ms3 bang for your buck over a s2k??

[MS3077]

You know you might be right about the s2000 being funnier to drive. I only drove one for like 15 minutes for a test drive. I drive an RX-8 quite often and think its fun but if I drove a S2000 more often I might form a different opinion. Both cool cars nonetheless. I like my speed3 more however!

With the S2000 and RX-8 you'll most likely have better luck with the ladies

 

[LaCroix08]

I couldn't drive an s2000 even if I wanted to, I was checking one out at a Honda place in Tulsa and I sat in it and my knees were on the dash and I couldn't see down low enough to see the gauges, so I went to move the seat back it was all the way back!

Just another disadvantage of being 6'5.
But yeah, ms3 all the way, to hell with Honda

 

[MS3077]

I couldn't drive an s2000 even if I wanted to, I was checking one out at a Honda place in Tulsa and I sat in it and my knees were on the dash and I couldn't see down low enough to see the gauges, so I went to move the seat back it was all the way back!

Just another disadvantage of being 6'5.
But yeah, ms3 all the way, to hell with Honda

lmfao!

Yeah the S2000 was made for dudes with small frames like myself 5'9 145lbs. I fit in an S2000 like a glove

 

[LaCroix08]

lmfao!

Yeah the S2000 was made for dudes with small frames like myself 5'9 145lbs. I fit in an S2000 like a glove

Yeah, it was pretty embarrassing, haha.
But at that dealership they wouldn't even let me see the keys to the Si they had on the lot, and it's a shame for them, cause at that time, I was looking for a new car in our class, and I didn't even know what a speed3 was, hahaha.

 

[Super Unique]

Yeah, it was pretty embarrassing, haha.
But at that dealership they wouldn't even let me see the keys to the Si they had on the lot, and it's a shame for them, cause at that time, I was looking for a new car in our class, and I didn't even know what a speed3 was, hahaha.

I just don't get it when dealers play that game?

Dealers really just don't want to sell a car do they? Just because there is demand for a car, isn't a reason to not let someone look at and drive it. Thats the point of a test drive. Who buys something without driving it?

When I bought my speed3 this week, I started out weeks ago researching various cars, then went to test drive all of them. I ended up liking the overall package of the mazda, and DID purchase it, just not on the same DAY I test drove it. Had I been denied that test drive last week, they would have LOST a sale yesterday because of it. Fact is, If I wasn't in the mood to buy, I wouldn't be out test driving at all.....

 

[Betelgeuse]

They're two different cars. An rx8 /mx-5/soltice/350z etc would be a better comparison.

As for acceleration, I've gone up against a couple s2000s and my car was quicker. Trust me, stock they aren't all that.

 

[camrycev6]

Yes...the are two different cars. In my opinion it is like comparing a MS3 verus a F150 Lightning. Both accelerate very well, but after that, the functional comparison ends.

...also I have gone against two S2000s, I never really "won", nor did they. I would say they are almost exactly the same as our cars in terms of acceleration. Car and Driver, Road and Track, Automobile, etc., all seem to back my direct experience conclusion. The MS3 is not quicker than the S2000. They are evenly matched.

 

[ragindark]

I agree... the MS3 and the S2K are matched in terms of acceleration, but after that they become two different cars. If you want to run around a track or through the twisties, the S2K would be better. If you want a car that is almost as good through the turns, and one you can use on a daily basis for just about anything... the MS3 is the way to go. (And you get to save yourself 10K!)

How is the S2000 better in the twisties again?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordschleife_fastest_lap_times

Nordschleife fastest lap times

Time Make Model Power/Weight Driver Date Source

8:39 Honda S2000 Horst von Saurma Sport Auto 01/00

8:39 Mazdaspeed3(MPS) 260 PS/1403 kg Mark Ticehurst 2007 Mazda News 06/07

 

[happy and angry]

Because it handles better and is probably a lot more fun to drive? It's a two door convertible as opposed to a 4 door wagon?

Let's compare it very briefly to another car. A Miata, a lot more fun in the twisties than a Mazdaspeed3, and slow, slow, slow by comparison. But it handles a lot better, and everyone that drives one knows it. The center of gravity is lower, it's rear wheel drive, the driving position in the car is almost sublime, and you feel way more connected to the road.

I know our car is fast, but it doesn't have the same driving characteristics of an S2000. We've got a lot more power on tap than the S2000, and don't think otherwise. We've got about 120 lb.ft of torque more than an '08 S2000. Don't put the Mazdaspeed3 up on a pedestal to the point that you lose objectivity about how it stacks up to other cars.

 

[builthatch]

most people don't have the ability, or, to put it bluntly, the balls, to drive an s2k in a manner that shows why it is what it is; what it CAN be. it's amazing in the same manner that an NSX is amazing...balance. not to sound like some sort of auto elitist, but alot of people don't understand balance, like, physical balance, and also figurative balance, like, not too much power for the chassis.

comparing the two (ms3 vs. s2k) otherwise is apples and oranges, especially if you are talking about drag racing.

the ms3 is an overly powered, well, OVER powered in terms of it's FWD setup, which makes it a bit obnoxious, but it's actually more practical for many reasons and of course faster in many ways, but

if i had to get as fast as possible around a road course, it would not be in the ms3 : )

if i had to go to home depot or have fun taking off out of a toll past a cayman, it would not be in the s2k ; )

 

[VermZ06]

I know this has turned into an MS3 vs. S2K threat...even though that was not really its intention...but i'd still take the Ms3 over the S2K anyday...plus honda is completely ditching it because for what it is, it WAS a fast car five years ago...but now for that kind of money you can get much better performance out of car from other manufactures at the same price point. Honda will now coming out with a miata like variant because sales have been so poor.

 

[camrycev6]

I was not trying to turn this into a S2K verus MS3 thread. I was merely pointing out that the S2K is superior to the MS3 in some aspects, just as the MS3 is superior to the S2K in others. I just get so tired of hearing guys rave about how the MS3 is the best thing since sliced bread. A reality check is needed sometimes. As I have said in other threads, when a Honda Accord or Camry V6 can run with you or even best you in 0-60, 1/4 mile, etc. you have to eat a little humble pie from time to time.

 

[jeffmsp]

i dunno drive an accord a camry and a ms3 around a track and you will see why everyone loves their 3s. There is more to a car than magazine numbers.

 

[stevekt]

Both are awesome cars but they are completely different. Driving performance will be pretty close but the S2K blows away the MS3 in looks and style while the MS3 crushes the S2K in practicality with a hard top roof, 4 doors, and a generous cargo area.

 

[MS3077]

Yeah I wish I could afford both of them

 

[SwampAss]

I drove one of the new Camrys. It was MUCH faster/quicker than I had anticipated. It hauled.

If you hit all your points on the MS3, I think it can be quicker. Hitting points meaning: not bogging, not reving past it's peak power, hitting all your shifts, not spinning.

Camry = push petal. Done. I know the Ms3 is more involved and more of a drivers car....but if Camry catches you resting on your laurels, you're playing catch up.

Most of the kids (20-30 somethings) who have S2000s in my area are knobs. They kids I've met driving MS3s are still knobs, but not as bad. More of a humble knob I guess.

 

[Betelgeuse]

How is the S2000 better in the twisties again?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordschleife_fastest_lap_times

Nordschleife fastest lap times

Time Make Model Power/Weight Driver Date Source

8:39 Honda S2000 Horst von Saurma Sport Auto 01/00

8:39 Mazdaspeed3(MPS) 260 PS/1403 kg Mark Ticehurst 2007 Mazda News 06/07

Yeah I remember that. Like I said, it's a great little car and has potential, but it ain't all that. It should outhandle an ms3 (like any other car in that class) but it wouldn't blow it away like some believe. It will take a little more than 'some twisties' to lose the ms3.

I will admit, it's probably the only Honda I'd consider if I ever was ever in the market for a toy and had lots of spare cash.

 

[bast525]

I have to dig up that motor trend article... the 'best handling cars in america' article.

they hired a pro driver to drive several different cars around a track and they measured all these dfferent things like yaw angle and body roll... whatever.

point is, among the porches and the corvettr z06 and evo, they also ran and s2000 and a ms3. Professional race car driver, same guy drove both cars around the same track. MS3 was faster by over a second.

then I think in car and driver, the "lightning lap", very similar concept for an article... a bunch of different sports cars driven around a race track to see who was fastest. MS3 ran up against another rwd roadster... this time the solstice turbo. MS3 lost... by a hair. it was like a 10th of a second. solstice turbo is quite a bit faster than an s2k btw.

ms3 can definitely hold its own in acceleration, handling AND braking and won't get its ass handed to it by a car like the s2000 just because the s2k is rear wheel drive. as fo straight line, I toyed with an s2k on the freeway once and murdered him. with wifey in the car... and he's the one who instigated it.

 

[MS3077]

I have to dig up that motor trend article... the 'best handling cars in america' article.

they hired a pro driver to drive several different cars around a track and they measured all these dfferent things like yaw angle and body roll... whatever.

point is, among the porches and the corvettr z06 and evo, they also ran and s2000 and a ms3. Professional race car driver, same guy drove both cars around the same track. MS3 was faster by over a second.

then I think in car and driver, the "lightning lap", very similar concept for an article... a bunch of different sports cars driven around a race track to see who was fastest. MS3 ran up against another rwd roadster... this time the solstice turbo. MS3 lost... by a hair. it was like a 10th of a second. solstice turbo is quite a bit faster than an s2k btw.

ms3 can definitely hold its own in acceleration, handling AND braking and won't get its ass handed to it by a car like the s2000 just because the s2k is rear wheel drive. as fo straight line, I toyed with an s2k on the freeway once and murdered him. with wifey in the car... and he's the one who instigated it.

+1
This is true believe it or not

 

[lestat13]

I just wanted to agree with the comment that with NA cars, simple bolt ons yield almost no significant power gains. I threw over a thousand dollars worth of bolt-ons (intake, header, race pipe, exhaust, pullies, etc) into my Integra and power difference was hardly noticeable. Intake and exhaust might have added 5 wheel horsepower.

Now in a turbo car like ours you can gain 20 wheel horsepower from an intake. Once you leave stock behind, it's a different ballgame

Still, if I had the money to buy a weekend driver like the S2000, I would They are a blast to drive!!!!