After a few days of street and canyon driving, I wanted to share some impressions. They're largely comparisons to my
BRZ.
Things I like better about the Miata:
•
Convertible: Topless, baby! See below pic for why that's relevant.
•
Shifter: The shifter is super nice. The BRZ's is very nice as well, but this one is just otherwordly.
•
Grip: The car is wearing Continental ExtremeContact Sport tires. The Michelin Primacy crap I have is no match for this setup (and isn't meant to be).
•
Noise: There's a Racing Beat muffler installed which adds a bit of character. I like that it's not too loud, but sounds nice.
•
Torque: (Go ahead, take that shot.) I don't even know that there's more of it, but it certainly feels more adequate. Easy to lazily lug putt around low in the rev range.
•
Multiple personalities: As I've said before, the Miata can be a lovely cruiser as well as a sports car, while the BRZ only knows how to go hard.
Things I like better about the BRZ:
•
Hardtop: Not topless. No pic of my arms, but I look like I'm wearing red arm warmers.
•
Creature comforts: I'm spoiled by CarPlay, auto lights, HomeLink…
•
Room: My knees actually fit.
•
Looks: The Miata is certainly a looker, but it doesn't tingle my special spots the way the BRZ does.
Things that are a wash:
•
Fun: These two are merely different flavors of ice cream. We all have our preferences, but both are utterly awesome in the end.
•
Spirited driving: This is really an expansion on the above, but they're both a great choice for the occasional canyon run. Personal fitment issues aside, that is.
Random thoughts:
• No ragerts about getting the BRZ instead of this.
• Now I
do want to modify the BRZ… Tune + exhaust + wheels + tires + suspension would go a long, long way…
• This thing is amusingly close to my
old flame: black, topless, and 6-speed! Just the way I like my wom—wait, what?
And now…pictures!
Tuna Canyon Rd., worth the traffic I had to endure before and after:
6ULs—NEED for the BRZ:
(NEED!)