Ive owned my AP2 for over 4 years. This past spring, I bought an NA Miata that I could drive to the track instead of trailer for the weekends I didnt want the hassle of taking the s2000 to the track. I liked it so much, I bought an NB this summer.

There is something about the miatas that I just can't put my finger on. I've yet to drive an NC on track, but imagine it would be quite fun.

One of the local Chicago s2000/Miata owners put it to me best (keep in mine he currently owns 3 s2000s and 8+ miatas (at the same time)) -

"I've always felt the s2000 is exactly the sum of its parts. It's what you expect. The the miata...the miata is great than the sum of its parts. There is just something magical about it."

I agree with him wholeheartedly. I love S2000s and I love Miatas.

 

Your buddy sounds like he has mental problems

 

Guy doesn't know what he's talking about, obviously. Just an ornery old man.

 

Having driven miatas on autocross courses, I will agree that Miata's are greater than the sum of their parts, and that the S2k is pretty much exactly the sum of its parts... that said, I would put it like this:

S2000>Miata>sum of Miata's parts

 

I get it. Because S2000's have overall better parts, even though the sum is exactly that of of its parts, those parts are still better than the Miata's so the result is a better car overall (even if it's exactly what you'd expect - where the Miata offers more than you'd expect).

 

Precisely, However I will say that Miata's are a better value.

 

My neighbor just brought home an 11 MX-5 NC to abuse this week.

We did some back to back driving of his s/c mini, the mx5, my S and then went to go play with our bigger cars. stock for stock the mx5 is lighter and easier to drive than the S. Driven hard and well i think the S is a better performer through the corners even with the weight. But you have to know how to drive it and blast through the pucker moments. We did not find the mx5 was more tail happy.

We couldn't compare how mine handled to the miata or accelerated, KW clubsports, semi gutted, full aero high boosted S does not a fair comparison make.

I was surprised that the mx-5 felt very planted and inspired more confidence through the twisties than my e46 m3.

Interior space is also not terrible, and the interior does look better than my AP1.

 

Interesting thread.

Any more thoughts on NC's?

Would you guys go for an 04-05 S2000 with lower mileage over an 09-10 MX-5 PRHT with even lower mileage, for the same price?

 

Ive tracked and driven both cars, and I just havent found another car that even compares to the S2000. Not just saying that because I own the car, but it just doesn't get old. For the guy saying the S2000 is only what you expect it to be must be crazy. The car impresses every single time you put the top down and go for a drive.

Plus, when on track its wonderful being competitive will almost all cars there. I was lapping Miatas everywhere because of their lack of power.

 

I've test driven an NC-Automatic-2010.

Here are my thoughts, hope the OP will find it useful

1 - suspension ; stiffer, more responsive as you said. S2000 is much harder on your back, especially when you bump up the tire PSI.
2 - Steering feel - From what I remember, both are a bit numb; its been a while since I test drove, so take this point with a grain of salt.
3 - Power - The engine revs more freely in the S2000. The sound of the engine is 'rougher' though, I attribute this to the volume of the exhaust. Below 5500RPM, the power is very similar. However, once vtec engages, its a different story. <-- ppl have beaten this point to death, so I won't add more detail.
4 - the instrument cluster on the S2000 - The S2000 cluster changes depending on year. I personally like the on in the 2006, and like it more than the one in NC. However, do note that when it is cold, the rev-meter lags on the S2000 until things warm up.


Only constructive feedback I have - ditch the high-mass salesman, both the S2000 and Miata are sensitive to increases in mass.