Umm, I may be biased, but a brand new 2012 mid trim level MX-5 (touring) has a higher base price than the FRS with a similar feature set. The top trim MX-5 tops 31K. Whatever the MX-5's advantages over the FRS/BRZ twins, it is not price.

The top of line standard convertible top Grand Touring is closer to $25 k but I guess your right mx5 is more of a premium high quality sports car compared to econobox FSR. Lol! However at dealer your going to get much better deal on MX5. They rarely sell for MSRP. Mine was $1500 under invoice. Fully loaded etc.

2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata Reviews, Pictures and Prices | U.S. News Best Cars

For me, if it came down to Miata vs. FRS/BRZ, it would be fun vs. practicality.

The Miata is more fun, because it's a drop top. The experience of performance driving is magnified with the top down. You're more in tune with the environment around you.

The FRS/BRZ is more practical because of its deeper boot and small back seat.

In all other facets, I find the cars practically identical. The FRS interior may be cheap, but it's well laid out, and I think the BRZ is a step up from it.

This is copied from the link you provided

Avg. Paid:$22,785 - $28,963
MSRP: $23,470 - $30,050
Invoice: $22,188 - $28,403
MPG: 21 City / 28 Hwy

MSRP -- 23.4k - 30k

So it goes from slightly cheaper than the FRS to more expensive than the BRZ.

Note I've never seen the inside of an FR-S, so it may be a pile of crap. I was just bringing attention to the fact that it is similar to the MX-5 in price not, in general, more expensive as Shamu stated

The FRS interior is almost exactly laid out the same as the BRZ, but imo, Subaru uses slightly higher quality materials.


And actually, I like the seats better in the twins than the Miata. Regardless of materials, they're better performance seats.

I actually liked the seats in the FRS better than the ones in my Nismo.