the S looks better!


in all seriousness, i never really thought about buying a miata... they just seem to common to me (atleast here in SF)

 

Plus we all know the miata is a chic car anyways lol

JK for all you male miata owners. Seriously though that car was just way to small for me. I felt like it a civic hit me I'd get wiped out

 

Thanks for the reponses, I think I'm going to go with the S2000. It was more fun to drive and I don't think I'm going to have to modify it like I would with the Miata, plus my wife likes it better.

 

Thats the main thing.

That the wifey likes it.

That'll make your life a lot easier

 

The one thing you gotta also remember... with the s2k, bolt on mods will NOT get you any horsepower (intake, header, exhaust). Yeah, you can get a few if you really tune it, but the only way to get more power for a reasonable amount of money is to go FI.

 

I had a 2000 Miata then a 2002 Porsche Boxster and now a 2006 S2K. The comments about size are interesting to me. The S2K is much tighter inside than the Miata was. I think the only advantage the S2K has is in the length of the cabin. My 6'5" nephew couldn't fit well in any of my cars. Certainly the S2K does not feel any safer than a Miata. They are not that different in weight or other dimensions. The biggest difference for me is the solidity of the S2K. The Miata flexed quite a bit. The 2001 and after models are better as they beefed up the bracing. The engine is also quite a lot more powerful than the Miata - this only becomes apparent if you drive the S2K hard as down low the Miata feels pretty strong and the S2K is relatively weak until 6K or so. The transmission on a Miata is excellent(the 5-sp is widely accepted as better than the 6-sp in the 2000 Miata). I would recommend you drive a 2001 or 2002 Miata to compare as it will feel more similar to the S2k in handling(body structure). An FI upgrade on the Miata will make it act like a different car as well. I would not discount the Miata. Most people who criticize it have never driven one...

 

I don't own a Miata nor have I driven one for a long time. But I have to admit at one of them mazdaspeed test drives that the car is pretty dang fun to drive. I was very surprised. But that was on a big piece of land and a lot of turns. I don't know how much fun it would be in the city. I do like driving my s2000, even in the city.

 

Yea. I never understood why some people complained about how annoying it is to constantly have to shift in the S. I don't have to constantly shift even in heavy traffic and I'm a noob.

Hell in my AT Z I had to shift more than with the S

Miatas are fun cars but ultimately it comes down to whats more important money or fun/performance out of the box.

Also depends on if you actually plan to race or even drive hard. If its going to be your DD then just choose the one YOU like. Otherwise you have to consider modding the miata or just getting an S

 

Actually, our first gen Miata requires a lot more shifting than the S2000 (even though it's only got a five speed). You have to downshift more often; LOTS more often.

 

I came from a 97 miata before my S2000, but the S2000 is a beast compared to the Miata, like you said S2000 has over 100 more horses than the Miata, but the Miata's cabin is alittle bigger IMO (Correct me if i am wrong.) But if i were you, i would def. go with the S2000.