Ignore the Cretins

 

I was torn between a '02 Miata and S2000 and finally chose the Miata (because of cost and I had read over and over in this forum to forget about driving an s2000 where there's even a flake of snow on the ground. I later learned an s2000 here in Calgary drives his throughout the winter without problem and boy does it burn me up)... I love both cars but there's no confusing the driving experience, at all. The s2000 feels like a solid block of machined titanium compared to the wiggly Miata. And the Miata has about as much cache as a Cavalier but it's still outrageously fun to blast around in. The Miata is way, way over priced when it's optioned out. Compared to the s2000, it should be about $18,500 US.

So I've already started saving my pennies for my s2000 (saved $1000+ in the last 3 months)


One thing I'll say about the issue of cars being mistaken: I was driving my new Miata in downtown Calgary on one of the first days of spring, thrilled with my new convertible but still having fond memories of the S2000s I drove, when a silver S2000 pulled up beside me in traffic. The young male driver and I exchanged eye contact, and he extended his arm and gave me a thumbs up! I thought that said a lot about this anonomous S2000 owner when most Miata drivers I cross paths with don't even acknowledge me when I waive.

 

i can imagine somewhere at the boxster or M roadster forum ...

people would be asking "How many of you guys/girls out there in boxster/M roadster forum land are annoyed at the fact that the boxster/M roadster is being compared to a friggin s2000"



we are all happy open top drivers ... can we all live happily together?

 

Rodney King could not have said it better stock...we are all mostly a bunch of numbnuts that drive with the top down in totally impractical cars rather than coupes and SUV's...at some point we are all in the same boat. I just get tired of the assumption that anyone driving an older Miata or Mr2 is doing so because they don't know about, can't afford, blah, blah an S2k. I was trying to point out that people that love cars know the S2k is awesome, but may not have one for various reasons, and that in the broad scheme of things may not have one for excellent reasons. Often they have other cool cars and use the Miata as the daily beater. I am so clearly aware that I made the right decision to not get one when I first wanted it. I can now buy 7 of them or 60 used Miatas...I will do neither and will get something a bit more exotic. But I won't trash all the other cars that are so much cooler than 99.9% of the shit out there.

 

Howdy.

I've been lurking on this forum for the past few weeks, and this post is a great place for me to start. I've owned a '91 Miata, and currently own a '02 Vivid Yellow Miata, and my lovely lady Ashley drives an '00 S2000. I've driven Miatas for about two years, and the S2K for about a month. Daily driving miles.

I will be the first to admit that the S2000 is clearly a superior performing car in most respects. BUT, you are comparing excellence to excellence.

The S2K has tons more structural rigidity, and a wonderful, cutting-edge motor. I have seen some on this board complain about the S's weight, but Honda has definitely put it in the right places. My '02 with a rollbar and stock suspension is nowhere near as stiff as the S, even though the S has a much stiffer stock suspension. The S2K's steering is quicker than my '02, but only slightly quicker than the '91's. The steering wheel is great--Mazda should take a cue here and make theirs smaller. The early Miatas are very visceral cars, a bit underpowered but lots of fun to drive the piss out of. The '02 is no less fun than the early Miatas, but more refined--subtler in the way it does its thing.

I like the seats in the S, but hate the dashboard. If Honda bothered to put in a "retro" Engine Start button, why not go all the way and use analog instruments? Its high beltline takes away from the roadster experience too. The Miata feels cavernous compared to the S, open and airy. The caveat is that the S2000 has more legroom and is more accomodating to the average American driver. (Sidebar: one of the local Miata guys is 6' 6" {that is NOT a typo--6 feet 6 inches} tall and *loves* his car. Watching him get in and out is nothing short of amazing. I couldn't make this stuff up.)

As far as aftermarket, the S2000 ain't even close to the Miata. Then again, what do you expect? The Miata has a 10 year lead. Aftermarket goodies for the S are a HELL of a lot more expensive than Miata goodies. Of course, that may change as more products from more vendors are offered over a longer period of time.

The S2000 is a blast to drive. The VTEC cam kicks in and the fun begins. It really sticks in the corners and inspires confidence. A great sports car, if not quite the perfect sports car interior.

The Miata is a blast to drive, but in a different way. Whereas the S has higher limits, the Miata is more fun to push the envelope with, more forgiving. Cheap thrills, but a lot of bang for the buck.

The big point to keep in mind when comparing the two cars is money. A Miata LS invoices for about $24,105 new, similarly equipped to an S2000. Invoice on a new S2K is $29,606. You get what you pay for, and for $5500 more, the S2000 should be a better sports car than the Miata.

Newbie questions coming in another post.

Chris

P.S. Thanks everyone for the props on the Miata! I ain't gonna lie, I'd have an S2K and Miata if I had the $$$.

 

great posts everyone...i was actually going for something like this kinda thread when i started it....see who bashes what car and why...seems like all you miata fans are coming out and supporting your car...props

 

oh yeah..and i was also wonderin how many people get mistaken for a miata too

 

Being an owner of Miatas and the S2000, I think HotRodSoul's impressions are pretty much right in line with mine. When I sit in the Miata, I really like those analog gauges, and feel I miss them sometimes, though the S's do work well to give me the necessary info quickly. Two really good cars.

To answer the original question some as well: What others might think of my car really dims in comparison with what I think about it and how much I enjoy it. It is, after all, for me to enjoy.

 

Boys, Boys, Boys. Trust me. 15 years from from now your s2000 will be incredibly outdated, so why worry. The more things change, the more they remain the same. I prefer analog guages myself;Porsche first used the white on black dials in 1952 and nothing better has yet come along. New isn't always better, no one yet has made the wheel rounder! Enjoy your moment in time; you're not getting any younger!

 

i would rather have analog too....i don't know about you guys, but my fuel meter seems kinda funky...i don't quite trust it as much as i trust analog fuel guages.