Hello fellow petrolheads of the forum,

At the moment, all my cars are Continental makes (3 Porsches and 1 W223 S450L) and all of them are automatic.

I’m thinking of getting a weekend toy for myself in Sydney that’s lightweight (in the modern era context), manual and imminently tossable around corners, country and backroads.

Initially, I thought of completing my Porsche collection with a 718 GTS 4.0 in manual, but I I know I won’t have the heart to chuck it around corners and drive it like it’s meant to be driven (case in point, my 911 only has 300km on the clock and is a veritable garage queen, hooked up to a trickle charger in my garage)

So, I’ve put the 718 down at the bottom of my wish list and come up with the Mazda MX5, Toyota 86 and BMW M2 (F87, the first generation - the present generation looks hideous and I really cannot accept its looks) as alternatives.

Does anyone here have any real life experience regarding these 3 options? Anything to look out for? Are the Mazda and Toyota built like tanks, as per Japanese standards that we’ve all come to admire?

I previously drove the F13 version of the M6 so I’m half expecting the F87 to spend a considerable amount of time of its life in a workshop… but, I included a BMW in the list because there’s a strong BMW club presence in Sydney and it’ll give me opportunities to go on convoys and long trips.

Comments and suggestions are welcome as always.

Thanks in advance!

This post has been edited by hksgmy: Feb 22 2024, 10:30 PM

Get a manual box.

For pure driving pleasure, even with very low speeds, can't beat MX5 or 86. RWD and manual. You should've seen there's lots of MX5 on Sydney roads. Go along the coast to Kiama, it's really nice especially the bridge. Test drive both la or heck test drive them all.

Doc, I would go for the GR86 with a stickshift.

these 2 you are able to enjoy them all year round as your daily drive

my pick GR86

This post has been edited by khreve: Feb 22 2024, 11:50 PM

Thank you so much for the excellent links! I’ll definitely check them out… actually I am personally leaning towards the MX5 simply because of the convertible option (since my 911 is already a couple) but I’ll definitely look hard at the 86 too!

No comments on the used M2 anyone?

I know mavik drives a BMW in addition to his 718… I’d definitely appreciate his input!

Thanks for your comments bros! That’s exactly the combination I had in mind… RWD, row my own gears. Any common issues with either the MX5 or 86 that I should be aware of?

In all of your choices and also the cars you own, I would think the MX5 would be the best addition to your garage. I have driven all of those cars and hear me out on my reasoning.

1/ The MX5 out of all the other 3 is the most unique because of its weight. It is the lightest of the lot and of course make sure you get the ND2 with the 184hp and the full pack series with brembo brakes, their new traction control which helps it corner better (I can't remember the name) and the recaro seats. These are all part and parcel of the RS package if I am not mistaken. A manual on the MX5 is very very easy to drive, much easier than on my 718 as well as on the 86 (shifting feel of the 718 and 86 is super similar). The MX5 clutch is light and easy, even for daily driving.

2/ The M2 and the 718, the clear distinction depending on type of roads you want to drive in, the M2 will win in brute straight line speed and strength. That 3 litre twin turbo is a real brute. But if you are after the twisting roads, the mountain passes and B-roads, the 718 is a lot more enjoyable with its midship form.

3/ MX5 RF (don't get the soft top) - that is my personal choice. Compared with the 86, the driving feel is really different because of how the overall size, wheelbase and package the MX5 comes in. There is a reason why the MX5 has had such a following for so many years as well as so many generations. If you didn't have the 992, I would recommend the 86 but most MX5 owners I know, the MX5 is like their 3-4th car.

A couple of my friends with 911 and also 718s have recently purchased the MX5 as well and if I were to get a 4th car, it would be no doubt the MX5. It is just that fun to drive.

For the GR86, I'm not qualified to speak of any specific issues as I don't personally own one.
I suppose the usual suspects would be the lack of a turbo, the cheap interior, and having to be are of maintenance intricacies on a boxer motor.
But its a damn good looking coupe with timeless exterior, nobody makes these anymore, probably the last of the mohicans.
Annnddd....its a Toyota ! you won't go wrong with it.
Its on me bucket list though, before kicking the bucket lol

On the other hand...if you don't already have a dropthetop, perhaps its a good time to get one for the fleet
Good luck with the new car doc, which ever it may be

pick the germans. for ur own safety.
life is ahort. don't shorten urs

Not sure what is your body size, but if want light weight and can import Japanese car in why not go for Honda S660 + 6-speed manual. Mid rear turbo engine, fun and nimble to run around. If not mistaken it is also targa top and can remove anytime.

This post has been edited by littlefire: Feb 23 2024, 09:20 AM

consider gr yaris?

GR86 with full Max Orido body kits. Very classly, subtle and delicate style vs usual ostentatious

https://loongwahshop.com/products/AKEa-MAX-...-GR86-STYLE-ZN8

Picture doesn't do enough justice, see the video. It is in mandarin, but doesn't really matter. Jump to 4:30 onwards...

The interior in the GR86 is actually not too bad and the seats are quite good, gives you good support as well.

Why though? If memory serves, your 911 is one of the higher end variants, either a GTS or GT3, right? If you can afford the purchase (and the insurance), I’d assume you can afford the upkeep. A bit of a shame if it’s not out on the road/track doing what it’s meant to do.

As for recommendations, if it’s purely for backroad bashing (ruts, pebbles, kangaroos and all) I’m seconding the chap that suggested the GR Yaris. You lose the RWD “purity” but stand to gain some mechanical apathy, which is important if you’re trying to break the habit of wrapping your rides in cotton wool. You won’t have to baby that front lip as much as you would need to in any of the coupes you listed either.

If it’s just a “buzz” you seek and intend to track it, then you could just try to procure an old cheap RWD, strip it bare and put on some sticky rubber. Or you could consider karting, since I’m sure you can fold down the Cayenne’s back seats to transport it to/from the kart track.

Haha. Yeah, mine's a GTS, and already, that's proven to be more car than I am a driver..

Actually, the GR Yaris *IS* an interesting curveball. I never thought of it a viable option because it's FWD ... but, if I can drive it like I stole it and not worry about having to change out my front valance/apron/lip.... it is certainly food for thought!

Thanks bro!

It’s AWD. I think you can adjust the bias. I know the GR Corolla (also a consideration if you intend to take the dog along) can go 50:50 and 30:70, among other settings. GR Yaris should be similar.

I have real life experience (albeit a past life now) with the old Mitsu Evo 5, and provided you replace brake pads often, keep coolant levels in check and shorten the service intervals (if you put proper mileage on em), they’re reasonably reliable. Interior was crap though. Cupholders were pointless, because your drink would be flying into your face half the time.

This post has been edited by dev/numb: Feb 23 2024, 05:47 PM

The AWD on both GR are a bit of curve ball itself. It is very similar to the Focus RS if you familiar how it works.

hksgmy read to see if this is your cup of tea, hope info is helpful.

We all know a FWD base AWD can only be 50:50 at best. It is impossible to transfer >50% torque to rear wheel, unless we lifted both rear wheel off the ground at the same time, free spinning.

But wait, few obviously done it.

The trick is make the rear wheel spin more than the front. Either via center diff ratio, larger rear wheel diameter than the front, you get the idea, don't too caught up by the math.
Isn't that constantly wearing the tyres? Here's another trick, we allow center diff to CONSTANTLY slip.

In the GR case, there is a center clutch pack in the transfer case between front/rear wheel. By controlling the slip ratio, Toyota manage the torque distribution.
The slip rate? Not that much, well below 3% (I don't remember the figures, you may Google yourself).

Mk8 Gen Golf R drift mode, you got it. Same idea, only that VW don't have the center clutch pack, just independent clutch pack to each rear wheel directly. With this they can send 100% rear torque to only single rear wheel.

You may look at the GR forums, there are some autocross (aka gymkhana) folks getting central clutch pack overheat. As you may imagine, aggressive driving yet at low to mid speed most of the time.
There are mod with larger transfer case to increase fluid capacity for the center clutch pack.

Those are extreme cases thought, general street driving, touge, occasional casual track day with cool down laps between, the trick works brilliantly.

This post has been edited by constant_weight: Feb 23 2024, 06:19 PM

MX 5 RF … auto retractable hard roof … perfect for 4 season Ozzie.

Weekend car ? Anything open top of course !

You already owned coupe, stop buying more of it, just get a convertible

I just thought of another one, Fiesta ST. Please please go test drive that one. I've only driven it once, a previous gen Fiesta 1.0 3 cylinder but my god that chassis is something else. That car is designed with fun in mind.