Road and track mx5 vs s2000
09-08-2016, 02:19 PM
#41
I think this explains what the two of you are getting at.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cult...orrect-answer/
http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cult...orrect-answer/
09-09-2016, 04:00 AM
#42
Join Date: Sep 2005
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A long time ago, someone on the Miata forum called the S2000 a "weaponized Miata." I think that phrase is fantastic and perfectly apt.
I am also perfectly willing to believe the ND engine is "better" and more tractable and torqueier at low revs, etc. but does it fling itself to 9 grand in one exhilarating orgasmic scream and allow me to play F1 driver on my way to work every day? No. It does not. I don't want "better" I want fun and character and fantasy. And for that my F20C delivers.
I am also perfectly willing to believe the ND engine is "better" and more tractable and torqueier at low revs, etc. but does it fling itself to 9 grand in one exhilarating orgasmic scream and allow me to play F1 driver on my way to work every day? No. It does not. I don't want "better" I want fun and character and fantasy. And for that my F20C delivers.
09-09-2016, 07:03 AM
#43
I can't answer for ATNCHN but go drive your S2000 (assuming stock) to the Mazda dealership and drive both it and the ND back to back. If you take looks, personal bias and money out of the equation and go simply by performance and driving feel I just can't envision many would choose the S2000. The torque curve of the FXXC has always been abysmal and coupled with the extra 500+ lbs the S2000 is carrying around it magnifies that issue terribly. Sure the Skyactiv motor doesn't rev to 8.5-9K RPM and yes that will always be an extremely neat feature and aspect of the F motor, but like ATNCHN said...in 95% of real world driving conditions the ND is the superior car. Lighter weight, wayyyyy better gas mileage (many seeing 40+ highway), vastly more torque for slicing through traffic, night and day better soft top, etc. all add up.
The weight is really the deciding factor though. With the S2000 I can mitigate the effects of the torque curve by changing the gear set. Unfortunately there is no realistic way of shedding 500 lbs off the car.
The weight is really the deciding factor though. With the S2000 I can mitigate the effects of the torque curve by changing the gear set. Unfortunately there is no realistic way of shedding 500 lbs off the car.
When driven hard the S2000 is more satisfying. That said oversteer with the Miata is more manageable and gradual, and it's a joy to toss around in the rain.
09-09-2016, 07:07 AM
#44
I don't understand why we can't just be ecstatic that both cars exist.
The S2000 is a fantastic car.
The ND is a fantastic car.
They're very different things, but both truly incredible accomplishments by Honda & Mazda.
The S2000 is a fantastic car.
The ND is a fantastic car.
They're very different things, but both truly incredible accomplishments by Honda & Mazda.
09-09-2016, 07:10 AM
#45
Ego, pride, fear of inferiority, bias. You name it, it likely factors in.
09-09-2016, 08:36 AM
#46
They haven't made a true VTEC screamer (8k+ rpm) since the K20 in 2011 so I dunno. I guess the K24 Civic Si had a VTEC "changeover"... haven't driven one but I doubt it's the same on/off type of thing that the F20/22 has.
09-09-2016, 09:11 AM
#47
Registered User
I must agree with TsukubaCody though. Both really are fantastic cars and it all comes down to preference.
09-09-2016, 10:02 AM
#48
I drove the ND. It doesn't feel like it has more torque than my S2K. The interior does feel cheap because it tries to look nicer, but with cheap materials. That makes it feel even more cheap. The car feels bigger than the S2K from the inside. A bit roomier. It drives nice though. I would never buy one over an S2K though. Just like I would never buy an FRS or BRZ over an S2K.
09-12-2016, 08:59 AM
#49
I just drove an ND this weekend, it was what I thought it would be, very good.
The transmission/clutch felt lovely, the steering was direct (though too light) and it generally felt like a fun car. It even sounds quite nice from idle to 3500ish RPM.
HOWEVER, the engine is just not special enough to push me into one & out of my AP1. I actually bounced limiter pretty hard as a result of not even hearing the engine pull toward redline. It is quick, it just doesn't have a sense of drama.
I love the seats though, so comfy.
The transmission/clutch felt lovely, the steering was direct (though too light) and it generally felt like a fun car. It even sounds quite nice from idle to 3500ish RPM.
HOWEVER, the engine is just not special enough to push me into one & out of my AP1. I actually bounced limiter pretty hard as a result of not even hearing the engine pull toward redline. It is quick, it just doesn't have a sense of drama.
I love the seats though, so comfy.
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