Having owned a 99 Miata (with the sports package) which had a stiffer suspension than other Miata's, one of the things I also noticed was that the S2000 did handle better than my Miata. Of course the additional horse power is obvious. What do you want to spend is the determining factor, the extra money is worth it for the S2000 as far as I was concerned, in many ways suggested in the above replys. Good luck making the decision!

 

Just get the s2000.

 

I sold my Miata to buy the S2K.
S2000 is MORE comfortable IMO. I drive mine 600 miles a week during the summer.
Miata on Steroids is correct.
The Miata was a lot more "Tossable" than the S2K. I never felt like I could get in much trouble in it. In the S2000, you can get in trouble real fast, but it can take it.
I never spun the Miata. I have spun the S2K.
Get the Honda. You won't regret it.,

 

I owned a 1990 Miata prior to purchasing my S2000 in February of 2000.I sold the Miata shortly thereafter and was sorry I did.
I did not regret buying the S2000(I think it is one of the finest sportscars made),love driving it, and I plan on keeping it for a long,long time.However,the two cars are completely different and that is why I would like to own both.The Miata is a British replicar that is low to the ground and smaller in size.It handles great and is perfectly proportioned.You will have fun driving it even doing only 30mph.The S2000 feels and handles more like a racing car in every respect,and the real enjoyment is accelerating and driving it fast!
Confused?
Trust your soul and really try to decide which car gives you the best feeling while driving.It's a tough decision,but also keep in mind the price difference if that is an important factor.)
If you want the feeling of driving an old Lotus Elan,buy the Miata.
If you want to feel like a Formula One driver with state of the art performance and a high reving,screaming engine that becomes totally animalistic above 6000 rpm's,buy the S2000.
Best of luck!

 

Well...first off...your talking about a $25k car and a $32k car...so that's ur first decision...if you wanna spend the money...cuz if you do wanna spend the money...then that should answer your question...

Personally...being 6'3, 180lbs...I think that there's more room in the Stook then the Miata...and it handles like a dream...and the power's there...

I would choose the Stook...

And...if you don't wanna spend the extra money...then get the WRX...

 

I own a Black S2K, and my GF owns a 2000se Miata (Special Edition, Leather, 6 speed, etc...). I've been in and driven both (obviously).

IMHO, the Miata is a very-very nice car. Similar in handling to the S2K, and as said, very tossable. It is, however, vastly slower (un-modded). The AC, Conv. Top, shape and style-- all wonderful. In fact, the AC (imho) is better (I live in Texas, so its a need, not a want). The stereo in the Miata ROCKS.

The S2K is more of a "race-car"... much more power, and unforgiving. It also has some neat styling things to it.

As far as a road trip-- the Miata is a softer more comfortable ride.

Mods? Miata wins hands down.

Depending on your $$...you pick. Definately drive both.

The only "down" side to a Miata (IMHO) is that, again (IMHO), the Miata (when a guy is driving it) gives an effemenant (sp?) look. (Spelled out-- they think your gay). One magazine receintly voted the Miata as the #5 car to drive if your gay (#1 was the Jetta)... go figure. Much like I think of big-harry-gold-chained-40+ year olds driving a vette. Not all necessarily true, but a stereotype non-the-less.

Thats all I gotta say about that,
-- Aaron

 

If you are considering a Miata, then you should probably choose the Miata.

I say this because if you consider wind buffeting and pricing as concerns in making the choice, then you're not choosing the S2000 as an option for its star qualities and things like engine noise, high rev driving, and stiffness in the suspension will likely be high concerns for you too.

So save some money and get the Miata. The S2000 isn't for everyone. Many people make the mistake of thinking its a more powerful Miata. Its not and many people are sorry they got one.

But if you haven't test drove one, do so...but try not to let the new car syndrome overload your senses. Maybe people don't get a sense of the day to day driving considerations when they take their test drive.

-B

 

I had a '97 Miata 3 years before I purchased my S2K, and I have not regretted one single moment of that trade.

When I had the Miata there were a few things that bugged me...

1. The car just looks like a girls car, plain and simple (I love the styling and it's classic, but it's just so girlie...sorry). The S2K looks killer, plain and simple.

2. Many basic cars could smoke me at the stoplight, which really pi$$ed me off, so I did look for aftermarket for goodies...which you will do because you'll get tired of being smoked by Camry's as well. The S2000 can hold it's own against most every car out there, and many it can't really run with if you're good, but you know what? You almost never need to, most everyone is too busy staring...haha.

There were also a few things I loved...

1. The car was so tossable, and I loved pushing it beyond it's limits. It felt infinitely stable, and I beat it up regularly (the tires are so cheap!). The S2000 will scare the hell out of you if you're not careful, and it takes a really skilled driver to play with that tiger at it's limits.

2. I wasn't so anal about the Miata. It felt like a fun car to be used, and if it got a scratch it didn't bother me, it gave me a workhorse feel...dunno why. I'm scared to take my S2000 to the grocery store, I always end up parking in Egypt...lol.

Having said these things, and with my 1yr anniv coming up on the 17th of next month I can say without pause that my personal recommendation is to get the S2K. There are so many things I love about this car I don't know where to begin. There are a few things that bug me as well, but no biggie.

Do me a favor...

Imagine yourself in your new Miata. You come up to a stoplight in your neighborhood and guess what pulls up right beside you? He doesn't bother to rev his engine, you both know the outcome. You look over and smile, he grins and slowly pulls away. Why did he grin? I think you know why.


Andrew

 

hahah thats funny s2K guy- I bought a Camry because I got smoked in my 90' Celica by a Maxima who passed at a red light in order just to cut over again cutting me off and take an on ramp to a freeway very quickly. The V6 Camry I got has 200hp and that never happened again. Yes, the Miata would have a hard time with the Camry- in fact, many cars do. Its only down side (Camry) is its weight/size, but it serves its purpose.

I got the S2000 because I wanted a toy.

My sister got the Miata- and even she sold it so she could get a BMW.

-B

 

Sounds like your sis made a mistake.

-S2-