Miatas are fun...wicked fun.

Not as fun as an S2000 though...

 

The turbo miata has a lot of potential. It would not be a bad choice against the s2000. Find the cleanest one you can of either with good maint records and no evidence of being ragged at every chance.

 

S2000 would be my choice

But then treat it with a lot of respect. The car could do a lot of damage -- not only financially if you crash it, but along with other priceless things like human lives ...

If your parents are okay with it, go to AutoX and trash your car there, and you'll have lots of fun. Just don't do it on public roads. I still remember when I was 16, I would do stupid things on public roads. That was the dumbest idea ever. I was lucky because ... I was lucky and I was driving a FWD car (Prelude) that understeers more. That saved me from a lot of trouble.

Anyway, drive safely and control yourself. It's easy to get aggrevated and decide to go race on public roads ... just ... don't do it. When your friends are saying "oh why are you driving so slow in an S2000? You suck, and your car's slow, etc etc." Just leave them alone ... Check out this thread and you'll understand:

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=525156

Anyway, good luck!

 

I just traded my '04 Mazdaspeed (turbo charged) Miata for the S2K. It was a fabulous car, and I miss it. But the S2K is a whole lot more car than the MSM. Drive each one before you make your decision.

 

IMHO a Mazdaspeed Miata is overkill for a 16 year old who just got his lincense.

You'll have plenty of time to enjoy cars like the MSM and S2000 once you gain a bit more driving experience.

At least wait a year.

In the meantime get an RSX type S or a Celica GT-S. (hate the DBW on the Civic SI...)

 

sounding a bit too serious there... not like s2k and msm are gonna kill him if he knows he has self-control. cars don't kill ppl, ppl kill ppl. it's all about understanding the seriousness of driving a car and having a good self-control.

 

IMO, i think im a pretty good driver i know where to set MY limits. not the cars. if i want to find out where the cars limit is at, i would do it in a private place where i know i wouldnt injure anyone. my couins left me drive his supra on a daily basis to go to the gym to work out. i rarely hit 80. i respect other people around me, i dont want to put their lives at danger, especially my own.

 

Get whatever you are interested in the most. I have both cars and they are different cars in general. Because the miata a lot lighter but it also has less power. But I find the s2000 to have a better appeal but miata is cheaper to own.

 

at 16, depending upon actual experience, i would just drive a beater for a while and then upgrade to an s2000 or the MSM

 

if all things you said are true then ur set to get ur s2k.
forget other recommendations like "get some other car first and improve with it".