Hi guys,

Just joined up, looks like a cool place to hang out!

One question I have about the S2000 is about interior room. I've been through two "early" Maiata's (or MX-5's as they're here in Oz) and despite being a pretty big guy, I never really found them to be too tight on room.

Sitting in an S2000 in a dealer's showroom the other day hoping the rain would clear a little for a test drive, I found the cockpit really tight. Prety cramped on elbow room and the wheel right in my lap. I felt much more "confined" than I ever did in the Mazda. Maybe it's the higher sill/door line or the transmission tunnel.

Is it just me, or is it really a smaller driver's compartment ?

Apart from that I simply can't think of another chariot that would fit the bill better as a replacement for my (gracefully) aging 911SC Targa!

Thanks,

- Earl

 

Hi welcome to the site!

I have never driven the Mazda but I remember when I went to pick up my Stook (in the days you had to order blind and didn't see it 'till it arrived)I remember how small it felt and especially how little I could see out of it being 6'3'' tall. Believe me when you have had the car for a while it just fits like a second skin!

 

Before I purchased the S2000, it was between the S and the Miata. One reason I went with the S was because of Miata's tight quarters, at least the new Miatas. The S has more head and leg room than the Miata. I am 6'2" and about 180 lbs and leg room was a problem in the Miata for me. The odd thing about the Miata is that when I sat in an older Miata (an 97 model, I think), it felt very comfortable, didn't feel cramp at all, plenty of leg and head room. Maybe the newer ones got smaller inside.

But the S can feel cramp in the elbow areas but I have plenty of room between the steering wheel and my knees, something I didn't have in the Miata. During regular driving, I like to hold the steering wheel in the 7 o'clock position and this was a problem in the Miata.

 

Welcome EJW. One of the reasons I purchased the S2000 rather than a Miaata was that I did not fit in the Miata, but I did fit in the Honda. A am slim, so headroom was my major fit issue.

 

Welcome EJW. Just for fun, let your Mazda and Honda dealers let you try sitting in the cars with the tops (hoods) up

 

The s2k is supposed to feel like this ...



The Miata is supposed to feel like this ...



So yes, there is a definate difference. To me, the Miata FEELS roomy when compared to the s2k ... the s2k slips on like a glove. The raised center console makes a big difference in my opinion ... it definately cuts down on the available width in the s2k ...

However while there is less width in the Honda ... and it can feel tighter ... I find that in practice taller people can actually fit better in the s2k ... especially in the passenger seat ... a very tall (6'5) friend of mine said he feels much more comfortable in the passenger seat of the s2k than in a Z3 ...

Personally I love the wrap-on feel of the s2k.

Have fun,
Derek

 

I own a 1996 M1 Miata MX-5 as well as a 2001 S2K. I can tell you with certainty that there is more room (from a cubic foot measurement) in the S. The S just feels tighter to some because of the high belt line, center tunnel and fabulous seats. However, there is far more room inside the S when you put it into perspective.

Any doubts about that, just sit in both cars with the tops raised.

I am not so sure about the new M2 Miata but I would guess that the situation is similar.

 

One definitely feels more jammed against the door trim, seat and forced out by the transmission tunnel in the S2K. The Miata is lower waisted and has an open rear deck without roll bars, secret compartments & stuff. On RHD cars, the driver has similar legroom, but the passenger is rather cramped in the MX-5, compared to the S2K. The later Mazdas do feel more cramped, due to the moulded door panels. The biggest difference is one seems to sit higher off the road in the S2K, like an SLK. Is this subjective, or is the H-point really higher?

 

I always find this type of thread fascinating. I am 6" and have both an MX-5 and an S2000. I have the a new MX-5 and had an old one too.

When I get in my S2000 I definately feel cramped. Not in the body department (Although I cannot put my seat back down very far) but I am severely limited in the leg area. I need at least another 3 inches in the footwell.

I am not a particularly disfigured person - My legs don't come up to my chest..!

I hear that the S2000 pedals are perfectly offset etc, etc. Yet I have to rest my knee and leg on the door to get any form of comfort in my car.

I also have a 1993 CRX. It is very comfortable and feels like a palace compared to my S2000.

The old MX-5 was a chore to drive as it was also very limited in space. The new one is much more spacious (At least it feels that way).

Regards,
S.

 

Yeah, I have the same problem. My left knee rests on the door panel, right about where the speaker is. It muffles the sound somewhat.