I've had a 2001 S2k for 3 years now and enjoy it very much. But, I've also had 2 Miatas and have driven them over a total of 200k miles.

I love the S2k, more leg room, bigger trunk, auto top and yea, more power. But the Miatas were more fun to drive.

I could take the Miata up to red line most every time, if I did that w/the S2k, I'd lose my license! I found the Miatas were so prevelant, that I didn't feel they were a target in parking lots for thieves and vandals. I never worried about someone stealing my seats or antenna! I loved the light weight of the Miata, underpowered but tossable. With good tires and shocks, they handle exceptionally.

That said though, I'll probably not go back because of the comfort (re: leg room) in the S2k, more comfortable seats and somewhat bigger trunk. Both are great cars, both offer the top down feel that I love (this is my 4th convertable). But at times, I feel it's "work" to drive the S2k.

My 2 cents...

 

More forgiving ≠ more stable.

 

I would say the Miata is more fun, the S2000 is faster.

 

I have owned both and tracked and autocrossed many of both. To me the S2000 is a more serious sportscar with higher limits. That doesn't always make it more fun. IMO the Miata is a much better car to learn RWD sportscar driving in. It's more forgiving and in many cases more fun to drive. While I would prefer to have the S2K I would be happy to have a 1st gen Miata as well.

 

Owners of both ZO's and Mustang 350's could easily prefer driving the Mustang but I doubt that there wouldn't be a very deep appreciacion for the Corvette and if they were asked may even answer that the Corvette was their favorite. I've never driven a Miata but I have driven many of the earlier TR's and MGB's and find that these cars are as much fun to drive as the S2000's. More power and more speed are not necessarily defining factors when describing a pleasurable driving experience.

 

The Miata is probably more fun at lower speeds due to the lower weight and the fact that you reach the limits of the car earlier. To me, the increased limits of the S2000 are more fun to explore. But, unlike the Miata, the limits of the S2000 are rarely within the limits of the law.

Is fun per dollar on the cheap what you want? You can get a Miata quite a bit cheaper than an S2000. Perhaps you could find someone's old track Miata for a decent price. You can put the top down, oversteer with RWD, enjoy a nimble car, etc--you'll just have lower limits (stock) and a cheaper car, with all the associated advantages and disadvantages.

I don't have an Evo X laying around to satisfy thrills, so an S is a better choice for me. If I had an X, I'd probably opt for an old Miata to beat around--to get the nimble roadster fix--and spend the money I'd saved on something else like parts for the Evo.

 

I've owned a 1991 Miata (NA model) with good suspension and tires. Currently own an AP1 S2000 with decent suspension/tires.

They are both great cars. The miata is better for mere mortals as it's very controllable at limits with it's lower power and lesser grip.

I feel the S2000 is a car you grow into after learning to drive a miata. Similar to riding a 250cc bike and going into a 600cc bike.

If you asked me which I could drive faster on public roads twisties, i'd say miata b/c i feel more secure when it steps out (and i'm goign slower).

If you asked on the track, - i'd say S2000.

 

i'd get a NA or NB just to mess around with, but the problem is i can't fit in the car..

 

My dad has a new MX5 and I have an 01 AP1..... mine hands down in every way except convenience.

 

I had my choice of an '02 Miata with approximately 56,000 miles on it and an '00 S2000 with approximately 88,000 for very close to the same price. I bought the S2000 and have not once regretted my decision.

The Miata's a fun car in its own right, but to me it's just not in the same league as the S2K.