My three current “realistic dream car” candidates. EB mustang ND 86/BRZ
All available with a clutch pedal, all available south of $30k, all are (in my opinion) very pretty.
Which would you buy and why? In my mind, the lack of a rear seat is the only reason the ND isn’t the obvious answer. Though it is convertible, which lends weight. Still, I couldn’t decide. Not that I have to, because I’m broke.
Have you driven/sat in any of them? That would make the decision for me. I have a similar idea of wanting either a new Camaro with the 1LE package or a cheap Boxster. I still need to drive both of them but I think the Porsche is more realistic.
I've got nothing practical to add, but I'll throw in my $0.02 for free!
I'm weird. I will choose a drop top over a hard top 999 out of 1,000. This is that 1/1000 outlier. I know the ND is an awesome car, they just don't appeal, I'm not sure why, but part of it is I just don't fit the interior, and this is coming from someone who didn't even have the seat in his NA all the way back. I love NA's and NC's (told you I was strange) but can't stand the looks of the NB and the ND just leaves me blah.
Mustangs. I love the idea of smaller lighter engines so I should like the EB. Heck, I had two V6 S197's (the 11-14 305ho versions), but the EB leaves me cold in a Mustang. Would love one in a Focus, but it feels wrong in a Mustang.
I really like the Frisbee twins, and even though they failed by leaving the top intact, that's the car for me on this list. If track work is in the future then doubly so.
YMMV. You've paid exactly what my opinion is worth, so make of it what you will.
In Utah (or pretty much any of the southwest outside of large cities) - EB Mustang. Bigger, comfier, and it can stretch its legs on the straightaways.
I'm not sure you could compare three more different vehicles that exist in approximately the same segment. They span a range of 150 hp, 1300lbs, almost three feet of length, and a big range of interior space. Which one is best would depend on what you actually want out of the car.
Miata, then the Mustang. The Frisbee twins would hit the right buttons for me but I've seen too many threads about Subaru engines self-destructing over the years. If a small coupe is appealing, then what about a Miata RF?
I drive an EB Mustang Convertible to work every day. I like it as my commuter car. I also have an NA Miata that I am building as an autocross/track car. I like it too but it is different from the Mustang. I like the Mustang better for long freeway trips. The NA is better on a tight track or winding road. Different horses for different courses.
Never drove a BRZ but I imagine it would be closer to a Miata than to any kind of Mustang.
The back seat on the Mustang is useless for human beings. I can put my brief case back there, or fold the seat down, throw in a dog bed and haul my Aussie. The Malamute never fit back there so no large dogs.
Really depends on personal taste and what you want in a car. For me the Mustang is a non-starter. Too big, too heavy. Between the ND and 86 is tougher. For backroad pleasure use I'd lean ND. If you need usable space or want to sample some track time 86. I chose a 2015 FR-S. 101,000 miles on it now with nothing but oil changes. I bought it with 5,000 miles in 2016. It is the favorite of all the cars I've owned, beating the former champion my '85 MR2.
The only one I've not sat in is the ford. But to My eye, it is the prettiest. And the fastest in a straight line. And has the most usable rear seat. I think it is also most likely to depreciate due to volume of sale.
Another way I look at it: I'm not in a position to buy anything right now, so what would I choose of these three in ten years?
I see the mustangs being readily available, having high miles, and being the cheapest. The 86 just seems like there won't be any left, and the ones that are left will be like classic z cars. Clean ones will be overpriced and the rest will be 50% rust. Meanwhile the ND will likely be holding its value well, be garaged, and have fewer miles.
In that reality, I'd buy 2021 ND over the other two, every day of the week. But maybe that's not how it turns out.
EB Mustang: Not fixable by aftermarket.
ND Miata: Fixable by aftermarket.
86/BRZ: Fixable by sawzall.
Kids are the only reason I have to care about a lack of rear seating.
Ignoring kids: ND.
Not ignoring kids: Kobayashi Maru.
If the desire is a toy car for Sunday driving, why wait for years to buy the expensive Miata? Buy the cheap early Miata now and start enjoying it. Tomorrow isn't promised to anyone and the difference between an NB and an ND is evolutionary development, not revolutionary change. And I can guarantee the guy in the 30K ND2 isn't smiling six times as hard as the guy in the 5k NB (even NCs are sneaking into that range now).
In reply to KyAllroad (Jeremy) (Forum Supporter) :
It's all theoretical since I'm not buying anything. But you make a great point. NBs dress up very well with good paint and wheels. Way better than a sn95 for example.
What's the altitude like where you are? The Ecoboost being the only boosted option might give it a sizable advantage at altitude if the others feel wheezy.
Ooof tough call.
I like the thought of what would you buy if they were all 10 years old.
I think I'm the opposite of Adrian Thompson, I normally never chose the convertible, but in this case it's the special one.
Toss up between the mustang and frs next
In reply to STM317 :
2-3000'. Not crazy. Some of the local mountain roads might hit 5000'
Probably Miata but Frisbee would probably win due to fact I could put throw my bike In the trunk or other random cargo to haul home.
My $0.02 :
I don't own a EB Mustang, but bought a V6 Mustang a few months ago. Haven't driven the ND Miata, but did drive an NC, and never considered the Toyaru twins.
I agree with the opinion that the EB engine is pretty decent, but Ford made it a tiny bit LESS special by putting it under the hood of a truck.
The NC, or ND Miata is marginal for me at 6 ft 4 in and being long of leg and worse with big feet (size 15).
The Mustang (with a V6) is close in spirit to the Toyaru, it is almost a toss-up...the EB I would imagine is an even closer match.
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