Trust me, go with the S2000, aka the "Miata for men"

You can have plenty of fun without pushing the S2k to the extreme limit, but even if you DO want to do that, if you are getting an 08, you will have VSA, which should prevent you from getting into any truly bad situations.

Like you said, the S2000 is pretty much superior in every major aspect. Don't settle for a worse car and have to live with the regret!

 

I've driven both AP2 and an NC+06 Miata and you can feel tons of body roll on the "MX-5". I mean you can probably three wheel a Miata on a 25mph turn. The S2000 feels more planted which gives you more confidence pushing it to the limit. Once you pass the limit the S will let you know.

 

The S can be a little bit frightening at the limit. I've heard the AP2's (haven't driven one) have more "safety" dialed in but you still see lots and lots of posts about people wrecking them.

Unless you want the retractable hard top, i'd buy the Honda.

 

I'm surprised so many here are talking down about the Miata. It's a fantastic car, and probably one of the main reasons we have the S2000 today.

The beauty of owning an S2000 is that it's two cars in one -- it can be a docile, fun-loving sun car, then turn into a snarling track beast.

But I predict you'll never approach it's limits on city streets (and if you do, shame on you). And within safe street driving, the S2000 and Miata are much closer together in performance. Miatas are quite tossable and fun to drive fast even if they lack the S2000's acceleration. Both cars are great on the track.

The NC has the best convertable top design on the market in a soft top, and probably the best retractable hard top design on the market as well if you prefer that convenience.

Both cars should be equally reliable. Total operating costs, especially insurance, should be lower for the Miata. IMO, the S2000 has better interior design, fit and finish, and interior materials ... but you do pay more for it.

In the end it comes down to ... (1) what fits you better, and (2) what's another 70hp worth to you? Don't let the S2000's reputation scare you -- that will never be an issue if you learn to respect the car and drive it responsibly.

<------------- Guess what I chose when faced with the same decision.

 

I have a 2005 S and recently attended a high performance driving class. An Mx5 was in the class with us. The Miata owner had many questions about my S. I must say the Miata was a very nice looking car. On the track, we always ended up running together. When I was following I would notice extreme leaning and he ended up off the track at least twice. At the end of the day he had mud inside of his car. I will say the Miata was quite fast around the track, I'm not a racecar driver(my first track day), I found it difficult to stay with him and difficult to lose him. Neither of us could pass the other. Both cars are nice, but I would and did choose the S2000.

John

 

I drove a 95 miata for 5 years. I did enjoy it, and adding a roll bar eliminated the "chick car" comments and stiffened it a bit. It had bulletproof reliability, was extremely tossable, lots of fun to drive.

Then my wife and I purchased a 2006 VW GTI which uses what I think will end up being one of the best engines ever made- the 2.0 Liter FSI turbo from Audi-gobs of torque available at low RPMS. But after driving this a bit, I soon grew tired of the lack of power in my miata. Still tossable, but now felt lethargic on power. Ignorance truly is bliss!! And acceleration is addictive.

I pondered adding turbo but once you add in total costs for turbo, clutch, etc..and the fact you lose it when selling it, I decided to sell it and drive the GTI while my wife drove our SUV.

I'm now ready for a replacement. I hoped the new Miata had more punch, but it still feels underpowered even under hard revving, and I agree with comments about body roll. Plus the 2008 I test drove not only had very cheap plastic inside but the fitting was poor with several misaligned pieces and the top had to be fiddled with to lock down properly--and felt chinsy. While still a reliable powertrain probably, as a whole car it just ain't a Honda.

Though I know the S wont have the low end grunt of my GTI, it will ultimately be faster when crossing 6k rpm.

Based on comments from you all, I think I'm going for the S. You've reassured me that I likely won't kill myself the day after break-in. Or at least if I do, I probably earned it!

Thanks again for the advice!

 

If you dont care about looks get the miata

 

The unpredictability is pretty well dialed out after 8 years of tuning little but the suspension. The first few model years are the 'twitchy' ones.

You'll love your S2000, and I hear you can get a steal on an 07 right now!

 

In that case you can safely IGNORE all the BS about the car being dangerous. With the MY08 you get both stability control and terminal understeer, so the car is AT LEAST as easy to manage as the new Miata's. If you were looking at an older AP1 I'd be slower to make a recommendation without hesitation, but since you're looking at an MY08 car, I think you should shed your fears and go for it. You obviously prefer the S2000 for sound reasons, and you are worrying about problems you won't even have with the late model S2000.

 

You just have to use the gear box more. I have an AP2 and have never had a problem driving at the limit. I have had mine 4 years and have had zero problems.