Daily Slideshow: Is the S2000 Better than the Miata?
Having driven both of these cars quite extensively, I’m often asked which is the better choice.
Diminishing Returns
In the past 10 years, I’ve had the chance to own a second-generation Miata, race a 300whp turbo Miata on slicks and drive both generations of S2000 at the track with a considerable amount of time on the street as well. The Miata, in comparison, is a little too much work to get up to the speed of an S2000. Once you do, all it takes is a couple good mods and the S2K is right back in the lead. If the drivers are equal, there’s a lot more going for the Honda. Let’s talk about why...
Wheelbase
Both cars have double wishbone suspension with great geometry and both are within striking distance of each other when they step on the scales. Pre-fight weigh in, it would be tough to call this one if you didn’t factor in wheelbase. By lengthening the distance from the center of the front wheels to the center of the rear wheels (but not too much) the S2000 gains inherent stability once you pile on the power.
>>Join the conversation about the S2000 vs Miata battle right here in S2Ki.com.
Superior Fire Power
The F-series engines from Honda are screamers that hustle the 2-liter V-TEC to a redline the Miata can only dream about. Again, this is a situation where you’re going to have to use forced induction to keep up with a stock F22C. Turbo kits for Miatas aren’t expensive, but tuning them and getting dyno time adds up fast. You quickly arrive at the cost of an S2000 without really gaining much more speed. You also venture down a path where factory reliability goes out the window. Hope you’ve been saving up!
>>Join the conversation about the S2000 vs Miata battle right here in S2Ki.com.
Aftermarket Abundance
Honda’s aftermarket selection is second to none at this point. More of these cars are modified with money dumped into engine bays, transmissions and suspension setups than almost any other tuner car imaginable. This means prices are competitive, so it’s not hard to throw mods at them if some guy in jean shorts and a sun hat beats your time at the local autocross.
>>Join the conversation about the S2000 vs Miata battle right here in S2Ki.com.
Chassis
I touched on this point in a recent article comparing the S2K to Honda Civics with the same concept applying to the Miata as well: chassis of the S2000 is far superior. There is no getting around that. You can’t throw coilovers on a Miata and change structural integrity. The X-bow frame Honda utilizes on this platform is light years ahead of the Miata. You can absolutely feel this through the steering wheel.
>>Join the conversation about the S2000 vs Miata battle right here in S2Ki.com.
Honest Assessment
As much as I love the Mazda Miata, when you start comparing it to a car like the S2000 there is no real competition. They both make for a classic front engine rear wheel drive layout in economical Japanese packaging. But the S2K has to take the W if you’re pulling out your wallet and spending your cash. Hope you enjoyed this one.
>>Join the conversation about the S2000 vs Miata battle right here in S2Ki.com.