Certianly not my opinion, but Mack Hogan seems to think so over at Road & Track.
What do you think, folks???
https://www.roadandtrack.com/reviews...-s2000-review/

 

We got my wife a 2018 ND RF a few years ago and I'm now on my 2nd S2000. While I've never formally raced our RF, I've had enough wheel time on a track of my last S2000 and many other cars to understand the differences which happen to align pretty much perfectly with Mack's in that article. The two cars are great for what they do but offer two completely different experiences. The S2000 is a more rewarding car when you drive it right. The problem is, it's also easier to get wrong and you get punished when you do. The ND is more compliant, more forgiving and easier to drive towards the edge but I find the feedback more vague making it a less visceral experience. Also, you don't feel quite like the car is trying to kill you. The S2000 is raw, bottled up adrenaline...a Hulk. The Miata is just competent. The recent domination of the STR class by ND Miatas, I think, pretty much sums up the argument about which one is the better performer but.....

you have to take it all with this grain of salt. We are comparing cars that are separated by more than a decade. It could be said two decades! If that doesn't speak VOLUMES about the S2000, I don't know what would. I enjoy driving my wife's car as it's pleasant to drive but it's less engaging than what I prefer. The S2000, though...it is an experience. It's special. I don't get special feelings from the ND.

 

Mr. Hogan is on bad drugs, or has not recovered his from his high fever as a result of Covid 19. Hopefully he'll feel better soon.

 

Fake news

 

I have the same comments as above. The Miata's chassis inspires more confidence in you to attack corners and slaloms without that lively (loose) rear end feeling that makes the S2000 so fun to drive in combination with the high rpm engine. The S2000 always felt like you had to leave something on the table since the limit was not quite predictable enough. The Miata rear suspension feels brilliantly designed, the 5-link setup almost feels to steer with you. The age-old cliche of the Miata feels like a well-tuned instrument where the S2k is a beast you have to tame.

The S2000 was engineered with 25 years less of experience and evolution of design and computers.... It's done damn well. Time rolls on, and long-term i'd pick an S2000. It provides an experience that is unequaled for those with typical funding.

 

An ND1 is hands down a better autox car. There is simply no disputing that. And the ND2 is better. The ND's have essentially made the S2k extinct in that sport since they run in the same class. 400-500 lbs lighter prepped for the same class is hard to get around Back to back I think I was a full second faster in the ND on a 60ish sec course, and that was before I had time to learn the ND so that gap is probably larger. And the ND, setup for STR, is looser than my S2k.


As an overall car I still like my S2k better and like it better on the track, but codriving an ND for autox it is immediately clear why they took over STR.

 

I've said it before but the ND2 is a better all around car than the S. On the street, on the track. The ND platform owns the S in AutoX and on the track (ND2), stock for stock, it's a driver's race between the two. Mod-for-mod (ND2) the edge actually goes to the Miata (basic bolt-ons that is).

That's not to say the S is a bad car or that the S isn't special in some way. The ND2 is just better all around.

It IS 20 years newer.



*edit* as an aside, anybody watch the SavageGeese videos (documentary) series on the Miata? Some great interviews with the Miata team(s) there. The info about the ND2 engine development was really interesting. There was no power goal. instead they were just looking to raise the redline to make it more sporty and the necessary upgrades just happen to give the engine a healthy HP bump. Or that the switch to a forged crankshaft was actually to reduce NVH! Cool stuff.

 

This comes up every year, and it's always the same pathetic article. This authors are always reaching in vain to try and dethrone the 20 year old s2000 that also serves as the benchmark for all modern roadster development.....Nothing wrong with the Miata, but you can't really call it a "sports" car like you would an s2000.

Whether you're a fan of the s2000 or not, everyone that drives one has to admit that it just has something special about it. Sometimes the flaws are what defines the lovable characteristics of someone/something; the imperfections are what defines perfection when it comes to an emotional standpoint vs a logical one....And I think people that drive for the pure enjoyment of it are doing so for the evocation of emotion, nothing really logical about driving without a purpose/destination.....and that's completely okay.

 

I dont really see how you can call the S2k a sports car but not the ND. Both are RWD, both are roadsters (Although that part does not matter), both place handling above most else (the ND is about the same weight as the old versions, short wheelbase, etc).

Both are low powered cars so similar there as well. If you say the ND is not a "sports car" then you cant really call the S2k one either. Sure, the ND has a few more amenities, but is still relatively sparse in terms of a new car. I mean, if you want cupholders they hang off a thing in the passengers foot area lol.

Both handle amazingly, but on tighter stuff the ND clearly wins. It is so much easier to transition (Again, low weight).

The S2k is more interesting. It looks a lot better IMO. It has that high revving motor and a bit more of the non f**** given sports car mentality. But IMO both are pretty much aimed at the same type of driving and car.

 

I would not exactly call this a reach, I certainly wouldn't say it's in vain nor do I think the S2000 is the benchmark....anymore. Raw performance data shows the ND2 to be the superior vehicle. Measuring the intangibles is impossible (of which the S2000 has in spades) but for the things you CAN measure, we have to at least give the current model Miata it's due. Ultimately, they're just comparing two cars and I don't take it personally. I think it's flattering to own and enjoy a car that's still relevant to the conversation after 20 years. Calling a Miata not a "sports" car because it's not an S2000 is a little hyperbolic, no? It's a different sports car but it most certainly IS a sports car. In the end, we can agree on what makes the S2000 special which is certainly why we choose to own them but not everyone will share that sentiment.