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      01-30-2016, 10:35 PM   #1
Rupes
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M2 vs MX-5 Miata

Yeah, different cars, number of seats, price points, etc. But I got a chance to drive a 2016 MX-5 today and really enjoyed it. The 6-speed is fantastic. The car felt (and is) very lightweight and nimble. Not a lot of bells and whistles, which I actually liked, and you can open / close the top in about 5 seconds while seated inside the car.

I'm not sure if I would miss the power, but in some ways the Miata made getting to the speed limit on surface streets fun again (a task that took about 3 seconds on my M3). The ~$20k savings over an M2 is tempting too. Anyone else driven this car?
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      01-31-2016, 05:16 AM   #2
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Had two Miatas and love them! Just get both..m2 and Miata as a second car. If you haven't driven the previous generations, you should check them out.
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      01-31-2016, 01:29 PM   #3
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I test drove it when I was car shopping a few month ago for a daily driver. It was a fantastic car. The interior was much better than I expected and had a solid feel inside. The manual transmission was great, really short gearing as well. The engine was about what I expected, nothing special though. It did seem to have a bit of body roll when you took a curve fast, but it wasn't bad or anything I just wasn't used to that kind of movement (I remember reading somewhere that Mazda engineers purposely did it to enhance driver feedback or something).

Some disadvantages. One was practicality. The cockpit was small and the storage space was limited (but you probably already know that). The one I test drove had the brembo package with the BBS wheels. It looked pretty good in white. It was priced a bit higher than it should have been priced in my opinion. Price tag was something like $33k.

In the end I ended up buying a 2016 FRS. It was thousands cheaper, more practical, and just as fun to drive.

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      01-31-2016, 03:07 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bmwhocr
Had two Miatas and love them! Just get both..m2 and Miata as a second car. If you haven't driven the previous generations, you should check them out.
If you were going for 2 cars would that really be the two? Think something like the C450 AMG alongside the Miata would be a better pair. I'm thinking C450 and an M235 convertible would be a pretty nice pair. Get the GF an SUV when her 3 series lease is up and would have a pretty versatile garage. Maybe a Macan or even the new XC60.
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      02-01-2016, 11:29 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BEM-S4 View Post
If you were going for 2 cars would that really be the two? Think something like the C450 AMG alongside the Miata would be a better pair. I'm thinking C450 and an M235 convertible would be a pretty nice pair. Get the GF an SUV when her 3 series lease is up and would have a pretty versatile garage. Maybe a Macan or even the new XC60.
Depends on the individual's needs of course. Having a larger 4 door to compliment the M2 would be more practical. But the OP was considering M2 or Miata and I say just get both. They will both be fun to drive in their own ways.
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      02-01-2016, 12:59 PM   #6
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You guys must be single with all this two car nonsense.
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      02-01-2016, 01:15 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rupes View Post
You guys must be single with all this two car nonsense.
Guilty!

If you are looking Miata, in all seriousness, you should check out the new Fiat. Think there's an Abarth version coming too with the 4C engine in it, but the setup is a Miata with Fiat body panels. Think Miata with big boy engine in it.
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      02-04-2016, 11:09 AM   #8
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You guys must be single with all this two car nonsense.
lol. Not single but no kids which means I have the freedom to LIVE!
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      02-04-2016, 02:07 PM   #9
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FWIW saw the Fiat Spider today. Gorgeous car.
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      02-04-2016, 02:09 PM   #10
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Sorry pic attached (mine didn't come out so grabbed one online)
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      02-08-2016, 11:08 AM   #11
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So I had an m2 allocation.

After test driving sports cars all winter, including m235i, m4, 981s, c7, mx-5, 370z, I went with an mx-5 club.

The M series cars just felt too big and heavy for my taste. The C7 was hilariously fast but for that money I want better build.

981 GTS was first choice but the order books have closed and the 718's sound god awful. And used ones are selling for near MSRP right now.

MX-5 blew me away for what it costs. And $2K in mods and it'll be running ~200-210 whp in a 2300 lb car.

In 2-3 years maybe will trade it for a 981 GTS off lease or an M2 CSL if BMW can get their weight problem under control.
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      02-08-2016, 12:44 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Tuna View Post
So I had an m2 allocation.

After test driving sports cars all winter, including m235i, m4, 981s, c7, mx-5, 370z, I went with an mx-5 club.

The M series cars just felt too big and heavy for my taste. The C7 was hilariously fast but for that money I want better build.

981 GTS was first choice but the order books have closed and the 718's sound god awful. And used ones are selling for near MSRP right now.

MX-5 blew me away for what it costs. And $2K in mods and it'll be running ~200-210 whp in a 2300 lb car.

In 2-3 years maybe will trade it for a 981 GTS off lease or an M2 CSL if BMW can get their weight problem under control.
Is this going to be your primary car? Id like to get the latest generation mx5 too after a I run a FRS for a few years as a secondary car.
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      02-08-2016, 01:04 PM   #13
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Is this going to be your primary car? Id like to get the latest generation mx5 too after a I run a FRS for a few years as a secondary car.
If the weather is nice, the trunk in the mx-5 is big enough for me most days. Its enough to hold a laptop bag, gym back, and a bit more. That is what I carry most days.

Other days, I have a Grand Cherokee Overland.

I also have 0 kids which is nice.
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      02-12-2016, 09:35 PM   #14
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^
Looks sinister in black. Awesome purchase man.

I can't wait until Mazda releases a Mazdaspeed version of the new Miata. I would instantly trade in my FRS lol.
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      02-13-2016, 10:12 AM   #15
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Really nice in black congrats. Making me rethink my plan to wait and see if Fiat does the spider w the Alfa 4c engine.
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      02-16-2016, 12:00 AM   #16
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Sold my m4 for a 16 mx-5 club, couldn't be happier
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      02-16-2016, 12:02 AM   #17
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      02-16-2016, 12:26 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JYTsky View Post
Sold my m4 for a 16 mx-5 club, couldn't be happier
Can you elaborate on what brought about the move? They're 2 very different cars in 2 very different price brackets. I'd be interested in your response when the m2 reviews come out tomorrow.
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      02-16-2016, 07:28 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cole3488
Quote:
Originally Posted by JYTsky View Post
Sold my m4 for a 16 mx-5 club, couldn't be happier
Can you elaborate on what brought about the move? They're 2 very different cars in 2 very different price brackets. I'd be interested in your response when the m2 reviews come out tomorrow.
1. M4 never gave me that excitement for driving, unless I'm pushing it hard. But when I do that I break laws. Miata is a street legal to kart that can be pushed to its 8/10 without going to jail.

2. I like the Miata's attribute being 1000 pound lighter. You really feel that weigh loss on corners.

3. Much cheaper to insure, due to my driving record, the Miata is 700 dollar cheaper per month.
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      02-16-2016, 12:53 PM   #20
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Quote:
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...

3. Much cheaper to insure, due to my driving record, the Miata is 700 dollar cheaper per month.
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      02-16-2016, 12:54 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cntzl
Quote:
Originally Posted by JYTsky View Post
...

3. Much cheaper to insure, due to my driving record, the Miata is 700 dollar cheaper per month.
Yea.. You read that right
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      02-16-2016, 02:46 PM   #22
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This is awesome. Thanks for sharing your story. Do you tend to tire of cars quickly in general?
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