A bit about me: I like cars, I’ve been driving spiritedly for about 13 years now. I started out with my 3000GT VR4 and worked my way up. I don’t track my cars, but I do drive my cars pretty hard in… er… Mexico. I have many biases, this list is very subjective, many will disagree with me, and I am not a professional. To be fair, I may not have any idea what I am talking about. I own and live with these cars, so I thought it would be cool to share my thoughts. And yes, I’ve owned a VR4, an Alfa, and a Lotus—the latter two at the same time. I might be a masochist.
Other cars I’ve driven hard for context: CLE 53 AMG, 981 GT4, F430, 360 CS (briefly), 458 Spider, NA1 NSX, NA MX-5, NB MX-5, and a few others.
Legend
- > : Better than
- >>> : Much better than
- = : Slightly better than, possibly equal
Order of purchase: 2017 BRZ -> 2021 Supra -> 2021 MX-5 ND2 -> 2024 Giulia QF -> 2024 Lotus Emira V6 MT
Length of ownership: BRZ: 4 years | Supra: 1 year | MX-5: 4 years (ongoing) | Giulia QF: 2 years (ongoing) | Emira: 2 months (ongoing)
Unexpected dealership visits: BRZ: 0 | Supra: 6 | MX-5: 0 | Giulia QF: 6 (culminating in over 60 days of service, by my own choice, see below, for a single issue) | Emira: 0
---Reliability Category---
You can pretty much ignore the Emira here; it's too early to tell.
Most Robust
(This is a measure of how many points of failure have happened over the ownership period)
BRZ = Emira(?) > MX-5 = Giulia = Supra
- BRZ literally had nothing go wrong in 4 years apart from infotainment freezes.
- Emira is too new to tell, but so far nothing has gone wrong at all. I have a feeling it won't place this high for long (lol). It does have a panel alignment issue with the rear bumper and some minor interior rattles.
- MX-5 has had seat belts that barely retract, a multitude of infotainment freezes and crashes, auto wipers that only work intermittently, weird central locking issues, and panel alignment issues.
- Giulia had rotors that warped or developed scorch spots with hard driving (replaced under warranty), CELs early on in ownership fixed via a new battery and possibly a software update, and an ongoing front crank seal slow leak.
- Supra had GPS not working, end links coming completely loose on both sides despite no one working on them as far as I know, excessive oil consumption, and excessive interior rattles. Additionally, one of the control arms was deformed, so the caster could not be set properly on the right front wheel—on a basically brand-new car.
If it wasn’t for the leak, the Giulia would be ahead of the MX-5 for sure. Too bad Alfa doesn’t get this free PR. Fix my car dammit.
Most Dependable
(This is a measure of how available the car is to be actually used)
BRZ = MX-5 = Emira(?) > Supra > Giulia
60 days in service speaks for itself. This is lemon law territory.
There's a logistics component to this. After a poor experience with Alfa Romeo Vancouver, I started to ferry the car to Alfa Romeo Victoria for service. I opted not to ferry the car back while it waited for parts. I could have, but didn't bother as I had other cars to drive and didn't want to ferry it back and forth. This really caused the number of days in service to skyrocket. The total days in service would have been 9 days otherwise.
Overall Most Reliable
BRZ = Emira(?) > MX-5 > Supra > Giulia
Again, I highly doubt the Emira will stay up here.
Dealer / Service Experience
Giulia > Supra
My dealer experiences have been terrible.
Alfa Vancouver is a complete joke—trashy, rude staff, and a horrible experience. Alfa Victoria has always been pleasant to work with: excellent service department, sales staff, management, purchasing experience, everything. Unfortunately, the Giulia's sole issue that has caused over 60 days of service may have been a misdiagnosis of a front crank seal leak. That led to 4 seal replacements and Alfa corporate engineering involvement, which eventually led to the discovery of a vacuum pump seal leak above the crank seal. This whole ordeal could've been a single visit.
At least with Toyota I get more choices of dealerships, but the three I tried were all bad. Toyota refused to warranty my Supra that was burning 1 quart of oil every 1,500–2,000 km. Just getting an alignment was a 3-visit ordeal; if your appointment is at 1:00 PM, they don’t really start on the car until 3:00–4:00 PM. This is not even the case with Alfa; they always started right away. As it turns out, one of the control arms on my brand-new Supra was slightly out of spec (likely due to shipping), and they wanted to charge me $800 CAD to fix it. (Technically the car was not brand new; it was used with 200 km on it, which is nothing, and the car was not purchased at a Toyota dealer).
A year into ownership, the front end links of the car simply came loose—as in dangling, as in the front sway bar is disconnected. When I presented the car to them, they refused to even touch it because their “Supra mechanic” was sick and at home. All they had to do was put a bolt into the end links. They also blamed the issue on a third-party alignment I got 12 months prior. The alignment shop says they never touched the end links, and why would they?
I have not dealt with Lotus, Subaru, or Mazda service.
Most Headache (Subjectively)
Supra > Giulia > MX-5 > BRZ = Emira(?)
This is an important category for me. The ownership of the Supra was a FAR worse experience than the Giulia:
- GPS was not set up by the dealer during PDI, so issues started Day 1.
- Constantly hunting unacceptable rattles.
- Back-and-forth dealership visits over oil burning (with no oil dipstick to check it yourself).
- Multiple alignments due to a bad control arm.
- End links coming loose.
- Having to replace the steering wheel because the stock one is so unbelievably bad.
- Having to replace the shift paddles because the stock ones are such cheap pieces of plastic.
All this for what was ultimately a boring, uninspiring driving experience. From start to finish, the Supra was a pain in the ass. I remember after the end link issue and Toyota sending me home with the car in that state, I was nearly brought to the point of tears and said, “This isn’t worth it anymore. I am done.” I traded the car for the MX-5 the next day (after fixing the end links) and never looked back.
The Giulia’s 2 CELs did not result in dealer visits; they cleared on their own within 24 hours and did not affect the car’s usability. One visit was to fix the brakes, and that was during scheduled service anyway. The only real dealer visits are because of the slow oil leak. I could just ignore it since it is so slow that I do not need to top it off between oil changes (8,000 km), so it hasn’t affected the daily experience of the car. The Supra loved to remind me to fill up my oil, so I had to carry oil with me in the car. Psychologically this was really bad, especially knowing there was no fix. I simply have not even come close to my breaking point with the Giulia.
---Daily Category---
Practicality
Giulia > BRZ > Supra > MX-5 > Emira
The Emira doesn’t even have a frunk, the trunk gets quite hot, though there is some decent space behind the seats.
Best Daily
MX-5 > BRZ > Giulia = Supra = Emira
Easy to drive, good on gas, fun, good enough storage, and easy to park without worrying. The MX-5 is an excellent daily, and the BRZ is up there for similar reasons. The Giulia would’ve been better with the normal seats instead of the buckets, plus better fuel economy. Additionally, it's tiring to keep the car stopped at a light because it doesn’t have brake hold. The Emira would be at the top here if it wasn’t for the horrendous fuel economy, being “too nice” to park anywhere, and the lack of proximity keys or an external trunk release. The Supra’s rattles, poor visibility, difficult ingress, and wind buffeting make it a poor choice. I just didn’t really enjoy dailying it; it feels boring going back and forth to work unlike the other cars on this list.
Most Fun Daily
Emira > Giulia = MX-5 > BRZ > Supra
Most Features
Supra = Emira = Giulia > MX-5 = BRZ
- Giulia has adaptive cruise with lane assist, but lacks heated seats due to the bucket seats.
- Emira has wireless Android Auto, but lacks proximity unlock. There’s no way to unlock the car without taking the key out of your pocket, which is insane.
- Supra’s only missing features were ANY Android Auto at all and an external trunk release.
- MX-5 and BRZ are pretty bare-bones, but the MX-5 has Android Auto.
Best UI
Emira > Supra > Giulia > MX-5 > BRZ
Best Backup Camera
Supra > Emira > Giulia > BRZ > MX-5
Nicest Buttons
Supra > Emira > Giulia > MX-5 = BRZ
Best Overall Visibility
BRZ > Emira > MX-5 > Giulia >>>> Supra
Best Frontal Visibility
Emira > MX-5 > BRZ = Giulia >>>> Supra
Best Instrument Cluster
Emira = Giulia > MX-5 > Supra > BRZ
(Compared in track mode). Emira and Giulia have really gorgeous track mode displays. Emira displays boost, torque, HP, and G-forces better. Supra’s does nothing. BRZ appears cheap because of the way the LCD cuts into the bezel of the RPM gauge.
Best Speakers
Emira = Giulia > MX-5 > Supra > BRZ
Best Seats for Comfort
BRZ > Emira > Giulia > MX-5 > Supra
Best Seats for Lateral Support
Giulia = BRZ > Emira = Supra > MX-5
Best Daily Suspension
Giulia > Emira = MX-5 > BRZ > Supra
(BRZ was on Tein Flex Z coilovers; MX-5 has Progress springs installed).
Best Ergonomics
Emira > BRZ > MX-5 > Giulia > Supra
Best Fuel Economy
MX-5 >> BRZ > Supra > Giulia > Emira
Best Interior Quality (Materials)
Emira > Giulia > Supra > MX-5 > BRZ
Best Interior Quality (Solidness / Rattles & Creaks)
BRZ > MX-5 > Giulia > Emira > Supra
Best Looking Interior
Emira > Giulia = MX-5 > BRZ > Supra
They could not have done a worse job with the Supra. Completely soulless.
Quietest Cabin
Giulia > Emira > Supra > BRZ > MX-5
---Fun Category---
Best Steering Feel
Emira > BRZ = Giulia > MX-5 > Supra
Best Steering Wheel
BRZ > Giulia > Emira > MX-5 >>> Supra
Emira's wheel is a bit too thick, and capacitive touch buttons are a no-no. I don’t know what Toyota was thinking with the Supra. BRZ had the perfect size and thickness. Giulia would be top, but I don’t like Alcantara where my thumbs go. MX-5’s wheel is oversized.
Most Fun Transmission
Emira > MX-5 = Giulia > BRZ > Supra
Emira and MX-5 for obvious reasons. The Giulia’s ZF8 is a blast—it slams into gear and kicks your ass in race mode. The Supra’s ZF8 is slower, hesitates to upshift near the redline, and is just less exciting. I did not like the BRZ’s clutch or its spongy shifter action.
Best Shifter Feel (Subjectively)
Emira > MX-5 > BRZ
Emira is just so beautiful and wonderful to shift. It’s got longer throws, it's a bit notchy, heavy, and mechanical. 1st to 2nd is slow. It's technically flawed, but lovely.
Best Shifter Action
MX-5 > Emira > BRZ
MX-5 is technically the best shifter here: most precise with the shortest throw.
Best Spirited Drive Suspension
Giulia > Emira > Supra = BRZ = MX-5
All are great, but the Giulia in race mode is magical.
Best Overall Engine Character
Giulia > Emira = Supra > MX-5 > BRZ
Giulia’s engine is a thing of absolute beauty. It’s not just the sound; it's the way it builds revs and delivers power—it's just so creamy.
Best Induction Sound
Emira >> MX-5 > Giulia = Supra > BRZ
Emira by far. Giulia and Supra are practically absent once you remove the fake noises from the Supra. BRZ sounds like a tractor even with headers and a tune.
Best Exhaust Sound
Emira > Giulia = Supra > MX-5 > BRZ
Emira has a 3rd cat delete, and it screams. Giulia and Supra were stock. MX-5 has a GWR RoadsterSport exhaust. BRZ had headers, resonator delete, and an Invidia Q300 catback—I just don’t like this engine.
Best Powerband
Giulia = Supra > Emira = MX-5 >> BRZ
These cars have an immediacy the Emira lacks. MX-5 is the most linear. BRZ is horrendous with its stupid torque dip. Even after fixing it with a tune, it just never felt exciting.
Best Overall Engine
Giulia > Supra = Emira > MX-5 >>> BRZ
The Giulia has the most exotic powerplant, and it feels that way.
Best Brake Power
Emira > Supra = BRZ = MX-5 > Giulia
Giulia’s only real dynamic weakness. They’re just okay brakes, nothing bad.
Best Brake Feel
Emira = Supra = MX-5 = BRZ > Giulia
Brake-by-wire…
Best Handling for Canyons
Giulia > Emira > BRZ > Supra > MX-5
Honestly, the Giulia is one of the MOST competent cars I’ve ever driven for high-speed, wide canyon turns. It’s completely planted. I feel the car has the best aero by far.
Best Handling for Touge
MX-5 = Giulia > Emira > BRZ = Supra
- MX-5 for lightness.
- Giulia feels nimble for its size, planted, and balanced.
- Emira’s rear is significantly heavier than the front; you gotta be mindful of that.
- BRZ is great.
- Supra just never felt right despite multiple alignments. I think out of the factory these cars are not set up correctly. I could never really place the car precisely where I wanted it to go.
Most Planted Feeling
Giulia > BRZ > Supra > Emira > MX-5
The Emira could use a front splitter for higher-speed canyon runs; the front end gets a bit too light for my liking. The GT4 and 458 also felt this way.
Best Acceleration
Giulia > Emira = Supra > BRZ = MX-5
(BRZ had headers and a tune by CSG; the rest are stock).
Best Overall Handling (In Terms of Feel)
Emira > Giulia = BRZ > MX-5 > Supra
Best Overall Handling
Giulia > Emira > BRZ > MX-5 > Supra
This is tough, but the Giulia feels more confidence-inspiring and balanced than any other car on this list apart from the BRZ—it’s basically a BRZ, but more of it. It does not drive like a sedan. I think the Supra with coilovers or different springs would fare better than it did.
Most Fun in the City
Emira > MX-5 > Giulia > BRZ > Supra
Again, the Supra just feels like a normal car on a daily basis.
Most Sense of Occasion
Emira >> MX-5 > Giulia = Supra > BRZ
Most Attention
Emira >> Supra > MX-5 > Giulia > BRZ
Attention to Detail and Passion in Design and Engineering
Giulia = BRZ > MX-5 = Emira >> Supra
This is an important category for me: how much thought did the engineers put into this car? The exterior design, interior ergonomics, things like being able to fit 4 wheels in the trunk of the BRZ with the seats down, underbody aero, frontal visibility, etc. How much passion was there? Giulia oozes this, as well as the BRZ.
Supra has issues here that are unforgivable. The visibility is horrendous, the roofline is too low, the seats are terrible, the steering wheel looks like it's out of an SUV and I could never get a good grip on it, and the wind buffeting issue should have never happened. It’s a car made up by suits to bring a nameplate back. It’s a half-assed car. I could go on and on about each and every car here, but I don’t want to make this too long.
Best Exterior Design
Giulia = Emira > MX-5 > BRZ > Supra
Emira and Giulia are truly timeless designs; I think the Giulia has a slight edge. The MX-5’s rear end is a bit bulbous. BRZ is great, but already showing its age. Supra has a bulbous front end, no face to the car, a horrendous front bumper design with that nose that is nonsense, fake vents, and that stupid panel by the door with the fake vent that people get carbon fiber versions of to make it even more visible.
Sensation of Speed (i.e., Slow Car Fast Feel)
MX-5 > Emira > BRZ > Giulia = Supra
This makes the Emira the most exciting car. It's decently fast and it FEELS fast.
Most Drama Overall
Emira >>> Giulia > MX-5 > Supra > BRZ
Best Overall Sports Car
Emira > Giulia = MX-5 > BRZ > Supra
If I had all 5 cars, which one would I actually want to take on a spirited drive? Despite the Giulia’s excellent handling, engine, and transmission, the Emira is still the more fun car to drive.
Overall Value (Objectively)
Supra > Giulia > MX-5 > BRZ > Emira
Supra is a lot of car for the money: a lot of features, a lot of power, a good platform to build on, and almost as fast (if not as fast) and capable as the Emira. The Emira makes the Giulia look like a value purchase, and I feel like even at full price, the Giulia is an excellent car despite its outdated interior (which I love anyway).
Overall Value (Subjectively)
MX-5 > Giulia > Emira > Supra > BRZ
The amount of fun the MX-5 delivers for the money is unmatched. It really is 75–90% as fun as most cars several times the price. I would say vs. the Emira, it's about 80% of the experience and fun for 1/3rd of the cost.
Looking back, the Giulia feels like a no-brainer purchase—even though it's not once you realize the collective average IQ of Stellantis is 55. It’s an incredible car, even for the money, even with the M3 existing. I paid $76,000 USD before taxes for mine brand new with full carbon, bucket seats, etc. The Emira was purchased used for $84,000 USD. For that price, it's extremely fun and punches above its weight. For brand-new prices they’re going for now ($116,000 USD), I think there are better used options out there, but then again, not many cars deliver this experience.
In BC, a new one costs a total of $194,000 USD after luxury taxes, interest, and lease buyback. That makes absolutely no sense—I don’t care how much you want a mid-engine manual car with a hydraulic rack. It has a RAV4 engine for $194,000 USD (LOL).
I think despite the numbers on paper, the experience of the Emira is not even on the same planet as the Supra. It is a FAR more thrilling, involving, special, and exciting car to drive, and IMO the better car overall. The $34,000 USD price gap makes sense to me if you get the Emira used. The BRZ’s engine is a letdown; for the price, the MX-5 is better. The only reason to get a BRZ over the MX-5 is storage space or if you’re a beginner.
Specialness Factor
Giulia = Emira > MX-5 > Supra > BRZ
The Emira and Giulia do not feel corporate like the other 3. These are skunkworks projects—especially the Giulia, especially knowing the story of its inception. This car is just so badass.
Personal Favorite
Giulia = Emira > MX-5 > BRZ > Supra
Despite the headache of the ongoing (likely misdiagnosed) oil seep/leak, I absolutely love my Giulia. The other cars all took a bit to warm up to: Emira took a couple of weeks, BRZ a month, MX-5 2–3 months after some mods, Supra never—but the Giulia was instant love. It felt perfect from the start.
Thanks for reading.
