[Stewie]

Engineering Explained posted this comparison of the Subaru BRZ, Honda S2000, Mazda MX-5, and the Fiat 124 Spider (of course).

As usual per Engineering Explained's videos, it's chock full of detailed specifications and technical information if you happen to care. Comparing lbs per hp, mph per gear, fuel econ, etc.

 

[RBH58]

Interesting...but he needed to put a manual Abarth 124 up against the others. An Auto Fiat 124 is not really chasing the same punter.

 

[pikeman]

This comparison isn't very relevant to people interested in roadsters and cars you can still buy. And the decision is likely way more than a numbers game!

 

[RBH58]

This comparison isn't very relevant to people interested in roadsters and cars you can still buy. And the decision is likely way more than a numbers game!

Despite the flood of numbers, I think his final decision was based on what the car was actually like to drive. Putting the auto Fiat 124 up against that lot and comparing them in "canyon conditions", I think it was destined for the wooden spoon. Doesn't mean it's the worst car...it's just not the one that's going to triumph in that environment.

 

[Hound]

Nothing against auto tranny's, they are great if that is how you want to drive. That said, the manual in the 124 turns this into a totally different car. I personally was not going to buy one when all I could test drive were auto's. They just did not do it for me. Five minutes after trying on a manual, I was sold. Thus the Abarth sitting in the garage. I really like the technical discussion of this video but it was like comparing three different sodas and one juice. They are all sweet drinks but the similarities start ending there. That's a real shame, otherwise would have put much more credence into what he was saying.

I would also say testing roadsters with snow on the ground was another questionable point to this review.

 

[reece146]

I was in lurk mode but I gotta comment on his S2000 remarks.

There is nothing wrong with the brakes on the S2000. Totally confidence inspiring, works on track all day long as long as the car is not boosted or stroked out and the limits of the car moved much beyond the factory package. I've been at events on airstrips where braking down from 140+ km/h was no big deal with full ABS to make the next apex. And in the rain as well.

Also, his mpg numbers are lacking for the S2000. When I used to drive mine to other places for autocross events I'd easily get high 20s on the highway, probably even more if I was paying more attention.

Video strikes me as another youtube kid that needs to get some competition time under his belt to really compare the cars. Throwing numbers at the wall doesn't really mean much in the real world. The numbers mean nothing without knowing the area under the torque curves.

Back to lurking and waiting for a 124 coupe.

 

[RBH58]

Throwing numbers at the wall doesn't really mean much in the real world. The numbers mean nothing without knowing the area under the torque curves.

Certainly don't always equate to how a car feels that's for sure. And despite all of his numbers, the car he liked the most was the Mazda.

 

[RBH58]

I would also say testing roadsters with snow on the ground was another questionable point to this review.

Must admit, that also occurred to me.

 

[Stewie]

I was in lurk mode but I gotta comment on his S2000 remarks.

There is nothing wrong with the brakes on the S2000. Totally confidence inspiring, works on track all day long as long as the car is not boosted or stroked out and the limits of the car moved much beyond the factory package. I've been at events on airstrips where braking down from 140+ km/h was no big deal with full ABS to make the next apex. And in the rain as well.

Also, his mpg numbers are lacking for the S2000. When I used to drive mine to other places for autocross events I'd easily get high 20s on the highway, probably even more if I was paying more attention.

Video strikes me as another youtube kid that needs to get some competition time under his belt to really compare the cars. Throwing numbers at the wall doesn't really mean much in the real world. The numbers mean nothing without knowing the area under the torque curves.

Back to lurking and waiting for a 124 coupe.

You can always tell the difference when you have these reviewers that spend 2 hours seat time and know the brochure of a vehicle compared to an actual owner who knows the vehicle in and out. Thanks for giving us your input as an owner ! Far more valuable than any video done by a reviewer.

 

[GarchingS54]

The S2000 was the own car of the reviewer and as an ex S2000 owner i can confirm: the brakes are not really good.
The Breakes on the MX5 and 124Spider also starts fading if you drive hard (even the Brembos) or on a hot summer day and you are driving down a mountain pass.

btw. numbers lie less then human subjectivity.

 

[iamz]

.....btw. numbers lie less then human subjectivity.

Excellent quote.

 

[frankmar]

When I see these comparison reviews, These guy tend to always choose the 124 Classica or Lusso and compare it to an X5 GT. Seldom to an ABARTH

Shows how bias they are.

I

 

[RBH58]

Excellent quote.

Maybe, but with cars I'm less impressed by numbers than I am by the driving experience. If you gave me the choice of an Audi RS3, Mercedes A45 or a BMW M2 (all considered rivals) I'd pick the M2 every time (the other two are hotted up shopping trolleys). But just about every number you look at places the other two ahead.

 

[iamz]

Maybe, but with cars I'm less impressed by numbers than I am by the driving experience. If you gave me the choice of an Audi RS3, Mercedes A45 or a BMW M2 (all considered rivals) I'd pick the M2 every time (the other two are hotted up shopping trolleys). But just about every number you look at places the other two ahead.

Oh, I entirely agree that anything subjective should be left to one's own impressions. Not discounting that at all. I read his quote as simply knowing enough to discount all the "subjective" things that reviewers add. In other words, any comment that can't be demonstrated through measurement (numbers) - toss it out.

 

[Maggiemae]

Disagree the brakes on the S2000 are fine, I have tracked mine a lot and there has never been any issues and only had to replace the pads once in 95,000kms. Since we own three out of the four 124/BRZ/S2000 time will tell how they all compare.