get enough detail? Just go 4 years back in time and there will be plenty.
Love ur videos guys, and the scenery is amazing! Keep the videos coming, I look forward to every single one:)
Yes, loved the scenery, too. Looks like WA-20, not far from where I live!
You guys are absolutely right about the powerband on the 86. I've got a 2017 BRZ and was pretty annoyed by it. As you mentioned however, the $500 OpenFlash tablet and some E85 (fully compatible with stock fuel system) woke it right up. On the latest V4 tunes the car makes 30hp more than stock and while the torque dip is still present (header needed to delete that completely), it's been reduced in severity and shortened to just between 3600-4400RPM.
Honestly surprised these guys don't get more views than they already do. Great video!
Got a new BRZ tS. Love it. Great car to be able to push to the limit and have some fun whilst on normal roads.
Utah scenery really adds to your videos.
Great job on laying out these 3 ....
Really good useful commentary.....
Bam.! That’s why I watch your channel.!
Toyota GT86... the new Corolla AE86.
Gotta love it
Love your reviews - do more of them !!!
I bought a 2017 860 special edition and I have not looked back. Absolutely in love with it.
Joshua Wilson i. Love mine as well. Sexy car and great handling. And very pratical compare to the fiat and mazda rf
Honestly all of these special editions of the GT86 and BRZ just piss me off more and more every time. Heres a new edition with some minor changes, only $3-9k extra. Oh whats that? You wanted more power? No...no, we can't do that.
Joshua Wilson same here my friend! I got my 860 last month coming from a 2015 gti and love it yes I miss the boost and power but this car is so much more fun
Nice informational video but that 124 should've been an Abarth to play against the other two sportscars. The regular 124 is of little interest if you're looking for performance unless you're willing to modify it quite a bit. You also omit to mention that the Abarth doesn't only come with the upgraded Abarth engine but also has Bilstein shocks, a limited slip differential, 18" wheels on Bridgestone Potenza tyres, a "sports" mode, and firmer suspension overall. Albeit more expensive I chose the Abarth for those reasons. It doesn't only look the part, it can play it.
The US model Classica has 160hp the Abarth has 165hp, barely a difference. The Abarth just offers better shocks and a strut brace with an LSD. The Abarth is nearly $10,000 more. $1200 in mods will make a base Classica a more potent car.
The classica and lusso are almost identical to the abarth from a performance standpoint, and for 800 bucks either makes about 40 more hp than the abarth with a tune
Yes but power isn't everything. Handling is radically different with the Abarth suspension and diff. Also: Sports mode.@@ChrisIsObes3
Thanks for the video, guys. Already watched it on Velocity, but it was great seeing it again, especially since I could see it in higher resolution on my iPad Pro than on my DirecTV.
Been watching your channel for about a year now, and have listened to all your podcast episodes, and thanks to you guys, as well as other reviewers and owners, I'm planning on ordering a 2018 Subaru BRZ with the Performance Package in about a week or so. Can't wait to finally get back into a car that's actually fun to drive!
We definitely encourage to get the BRZ, and hope you really enjoy it. Glad to have you with us both listening and watching!
I have a '17 and I highly recommend you go for it. It's a terrific little car.
Just sat in one at the auto show in Pittsburgh yesterday, and really fell even more in love with the car. As long as I can make a deal with my local dealer, I should be ordering one a week from today!
What a wonderful roads and scenery beautifully views
Which place is this???
@@jahanzzify Has to be Utah. Didn't you see the license plates?
i have no idea why Fiat didn't go to Alpha Romeo and demand the 1.7L from 4C and put it into the 124. it's a great car in a sense that it drives like an NC MX-5 with $5000 worth of sensible aftermarket modes on it done by someone who knows what they are doing. a slightly de-tuned 4C engine at roughly 150-160KW/300-320NM would be perfect for the chassis of 124.
The car was at first pencilled in as an Alfa Romeo - but it was decided Alfas not built in Italy were unacceptable. Fiat has a long history of overseas construction.
really love the way that hardtop convertible is on the mazda
Love the opening music in your videos
Excellent work, as always!
124 best car, soft top manually operated no problems with electric motors
I've had my BRZ as a daily driver since 2015. Although I have access to twisty roads, I mostly find myself on 4 lane highway and dealing with the infamous torque dip. I watched as Todd installed a FT-86 Speedfactory header and later tuned his FR-S with an Open Flash Tablet, and I felt that they had mostly fixed the Toyobaru's problems. I had been saving for the header but when I saw the OFT tune I saw it was the obvious first upgrade. The OFT tune did a lot to mask the torque dip but when I did finally install the header it was just gone. With these two mods my BRZ is much more driveable, especially on the highway. The torque curve feels flatter and fatter and you don't have to downshift just to get a little acceleration. In OEM tune this is the car that taught me to downshift from 6th to 3rd gear to accelerate at highway speeds. I now downshift and rev the engine for fun rather than out of desparation. Were the mods worth what I paid for them? The OFT is definitely worth it and it is very easy to use. The header? That's a little harder to justify since it's an expensive piece and was an adventure to get installed. However, I am very happy with the result: my daily driver is still a daily driver, but much more fun to drive. The mods haven't turned the BRZ into an undriveable garage queen, mileage is still great, and it now accelerates much more confidently. You guys are right about having to go to the aftermarket to fix these cars' shortcomings.
Cool to hear your experience here, David. Glad our series on the FRS has been helpful to you, and we are thrilled to hear you're enjoying your BRZ. Thanks for being with us!
I think you identified the ideal recipe for it. If I didn't insist on a roadster the BRZ would be my car and these, plus tires, would be my mods.
how much was the otf and header?
all 3 nice cars i did some test and i brought fiat 124 spyder classic!
Do you love it? I'm going to look/buy one on the weekend !
Jaye Antonio yes i do get with manual.....i get lot compliments
Very intresting video, keep up the good work!!
Keep talking about the 86 plateform. I have the 86 automatic and absolutely love it.
The 86 reminds me of my very first car. A 2000 BMW 318 Ti M sport. Good engine, good chassis. I really want the 86 so I get back to that feeling
Do it!
You won't regret it. I love my BRZ and will keep it till I'm old.
There are better options, I suggest keep looking.
I have the 2017 toyota 86 automatic transmission. Im in love with the handling of the 86. Although, i have to admit the interior of the mazda is better than the 86. The exterior of the 86 is way better than the other two cars.
Mike Jones I think I'll go for the 86 and and change the whole exhaust system and then flash it. I'll look for the older models of the MX5. Hopefully the NC is a little more reasonable. And I'll go for the 2013 86, the front fascia fir the new is not appealing
Having just purchased a Toyota 86 the biggest thing I remind people, it is a tuner car just like the others. Yes, the torque dip is annoying but header and reflash fixes that...things you'd be likely doing anyways. I work at a shop and have played with all of these cars in various states of tune as well and the bottom line is they are all great in their own way. It is a good time to be an enthusiast!
It's a car that can be tuned, but certainly not a tuner car. Torque dip? You're supposed to drive it high in the refs. Same with the remark about the 'terrible stock tires'. Toyota choose to deliver it with this tires. It's a purist car for people who don't want to spend much and have fun. It's not about being fast.
L.GH. Djoetma Not a tuner car? That's just plain wrong, it basically is the new AE86- the most well known drifting platform there is.
Maybe we understand the term differently. In Europe tuning cars isn't really a thing for cars that have a specific idea behind them in terms of configuration. The GT'86/BRZ was designed to have this engine and these tires. It's about the fun you can have with it in this config, it was never meant as a car that should perform on the track as well as it can. That's what I meat. 'Tuner cars' is what I would car cars that will actually become better in the spirit they were designed for when you change the output.
Personally I think the idea of buying a brand new car to immediately tune is absolutely stupid. 1) The car should come with what the customers want, and if a significant amount of people are clamoring for more power, then clearly the manufacturer is missing something. 2) If you want a less reliable car without a warranty, then why not just buy a faster used (stock) car?
Several times I've seen people buy a new BRZ, and dump a few grand into it's performance, only to end up with something much slower and less reliable than a $30k used Corvette, or Cayman.
High revving HP is cool to talk about in the coffee shop parking lot but torque wins in the real world. And the 86 ain't got it. Driving around with the tach near redline gets old fast. But I never get tired of having a nice rush of mid-range torque pull me out of a corner.
If they had the 124 Abarth spider, maybe Todd wouldn´t see again a miata...
I drove the RF with the bilstein suspension and recaro seats on the Transfăgărășan highway last year. It was made for a road like that..I only had to use 2nd and 3rd and it felt great.. I really didn't feel the need for more power on that road.
Jealous! That would be amazing!
Another great episode guys. Well done.
The 86 is the best car here chassis wise and the 2 issues you guys mentioned I have fixed on mines. 300whp in a 2800 lb coupe with Michelin AS3+ wider tires
Another great video guys!
Fair review, but I would still like to see a head to head between the 124 and a Mx-5 club (both manuals). As great as that RF is, it still weighs almost 100 lbs more than the soft top version with the same power plant. Also the automatic may take away from some of the "feels" you had during your review. Other reviewers on UA-cam have said that they're both pretty comparable, even though on paper the 124 has more power. Between the 3, I would have picked the RF too...but I may be biased ;)
Nice works guys!
A big reason why i follow this guys.... very knowledgable
MX-5 Soft top Club model with the BBS package and manual transmision is the way to go.
Ty Paul and Todd, looking for more vids to come!
Make more videos guys.
Keep up the good work
I love my ND2 Miata. I kept my Accord thinking I would swap back and forth, but finally sold it because the Miata is just too fun to get out of.
Would take the MX-5 if I was in the market for one of these cars. I like the fact that the driver has to be involved, unlike a lot of cars these days where your able to just put your foot down. Makes one a BETTER driver has well.
Whoever buys any of these cars with a automatic is missing the point of these cars.
Great production!
Great video guys! Keep it up!!!
86 would be perfect if they put the freaking WRX turbo'd FA20 in it.
I agree but the problem is with the WRX's turbo location it wouldn't fit in the stock location. It was one of the first things I looked into when I bought my BRZ. Figured I'd get one off a wrecked one.
I hate all Japanese turbo motors. Especially Subaru ones. Turbo lag, non liner throttle response and no top end. The worst of both worlds. Add the cost and weight that comes with that and I would much rater an N/A aftermarket tune. You can get 25+ reliable wheel hp and flatten out the torque dip for under 2 grand. 35 to 40 hp if you can get e-85. More power everywhere with no lag.
+chance hales - oh well I don't like supercharger but they could easily make one fit, might be the best answer.
The Lexus 2.0T doesn't feel like it has anymore turbo lag than my GTI. I don't know that you have driven every Japanese turbo engine that is available.
Jeff K, The Lexus 2.0T has no top end. No Japanese turbo 4 offered in the US is 75% is good as the BASE GTI mill performance and drivability wise. The Japanese Turbos are more reliable than the GTI's 2.0T but even then only after 60,000 miles or so.
Great episode. Loved it!
I absolutely love my RF. I've also driven the FR-S and 124 and I just didn't like the 124. At normal around town speeds, the 124 felt sluggish to me. Once you get into boost, that changes dramatically. Otherwise, you're just running a 1.4L engine. The manual in the 124 is excellent also, since it was a repurposed NC MX-5 transmission.
I'll say the manual for the ND is even better though...
All three of these cars deserve 2.0T engines.
Yes, "EVERYDAY DRIVER" saying the 124 had the better engine surprised me. Just because it has a bit more character and the midrange turbo torque hit does not entirely make up for it's diminutive 1.4L out of boost, and especially doesn't make up for the fact that the 1.4 Fiat has proven to be an unreliable turd, whereas the 2L Mazda motor will likely be pretty bulletproof.
I'd take the 2.0 and boost that... A MazdaSpeed MX5 RF with stiffer anti-roll bars and around 250hp would be sweet.
The 124 is so easy to keep in boost. If you aren't in boost, then you are in the wrong gear.
Vykk Draygo when I did a test drive on normal roads in normal traffic, it didn't always make sense to be in a gear to stay in boost. When puttering around town at low speeds (with other cars around) it felt every bit of the 1.4L engine that was under the hood. Sure, once you get some open road and can properly wake up the Turbo, it feels great. I just wasn't impressed with it in normal every day scenarios where you just want to get to where you're going, have semi decent fuel economy, and not be revving constantly.
Jeff K Nope adds too much weight.
he MX5 was designed around the 1.5 if you want more power use the BBR chip set that way you get the 2.0 output from the lighter better made 1.5 power plant
I've owned 4 miatas, my current miata is the only miata ive ever had with an auto and man its terrible. its an ND RF model and wow i wish it was a manual , its no where near as fun as my past manual miatas. ill deff be selling it to trade it for a manual one in the future.
I can't thumbs up 👍this video enough. These guys break the cars and sensations down to a real world level. I've watched all of their videos w/a brz/86/frs in it because I really want the car, but I want to make sure it's the right car. Great cars can easily be the wrong car and i want to avoid that at all costs.
Do another comparison review with the 2019 club convertible with brembo/bbs/recaro. (Manual)
I’ll have the Fiat because of the engine and it’s different
I have a friend with a abarth that he has tuned to be a very quick car . I have a 19 rf and he slays me . That will change if edelbrock makes the supercharger for the 19 MX5. I don’t want to turbo as the tuning scares me .
@@gregblack4581 The tuning between a Turbo and a Supercharger is the same process. The turbo is more load based while a belt driven compressor is more linear with rpm.
Things reviews don't tell you because they don't live with cars.
Having a Miata for daily sucks after a while, it's loud with the top up regardless, it gets hot because it's a small car and all the heat travels around the cabin, going to get a gt86 and I'm never getting a convertible again.
I love their back and forth honest comments
I drove an MX-5 NC for 5 years and the biggest issue with it was rust! (which I hear is also an issue on the latest model) The underside rusted so quickly, that after the car was only 2 years old we had to drill bolts out to do a wheel alignment because they were welded in by rust. Not good. I'm now daily driving a 2013 gt86 :)
I have the Toyota GT86
But I love the other two (And the 718)
I love this channel
That was a beautiful road! Where is it?
Which tire would you recommend for the 86?
I want all of them in my 100 car garage and 1 bedroom 1/2 bathroom and outside shower house. :)
Great comparison. I have driven all three press cars for my UA-cam channel, I would rank them MX-5 RF first, Toyota 86 second and Fiat last
because you dont have the vision to picture them tuned...turbo wins every time if you tune them
Then it would be modified vs stock, not a fair comparison. New flash ! Modified car beats stock version.
Albert Maniscalco The whole point of the comparison is to compare them in stock form. That’s like saying let’s tune a Fiat to be faster than the Ferrari 458, we made the Fiat faster so it must be better than the Ferrari because only those with “vision”would know the Turbo car would win.
hey genius in case you just crawled out from under a rock the two entirely japanese cars are amongst the most aftermarket tuned cars currently produced, so my argument isn't an extreme one...the FIAT being built on the miata platform with the same motor as the 500 also has huge tuning potential. argue all you want, but im on the money and if you were being objective you would say, "youre right, i hadn't thought of that" and move on with your life. im talking about comparing modified to modified (equal and realistic money spent), not comparing modified to stock, but youre intentionally misunderstanding that just to be a dick and act like im out of left field...also the RF is significantly more money than a base 124 so if you put the equal amount of money you spent on an RF into a 124 the 124 would be in an entirely different performance category...since you went there...
Turbo doesn't win tuned every time. Especially if you want to road race.
Awesome episode and channel
Great video. Do you prefer the RF or the soft top in yhe miata?
The 124 can be flashed to 200whp with no other mods. From there you can go quite a bit further to 250whp with intake and exhaust. I can hear all you typing about gist reliability but that engines actually pretty reliable. Everything else on a fiat breaks but here, that stuff is all mazda
For $500 OPEN FLASH tune on the Sky active you get almost 10% more power and torque across the entire rev range with an 7500 rpm red-line. The tune give far more power up top.
fatboy19831
Yes but you hit a power ceiling real quick on NA, and boosting is quite expensive compared to modding and flashing a stock turbo
Ryukachoo, 20 Whp changes the complete personality of these cars without compromising reliability at all. I am only running about 8 more HP in my BRZ! My torque dip is cut in half on the 93 open flash tune. Peak times do not change much. The cars feels so much more responsive. I am happy. Now running e-85 added about 20 hp whp and eliminated the torque dip wile adding MORE top end.. One push from 2000 rpm to 7400 rpm. Pulling much harder after 5000 rpm. Running E85 on an BRZ is like putting an gti engine in the BRZ. That is with no header or cat-back. To top it all off the car runs cooler on E-85 and can be flashed back to stock at any time. If you add UEL headers and a good cat back you can get another 15 or so whp and a torque bubble at 4200 rpm. You also can DROP 15 pounds off the front of the car and 10 pounds off the back. More power LESS weight. That may not seem like much but 35 whp i is enough to knock almost 1 second off the peak quarter mile time without having to do an 4500 rpm clutch drop like the stock car. Running better tiers and pads makes far more of a difference than adding hp in the twins. All in you are spending far LESS than the cost of an stage one turbo or SC. You have hang time on the track vs having to stop and cool down.
fatboy19831 I was shopping between the MX-5 and the BRZ. Then I discovered the 124 Abarth. Now I don't know which one to get :/
If you can fit in the MX5 and don't mind the body roll it is the one to get. For me the MX5 is the best car for the real world. If you want more room and practicality, limited slip standard, along with better steering and more top end the BRZ. If you want to be unique the 124 fits that bill.
I enjoyed this, but one major oversight is the lack of coverage of practicality. Sure, you can focus on how fun these cars are for a weekend drive (like every other comparison does), but that's an incomplete analysis, especially considering how this channel is called "Everyday Driver" .Maybe if you have the luxury of owning a second weekend car, this wouldn't be an issue. But many of us use these as our primary cars. When I was considering the 124 vs BRZ, the BRZ's spacious cabin and large carrying capacity (with rear seats folded) was the deciding factor. Had you tried to fit as much luggage in the cars as you could manage, this would have been very evident.
For that matter, why not drive each of these for a month every day? Of course, on a nice sunny summer day the convertibles stand out. But I have a feeling if Todd had to drive them on rainy days with the tops up, he would remember why he bought an FRS.
I'm not knocking the MX5, it's an awesome car. I'm just pointing out a major oversight of this review.
For the Miata, you gain at least 3 inches in height with the recaro seats. They are a must!!!
that MX5 is an auto, though. I previously owned an auto FRS for almost 3 years and I loved it. I had so much fun in that car but I just got a 2018 86 manual. I understand what it is to actually love and have fun to the full potential of a car.
I drive both the Cayman GTS and ft86. They BOTH have the same power dip/gap . All boxer engines do, my friends GT3, same thing. I don't hear any complaints on it on the GTS video...
Love you guys, but that turbo engine is not the better engine. Like Paul said in is his original GTI vs speed 3 vs c30 review, "power is not everything." Also, the complaints about going to the aftermarket for the suspension on the Mazda is a little unfair when you'd need to go to the aftermarket to remove the torque dip from the 86. Anyway, those are my thoughts, but good quality video regardless.
Always liked your videos. Not loud and annoying and acting like children like other car reviewers. You guys deserve more subscribers
Thank you! Glad to have you with us and enjoying what we do.
I had a 124 for about 20.Years up date to contemporary electronics,update fit & finish.I 'd recommend.it
Just Bought a 124 Spider Abarth
Manual transmission. In Red.
Faster than the mx5 on the Major Race track's.
Can you guys review a Ford Fiesta ST, a Mini JCW and a Mazdaspeed 3??
"Abart."
Wretched Slippage
A Bart Simpson?
"Abarth" \m/
Really wish you guys would do a review of the ND2 version of the MX5
superb review
Being short has its perks I guess. MX5 looks beautiful. I also love the Fiat 124
How about a review on the ND2?
Well, I own the 1.5 soft top MX-5 and it's fantastic :P
Iñigo Zapata do you use it as a daily car?
Great job!
Maybe I should wait for the next miata design? Should be up to 200 hp then. The 2 things I dont like is the center console switch to the screen and, the screen should be on the dash or fold down switch.
another good video!
Ok, so now you know that I am trading my motorcycle days for a convertible. I presently own my second BMW 325i, but maintenance is driving me away. Parts are not easy to get and when you do get them, they are pricey. So it has come down to the Miata vs the 124, and the 124 has won. My question to you is: Since the 124 was introduced, which is the best year to buy and why. I do love the way it looks, but now I am focusing more on the maintenance aspect.
For those complaining that the mazda suspension is too soft. Try driving on a B Grade road with those cars and see how much you like the stiffer 86 setup. The twisty back roads that these cars are built for generally are not as well maintained as the road your driving on.
Guys please drive the 2013 JCW GP 2 (1/500 in the US) and promise you will re discover the thrill of driving!
Sam Toure seconded!, Maybe pair it with the Ford Fiesta St.
Wisdom Ntshalintshali You got it!!! it would be superb. I can't wait to see it..
If you’re considering a soft top vs hard top for Miata (mx5) know that the soft top feels faster, and is in 0-60. Soft top (with soft top down) can do 0-60 under 6. I will say with the top up I think the hard top looks better. - owner of a ‘16 club model
Also it’s fun to own because 86 and BRZ owners will try and race you from a light and lose every time. You’ll also probably be the one to get the ticket.
For me it’s not the amount of power it’s the power delivery I own an 86 and I tuned it more aggressively and it was lovely because the torque and hp were in the middle not the top and bottom similar to an ecoboost mustang
Woo-hoo! Yay EDDtv on the UA-cams!
If convertible isn't a big deal then the 86 and a few aftermarket mods to even out the torque dip is the best option. The 86 has the easiest to fix issues. The RF is significantly harder to mod to get 86 stock quality handling.
I’ve owned a NB and an NC Miata....loved the former and shouldn’t have bought the latter. Drove an ND only once but thought it was lacking the soul that the older models had. I thought, great car but not exciting at all. From this very good (as always) review, it would seem that the fiat might solve that issue for me, but I’m not sure I want the headache of a fiat motor from the standpoint of long term reliability. Also owned a 2013 BRZ and now a 2017 BRZ and it’s part of a dual daily driver approach for me (the other being a BMW M235). Yes the torque dip is suboptimal.....but there are so few elemental cars built anymore, I needed to own an honest sports car and that’s what the 86 twins are. I’m not a mod guy, but those options always exist…..
Update a year later - did a stage 1 open flash tune…..solves a big part of the dip. I may do an exhaust one day and do the stage 2 tune……my fun car is now a 981 boxster s……so for $500 the problem is largely a non issue and for $2000 it’s all gone (with minimal risk for long term reliability)….so what’s the issue?
You guys don’t give the 86 enough credit…..and upon further reflection, Paul is off the reservation for entertaining a fiat……
Had the rag top UK ICON MX5 for 2 years still the most fun at sensible speeds on the road .
Nearly all the other roadsters need thrashing to enjoy.
Anyone who buys an automatic is loosing big time in the fun factor.
The Fiat is OK but it has the Fiat engine which is not a patch on the Mazda lump
Subbing in a 370z for the FIat would have honestly been a better choice, you can get one for the same money as the 86 or MX5 and it has way more power.
Granted it's not a direct competitor to either of those cars but it is a true sports car,... now if Nissan would just update the dang thing.
The Z is also what, 500 lbs. heavier? Kinda ruins the whole "lightweight" sports car thing.
True the Z is a on the porky side of things but as the title of the video say the comparison here is "Affordable Sports Cars" which the Z most certainly is,
besides can't deny that having another 140 odd horsepower on tap isn't a nice thing to have. Even if the Z isn't as tossable as the other entries.
Fair point. I too wish they'd update the Z. Never been a fan of the styling.
The 350z didn't look great but the 370z was a step in the right direction, if the Infiniti Q60 says anything about possible future designs then it should look gorgeous once they refresh it. Having a new 400HP Twin turbo engine also wouldn't hurt either. lol
Haha yea definitely !
Does anyone think there will be more light affordable rwd 2 doors in the next couple years or are the brz and mx5 it forever? They’re great but almost not market competition.
In 2017 early March I saw a video review of a then new 2017 Fiat 124 Abarth Spyder. It caught my eye & the reviewer had many good things to say about the car. One sunny 60 degree day after work I stopped by the local Fiat / Alfa Romeo dealer. They had a White 124 Abarth looking awesome in the lot as I pulled up. No Black hood or trunk this was a calmer version. Exactly what I would want. So I got inside for the test drive & the Red tachometer is prominent in the dash. Seats were a nice leather. Impressed by its looks. The traffic was heavier on the road & stop lights seemed every 4 blocks to be RED. Its the heavy clutch that bothered me along with a notchy gear shifter that had me stalling this car 2 times because I was in 3rd gear NOT 1st from the stop. The engine from light to light had a turbo lag combined with that heavy clutch took the fun away from driving it. So I went home & did some research & saw the local Mazda dealer had 3 MX-5 soft tops. So the next day was about 40 degrees / cloudy with drizzle. Then I saw an Artic White MX-5 Club soft top with the Brembo / BBS package which is the Mazda version of that 124 Abarth I test drove. I liked the styling though the 124 Spyder had looked a little better in my eyes. The MX-5 test drive was awesome ! Super light clutch with a great shifter plus the engine has instant throttle response ! Now I was hooked. The drivability of that MX-5 Club was intoxicating ! The top down on that test drive in the cold wet conditions & it was fine with the heater cranked side windows up. I even got an extended test drive for the weekend as that was Saturday at their closing time. I could not get out of the drivers seat as the hours passed by. Monday I was there with the checkbook & my trade in was left in their lot over the weekend. Done deal. 5 years later this car is my daily driver & the winter tires transform it into a fun car for all weather. Awesome car !