MX-5 vs. S2000?
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Pawtucket, RI
Originally Posted by rob-2,Feb 24 2011, 02:21 PM
The S2000 is so much more car.
I respect Mazda for building this car. They brought to the market a cheap and fun two seater than even the girls could enjoy. It's the best selling because of this, not because of it's race heritage, motor/gear box technology or handling characteristics; all things you'd sight about the S.
The Miata's gearbox is pretty much as good/precise as the S2000's, I would bet that Honda engineers had a very close look at the Miata's gearbox when designing the S's.
As for handling characteristics, you can't fault the Miata here. A bit soft, stock, but still a great-handling car.
The S is a track ready car, throw on track pads and you're rolling, you'd not say the same about the miata.
The one legitimate criticism of the pre-NC Miata as far as trackworthiness goes would be that the chassis isn't nearly as stiff as the S2k's.
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Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Chatham, ON, Canada
As another person who has had several convertibles, one a Miata, and now shopping for an S2K, I have nothing but good things to say about the Miata. It is a fun car to drive, easy to work on, cheap parts, has a lot of aftermarket support, and great online community.
It is smaller though than the S2K, and every inch counts in a small 2 seater, and it really isn't very powerful, though some see that as a plus. I'm ready to move up though, and think the S2K experience will be great, just as the Miata was.
It is smaller though than the S2K, and every inch counts in a small 2 seater, and it really isn't very powerful, though some see that as a plus. I'm ready to move up though, and think the S2K experience will be great, just as the Miata was.
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Redmond, Washington, USA
Ah, I venture onto the home forum for the fanbois for the first time in forever, and what do I find, but a thread full of ignorant nonsense.
Zdan has it right. The Miata has always been a fine car. There are probably 100 Miatas being raced for every S2000 being raced (road racing, not autocross). The Miata has always been less expensive than the S2000, and is at least as reliable. And, in any form, the Miata is a blast to drive on the track, arguably more fun than the S2000.
Which one any individual would prefer, whether for street or track, is a matter of personal taste. But it's laughably stupid to dismiss the MX-5.
Zdan has it right. The Miata has always been a fine car. There are probably 100 Miatas being raced for every S2000 being raced (road racing, not autocross). The Miata has always been less expensive than the S2000, and is at least as reliable. And, in any form, the Miata is a blast to drive on the track, arguably more fun than the S2000.
Which one any individual would prefer, whether for street or track, is a matter of personal taste. But it's laughably stupid to dismiss the MX-5.
Joined: Aug 2010
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Originally Posted by js_2000,Feb 24 2011, 03:26 PM
....
The only reason why you buy a Miata, is because you cannot afford an S.
Like the only reason to buy a Cayman, is because you cannot afford a 911
The only reason why you buy a Miata, is because you cannot afford an S.
Like the only reason to buy a Cayman, is because you cannot afford a 911
The Miata has a much better community and support for true racing. It's really easy to get into spec miata racing and go wheel to wheel. SCCA and NASA classifications for how you mod your Miata is also a lot better so that you can remain competitive. The S2000 doesn't have that quite so much (SoCal people are luck to have the S2K challenge, but that's only a time trial format). If you really really want to race and race only - the miata is the way to go.
As for the 911 vs. the Cayman. Everyone who has modded the Cayman to within WHP specs of the 911 and given it an LSD knows it's better on the track. MR vs. RR. The chassis of the Cayman is better and Porsche knows this, but everyone loves the 911 from that whole image stand point. It's why Porsche always waters down the Cayman (no LSD - until very recently, and lower hp/tq).
RUF knows this as well. They made their own itteration of the GT2, using the first half of the GT3 chassis (the front half that is). They then fabbed up and converted the rear half to a mid-ship layout...
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Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Reading, PA
Miatas are HUGE!
haha, j/k, they are fun little cars. I never drove one but I've ridden in a few and I've never been in anything else that feels like a street legal go kart than a miata very similar to the one in this pic. Granted the one I was in was modified some and the suspension cost more than the whole car did, but still...it was fun.
haha, j/k, they are fun little cars. I never drove one but I've ridden in a few and I've never been in anything else that feels like a street legal go kart than a miata very similar to the one in this pic. Granted the one I was in was modified some and the suspension cost more than the whole car did, but still...it was fun.
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Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Oklahoma City
I've been a Honda fanboi since I first got spanked in my Z31 by an EG Civic.
Never been a fan of convertibles until I was put in a situation to acquire a Miata. It was a 10AE, so that means NB chassis and 6-speed gear box. The car was a lot of fun, and the first time I took the hardtop off I realized how cool a convertible can be. If it wasn't for my 10AE, I never would have considered an S2000.
So, to Mazda...I can say thanks for that.
...but I never really connected with the Miata. Outside of a tight autoX I found myself getting bored. I took the car to track events and the car saw either 1 track day or autoX / month during season if not more...but it was still just a car. Something I'd get into to go to work everyday. One of my autoX buddies that owns a MSM hopped in for a ride during one of my fastest times of the day and we actually had a conversation almost the length of the run. He commented about it after we stopped to observe the time how different the Miata was compared to my CRX and that he knew the car didn't require my full concentration because of we were able to talk during a fast run.
They are good cars, though. ...and I've heard SM is a blast to race in. I'd like to give it a try one day...maybe.
Never been a fan of convertibles until I was put in a situation to acquire a Miata. It was a 10AE, so that means NB chassis and 6-speed gear box. The car was a lot of fun, and the first time I took the hardtop off I realized how cool a convertible can be. If it wasn't for my 10AE, I never would have considered an S2000.
So, to Mazda...I can say thanks for that.
...but I never really connected with the Miata. Outside of a tight autoX I found myself getting bored. I took the car to track events and the car saw either 1 track day or autoX / month during season if not more...but it was still just a car. Something I'd get into to go to work everyday. One of my autoX buddies that owns a MSM hopped in for a ride during one of my fastest times of the day and we actually had a conversation almost the length of the run. He commented about it after we stopped to observe the time how different the Miata was compared to my CRX and that he knew the car didn't require my full concentration because of we were able to talk during a fast run.
They are good cars, though. ...and I've heard SM is a blast to race in. I'd like to give it a try one day...maybe.
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Orange County, CA
There are more miatas being raced than s2ks, simply because the cost of entry is lower, and if you wad one up, it only cost you a 2-5 grand (unless we're talking front runner cars), as opposed to the cheapest race prepped s2k which will cost you at least 10k.