Hi, I currently drive a 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata NC... Basically, the more recent Miata with a little more power than the older ones. I like it. However, lately I've been curious about S2K's...

So, I drove one the other day... But being a test drive, with a 300 pound salesman in the passenger's seat, what I got back from the drive was quite limited... This is what I noticed:

1. The stock suspension in the S2K is better and stiffer. But that's something the MX5 can have with some aftermarket coilovers and sways.

2. The interior is better quality than the Miata and it looks really good inside. I really like the door cards. The steering wheel is nice, but I light the Miata's better. I don't like the gauge cluster in the S2K - At least not the first impression.

3. My MX5's engine sounds better I feel, smoother. However, the much prefer the feel and sound of the clutch, transmission and shifter in the S2K than the Miata.

4. The seats in the s2K are much better than those in the Miata, although I quite like the Miata's seats.

5. The S2k has more power than my NC, but it wasn't something of night and day. That said, the most I revved the S2K was 5,000 RPM... So I'm comparing 5,000RPM in the S2K to 5,000 RPM in the Miata.

6. While I like the S2K, I've heard a lot of people say the NC handles better in the corners than the S2K... I also like that a Miata NC is a bit more rare on the road than the S2K's.

While I like the car, I'm not sure it's worth the change from NC to S2K...

Now, what can you guys tell me? Please don't tell me about how Miatas are uncool and that they are girlie and what not. I'm well aware of the stigma... Please. talk to me about the facts and things I may not know when comparing the 2 cars.

Thanks.

 

The S2K needs to be taken much closer to redline in order to do a fair comparison of power. Gotta get 6K+ to engage VTEC.

 

i have a NA mx5 and i drive a NB alot too but i can imagine that the NC is a little better but..

only revving the s2000 to 5k is like bringing a drunk, hot girl home with you and just giving her a cuddle and going to sleep..

but seriously you should try again and give it more revs..

also, i find the mx5s are a little more tail happy than the s2000 (neither of mine have traction control)

 

This. At 5k the s2000 is making about as much power as a Corolla. You really need to go up to 6k+ rpm and it will be night and day.

I drove a 2nd gen Miata and I liked the shifter more than my s2000. Can't say I've driven a newer MX5, but I loved the one I drove. However, in my opinion the S is better in almost every way. But like I said I'm comparing to the 2nd gen, so I can't speak for the NC although I imagine it is similar.

I'm sure you'll be happy whether you decide to keep your MX5 or pick up an s2k. Both are fantastic cars.

 

Let me introduce myself by saying I owned an NB and drove more then one NA and NC in different engine configuration and for more then just a spin around the block.

1,2,3 and 4, no comments

5: Exactly what rhysmate wrote about the drunk girl. 5K is roughly 150 bhp on an S2000 engine. Fun begins at 6000, if you didn't get there, you did not really test the car.

6: Handling: I miss the lightness of my MX-5 which I could really throw into corners without really thinking about mass transfer. But I hated the lack of power when the road was getting straight. In the twisties, S2000 vs MX-5 is a driver competition, but if there are some straights, the S2000 will show its bigger muscles.

Best of both worlds: Put a compressor on your MX-5 />

 

My wife drives a 2011 MX5 hardtop convertible, automatic though. I have driven both and still think the S is better in all regards except maybe the interior. The MX5 has a bit more room and doesn't make you feel as 'cramped' as the S does. But the S sounds better, looks better (opinion of course), drives better and is more fun to drive. The MX5 is almost too easy to drive - though nimble and quick, in stock fashion I find it a boring drive. A stock S is alot more fun to drive with the high revving engine and the speed it can carry through corners.

Test drive an S again, but push it past 6k rpms and take some turns...then do the comparison again!

 

I see Miata's everyday, everywhere. I hardly ever see an S2k...there's no way the Miata is more rare.

 

This feels way too much like a troll post. Miata rarer than an S2000? Nope. Only revved to 5000? You didn't even drive the car. Power doesn't really come on until 6k+ in a stock car. The S2000 is essentially a faster, better looking version of what you have now. There's not really any other way to slice it.

 

Agreed

 

Thanks for the comments.

I'll get a hold of another and give it a proper test.

Keep in mind used car sales guys (specially really fat ones) are not used to people revving cars to 7K. They are used to dudes who drive automatics letting their car shift for them at 2,000 RPM and driving around in a straight line on the freeway. Ever wonder why the car salesmen always try and get you on the freeway first when test driving?

So, I have to find another, and warn the sales guy that I must really rev it to test it properly. Although now that I remember, I know this guy in a club I frequent that told me I could drive his. Maybe that's a better option than going to a dealer.

BTW, when I said that Miatas are more rare than the S, I was talking about NC Miatas. There are really not a whole lot of them on the road. At least not around here. I see a couple here and there. But the ones I see a lot are NA's and NB's.

I notice my NC gets a nice burst of power right around 5K RPM, then it sort of goes up steadily from there, but not very obvious. I guess that being used to the Miata, I didn't expect the S to give me a whole lot more power upwards of 6K. So I was wrong.

I like the looks of the NC a lot, and don't get me wrong, I like the shifter. But I feel the clutch could be more linear and heavier (maybe I need a higher performance clutch)… and I don't like the sound the tranny makes at low revs. Lots of gear-mesh-rollover or whatever noise.

My NC does not have traction control BTW. The 2011's only came with that in the GT package - Mine's the middle of the line Touring. From 2012 and up all have traction control. i'm glad mine doesn't.