GR86 Question for ex-MX5 drivers

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RedGR86

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@byebyeMX5 I'm mostly looking at you here. How did you feel about the shift from your NC(?) to the 86?

I'm currently trying to provide arguments as to why my 11o'clock order should still happen at the expense of my NC. Currently the main argument is that "it has back seats that kids can use"...

Would be interested to understand how the car drives relative to the NC as well. Does it have the same characteristics, but with more power and torque?
 
I moved from an NC to the GT86. Similar characteristics, but the latter felt all round just a bit more serious. Less roll, more planted, just a lot more competent along a twisty roads while still being fun. Same gearbox I think (although I always felt the gearbox in my MX5 was a bit obstructive and much less so in the GT). It was quicker, but the torque dip of the GT86 meant the MX5 engine actually felt a bit stronger sometimes despite being ~40hp down on paper. But overall it was a step up, plus the obvious practically improvement. But the ethos remained the same - fun over outright performance.

The GR86 is essentially a much improved GT86, and the biggest problem (torque dip) is gone with the much improved engine. So assuming you're comparing unmodified cars, I'd confidently assert that the GR86 is definitely the better car.

However...I do sometimes miss the soft top ;(
 
Not an NC driver but have a ND. The ND is softer and rolls more but is just as much fun (and topless!) No it's not practical but I don't have kids so not a problem for me. As above the GR is more serious, it's like someone took an MX5 and upgraded it for the purpose of being really good on track not just fun on track. The interior layout is quite similar (must be a Japanese thing) and the ergonomics quite similar too. The only thing I would swap from the MX5 into the GR would be the gearbox/stick, the weighting, height of the stick, throw and rifle bolt precision blows the GR into the weeds. Caterham used MX5 boxes for years (might still do I dunno) and they felt brilliant in the Caterhams I drove on a slalom/drift day.

EDIT: The armrests, I would add them from the MX5 too, at least they are usable.

I'm not swapping the ND for the GR but keeping both, if you can do the same then you have the best of both worlds.
 
v8s said:
Not an NC driver but have a ND. The ND is softer and rolls more but is just as much fun (and topless!) No it's not practical but I don't have kids so not a problem for me. As above the GR is more serious, it's like someone took an MX5 and upgraded it for the purpose of being really good on track not just fun on track. The interior layout is quite similar (must be a Japanese thing) and the ergonomics quite similar too. The only thing I would swap from the MX5 into the GR would be the gearbox/stick, the weighting, height of the stick, throw and rifle bolt precision blows the GR into the weeds. Caterham used MX5 boxes for years (might still do I dunno) and they felt brilliant in the Caterhams I drove on a slalom/drift day.

EDIT: The armrests, I would add them from the MX5 too, at least they are usable.

I'm not swapping the ND for the GR but keeping both, if you can do the same then you have the best of both worlds.
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Thanks, my NC is slightly modified (mainly used as a track toy), coilovers, remap and few other bits and pieces. It's great fun, but feels it's age now. Car situation is complex at the moment, I won't be able to keep the NC and GR, as that would mean pressure would be on to get rid of the Alpine. So the elaborate man maths at the moment are focused on the GR ('family car') and Alpine (fun car).
Conscript said:
I moved from an NC to the GT86. Similar characteristics, but the latter felt all round just a bit more serious. Less roll, more planted, just a lot more competent along a twisty roads while still being fun. Same gearbox I think (although I always felt the gearbox in my MX5 was a bit obstructive and much less so in the GT). It was quicker, but the torque dip of the GT86 meant the MX5 engine actually felt a bit stronger sometimes despite being ~40hp down on paper. But overall it was a step up, plus the obvious practically improvement. But the ethos remained the same - fun over outright performance.

The GR86 is essentially a much improved GT86, and the biggest problem (torque dip) is gone with the much improved engine. So assuming you're comparing unmodified cars, I'd confidently assert that the GR86 is definitely the better car.

However...I do sometimes miss the soft top ;(
Click to expand...
Thanks, I hoped that is what the case would be, just a big stronger / faster in all areas. I'm going to try and find a GR to drive to get a better sense of the difference.

I'm with you on the missing the soft top though, that's the only thing that's holding me back.
 
Sold our NC 25AE for the 86. We had it for 4 years & the Wife in particular really didn't want it to go.
I think the only thing I will miss is the open top motoring, the 86 in every other way is an improvement,
particularly the power delivery.
 
I've owned an MX-5 NC, GT86 and now GR86 and my views reflect much of what has already been posted by our esteemed comrades above.

There's some overlap - light weight, responsiveness, feel, simple fit-for-purpose interior, overall ethos. But I would say the Toyotas are a more serious, focussed proposition.

I've also owned a 2016 Fiat 124 Spider which is of course close to the MX-5 ND. Mine was the non-Abarth Anniversary edition so was a softer, more relaxed proposition than the 86s and NC, but a very likeable pleasant car for summer (and dry bright winter day) cruising.

I'm aware some of our comrades have had Abarth 124s (local fellow dealer buddy @Nick springs to mind), it would be interesting to read a comparison there too perhaps.
 
Silver Fox said:
I've owned an MX-5 NC, GT86 and now GR86 and my views reflect much of what has already been posted by our esteemed comrades above.

I've also owned a 2016 Fiat 124 Spider which is of course close to the MX-5 ND.
Click to expand...

Saw this Mazda MX-5 RF ND 30th Anniversary Edition in a car park in Lisbon this morning, not sure about the colour but I like the exhausts!

IMG20230410124213.webp


IMG20230410124231.webp
 
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v8s said:
Not a fan of orange cars, it was the only thing that stopped my buying a 30AE and I really wanted one too.
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The 30AE is just about the perfect spec mx5. Except the colour. I've had an orange car in the past, but for me, most modern cars don't quite look right in orange. Love the Ray's alloys on them too. Shame you can only get the good stuff on the limited editions.

They do a bbs/brembo/recaro pack for the club version in the states and its a shame that you can't spec it in the UK.☹️
 
I would agree with all of the above and add that after 150 k miles in 2 NC's both driven like I didnt own them the only thing that you will miss is the top down motoring if you have your NC for that, I stopped using the top a few years back when I picked up a pheasant in the passenger seat early one morning at a very brisk pace!!
The 86 and NC are the same rear wheel drive, LSD manual set up but the comparison really does stop there, I always viewed the NC as a momentum car, carry the speed into and through the corner knowing there wasn't a lot of horses left to help you out the other side and to be fair it was fantastic at that, The 86 carries speed through the corner far better, doesnt feel like the door handles are scraping the road and if your in the wrong gear theres torque and power the other side.
One of the biggest things I noticed is the seats, compared to an NC where I had 2 arses to concentrate on mid corner, mine trying to get in the passenger seat on a right hander I can now focus on the arse that really matters!!
You will love the torque and power of the 86, it's very addictive coming from the NC.
Tech wise, absolutely no contest as there shouldn't be, you can even see at night in the 86!!
I still see my NC in the car park at work, which is nice, but I certainly dont wish I had the Mazda keys in my pocket, the Toyota ones are far more appealing.
As for the back seats, continue with that thought until you see them!!
And a final note, I to had a wobble as to whether or not to wait for the 86 being a 10.44 er (mine turned up out of the blue so keep the faith) and I would honestly say that I am so glad I did.
 
I love this thread, I went from NC to facelift S2000 to GR Yaris. Boy do I miss the roof down but for everything else GRY. I’ve not driven a GR86, maybe I need to arrange a swap on of these days.
 
Silver Fox said:
I've owned an MX-5 NC, GT86 and now GR86 and my views reflect much of what has already been posted by our esteemed comrades above.

There's some overlap - light weight, responsiveness, feel, simple fit-for-purpose interior, overall ethos. But I would say the Toyotas are a more serious, focussed proposition.

I've also owned a 2016 Fiat 124 Spider which is of course close to the MX-5 ND. Mine was the non-Abarth Anniversary edition so was a softer, more relaxed proposition than the 86s and NC, but a very likeable pleasant car for summer (and dry bright winter day) cruising.

I'm aware some of our comrades have had Abarth 124s (local fellow dealer buddy @Nick springs to mind), it would be interesting to read a comparison there too perhaps.
Click to expand...
Sorry for the delayed response, I'm happy to say I've managed to stay offline most of the day, which is always a good thing if you can do it.
The Abarth was a great car, especially with the roof down - Fiat knew what they were doing partnering with Mazda, there's no way that Fiat would have been able to make as good a sports car on their own, and the simple roof mechanism is the work of a genius. It was a smile inducing drive everytime (although the ridiculously loud standard exhaust may have been part of that). The Abarth wasn't a cruiser like the Fiat equivalent, it really pushed you to drive it hard. It doesn't really compare to the GR86 though, which is a much better drive to me, better handing, faster, and a lot more practical.
As a second/weekend car, then I'd love to still have the Abarth, or indeed an MX5, but it was too much of a compromise for me as my daily driver. It's hard to beat a convertible with the roof down when the weather permits.
 
byebyeMX5 said:
I would agree with all of the above and add that after 150 k miles in 2 NC's both driven like I didnt own them the only thing that you will miss is the top down motoring if you have your NC for that, I stopped using the top a few years back when I picked up a pheasant in the passenger seat early one morning at a very brisk pace!!
The 86 and NC are the same rear wheel drive, LSD manual set up but the comparison really does stop there, I always viewed the NC as a momentum car, carry the speed into and through the corner knowing there wasn't a lot of horses left to help you out the other side and to be fair it was fantastic at that, The 86 carries speed through the corner far better, doesnt feel like the door handles are scraping the road and if your in the wrong gear theres torque and power the other side.
One of the biggest things I noticed is the seats, compared to an NC where I had 2 arses to concentrate on mid corner, mine trying to get in the passenger seat on a right hander I can now focus on the arse that really matters!!
You will love the torque and power of the 86, it's very addictive coming from the NC.
Tech wise, absolutely no contest as there shouldn't be, you can even see at night in the 86!!
I still see my NC in the car park at work, which is nice, but I certainly dont wish I had the Mazda keys in my pocket, the Toyota ones are far more appealing.
As for the back seats, continue with that thought until you see them!!
And a final note, I to had a wobble as to whether or not to wait for the 86 being a 10.44 er (mine turned up out of the blue so keep the faith) and I would honestly say that I am so glad I did.
Click to expand...
It's the power and torque that the NC misses for me. I'm hopeful that a) I can justify the GR86 at the moment b) that I don't miss the roof down fun of the NC!
 
For the moment I've managed to hold on to my ND along with the GR86. Maybe not the most practical set of 2 cars. My other half mainly has the ND now and me the GR86.

The GR86 is faster and more solid in action but I miss top down motoring when its sunny and the ND's better interior, the rain sensors on the wipers and in winter the ND's more stable rear end on muddy or icy roads. The gear box and clutch in my opinion are better on the ND but you get use to them on the GR86 after a few weeks.

Great to have them both, just can't really carry much stuff in either boot since I part-exed the GTi
 
Really interesting to read everyone’s comments on moving from an MX5 to a GR86. I owned a MK1 for 6 years as a weekend toy and at 6ft 1 fitted reasonably ok. I spent a small fortune on it adding Meisters, engine rebuild, and shiny Racing Beat bits. I tried to make the move to an NC and bought a 25AE which was a stunning car to look at but I couldn’t live with lack of head room (roof up obviously :LOL:) Headroom aside in standard form it was easy to see where it earned its ‘boat’ nickname from.

I sold that as didn’t want to start hacking seat rails and adding Meisters etc and bought a soft top from Paul Roddison that had been corner weighted with Meisters fitted and I fitted Jass lowering brackets. Apart from a Caterham this was the best handling car I’d ever driven. Drove as if it was on rails as the say.

So this is why I’ve ended up here. I really don’t want to go back down the modification route. It’s great fun but gets expensive and the idea with the NC and the 86 was to go down to two cars and for my wife to use it during the week.

I also really wanted a 30AE as usually love an orange car! But again also not an option as just too big to fit.

I’m hoping that the 86’s just works for us out the box. Although it’s approaching a year since we put down our deposits and reading the comments and writing the above has been a good exercise in reminding myself why I ordered it in the first place!

Roll on July 🤞
 
Sprotacus said:
Really interesting to read everyone’s comments on moving from an MX5 to a GR86. I owned a MK1 for 6 years as a weekend toy and at 6ft 1 fitted reasonably ok. I spent a small fortune on it adding Meisters, engine rebuild, and shiny Racing Beat bits. I tried to make the move to an NC and bought a 25AE which was a stunning car to look at but I couldn’t live with lack of head room (roof up obviously :LOL:) Headroom aside in standard form it was easy to see where it earned its ‘boat’ nickname from.

I sold that as didn’t want to start hacking seat rails and adding Meisters etc and bought a soft top from Paul Roddison that had been corner weighted with Meisters fitted and I fitted Jass lowering brackets. Apart from a Caterham this was the best handling car I’d ever driven. Drove as if it was on rails as the say.

So this is why I’ve ended up here. I really don’t want to go back down the modification route. It’s great fun but gets expensive and the idea with the NC and the 86 was to go down to two cars and for my wife to use it during the week.

I also really wanted a 30AE as usually love an orange car! But again also not an option as just too big to fit.

I’m hoping that the 86’s just works for us out the box. Although it’s approaching a year since we put down our deposits and reading the comments and writing the above has been a good exercise in reminding myself why I ordered it in the first place!

Roll on July 🤞
Click to expand...
I really respect your views on the MX5 as you have had one set up by Paul Roddison who really knows how to set up a car from all that I have read, and an incredible driver as well!!

I was at the same stage as you and was going to spend out on Modifications until the GR86 came on the horizon, Pauls set up was in line, along with a BBR SC but as you say it all starts getting expensive, I also nearly got the orange one, and was very close to an M240i!!

The GR86 is very different to the NC and im really enjoying learning its limits carrying speed on well travelled early morning B roads (Im a long way off yet!!)

I really hope you feel as I do about the GR86 and that the wait is worth it and it suits your needs, roll on July!!
 
Any of you fine people/roadster fans have an MR2 (Mk3) Roadster at any point?

I had one about 20 years ago for a short time - I only changed it for a more practical hot hatch because we went down to one car, and it would have been a challenge!
 
Silver Fox said:
Any of you fine people/roadster fans have an MR2 (Mk3) Roadster at any point?

I had one about 20 years ago for a short time - I only changed it for a more practical hot hatch because we went down to one car, and it would have been a challenge!
Click to expand...
I’ve driven a few but never owned one. They’re a really great drive though, right? And I think they look smart too. They really get no score for practicality though with literally nowhere to store anything, front or back, it’s bizarre…
Check this one out over here in NI - about as nice a one as I’ve seen. Looks so so good with the sparco assettos and hardtop…

Cars Northern Ireland - Used Cars NI. Second hand cars for sale.

www.usedcarsni.com www.usedcarsni.com
 
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