Bullwings

Nope. Absolutely zero sense...

I'm not dumping $100K+ into a bespoke one-off-all-custom-parts S2000 (or miata) build and neither is anyone else posting in this thread - yourself included. People buy real super cars at that point, like a GT3, Z06, ACR, McClaren, etc with far more capable chassis... Oh by the way, you can still drive them on the street. At this point it's stupid dick swinging over something that out of all of our reach with the exception of Robert Thorne. Even CKit abandoned his S2k after $80K+ in modifications and just picked up a far more reliable and capable out of the box 997 GT3. The point of this thread has gone beyond anything rational at this point. There's paper racing and then there's grabbing someone else's dick and swinging it like it's your own...

I'm done here. This is not a discussion based on logic or reason. I feel stupid for trying to treat it like it was...

s2000Junky

There is something extremly satisfying about competing with cars at that caliber, being the "underdog". Relate?
Ok, well thanks for your participation?

I'm going to go back to helping people fix and build their s2k's and you guys can continue to jerk each other off on your new practical miatas.

TheDonEffect

So... you like underdogs but belittle the miata...

You say it's slow, then confronted with facts that is essentially on par with the s2k, you then point to a one off build, then confronted with other like builds, then resort to well its just your preference. Shocker.

Something all enthusiasts need to do is busy learn to appreciate all cars because guess what, there's always a "better" car out there, especially if you're crusading a near 20 year old 4 cylinder roadster.

BillNeale

I really like the looks of the new Miata. Glad to hear they are working on the power plant. It give me hope that there is life after my S2000 gives up the ghost! I know it will some day, I just hope it lasts as long as I do!

My take on this Miata-S2000 discussion is that they are really close in performance now, in stock form. On the other hand, if you can put a moderate amount of money into improving both cars, you will get more bang for your buck putting it into the S2000. The engine seems to have more designed-in capacity for additional horsepower with small additions. The suspension seems to be more tune-able (judging from very little hands on with the Miata). Being somewhat rare, the S2000 can also attract more attention. The Mazda has better interior amenities, hands down.

I will add this... Nothing beats seeing some mustang guy all a mess because he thinks some Miata beat him, when It was just me and my S. "I didn't know them Miatas was that fast!". I didn't correct him. I just smiled.

darcyw

savagegeese did a great review of the new 2019 Miata up here in canadaland with the straight pipes. He owns an s2000. Watch his video- I think its quite telling.

I'd seriously consider the 2019 new engine Miata if I cared about a warranty- which I don't. So, for my money, I'd just buy another low mileage s2000 and save the coin for tires and maintenance.
darcy

ssbfgc

vader1

512S2k

So, if people leave thes2k platform prices may soften but for how long? Any one look at E30 M3 or maybe a air cooled 911?
Tech advances all the time and yeah that's great for some but there are so many enthusiasts that love the basic high revving concept of the s2k.

I know it's silly but I see miatas everwhere along with mustangs and other reasonably fast modern cars. I hardly ever see s2k on the road. For the price, performance and package the S did it for me and I looked long and hard at many other platforms. Almost bought a cayman s.

Again in the Miata is great but it doesn't sing to my soul. And for me the fact that anyone can pull up to a dealer and get one new kinda makes it seem lamer.
To each their own and kudos to Mazda for finally giving it a little balls.

ps I drove a Mazda speed Miata with a "big enchilada" recently, that little dude was fast and handled on rails. But the S was way more solid and dialed in even the RF felt more toy like and civic-esque in quality vs the 10yr old s2k I own....

TheDonEffect

Well the air cooled Porsches somewhat recently started spiking in price, largely due to companies like Singer buying them up to restore and resell, so what was once junk 911s are now valuable. Same thing happened with 67-68 fastback mustangs that are now being bought up for Eleanor repros.

Another thing to consider when it comes to resale values is the cost to maintain/restore a car. So take the E30 M3, to keep that car in car show form and tip top mechanically requires some serious money over the years, it's not uncommon that a $40K E30 M3 will have a stack of receipts within the last 10 years equally to half of that cost. The S2000 at some point will reach its half life where even well looked after examples will need to repainted, restored, rebuilt, etc. Fortunately, modern cars are generally built better and Hondas are well known for their build quality (but somewhat subpar paint) so that half life should take a bit longer. But we are starting to see it, finding a clean, clean titled, truly bone stock car with all the original vin stickers, with good paint and clear headlights, good rubber seals, tight suspension, smooth transmission, etc are harder and harder to come by. How many AP1s now have a hard time getting into first when its cold, or has excessive valve train noise, etc.

It is cool to keep a car running, restoring it, etc etc, but talk to most shop owners who restore cars for a living, ask them which car in their stable they enjoy the most, most of them will point to the most modern thing they got.

jeffreygebhart

I would absolutely consider one of the new Miatas. Unlike a lot of guys on this forum, I'm not a track rat and I don't routinely take my car up to redline. I bought it because I liked the handling and the top-down experience. But I see a lot to like in the Miata. I realize it's heavy but I like the retractable hardtop on the RF. How many people on this forum are always talking about how they wish they could buy an affordable hardtop for their S2000? And the Miata hasn't become the bestseller that it is by being a lousy car. Sure, the S2000 may have the edge in the powertrain, chassis, etc., but it was Honda who abandoned this market segment. And have you stopped by a Honda dealer lately and looked at the new cars they're selling? Honda/Acura engineering is great but their marketing (e.g. the appearance of the Civic R...the Acura RLX, TLX and ILX (whatever happened to the Integra/RSX?)...etc, etc.) is, with the exception of the NSX, absolutely hideous (unless you want an SUV). If you're looking to purchase a new roadster, what else is there?