Well, this is my first post on S2000 online, and it is mainly for someone who is considering a roadster.

Here are the choices...
2001 Mazda Miata. I love it. It is inexpensive and is still a blast to drive. Not that fast, but reliable, and I don't think I've ever had more fun driving than in a Miata.

2001 Honda S2000. I'm sure most of you will tell me why this is the one, and that's what I want to know. If I had the money, I'd get the Honda. Love the Miata for everything it is, but I absolutely love VTEC and the scream only Honda's can make at 8000RPM (friend's GSR Integra). Never driven one, but I love the seats, the shifter, the steering wheel. It fits like a glove. Fast, and loud, but with great handling. I'd point them this way ahead of the Miata...but only slightly.

Last: Porsche Boxster S. Well, what about this one? I hear it is absolutely a blast, but doesn't need to be wound hard like the S2000. Incredible handling, brakes are untouchable. Problem...is it worth the price? On the track the S2000 is better, but they'll be using it mostly for spirited driving, so would it be more liveable? Haven't driven one, but for me the Honda just feels special when I sit in it. Don't know why the Boxster doesn't do that. Oh, and while the S2000 looks sweet, I'd have to give looks to the Boxster. To me S2000 makes sense since it has better performance than the Boxster for way way less. But it might not feel that way since it is so peaky. If the money was there to buy the Boxster S, would you take it over the S2000, regardless of the fact it is a horrible value? If you had the money, would you buy it?

I (and they) have only driven Miatas, and they will drive a Boxster and S2000 before they buy. But I think he's stuck on the Boxster S with the Miata in his mind because it is inexpensive but still a blast. Seems he has pushed the S2000 outta his mind without driving it. The entire family LOVED it when they first looked at a silver/black, but he seems to have just forgotten about it. How do I convince him to give the Honda a shot?

I know most of you guys shopped at least the Miata and S2000. What are the pros/cons and why did you decide to go S2000?

Thanks for all the help.
-Brad

[This message has been edited by Jerome81 (edited November 27, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by Jerome81 (edited November 27, 2000).]

 

The Miata is a hoot, and will teach you tons about driving well. You will always be wanting more power. You can add lots of power via forced induction. After more power, you'll want more brakes, then more handling. The $$ spent to accomplish these upgrades are almost never recovered, and you end up pushing towards an S2000 price anyway. You can usually buy them for a few hundred $ over invoice, which makes them even more of a bargain. If your not power hungry, on a tight budget, and want a great little roadster, the Miata is it.

The Boxster 2.7 is a pass. The Boxster S is, IMHO, better in many aspects than the S2000 (looks, usuable power, interior, brakes, at-the-limit handling), but at $20K+ more, it had better be. They barely depreciate, however, so if you can float the money, you'll get most of it back when (if?) you sell it. Porsche also really charges a bundle for options. Be prepared to spend at least $5K over base ($50K) for even a modestly equiped car.

The S2000 is the crispest handling of the bunch. The most "race car" like. Certainly doesn't have the luxury of the Boxster, but the VTEC is oh so sweet if you live in the upper RPM's. Now that they can be had at MSRP fairly easily, it makes the decision that much easier.

[This message has been edited by pfb (edited November 27, 2000).]

 

Either buy what you can affford or buy what you like. If you want a roadster, but you're on a tight budget, consider the Miata, or even the MR2. If money is no object, consider the Boxster S or even the 911; however, if you fall somewhere in the middle, you can't get more bang for the buck than with the S2000. You get more power, more value, more quality and more fun for only a few grand more than the Miata. Choose the S2000 over the Boxter S and you still get more power (it's quicker), more value (up to $40+K less), equal or better quality and more fun. When it comes right down to it you have to decide exactly what you want. I've owned three Porsches and I still like the S2000 better.

 

I'm pretty much with pfb on this one. The Boxster S is a great car handles almost as well as the S2K and would be is much easier to drive at the limit. The S2000 driven well would be more rewarding and just a little faster. If I could buy a loaded Boxster S for the same price as the S2000 it would be a tough choice but I might still go with the Honda. I wouldn't fault anyone for buying the Boxster S over the S2000 but it's not worth an extra $20K plus to me.

Do I think the S2000 is worth $10K more than a Miata? The Miata is one of the most fun cars ever built. I had track time yesterday in several cars including two Miata's. What a blast! I love them. Everybody should own one at some time. I have driven a number of Miata's and I owned one for 8 years. Now that I've owned a S2000 I wouldn't want to go back to the Miata. The Miata is tossable (sp) fun but the S2000 is more like a racecar that can be driven on the street.

 

Hi All, one point nobody has brought up on this topic is SIZE as in, how tall are you? I am 6'4" and getting into my S2000 is tight but getting into a Miata (and having room left to operate the vehicle) is impossible. I can't see anybody 6' or over doing the Miata. The S2000 has plenty of headroom (even with the top up :< ) and for a person my size is just a little tight on the knees between the steering wheel and the console. A friend of mine rented a Miata when he went to Las Vegas and enjoyed the car but he also found the car underpowered and not as refined as the S2000. Just my .02,
Bruce 2001 S2000 Red/Black #0555

 

Jerome what you do is buy a miata and then search wide and far for the owner of an S2000 who is looking for a friend....and bingo you have the best of both worlds....

94 miata R with access to a 2001 S2000

scott

 

I don't remember who said it but the S2K is a 150% Miata. Kinda sums it up.

 

Thanks for all the responses so far. Please, keep them coming!!

I'm 6' and fit in a Miata, however, he is about 6'3" or so, and I'm pretty sure he fits okay. I thought I remembered reading that the S2000 had less headroom in inches than the Miata, but he's never sat in one with the top up.

And the part about the 150% Miata, I've heard that too. Just checking to see what you all have to say.

Hope to hear more from all of you. Thanks again.

-Brad

 

I love my S2000 so no disrespect to any fellow S2000 owners here, but if your looking for a roadster and thinking about a miata, you should consider the Toyota MR2 Spyder. Its about the same price as a miata and not common like the Miata, so you'll still get looks and chicks flashing you (yeah right, I don't even get that in the S2000) and all that.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Jerome81:
[B]I'm 6' and fit in a Miata, however, he is about 6'3" or so, and I'm pretty sure he fits okay.