silverspeed03
Boost Junky
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- 2008 MS3
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MS3 + Used Miata or S2000?
- Thread starter MS3077
- Start date
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FrequentFlyer
Member
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- 2008 CWP Mazdaspeed3
I've owned both a '99 Miata 10th Anniversary Edition with the 6-speed tranny and Bilstien suspension and then an '04 S2000. The Miata was fun, but I hated getting out accelerated by mini-vans. It was pretty much like a go-kart, but just didn't have the straight line "umph". Now, you can buy a cheap Miata and mod the hell out of it. There is a wide assortment of turbo/supercharger kits and everything under the sun for the suspension. I had mine lowered with Ground Control coilovers, KYB AGX shocks and aftermarket sway bars. I have no doubt it could've ripped through a slalom at about 70mph.
The S2000 is in another league though. It's the car the Miata never was and probably never will be. Besides both being RWD roadsters, they really were night and day. The Miata was more euro (MG, Fiat, etc...) whereas the S2000 was pure Japanese, hair on fire, screaming raw performance. It pretty much begged you to redline line it every moment you had. I think out of all the cars I've owned, the S2000 was the most fun, ever. I remember when they came out in 2000 I wanted one so bad, but was in no way financial stable enough to buy one, especially when they were marking them up over $40k (so I got the Miata). But, in 2004, I was able to pick one up for $2,000 under sticker and I went for it. The ONLY reason why I got rid of it last summer was that I needed a commuter that was more practical as my daily driver and neither the Miata nor S2000 are. I did kid myself for years thinking they were fine daily drivers, but I was single, living the bachelor life and wasn't commuting very far back then, so they were perfect. Now it's "married with children". If I could afford to keep 3 cars in the household though, I would have kept the S2000. It's just an unbelievable car. It may be "torqueless" as some people say, but the new AP2's will surprise you. Of course they're not going to feel like a turbocharged car, but the top end is great and the handling isn't too shabby either (better than the MS3).
Honestly, I'd find a used S2000 being sold privately by some old guy that never drove it. Don't waste your money with a certified used. I think the whole certified used program is a scam. It's a Honda man. The engine is pretty much bulletproof and if you get an AP2, the tranny is much better than the older ones that had synchro issues (the new ones have carbon composite synchros). I don't know how much you're willing to spend, but you can probably get an '04 with 40-50k miles for $17-18k. If you can afford 2 cars, go for the S2000. Just realize that it is going to be more expensive to insure and it eats tires like a son-of-a-gun (and you can't rotate - staggered).
The S2000 is in another league though. It's the car the Miata never was and probably never will be. Besides both being RWD roadsters, they really were night and day. The Miata was more euro (MG, Fiat, etc...) whereas the S2000 was pure Japanese, hair on fire, screaming raw performance. It pretty much begged you to redline line it every moment you had. I think out of all the cars I've owned, the S2000 was the most fun, ever. I remember when they came out in 2000 I wanted one so bad, but was in no way financial stable enough to buy one, especially when they were marking them up over $40k (so I got the Miata). But, in 2004, I was able to pick one up for $2,000 under sticker and I went for it. The ONLY reason why I got rid of it last summer was that I needed a commuter that was more practical as my daily driver and neither the Miata nor S2000 are. I did kid myself for years thinking they were fine daily drivers, but I was single, living the bachelor life and wasn't commuting very far back then, so they were perfect. Now it's "married with children". If I could afford to keep 3 cars in the household though, I would have kept the S2000. It's just an unbelievable car. It may be "torqueless" as some people say, but the new AP2's will surprise you. Of course they're not going to feel like a turbocharged car, but the top end is great and the handling isn't too shabby either (better than the MS3).
Honestly, I'd find a used S2000 being sold privately by some old guy that never drove it. Don't waste your money with a certified used. I think the whole certified used program is a scam. It's a Honda man. The engine is pretty much bulletproof and if you get an AP2, the tranny is much better than the older ones that had synchro issues (the new ones have carbon composite synchros). I don't know how much you're willing to spend, but you can probably get an '04 with 40-50k miles for $17-18k. If you can afford 2 cars, go for the S2000. Just realize that it is going to be more expensive to insure and it eats tires like a son-of-a-gun (and you can't rotate - staggered).
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I am bro, I'm just greedy lol!
Super Unique
Member
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- 2008.5 Mazdaspeed 3 Black Mica
Just keep in mind the ego effect. Sometimes folks paint this elaborate image in their minds of how perfect things would if only this or that. If you shopping women and feel an s2000 or other flashy car will attract a mate, please realize she will be the entirely wrong kind for you. A good woman, who would be a good mate could care less what kind of car you drive.
Food for thought
Food for thought
I definitely say miata + MS3. If it were just between the miata and the s2k it would be a no brainer. But the fact that you get to keep your ms3 plus get a miata is the much better way to go. Dont get me wrong, the S2K is one of my favorite cars of all time, but the miata is nearly as much fun for much less coin. Then when the two seater isn't practical you still get to hop into your speed3!!!
As far as reliability goes, miata's are nearly bulletproof if well maintained. I have a friend who has a '90 miata with 170k on it. We just put a turbo kit on a few thousand miles ago and its still running strong. It even keeps up with me pretty good! His turbo is a simple begi-s kit that only cost about $1700.
Check out clubroadster.net if you want to see some bad ass miatas.
p.s. if you get a miata get the NA ('90 to '97) they are so damn cool.
As far as reliability goes, miata's are nearly bulletproof if well maintained. I have a friend who has a '90 miata with 170k on it. We just put a turbo kit on a few thousand miles ago and its still running strong. It even keeps up with me pretty good! His turbo is a simple begi-s kit that only cost about $1700.
Check out clubroadster.net if you want to see some bad ass miatas.
p.s. if you get a miata get the NA ('90 to '97) they are so damn cool.
Nachtsturm
Member
Just thought I would throw this out there.
I have owned a S2K. I can honestly say it was my least favorite car I have owned.
You could look into a C5 Vert. Way more fun than a S2K. Prices are getting cheap.
I have owned a S2K. I can honestly say it was my least favorite car I have owned.
You could look into a C5 Vert. Way more fun than a S2K. Prices are getting cheap.
kneedragger241
Member
My 1992 Miata is still going strong with 109K miles on it.
It's been used hard for SCCA autocross and it's been to Florida and back twice.
Until last month's radiator replacement, the only parts it has ever needed are for regular maintenance. I think a clutch is in my near future, but that's still pretty good considering everything I've put this car through.
It's been used hard for SCCA autocross and it's been to Florida and back twice.
Until last month's radiator replacement, the only parts it has ever needed are for regular maintenance. I think a clutch is in my near future, but that's still pretty good considering everything I've put this car through.
You know guys the more I think about it I might as well just keep the speed3 until it's paid off for next 4yrs or so. I guess a part of me is just a little worried about something going wrong with it. This is the first "FI" car I've ever owned and all the talk on the forum about turbos going out, motor mounts breaking, etc is a bit unsettling if you know what I mean. Sometimes I feel like I'm having way too much fun in this thing and start to wonder if it's going to be able to take all I throw at it over time. I suppose only time will tell but I don't find out the hard way. One of the reasons I've been considering the S2000 is because this car has been out since like the yr 2000 and it's proven to be a very solid / reliable automobile. It's the kind of car I wouldn't worry about so much when I’m driving it hard. I know the S2000 isn’t the fastest or best performing car out there for the price but its fun and that’s my biggest concern. If I ended up buying one, trust me I wouldn’t be racing any speed3’s with it.
Does this sort of make sense?
Does this sort of make sense?
My 1992 Miata is still going strong with 109K miles on it.
It's been used hard for SCCA autocross and it's been to Florida and back twice.
Until last month's radiator replacement, the only parts it has ever needed are for regular maintenance. I think a clutch is in my near future, but that's still pretty good considering everything I've put this car through.
Awesome, I think I'm convinced now that a Miata would be a safe bet if I decide to go that route some day.
lol! Yay and empty my bank account (shocked)
I'm a good driver but I drive hard much of the time. I just hope the MS3 can take a good long sustained beating over the course of its expected life time. Hopefully a good 120k + - - I'm at 17k in only about 10 months and I've had absolutely no issues with it whatsoever so I guess we'll see..
Nismothecat
Member
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- 08 Mazdaspeed3
i test drove a suzuka blue s2000 with 25k miles right before i bought my MS3. they are nice cars, just way to small for me.
lazyboi808
Member
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- 2008 Mazdaspeed 3
The ms3 is a great car, thats why I bought one, but to try to compare it to the s2k, is just not reasonable. There 2 different cars, in every way, shape, an form. They do not share 1 thing incommon, except maybe the fun factor, but that useally leans to the s2k favor. As price for gas only goes up, I only get about 220-250 miles a tank MAYBE. My friends s2k gets about 300-350 a tank, thats a bit more. Just look for what you want.
Super Unique
Member
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- 2008.5 Mazdaspeed 3 Black Mica
S2000 + central florida accident rate = ms3077 squashed in a pregnant beer can.
