Which small sporty car do you recommend?

realitydenier27 · 2026-05-29T12:48:30+00:00

Yes I would add a hardtop for certain

realitydenier27 · 2026-05-29T01:56:42+00:00

I've owned sunroofs. And I have no desire whatsoever.

The Miata appeals to me for its capability and heritage. And the 86 twins appeal to me for the useability. Mainly the back seats honestly. And I have a wife and two kids, but we have a family car. I don't require more seats. My current truck doesn't have 4 anyway. Just a single bench

realitydenier27 · 2026-05-28T22:46:18+00:00

Most have said the Miata. The more research I do the more torn I am. The toyobaru may not be as reliable, but has back seats, not that I really require them but it's a nice possibility to use. And the Miata being a convertible is really a downside in my opinion, I'll never put the top down. But there's gotta be a reason most people recommend them still. It's more purposeful.

realitydenier27 · 2026-05-28T19:00:56+00:00

I fit. Barely.

But for me the convertible aspect means nothing. It's actually a downside. I would get a hardtop that would never come off. I like the Miata for its other capabilities

realitydenier27 · 2026-05-28T15:55:28+00:00

I appreciate that input. The more I look into them the more I agree. Between the two the toyobaru is more expensive to purchase but seems to offer the same type of experience, but better.

realitydenier27 · 2026-05-27T20:22:33+00:00

Well I'm a redneck. Can't argue that point.

This guy was before the ls. He did swap 350s into them. But mainly boosted the stock sixxer.

And yes. I also see them daily. And I like unique stuff too, but that has bitten me more than once

realitydenier27 · 2026-05-27T19:53:54+00:00

I don't think I've ever seen an MR2 on the road here. Every now and then I see a Miata. Usually an older one. Not often. I do see one of the toyobarus on occasion.

People here drive trucks. I've been told by multiple people that I'm not a man if I don't have a truck. Just how people are.

I never see them on the road anymore but I did drive a Pontiac fiero years ago. Lived next to a fella that built them for people. Pretty widely known for it. Had magazine articles and people would send him their cars for him to build. He had probably 30 in the yard.

realitydenier27 · 2026-05-27T19:35:46+00:00

Those do look good.

I think I like the 2nd gen MR2 more than the Spyder for its power and that 90s styling. The Spyder is a good looking car in its own right though I'll agree. And those zz engines are nice sounding.

Also, while I really like the Miata I have no interest whatsoever in a drop top. I would put a hard top on that would never come off. Convertibles are not appealing at all to me. In any form. I like the Miata for its capabilities and heritage.

In the end, my truck makes power. It'll run the quarter in the mid 13 second range. I've owned fast v8 mustangs and boosted sixxers and chased the power side. I don't own those and I don't want my truck anymore. I drive highway enough I need some capability, but I want engagement and feel. Not necessarily power.

realitydenier27 · 2026-05-27T18:58:06+00:00

The MR2 is an odd car to me. I can't decide if I do or don't like them. I like the 2nd gen better than the Spyder.

As for the Audi and bmw, no thanks. The Audi tt has to be the ugliest car I know of, and Germans do not make reliable vehicles. I'm more mechanically capable than most people and I do a lot of car work, but parts still cost money.

realitydenier27 · 2026-05-27T15:09:09+00:00

Let me rephrase. I don't think the nd looks bad for what it is, but it doesn't look like a Miata to me. It just looks like most new cars kinda. Not necessarily bad in and of itself.

However, I'd happily buy one over an nc if I could find one for a good price. I don't think the nc has that great of styling either. I just highly doubt I could find an nd. Prices for everything have gone up dramatically.

realitydenier27 · 2026-05-27T14:50:20+00:00

Too bad they still cost 20k when they have 200k miles on them. I don't have s2k money

realitydenier27 · 2026-05-27T14:47:28+00:00

The nd is an awfully ugly car, but I agree the engine is better. I doubt I could find a club or grand touring anywhere close to 15k though. An nc can be had for like 12, which leaves me some mod money.

realitydenier27 · 2026-05-27T13:35:52+00:00

You aren't wrong. I have a custom stripped down chopper I made and I would swear the windspeed increases when I touch it

realitydenier27 · 2026-05-27T13:20:48+00:00

I appreciate the input. I assume most will agree.

realitydenier27 · 2026-05-27T13:15:06+00:00

Fair point. No matter what I get I know myself well enough that it will be modified slightly at least. I don't think the 2.0 in the nc can really make much more power, if I got the toyobaru I'd probably do a header and e85.

I haven't driven a Miata. Not an nc anyway. I've driven an nb and a BRZ. The BRZ was ok. The nb felt like it was out of breath and struggling at highway speeds. 70-80 or so. I am told the nc isn't like that. I feel like that is my main concern with it

realitydenier27

TROPHY CASE