I’ve driven them both, the GR is quicker and has a higher top speed, but if your going for a Sunday morning drive on a cool sunny morning, your getting into the Miata every time, it’s great motoring at any price level

86, miata, civic si, type r, wrx, gr corolla and upcoming 400z japanese makers are killing it in the affordable fun car segment, all of these cars one of the most fun options in their segment

I can’t get over how beautiful the MX looked sailing around that track

MX-5. All day. The roof comes down, and the RF is gorgeous. That's why there's one in my garage.

Curious to see how the Miata soft top would’ve done. It’s lighter and has a lower center of gravity…not to mention a few grand less expensive. Thanks for the great review!

Almost 30k miles on my 2020 nd2 so far 0 issues, none. Overall average since new 32.4 mpg, and I redline it all the time. Hands down miata nd2 club soft top manual in soul crystal red with appearance package is the way to go.

It's official, color red makes you faster in a lap-time as compared to the test lap.

I cant wait until the new self driving cars come out. Then I can sit at home and watch TV, while my car drives itself to the local race track and has a race and comes back home! So much fun!

I'm convinced the ND MX5, particularly the RF version, will be a VERY sought after collectible in 10 years, much the way the S2000 is today.

Miata ND2 2022 and the KPC now makes it quicker on the curves but still fun as hell. It's the most enjoyable daily driver I've ever had. I actually want to drive to work now.

Fun fact: Both the GR86 and Miata (soft top) has a clubsport edition available in Japan. There is even a lighter 990S Miata (you know the weight).

I love the Miata, especially the current gen. I'd still go with the GR86 though if I was in the market for a new car.

Go with Mazda.

Great video , almost didn’t recognize you guys without there being any trucks around 😁 Traded in my FR-S for a 2019 Miata soft top . Both are great really fun cars that are simple, not weighed down by a ton of toys. . Miata just feels faster plus convertible ❗️

I spent about $1100 on new springs and Koni adjustable shocks and now I can pull hard turns on canyon runs in my Miata and then dial it in soft again if I want a supple ride. It’s so easy to turn these things into weekend racers. I’m 6’1”/225lbs and I fit just fine. Also I put a full cart at Costco in my trunk and drivers seat, so it’s not so impractical in the ways people make out. All my road trips I get an average of 38-41mpg depending on the road type and whether I’m driving hard. Keep it under 70 mph and it sips fuel. Hard driving is 28mpg. Great car.

The miata nd2 is the most fun car u can buy right now, and it looks incredibly good, once u lower and put spacers, looks exotic.

I already made my dicision and ordered a MX-5 Softtop G184 with Recaros this March 😍 Can't wait for it to arrive.

Maybe a bit of this time diff is due to the tires. Both great driver cars!

Makes me appreciate my old gen 86 even more how they talk about these lightweight cars

i see a lot of older ladies down here in florida driving the mx-5. one lady told me it was her ''fun'' car. i had to smile because she had her poodle in her lap and it looked like the poodle was driving.

I like Toyota a lot, and I like the GR86, it's a great car. But for sheer driving pleasure on the road not the track, top down in my MX5 ND in the early summer countryside with a bit of opera blasting out the Bose headrest speakers - that's automotive nirvana.

I have a Miata 2019 as testet and you are so right About what you said . A great little sportscar and its also fun at legal speeds .

Always great to see Paul's reviews and opinions from a racers prospective . I'd choose the mazda .it's been the bench mark for many years but Toyota kutos for them finally building something exciting

No contest here, Miata MX5 is a legend, bang for the buck, super handling, and drop-dead gorgeous. May be BMW Z3 but too expensive.

I’d take the GR86 just based on styling alone. Not to mention I like the bigger size and backseat even if it’s for kids lol

Both are great fun to drive sports cars. GR86 for all around if only car. Miata if two or more vehicles. I still have great Sienna for road trips and hauling therefore Miata for me.

I had a 2013 FRS and I loved it. I would love to get a new GR86 today. Great car. It’s an easy decision for me since I can’t fit in a Miata at 6’3”.

Great video. Fun to watch. I'm really looking forward to your new series "The underdog". Thanks guys

As much as I appreciate these cars, I simply cannot fit inside them. I’m 6’4” and about 260 lbs. It just doesn’t work. Haha 😂! Here’s a good story. My buddies and I went to an Auto show in 2003. I was probably 300 lbs then. I was a lineman and played football. I think it was a Honda S2000 I tried sitting in. The sales rep was like “Oh, don’t worry, you’ll be fine.” I couldn’t even close the door lol 😆. I’ve always had really strong and big legs. The door just kept smacking my left leg, bouncing off, and wouldn’t even close. But even worse, I couldn’t get out of it after I sat down. I eventually rolled over and threw myself onto the floor and basically crawled out. My buddies were laughing 😆 so hard, I was too, and even the sales rep got in. After he stopped laughing, he was like “You need to go look at some pickups and SUVs.” It was just hilarious 😂. So Roman, I feel you man. Not every vehicle is designed for us. I’m definitely a truck and suv kind of guy haha. It’s not just by choice, but they’re what I can comfortably fit in. I have owned many midsized trucks and SUVs, and they’ve been great for me even being smaller. Now I have a 2022 Silverado LT with the Duramax. It’s just so big and comfortable. I feel at home. I loved my 04’ Expedition XLT too. I could even sit in the 3rd row comfortably. Those are the two biggest vehicles I’ve had. I even had a 2011 Ford Focus, which was surprisingly spacious for me... a lot more room that my sisters Xterra. It just depends on the vehicle and the space it has. Anyways, these little 2 door sportsters just can’t handle me.

I drove Miatas for 22 years as my daily. Smiled Every time I drove it. Can't wait for the MG electric convertible.

miata is more beautiful....the style that will likely become collectible someday

I believe the GR86 had the better tires for the testing. Certainly didn't hurt. I'll take the Miata.

Add a little more legroom and replace the tiny four-cylinder with a powerful V-6 and the Miata would be the perfect sports car. Even as is, it is a better built car and more fun than a Porsche or Corvette at one-third the price.

GR86 any day~

Driver Mod needed for the drag race. The GR86 is definitely quicker and faster than the Miata

9:22 it shows Supra GR86, lol

Miata is always the answer

This was fun! Two great little cars! You can't go wrong with either one...

And WHY are they using 2 way radio's ???

It's the GR86 for me too! Awesome car. It beat the Hyundai i20 N for me as well.

Curious if anyone noticed one of your graphics said "SUPRA GR86" UUUUUH😏

I just buy a MX... sorry Miata ST. Deliver next friday(29th april 22). I can’t wait!😁... by the way I leave near Apls. Great video! signed by a french in a good mood.

I thought the GR86 can do 0 - 60 in 6.5 seconds. Losing 2 seconds at altitude seems a lot and would make it really under-powered.

Damn you drag raced a whole 40 feet!

The Miata is fun to drive down the road at 45 MPH with the top down. A weekend-only car for sure, but a great weekend car.

Mazda mx5 rocks. They were selling a fresh second hand for $700. Sported up. I want it, but i was in college. Was broke.

I wonder how the mx5 does with PS4S like the GR86 instead of the S001? I have the PS4S on my 2020 RF and the grip is much better than the stock Bridgestones. I bet that 1 sec difference would be much closer.

👍🏻 can't wait for Paul to drive Corolla GR!

Both are excellent and you'd count yourself lucky to own either. I went Miata because I am addicted to top down cruising, but I very nearly 86 all the same.

Ordered the 2024 ND3 rag top due early next year in Sydney. Can’t wait

I am a biased, but I know which one I would pick.. LOL

I chose the 22 BRZ. Had mine about 3 months. I do like the the GR86 front bumper better. But it honestly felt wrong to buy a toyota with a boxer engine. IDK how new supra owners sleep at night.

As a fan of all TFL's you guys are major reviewers and major influencers. You guys should start talking down all this market adjustment BS instead of acting like it's the norm.

Great video! I really love your car versus car videos 👍🤠

Great review guys!

Happy to have competition, Honda, Mazda, and now Toyota has sport cars. Competition breeds more performance, more fun, and even lower prices to out price each other. Mazda brought back affordable lightweight RWD sports car and convertible back in 1989, 2013 FRS was a good affordable sports car competitor to the Miata, 2019 ND2 brought more power, GR86 now equals and even a lil faster than the ND2. I'm still happy and smiling top down in my ND2.

Now that's a fun video! Love it!

i go for mazda miata,i loved it

I placed an order for a new '22 MX-5 Club several weeks ago! Now I wait for it to be built in Mazda's Hiroshima plant. Hopefully it's sooner rather than later 🤞

Really nicely done!

Put the same tires on the MX-5 and it will take a second off the lap. They’re both great cars.

I’m glad I got my 2021 jet black grand touring Mazda, Miata, RF

Man it's really a tough choice. The 86 is a bit more livable and it's a more focused track car BUT the mx5 is more fun. The Miata owner in my heart says mx5 but the rational part of my brain says gr86.

Gr86 any day. Gazoo Racing making toyota cool again

Great comparison. Thx!!!

A Mazdaspeed with a turbo. Would be a dream. Miss my old Mazdaspeed

If only the 86 had an sunroof or convertible option.

Because the Miata is a convertible.......thats the one i would buy. Especially that the Toyota is a 100% a Subura.

how long that boxer engine is gonna last?

No u have to race further because the gr86 will kick ass mid way threw the race

The gr86/brz has a serious rtv issue which is what puts me off.

Taking the RF all day.

thx for the video, grate one.. I guess the GR86 with the standard 17” wheel inches might improve handling

Not sure how much this would've changed lap times but the RF u have is the GT. So no bilstein dampers and no LSD. Still think the gr86 will always win.

I have always liked the Miata... I always thought it was slightly underpowered however it looks primarily like they solved that... I would never go turbo.. regular fuel and good fuel mileage. The only thing that at 6 feet... it could be a little cramped?? Toyota doesn't have that however having a Z4 convertible in my past life I do enjoy a convertible.... so for me??? I am also a little curious how a mustang GT would do with these cars however they are quite different cars??

Roman, do you have a super short inseam where the issue fitting in the car is all torso/height related? I'm about the same height with long legs, and I have several inches of headroom plus slide the seat up a bit from all the way back so there's room there as well. In the Miata, the legroom definitely could stand to be extended a couple of inches however, as I can't fit without modifying the seats and/or rails.

Budget? Here in europe the gr86 premium costs around 38k€ which is equivalent to 41-42k $

01:21 looks like Roman was about to do something. Good try though 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Would a simple sway bar change, make the GR86 as neutral feeling as the Miata though?

Toyota GR86 all day it's just as good as Mx-5 and it's more usable.

No way at sea level its 7.8 seconds 0-60 in a soft top mx5. I get there in 2nd gear

GR86 because carrying a set (or two) of golf clubs is a requirement

Imagine if Mazda would just put their 2.5T engine they use in other vehicles in the mx5, I want that so bad

I prefer toyotas, never thought ablut mazda before. But the fact its convertible and that it looks better, in my opinion, i might go with that. I was also thinking of a supra but thats another class

Is it the Miata with the sports package and better suspension?

Is this the 2022 mx-5 with KPC?

Does this Miata have the new Kinematic Posture Control? new for 2022, would be interesting to see how it feels.

A real miata = soft top

Miata soft top brings more smiles from all people 3-100 who see it…..also better for weekends and road trips. GR 86 is the slightly better boy racer.

They actually do a 6.1 to 100 kmh which 62 mph in 3rd gear so about high 5 sec to 60 mph

No matter what question is asked the answer is always Miata.

I keep reading specs of sub 6 second 0 to 60 times of both these cars. Your times at 8.8 are almost 3 seconds slower. That's a huge difference. My 2017 Chevy Colorado 4x4 V6 crew cab long bed is faster than that.

wanted the gr86 till i found out its got a suburu engine in it.

Yeah their Affordable but when I checked today It was like 36k for the 86.

How much did the passenger weigh?

I wish I could get a mx5. I sat in one and could not get my eye level below the visor. My head was touching the roof liner. Definitely could not track it with a helmet on. I’m going to get a BRZ or GR 86 if stock is ever available this year.

I would go with the 86. It looks better, and i would rather have the NA high reving engine. But both will put a smile on your face.

Fun to drive yes, sucks that they still are pretty slow though wouldn’t hurt to have at least 200 lb ft torque to get going around curves better

Why is it that in every miata vs 86 comparison they never compare it to a soft top nd2 club mx5 ... if you are going to go after the miata go after a traditional true MIATA 🤷‍♂️ 100lbs is a huge difference when racing

Roman, I am similar sized. I have been shopping Miatas, but also don't fit in them. However, I have heard the NC's are bigger. There are none close by for me to "try on". Can you tell me if you fit (comfortably) in a NC?