The consensus is that sports cars are incredibly expensive cars to buy. And you are pretty much correct if you think that. However, despite the somewhat high price tag of these cars, some are more affordable than others. Still expensive, but much more on a budget than some.

The Fast Lane Car has checked out two of those cars. Enter the new Toyota GR86 and the Mazda Miata MX-5, two sports cars on a budget. And they stack them up together for a bit of a drag race.

Getting Lined Up To Drag Race

The two drivers remark on the simplicity of the Miata and the GR86, which they both say makes the two cars more enjoyable than some of their counterparts, like the modern Porsche 911. The first drag race sees the Miata get the better launch off the line, which means it easily wins out in the first round. Looking at the GR86, we have the 2.4-liter Subaru flat-four engine, with 228 hp. This is the same engine that is in the Subaru BRZ. Under the hood of the Mazda is a Skyactiv 2.0-liter inline-four engine, and it makes 181 hp, so a bit less than the GR86. Both cars are six-speed manuals.

RELATED: Here's What We Now Know About The Toyota GR86

The Drag Racing Continues

Miata Vs GR86 Toyota Front Quarter View
via The Fast Lane Car YouTube Channel

After checking out the two cars, the drag races get underway once again. Both of them get a more equal start this time around, but this still leads to the Miata taking home a second win in a row. But they were very, very close, showing that despite the horsepower difference the two cars are quite equal. Next up, the two cars go for a lap, and the GR86 initially sets the pace with a 1:09.24 lap of the circuit during its test lap.

RELATED: Mazda Miata Hits The Quarter-Mile In Sub-9 Seconds

Getting Down To Business

Miata Vs GR86 Mazda Front Quarter View
via The Fast Lane Car YouTube Channel

With a proper lap, the Miata sets a time of 1.07.99. A pretty handy run. Next up then it is the GR86’s turn to go around and set a lap time. And it's an interesting result. The GR86 sets a lap time of 1:06.90, just over a second faster than the Miata. Some of that is no doubt down to the extra power, giving the GR86 some more grunt down the straight.

The two cars are then compared, with the Miata a little more playful in the corners, and the GR86 with its longer wheelbase perhaps inducing a bit more understeer. A fascinating test though with two very cool sports cars.

Source: The Fast Lane Car