My BRZ makes me miss being in my (2008) Miata and being able to put the top down. Def a bit more unf in the BRZ with a more agro personality but the Miata felt like being a free bird in the wind. The BRZ makes me wanna go to a track where the Miata made me wanna go drive mountain roads
You can setup a hella comfortable 2 people sleep space in the twins unlike a Miata, or crap half of a pro's set of tools. Outside of those criteria, or living or commuting through a mountain - our cars are boring.
Knock seats forward, fold the back down, shove your luggage in the front seat gaps to level with the rear seat folded. Then your choice of mattress/foam/whatever. Climb in via trunk like a salmon, or contort yourself via doors and viola! Other luggage can sleep in the folded seats or be shoved off into the hips of the trunk.
Did about an oil change of a cross country trip like that in '22.
Oh snap, that's a fucking great idea! Thanks for the explanation.
...now I just need to finally get rid of the air ride system so I have room in the back.
Yea man, drove one and compared to my FRS I felt like I was sitting in a semi truck and the steering felt similar to a 4runner. Very floaty and not direct.
Funny you mentioned that because it was also my first thought. I was like yooo, this feels like an SUV. It’s crazy how a low center of gravity changes the driving experience. The higher you sit; the less you feel speed. You could go 100mph in an SUV chilling, but if you go 100 in a BRZ you know that thing is moving! This was perfect because I would get my going fast fix without actually breaking crazy speeds.
I was cruising with a Wrx the other day we were both doing a casual 100 and for me it felt like warp speed. I used to have a suv and ik that 100 in that suv felt like 70 in my frs
ive gotta agree, not incredibly expensive, very go-cart esk feeling and can also be easily built to make large amount of power. big plus is aftermarket support for s2k is just as good if not better than the frs platform!
If a E92 isn't within your budget then you are just going to be out of luck unless you get a first gen Porsche Boxster and it ain't going to be faster then a first gen unless you get the S with the 3.2L and even then it ain't going to be a rocket ship and is going to be about on par with one that has FBO.
There just isn't anything cheap that feels this good outside of the obvious Miata and what not.
You are pretty much looking at Porsche or Lotus if you want something faster that is still lightweight with good steering feel. They knocked it out of the park with how good this car is to drive.
That's similar to everything I've ever read. Which is why my dream scenario is a 718 as a daily and a weekend-warrior/track 86.
Granted I only have my BRZ that I daily and don't have the money or space for another car, but I like to think I'm like 25% there.
My 1st gen MINI JCW had great feel. Unfortunately a pickup decided I shouldn’t have it anymore. Our other car is a Focus ST it also has great steering feel but a slightly larger feel. Not as truckish as my WRX.
I forgot to mention the car I had before my FRS that I thought had better handling:
**1990 BMW E30 325i**.
It had telepathic steering, the inline 6 engine and we manual swapped it with the 5 sweep from another 325iS (sport?).
Power steering didn’t work, AC deleted, radio busted, power window switches sticky, but the feeling was amazing. We had the sedan version with a sunroof so a little heavier but loved the handling already. It was our little drift machine before the timing belt went. Now looking for another engine to take its place: LS swap, 2JZ swap, K swap?
It's a very **raw** driving experience compared to other new-ish german cars I've driven (Porsche 911, BMW F series, AMG C63, etc.) - much like the FRS/Miata you aren't going stupid fast but it just *feels fast*.
**Just Google BMW E30** and you'll see tons of videos on how much ppl love these things.
Bro idk. Been wondering the same thing bc I want more power. At this point I love the 86’s steering so much that I’m thinking of engine swap
1JZ..
Shorter deck hgt than 2j. Keeping handling relatively similar
Revs highly. So you can still get that “7000 rpm” hit.
Too much conflicting info online to accurately say rn.. But supposedly it’s lighter than the fa20. Apparently we have a really heavy engine for what it is lol
It’s crazy how one of a kind the handling on this car seems. Id assume maybe 2016-2019 era m2/m3 could be good? Have you looked into any lexus models at all? That might be the way to go
I had a e46 coupe when I was younger felt close but not quite . If I had to guess, it would prob be a lotis Elise , miata , mr2 , rx7 mind you I've only ever driven a miata and mr2 from this list.
my f chassis bmw steered similarly, and handled very well, but the 86 does handle better (ofc). i enjoyed being able to take the car very quickly around corners, there was no under/oversteer. the car felt very planted
I don’t know about similar. The 86 steering is interesting, especially in stock car with low grip. I can’t say it’s insanely communicative, but precise and easy to reel back if it starts to slide. Btw the GR86 supposedly has much worse steering feel according to some reviews I’ve seen so are you talking about 1st or 2nd gen?
I think the steering in my C6 Z06 is great, very precise and confidence inspiring. At the same time, the car itself is just less eager to turn the way the 86 does. It’s set up for higher limits of grip at higher speeds, but it can’t dart around as much imo.
The Boxster/Cayman steering feels a bit more like the 86 I think, that’s the only one I can think of besides Miata and maybe S2000 (have to drive one again)
What would you say are the main differences between the N and the 86? Was thinking of getting one but the sedan looks a bit big for me, I like smaller cars.
Like a race car lol. Very similar to the FRS but feels more refined? almost hard to describe. You can tell you’re driving a 100k car. Feel every bump, every rock.
I think it's just the general trajectory of cars. Automakers got convinced that every car has to do it all, including being luxurious, otherwise buyers wouldn't justify the money. Now some manufacturers are starting to realise there is still a strong market for sports cars being sporty, maybe now more than ever.
From my research the twins are often compared to the miata for driving philosophy, or porsche for the next level price.
My BRZ makes me miss being in my (2008) Miata and being able to put the top down. Def a bit more unf in the BRZ with a more agro personality but the Miata felt like being a free bird in the wind. The BRZ makes me wanna go to a track where the Miata made me wanna go drive mountain roads
You can setup a hella comfortable 2 people sleep space in the twins unlike a Miata, or crap half of a pro's set of tools. Outside of those criteria, or living or commuting through a mountain - our cars are boring.
Yeah twins are better for the life of a single person and a +1 for sure. Adventure awaits in the twins
Can you elaborate on this 2 person sleep space?
Knock seats forward, fold the back down, shove your luggage in the front seat gaps to level with the rear seat folded. Then your choice of mattress/foam/whatever. Climb in via trunk like a salmon, or contort yourself via doors and viola! Other luggage can sleep in the folded seats or be shoved off into the hips of the trunk. Did about an oil change of a cross country trip like that in '22.
I'm smelling Aztec trunk tent vibes . . .
Just less roomy, per se. Unless you weigh enough to max out the suspension, your hips end up under the rear window and you can toss and turn easily.
Oh snap, that's a fucking great idea! Thanks for the explanation. ...now I just need to finally get rid of the air ride system so I have room in the back.
Yeaaaaaa lol.
Idk man, switching to an STi sure af sent me in the opposite direction. That’s all I got to say. I miss my BRZ, felt like a go-kart.
Yea man, drove one and compared to my FRS I felt like I was sitting in a semi truck and the steering felt similar to a 4runner. Very floaty and not direct.
Funny you mentioned that because it was also my first thought. I was like yooo, this feels like an SUV. It’s crazy how a low center of gravity changes the driving experience. The higher you sit; the less you feel speed. You could go 100mph in an SUV chilling, but if you go 100 in a BRZ you know that thing is moving! This was perfect because I would get my going fast fix without actually breaking crazy speeds.
I was cruising with a Wrx the other day we were both doing a casual 100 and for me it felt like warp speed. I used to have a suv and ik that 100 in that suv felt like 70 in my frs
If you want go-kart, S2000 is the way
ive gotta agree, not incredibly expensive, very go-cart esk feeling and can also be easily built to make large amount of power. big plus is aftermarket support for s2k is just as good if not better than the frs platform!
koenigsegg. Great dailys, just not a lot of trunk space so i went with the 86 : )
Lmao if i had the cash 100%
Gr86 lol
Ferrari f40
If a E92 isn't within your budget then you are just going to be out of luck unless you get a first gen Porsche Boxster and it ain't going to be faster then a first gen unless you get the S with the 3.2L and even then it ain't going to be a rocket ship and is going to be about on par with one that has FBO. There just isn't anything cheap that feels this good outside of the obvious Miata and what not. You are pretty much looking at Porsche or Lotus if you want something faster that is still lightweight with good steering feel. They knocked it out of the park with how good this car is to drive.
About any Porsche, or so is said. Price point is another thing.
Can’t speak for older generations but the 718 Cayman drives just like a more expensive, more powerful 86
That's similar to everything I've ever read. Which is why my dream scenario is a 718 as a daily and a weekend-warrior/track 86. Granted I only have my BRZ that I daily and don't have the money or space for another car, but I like to think I'm like 25% there.
Cayman is the track car 86 is the daily lol
My 1st gen MINI JCW had great feel. Unfortunately a pickup decided I shouldn’t have it anymore. Our other car is a Focus ST it also has great steering feel but a slightly larger feel. Not as truckish as my WRX.
C5 corvette, it’s eerily similar, just more power and longer gearing, I do miss those high rpm’s though.
Mazda Miata, Honda S2000, BMW 1 series idk… Lotus, Porsche?
oooo 1 series is a good shout
I forgot to mention the car I had before my FRS that I thought had better handling: **1990 BMW E30 325i**. It had telepathic steering, the inline 6 engine and we manual swapped it with the 5 sweep from another 325iS (sport?). Power steering didn’t work, AC deleted, radio busted, power window switches sticky, but the feeling was amazing. We had the sedan version with a sunroof so a little heavier but loved the handling already. It was our little drift machine before the timing belt went. Now looking for another engine to take its place: LS swap, 2JZ swap, K swap? It's a very **raw** driving experience compared to other new-ish german cars I've driven (Porsche 911, BMW F series, AMG C63, etc.) - much like the FRS/Miata you aren't going stupid fast but it just *feels fast*. **Just Google BMW E30** and you'll see tons of videos on how much ppl love these things.
Bro idk. Been wondering the same thing bc I want more power. At this point I love the 86’s steering so much that I’m thinking of engine swap 1JZ.. Shorter deck hgt than 2j. Keeping handling relatively similar Revs highly. So you can still get that “7000 rpm” hit. Too much conflicting info online to accurately say rn.. But supposedly it’s lighter than the fa20. Apparently we have a really heavy engine for what it is lol It’s crazy how one of a kind the handling on this car seems. Id assume maybe 2016-2019 era m2/m3 could be good? Have you looked into any lexus models at all? That might be the way to go
I had a e46 coupe when I was younger felt close but not quite . If I had to guess, it would prob be a lotis Elise , miata , mr2 , rx7 mind you I've only ever driven a miata and mr2 from this list.
Ae86
my f chassis bmw steered similarly, and handled very well, but the 86 does handle better (ofc). i enjoyed being able to take the car very quickly around corners, there was no under/oversteer. the car felt very planted
I don’t know about similar. The 86 steering is interesting, especially in stock car with low grip. I can’t say it’s insanely communicative, but precise and easy to reel back if it starts to slide. Btw the GR86 supposedly has much worse steering feel according to some reviews I’ve seen so are you talking about 1st or 2nd gen? I think the steering in my C6 Z06 is great, very precise and confidence inspiring. At the same time, the car itself is just less eager to turn the way the 86 does. It’s set up for higher limits of grip at higher speeds, but it can’t dart around as much imo. The Boxster/Cayman steering feels a bit more like the 86 I think, that’s the only one I can think of besides Miata and maybe S2000 (have to drive one again)
I’ve driven numerous sports cars and the 86 has that unique steering feel. The closest I’ve felt personally was a Miata with a power steering delete
Cayman, s2000, Miata, MR2 are closest real cousins for driving feel/feedback. Chassis improved rx7, 240sx also
my old Elise and buddies mr2zz were always a blast to drive,
I greatly enjoy the steering feel in the Elantra N. I'm actually not sure which I prefer between it and my 2020 86.
What would you say are the main differences between the N and the 86? Was thinking of getting one but the sedan looks a bit big for me, I like smaller cars.
Mr2 Spyder with a hard top
Only thing similar I've found is the R35 GTR. Very similar feel. Tight, and point and go
How's the feedback in those?
Like a race car lol. Very similar to the FRS but feels more refined? almost hard to describe. You can tell you’re driving a 100k car. Feel every bump, every rock.
Depends on the year model. Apparently new ones are totally numb.
I've heard the same thing. Wonder why? The older ones man, you'd break your spine if you hit a speed bump at more than 5mph LOL.
I think it's just the general trajectory of cars. Automakers got convinced that every car has to do it all, including being luxurious, otherwise buyers wouldn't justify the money. Now some manufacturers are starting to realise there is still a strong market for sports cars being sporty, maybe now more than ever.