Miata NC Driver - Please Instruct Me in S2000 Lore
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We have owned 4 Miatas the most fun to drive was the early 1990 we had. We have owned 2 NC Miatas, a 2008 and a 2010 both had PRHT the 08 was automatic and the 10 was a 6 speed. The 10 had the LSD upgrade along with Bilstine shocks.
I have also owned/own 2 S2000 AP1 cars, a 2002 and now a 2000. The S2000 is just a better all round sports car than the NC Miata. The NC is a great daily driver fun little car but does not have the raw sports car feel of the AP1 S2000. The only Miata I have owned that had any kind of rawness to it was the 1990, the power of the car was not great but, it was just enough to give you a thrill. The car was easy to get sideways and cornerd well.
I have also owned/own 2 S2000 AP1 cars, a 2002 and now a 2000. The S2000 is just a better all round sports car than the NC Miata. The NC is a great daily driver fun little car but does not have the raw sports car feel of the AP1 S2000. The only Miata I have owned that had any kind of rawness to it was the 1990, the power of the car was not great but, it was just enough to give you a thrill. The car was easy to get sideways and cornerd well.
I admit though, I have a certain secret love for red interiors. I hear Honda made an all red interior S model in 2002. Yes, I'm sure some of you guys puke over that color combo... But, I love it. (I'm a fan of those old american corvettes with red interiors).
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From: Indianapolis, IN
Originally Posted by S2KPUDDYDAD' timestamp='1353806286' post='22169580
We have owned 4 Miatas the most fun to drive was the early 1990 we had. We have owned 2 NC Miatas, a 2008 and a 2010 both had PRHT the 08 was automatic and the 10 was a 6 speed. The 10 had the LSD upgrade along with Bilstine shocks.
I have also owned/own 2 S2000 AP1 cars, a 2002 and now a 2000. The S2000 is just a better all round sports car than the NC Miata. The NC is a great daily driver fun little car but does not have the raw sports car feel of the AP1 S2000. The only Miata I have owned that had any kind of rawness to it was the 1990, the power of the car was not great but, it was just enough to give you a thrill. The car was easy to get sideways and cornerd well.
I have also owned/own 2 S2000 AP1 cars, a 2002 and now a 2000. The S2000 is just a better all round sports car than the NC Miata. The NC is a great daily driver fun little car but does not have the raw sports car feel of the AP1 S2000. The only Miata I have owned that had any kind of rawness to it was the 1990, the power of the car was not great but, it was just enough to give you a thrill. The car was easy to get sideways and cornerd well.
I admit though, I have a certain secret love for red interiors. I hear Honda made an all red interior S model in 2002. Yes, I'm sure some of you guys puke over that color combo... But, I love it. (I'm a fan of those old american corvettes with red interiors).
2. If so, has that slowed down alot, or are people still doing it?
3. I don't hear anyone talkking about it, so I suppose it's yesterday's news.
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Arlington
I drove the two back to back, and to their full potential, when I was deciding what car to get.
The suspension felt pretty similar, a bit softer on the NC but the car is lighter
Steering feel of the NC was a little better
Gearbox was pretty similar but I hated how the NC shifter would vibrate like crazy when sitting in neutral
The 80 hp difference is really noticeable. I drove the S2k first and the miata just didn't seem to have any power. The S2k's engine also sounded much better.
I think it's pretty obvious which one I ended up with.
The suspension felt pretty similar, a bit softer on the NC but the car is lighter
Steering feel of the NC was a little better
Gearbox was pretty similar but I hated how the NC shifter would vibrate like crazy when sitting in neutral
The 80 hp difference is really noticeable. I drove the S2k first and the miata just didn't seem to have any power. The S2k's engine also sounded much better.
I think it's pretty obvious which one I ended up with.
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: St. Louis, MO
I agree. The steering feel on the Miata is fantastic while the steering feel on the S seems a bit numb in comparison. But the S makes up for it with great feedback from the chassis/seats.
Another thing nobody has mentioned is the potential with the f20c with forced induction. If that's your kind of thing.
Another thing nobody has mentioned is the potential with the f20c with forced induction. If that's your kind of thing.
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Originally Posted by S2KPUDDYDAD' timestamp='1353806286' post='22169580
We have owned 4 Miatas the most fun to drive was the early 1990 we had. We have owned 2 NC Miatas, a 2008 and a 2010 both had PRHT the 08 was automatic and the 10 was a 6 speed. The 10 had the LSD upgrade along with Bilstine shocks.
I have also owned/own 2 S2000 AP1 cars, a 2002 and now a 2000. The S2000 is just a better all round sports car than the NC Miata. The NC is a great daily driver fun little car but does not have the raw sports car feel of the AP1 S2000. The only Miata I have owned that had any kind of rawness to it was the 1990, the power of the car was not great but, it was just enough to give you a thrill. The car was easy to get sideways and cornerd well.
I have also owned/own 2 S2000 AP1 cars, a 2002 and now a 2000. The S2000 is just a better all round sports car than the NC Miata. The NC is a great daily driver fun little car but does not have the raw sports car feel of the AP1 S2000. The only Miata I have owned that had any kind of rawness to it was the 1990, the power of the car was not great but, it was just enough to give you a thrill. The car was easy to get sideways and cornerd well.
I admit though, I have a certain secret love for red interiors. I hear Honda made an all red interior S model in 2002. Yes, I'm sure some of you guys puke over that color combo... But, I love it. (I'm a fan of those old american corvettes with red interiors).
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 8,463
Likes: 25
Originally Posted by Kiteboarder' timestamp='1353815352' post='22169724
[quote name='S2KPUDDYDAD' timestamp='1353806286' post='22169580']
We have owned 4 Miatas the most fun to drive was the early 1990 we had. We have owned 2 NC Miatas, a 2008 and a 2010 both had PRHT the 08 was automatic and the 10 was a 6 speed. The 10 had the LSD upgrade along with Bilstine shocks.
I have also owned/own 2 S2000 AP1 cars, a 2002 and now a 2000. The S2000 is just a better all round sports car than the NC Miata. The NC is a great daily driver fun little car but does not have the raw sports car feel of the AP1 S2000. The only Miata I have owned that had any kind of rawness to it was the 1990, the power of the car was not great but, it was just enough to give you a thrill. The car was easy to get sideways and cornerd well.
We have owned 4 Miatas the most fun to drive was the early 1990 we had. We have owned 2 NC Miatas, a 2008 and a 2010 both had PRHT the 08 was automatic and the 10 was a 6 speed. The 10 had the LSD upgrade along with Bilstine shocks.
I have also owned/own 2 S2000 AP1 cars, a 2002 and now a 2000. The S2000 is just a better all round sports car than the NC Miata. The NC is a great daily driver fun little car but does not have the raw sports car feel of the AP1 S2000. The only Miata I have owned that had any kind of rawness to it was the 1990, the power of the car was not great but, it was just enough to give you a thrill. The car was easy to get sideways and cornerd well.
I admit though, I have a certain secret love for red interiors. I hear Honda made an all red interior S model in 2002. Yes, I'm sure some of you guys puke over that color combo... But, I love it. (I'm a fan of those old american corvettes with red interiors).
2. If so, has that slowed down alot, or are people still doing it?
3. I don't hear anyone talkking about it, so I suppose it's yesterday's news.
[/quote]
I am that guy
I do still build differentials for the S2000 and the Miata too. The 4.44 and the 4.77 are the go to change up for the S2000. As for the Miata, most NC owners are looking for 3.63 gears over the stock 4.10.
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From: Indianapolis, IN
Originally Posted by doddg' timestamp='1353818484' post='22169765
[quote name='Kiteboarder' timestamp='1353815352' post='22169724']
[quote name='S2KPUDDYDAD' timestamp='1353806286' post='22169580']
We have owned 4 Miatas the most fun to drive was the early 1990 we had. We have owned 2 NC Miatas, a 2008 and a 2010 both had PRHT the 08 was automatic and the 10 was a 6 speed. The 10 had the LSD upgrade along with Bilstine shocks.
I have also owned/own 2 S2000 AP1 cars, a 2002 and now a 2000. The S2000 is just a better all round sports car than the NC Miata. The NC is a great daily driver fun little car but does not have the raw sports car feel of the AP1 S2000. The only Miata I have owned that had any kind of rawness to it was the 1990, the power of the car was not great but, it was just enough to give you a thrill. The car was easy to get sideways and cornerd well.
[quote name='S2KPUDDYDAD' timestamp='1353806286' post='22169580']
We have owned 4 Miatas the most fun to drive was the early 1990 we had. We have owned 2 NC Miatas, a 2008 and a 2010 both had PRHT the 08 was automatic and the 10 was a 6 speed. The 10 had the LSD upgrade along with Bilstine shocks.
I have also owned/own 2 S2000 AP1 cars, a 2002 and now a 2000. The S2000 is just a better all round sports car than the NC Miata. The NC is a great daily driver fun little car but does not have the raw sports car feel of the AP1 S2000. The only Miata I have owned that had any kind of rawness to it was the 1990, the power of the car was not great but, it was just enough to give you a thrill. The car was easy to get sideways and cornerd well.
I admit though, I have a certain secret love for red interiors. I hear Honda made an all red interior S model in 2002. Yes, I'm sure some of you guys puke over that color combo... But, I love it. (I'm a fan of those old american corvettes with red interiors).
2. If so, has that slowed down alot, or are people still doing it?
3. I don't hear anyone talkking about it, so I suppose it's yesterday's news.
[/quote]
I am that guy
/> I do still build differentials for the S2000 and the Miata too. The 4.44 and the 4.77 are the go to change up for the S2000. As for the Miata, most NC owners are looking for 3.63 gears over the stock 4.10.[/quote]
1. Neat! I was talking about you to a guy, jomz, from the other site when he was over to buy a shift knob today, and how I would love to get the diff. done by you or hardtopguy, if I was to ever get it done; wouldn't want it done by anyone other than someone who has done it a few times just on the S.
2. I am not mechanically literate, and I was surprised that the Miata people go down in the gear # instead of up, like the S people do, taking for granted they are trying to get more low end torque.
3. I suppose the gears being done on the S has waned quite a bit, assuming that anyone wanting it done has done it by now, unless, of course, ownership changes quite a bit, I don't have a sense for that.
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From: Houston, TX
The facts really don't matter much. It's a subjective decision and if you spend some quality time with the S you might be able to overcome your brand loyalty. See if you can get one out on the twisties under safe conditions and get it over 6K.
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From: phila
Go back , drive it like you stole it ...and the Mazda will be a thing of the past ...complete history ...no Mazda even comes half as close too as much fun the S is ...stock for stock that is ...buy an S and never look back ...you won't regret it ....not many ever do 
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