Fiat 124 vs 86 vs MX5 - Affordable Sports Cars | Everyday Driver TV Season 2

We put the Fiat 124 spider against the Toyota 86 and Mazda MX-5 RF for the first of 6 episodes from TV season 2. These RWD purpose-built sports cars are available new for less than $30k. The MX5 has owned this segment for years, but the 86 offers a definite alternative, and the hard top RF and Fiat 124 give MX5 buyers even more choice.

Paul and Todd spend a great day on a favorite Utah road to find what separates these cars and which one they'd most recommend.

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[themidnightinator]

Who thinks Honda should revive the S2000 or at least make a car that competes with the Hachiroku

[aldo]

I test drove the MX-5 and the Spider before buying. I agree with Paul: the MX-5 lacked personality compared to the Fiat; the little 1.4T Fiat engine is an overachiever; completely transforms the car. And the exhaust sounds like a million bucks! I ended going with the Spider in Abarth guise. Three years later, I still have it, and is one of the best purchase decisions I ever made.

[rainystorm]

“A large percentage of mx-5’s are bought with an automatic” ... The shifter is half of what makes the car so fun!!!

[m.goodpickle]

I disagree. In my opinion the Spider is a better handling, more stylish, and more fun car to drive. I had a 2000 Miata, and test drove the new MX5, then a few days later saw the Spider and drove it. After I did my research, I ended up with one in the garage. Love this car! To each his own...(I'm 6' and although it's "snug", I'm very comfortable...and a seat cushion DOES help on trips),

[peteflynn]

Great episode. But . . . the Abarth is the 124 to have driven. I got tired of waiting for Mazda to permanently fix the problem with the 6MT, and Subaru to fix the torque problem. So I bought the Abarth and am very happy.

[thinc]

The 124 Abarth is one flash away from being 197 HP. That makes it really fun to drive and peppy.

[winglessang]

The 86 driving experience is an addiction.

[iantownsend]

I bought a ND Mx5 soft top & I don’t regret it one single bit

[boogeyratt]

"What a great deal. 25-30 grand..." *20 seconds later* "As Tested: $40, 500"

Seems a bit misleading.

[ducs]

For me it's my '16 MX-5 Sport, the base model. It is my everyday driver in central New Hampshire, even through the winter. Here we have frost heaves and broken pavement. The terrain is smaller than in this video, tighter curves, shorter sight lines. Everyday driving in my community means observance of traffic laws, that doesn't mean no driving enjoyment, just that 6, 500 rpm shifts are the exception, not the rule. The softer suspension of the Sport works well under these conditions. Coming up on 28K miles on mine, I like it just fine.

[jca]

It's so sad for the 86. New header and a tune and the torque dip is gone. Toyota/Subaru really needs to do it. It still isn't "fast", but it drives so much better.

[joro]

Fantastic episode. And keep the 86 talk/reviews coming— I’m obsessed with this vehicle and can’t get enough detail or opinions on the Toyobaru platform. Thanks to you both for great TV and great podcasts.

[Zsty]

Toyota really fucked the front end of that 86.

[Xaluber]

You guys are absolutely right about the powerband on the 86. I've got a 2017 BRZ and was pretty annoyed by it. As you mentioned however, the $500 OpenFlash tablet and some E85 (fully compatible with stock fuel system) woke it right up. On the latest V4 tunes the car makes 30hp more than stock and while the torque dip is still present (header needed to delete that completely), it's been reduced in severity and shortened to just between 3600-4400RPM.

[etoineschrdlu]

I've had my BRZ as a daily driver since 2015. Although I have access to twisty roads, I mostly find myself on 4 lane highway and dealing with the infamous torque dip. I watched as Todd installed a FT-86 Speedfactory header and later tuned his FR-S with an Open Flash Tablet, and I felt that they had mostly fixed the Toyobaru's problems. I had been saving for the header but when I saw the OFT tune I saw it was the obvious first upgrade. The OFT tune did a lot to mask the torque dip but when I did finally install the header it was just gone. With these two mods my BRZ is much more driveable, especially on the highway. The torque curve feels flatter and fatter and you don't have to downshift just to get a little acceleration. In OEM tune this is the car that taught me to downshift from 6th to 3rd gear to accelerate at highway speeds. I now downshift and rev the engine for fun rather than out of desparation. Were the mods worth what I paid for them? The OFT is definitely worth it and it is very easy to use. The header? That's a little harder to justify since it's an expensive piece and was an adventure to get installed. However, I am very happy with the result: my daily driver is still a daily driver, but much more fun to drive. The mods haven't turned the BRZ into an undriveable garage queen, mileage is still great, and it now accelerates much more confidently. You guys are right about having to go to the aftermarket to fix these cars' shortcomings.

[Howbee]

I bought a 2017 860 special edition and I have not looked back. Absolutely in love with it.

[ilcugginocanadese]

Nice informational video but that 124 should've been an Abarth to play against the other two sportscars. The regular 124 is of little interest if you're looking for performance unless you're willing to modify it quite a bit. You also omit to mention that the Abarth doesn't only come with the upgraded Abarth engine but also has Bilstein shocks, a limited slip differential, 18" wheels on Bridgestone Potenza tyres, a "sports" mode, and firmer suspension overall. Albeit more expensive I chose the Abarth for those reasons. It doesn't only look the part, it can play it.

[atascatorDAOC]

Welcome back boys.
Great video. This production value is GREAT.
It will be awesome to see a video with the same idea but seeking second hand cars 3 to 10 years old or so :)

[Ballacha]

i have no idea why Fiat didn't go to Alpha Romeo and demand the 1.7L from 4C and put it into the 124. it's a great car in a sense that it drives like an NC MX-5 with $5000 worth of sensible aftermarket modes on it done by someone who knows what they are doing. a slightly de-tuned 4C engine at roughly 150-160KW/300-320NM would be perfect for the chassis of 124.

[ToyotaLife]

Toyota GT86... the new Corolla AE86.

Gotta love it