The is a very serious question...

The size difference (being a few inches) doesn't justify the weight difference.

The motor is a 2.0 litre for both, apples to apples.

Honda tried to reduce weight by using an aluminim hood, electric steering rack, etc.. so you know they are weight conscientious

I would assume the bracing would account for the majority of weight but 450lbs of it seems unrealistic.

I understand that the mx-5 with suspension/tire upgrades can pull some serious laterial force.

 

Less Weight = Less wait.

except in this comparison.

 

50 lbs here and 50 lbs there adds up fast. A car that is only a few inches, longer and wider with a longer wheel base adds up fast! A 350Z is only a few inches longer and wider than an S2000 and it weighs around 500 lbs more.

Just because the MX-5 also has a 2.0 liter motor does not mean they both weight the same. The F20/F22 are built for serious power and revs and that kind of strength requires weight. The S2000 engine and tranny are huge for only being a 2.0 liter

 

WTF? My Miata weighs like 4000lbs.

 

You base that on what? Steel is heavy stuff - I haven't worked with it, but a few inches here and there can certainly add up.

One produces 237 hp and revs to 8000 rpm. The other produces 167 hp and revs to 7200 rpm (I think.) Which one do you think has the heavier crank?

Actually, my gut feeling is that an electric power steering box would be heavier than a hydraulic one. Or at least pretty much the same. Electric coils and whatnot can get quite heavy. My understanding is the electric steering rack is more about reducing parasitic drag on the engine.

Also, the Miata has BOTH an aluminum hood and trunk lid, as opposed to the S2000's steel trunk lid.

And the Miata does not include a spare tire, unlike the standard S2000.

450 is incorrect. I don't see where Wikipedia got the 2410 curb weight - Mazda's own webpage lists weights from 2480 to 2542. Compared to the MY09 S2000's 2864 lbs weight, that's 384 to 322 lbs less.

No relevant. Lateral g-forces, assuming a proper handling balance and outside of aero downforce, are almost exclusively the realm of tire performance. The Elise is super light compared to just about everything else out there, is incredibly agile - and yet achieves max cornering forces similar to other heavier cars out there.

I'm not trying to justify the S2000's weight, by the way - I'm just trying to explain it.

 

Does the MX5 (NC) have roll hoops behind the seats, or are they style hoops? Those add some weight as well.

 

AP2 flywheel and exhaust weigh quite a bit too. haha

Some good info being shared in here so far.

 

Manual top vs. Auto.

Diameter of the wheels is a factor, but width is too.

I'm glad someone mentioned the lack of a spare tire.

Does a limited slip differential weigh more than an open dif.?

Carbon steel weighs around .283 lbs. / in^3 .

 

Just look at them next to each other. Should be pretty obvious then! Sure some weight is power roof and bracing but looking at them the Miata looks quite a bit smaller.