MS3 + Used Miata or S2000?

[MS3077]

The S2000 is about as Japanese as they come, it really holds true to the JDM theme. Muscle car guys probably hate it, I'm sure I wouldn't make many friends at the local drag strip with it! Actually, I doubt I would drag the S2000 anyway. I think I would just cruise around town looking for poontang(naughty) with a wife beater on and some cool shades

 

[staples187]

theres a reason the miata is the number one selling car of its class =P

Because it's a lot more affordable then most of the other options out there, plus it's been out for so damn long. I don't care what anyone says Mazda does lose its value more then Honda. I loved my Speed 3, but I lost a lot of money getting out of it.

 

[Vord]

Because it's a lot more affordable then most of the other options out there, plus it's been out for so damn long. I don't care what anyone says Mazda does lose its value more then Honda. I loved my Speed 3, but I lost a lot of money getting out of it.

actually its because it hasnt had any competition. the solstice/sky is the first price comparable low power, low weight, convertible that is even worth mentioning. the rest are either too big, arent aimed at performance, or too expensive (BMW z).

Plus, practically ever magazine has had nothing but rave reviews on the miatas and it doesn't help much that skip barber uses them as their learning cars.

 

[Nismothecat]

Because it's a lot more affordable then most of the other options out there, plus it's been out for so damn long. I don't care what anyone says Mazda does lose its value more then Honda. I loved my Speed 3, but I lost a lot of money getting out of it.

thats what happens when you buy a new car and sell it a year later.

 

[MS3077]

Because it's a lot more affordable then most of the other options out there, plus it's been out for so damn long. I don't care what anyone says Mazda does lose its value more then Honda. I loved my Speed 3, but I lost a lot of money getting out of it.

How are you liking that G37?? Not really the type of car I'm interested in but a short point of view would be nice.

 

[ericrapp]

Are you any closer to deciding where you are at?

 

[MS3077]

ericrapp - There's no doubt that I would be happy with an S2000 as I've spent some time behind the wheel of one. However, I need to give the Miata a fair shake (test drive) to help make my decision. Also, keep in mind that I'm not exactly hell bent on going thru with this idea as I'm pretty damn happy with the speed3. I think I might be jumping the gun a bit but to me its fun to think of the possibilities and hear from other members on what they'd do and or think.

 

[Super Unique]

Well, I am a little confused by the sudden about face in regards to your choice in cars. For one, the s2000 actually looses to your current car on most performance parameters with the exception of being able to steer via throttle (speed 3 does as well, but it's not the same thing) On the straights the 3 should easily overpower it. So in the end, your going to pay more for a less practical car, just for the "cool" factor. In order to explore the performance envelope that separates the speed 3 and the s2000 will likely happen 1% or less of your time on the road, and even then is dangerous. Choice is up to you, but just be aware your going to be dropping a lot of coin for the sake of change.

S2000 is definitely not a good chick magnet, but then again if your buying a car to draw "chicks" you still have some further life lessons to learn

 

[happy and angry]

There's something to be said about the intangible feel of everything being "right" when behind the wheel of a slick, well balanced roadster. If that's what it is that he wants, more power to him.

I'm not going to go into the... irregularity of him suddenly changing his tune on the MS3... again. Maybe he's just fickle. Ah well, he'll learn to appreciate what he has and learn that the grass isn't always greener.

 

[Super Unique]

This might well be the kicker in his decision.

trade in value for his car in excellent condition according NADA book is $17,265 for his specific car, mileage, and region. That's one hell of a wack to the wallet when switching out to a honda S2000...... Personally I wouldn't do it. No matter how bad I liked the honda.

 

[MS3077]

Well, I am a little confused by the sudden about face in regards to your choice in cars. For one, the s2000 actually looses to your current car on most performance parameters with the exception of being able to steer via throttle (speed 3 does as well, but it's not the same thing) On the straights the 3 should easily overpower it. So in the end, your going to pay more for a less practical car, just for the "cool" factor. In order to explore the performance envelope that separates the speed 3 and the s2000 will likely happen 1% or less of your time on the road, and even then is dangerous. Choice is up to you, but just be aware your going to be dropping a lot of coin for the sake of change.

S2000 is definitely not a good chick magnet, but then again if your buying a car to draw "chicks" you still have some further life lessons to learn

The basis for my decision where explained in post #31. I'm aware that the S2000 isn't faster or much better of a performer overall than the speed3. Like I said I wouldn't be racing speed3's with it lol! Don't get me wrong I like fast cars but being fast is only one part of the equation for me. Happy and angry actually made a good post for once and explained it to a tee for the most part. There's just something about the feel of the car. Also, it's not like I'm going to be trading in my speed3 tomorrow for it or anything. I mean c-mon man; I'm not that bad at math! Granted the S2000 probably isn't the most beautiful car out there it's a little better looking than our humble speed3. I know I posted something to the affect of just buying it to cruise around and score poontang but that's just me being silly. I think some members have been confusing my weird sense of humor for being an ass, etc. Trust me I've been there done that, I'm not so naive enough to think that a hot car is going result in me finding the girl of my dreams or anything like that.

 

[MS3077]

Also, it's not like I made the decision just yet. I'm only entertaining the idea guy’s geez...lol

 

[wisniaPl]

put supercharger into s2000 and you can race ms3

 

[MS3077]

put supercharger into s2000 and you can race ms3

I would be afraid to put any kind of F1 system into the S2000 considering it's super high compression ratio. I guess I could run about 7psi or something. However, I think I would be happy with the way it is. I was doing a little more research at it seems that like that run about 14 sec flat in the 1/4. That's actually pretty decent as far as I'm concerned.

 

[haberdashery]

that picture makes me want to get up and trade my car in right now for one. i just traded in a mazda3 for my speed3, with the market like it is i began to realize it was going to cost me a lot more than i had planned. so i started pinching pennies elsewhere, which reassured my impractical decision for the faster car (hi). i bet you could find a sick miata for cheap, or throw some money into the speed's suspension like i said before, i think that might satisfy you for a bit, it certainly made me happy.

 

[wisniaPl]

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6920766249987089457&q=&hl=en

you have to love the sound of hte v tec(hand)

 

[MS3077]

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6920766249987089457&q=&hl=en

you have to love the sound of hte v tec(hand)

LMFAO! That was epic

 

[AutoXRacer]

Frankly, the S2000 is a pain in the ass to drive on the streets. There is no torque down low and in order to get it moving, you have to rev the crap out of it...not practical on the streets.

Now, since I used to own a Miata, a turbo/supercharged Miata will out perform the S2000 in every way...except looks. (lol2)

I put 214,000 miles on my Miata before trading it in for a MS3. Those miles included 140 miles to work and back every day, 4 autocrosses a month, and road trips every chance I got. This car worked every single day non-stop since I got it. Only left me stranded once around the corner from my house; needed a new fuel pump...
Many Miatas are still autocrossing at +200,000 miles...

I'm waiting for the new Mazdaspeed Miata to come out so I can order one. (2thumbs)
In all honestly, I would not keep a NA Miata, definitely must FI it!!!!

Good luck with your decision...

If its show you want, then go with the S2000...if you want a performance/drivers car, then get a Miata.

 

[kneedragger241]

Half the fun of my '92 is keeping it flat through my neighbourhood's version of Eau Rouge

Driving a Miata fast is definitely NOT about power. It's conservation of momentum.
Straight line, the thing is a dog.
Throw some turns in the mix, and I'll see you at the next lookout.

Street legal go-karts FTW!

 

[FrequentFlyer]

Frankly, the S2000 is a pain in the ass to drive on the streets. There is no torque down low and in order to get it moving, you have to rev the crap out of it...not practical on the streets.

Biggest misnomer about the S2000 ever. You obviously haven't driven a 2004+ with the 2.2L. My S2k was faster than my '99 Miata everywhere in the RPM band. Face it, the Miata is SLOW without spending money on aftermarket FI. I mean it's a 16 second 1/4 car, whereas the S2000 is a 14 second car. That's a huge difference in acceleration. I drove my S2k as a daily driver for almost 4 years and it was never a burden to drive because of lack of torque. I've got video of me accelerating through a few gears in my S2k. I'll have to post'm to Youtube. You will tailor your driving to the car. If you're used to shifting at 3k RPM, it's not going to work in the S2k. With a 8,200 RPM redline, it's very common to shift around 4-5k and the motor doesn't even sound like it's phased by it. That's what it was built for. Hand built, by the way. How many motors and cars today can you say are hand assembled? The S2000 is. Don't get me wrong, the Miata is a great car, but I used to see the same arguement over at Miata.net when I owned mine about the S2000 vs. Miata. That pissing match seemed to come up every other day and people would throw out BS about the S2000 being torqueless and hard to drive around town. This was coming from people who's Miata had like 110lb-ft of torque. Then the ones who had owned both came in and raise the BS flag.