mr_mazda329
Member
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- 97 Mazda Miata; 09 CWP Mazdaspeed 3
I have my 1st gen and i can get groceries no problem. you just gotta play a little tetris and use plastic, not paper.
would this be a downgrade?
- Thread starter stageup
- Start date
I have my 1st gen and i can get groceries no problem. you just gotta play a little tetris and use plastic, not paper.
Although I'd agree that the Miata is every bit the driver's car and deserves to be on any top10 handling list, I wouldn't take it from Motor Trend. They're like the Kia of automotive mags.
mr_mazda329
Member
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- 97 Mazda Miata; 09 CWP Mazdaspeed 3
that doesnt mater that if MT thinks it or not. All other car mags and enthusiat around the world will agree the miata is one of the best, most fun, sports cars of all time.
oaklandopen
Member
miata is still the best selling roadster (by definition) evar. and for some reason over the many many many years the platform and power has changed by a small amount, so that shows the "ain't broke don't fix it" attitude.
tiagotiago
Member
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- 2008.5 Mazdaspeed 3
+1
I was seriously thinking about buying an mx-5 too, but in the end I needed a car in which I could
a) Make a road trip with a couple of friends and our stuff and not have to worry about space(and I've already done 2, and will do a 3rd one in a month).
b)Have a car that is flexible enough to adapt to my possible needs for 10 years (which is how long I plan on holding on to it, based on how long we keep our cars in our family), considering I'll probably have a wife and kid(s) at that point.
Ideally my second car would be an MX-5 or, if I get really lucky, a Corvette, and I'd be happy to get either of them used.
i'd opt for the s2k. i also wouldn't think it's a downgrade since i own both ms3 and s2k. both are fun to drive in different kinds of ways. s2k gets my adrenaline pumping more than ms3 though due to gokart feel and rawness. s2k deceivingly fast in straight even though it doesn't have kick in the pants torque but you get going fast. you'll fall in love with shifter and steering feel. ive owned mine since 2002 with 110k miles. first few years were track days and canyon drives but now is a garage queen and runs like new. never had to take to dealer for anything and nothing never broke with all the abuse it went through. miatas also great cars and seen several during track days where they blow by higher hp cars just like s2k since they handle better.
mine:
others:
mine:
others:
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Nismothecat
Member
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- 08 Mazdaspeed3
ive always wanted a Suzuka Blue S2K. i love that color
mr_mazda329
Member
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- 97 Mazda Miata; 09 CWP Mazdaspeed 3
The miata for sure. The S2k is crappier on gas, rides stiffer, and is a pain in traffic unless your above 4500rpms. S2k has no tq.
WTF is all this crap talk about S2000 are sexy and miatas arent. I could post a bunch of pictures where the miata out-sexies the S2k.
The CR's are cool looking but why have a hard top when you can have a convertible? The hard top is just a pain in the ass IMO.
Don't know about the gas mileage with the Miata but the S2K isn't that bad as long as you're not romping on it all the time.
The ride is pretty stiff, I will admit but once you're on the highway, it's all good.
The thing I will say about the S2K is that when the top is up, the car is a nightmare. Claustrophobic, hard to get in and out of without hitting your head, etc. When the top is down, the car is awesome! (alright)
As for the Miata, if the OP is a taller person, might wanna make sure you fit. My husband is 6' 1" or 6" 2" and his knees were buried in the dash when he checked out an MSM.
And one more thing: The practicality issue... no, convertibles are not practical as a DD so if you need to have trunk space and a backseat, make sure you have another car for that kind of stuff.
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- '13 CWP MS3 & '16 Mazda6 GT
/\ What she said.
As far as the "no tq" comment. I've had 0 issues driving this car in traffic daily. Even at low RPMs it moves but of course if you really wanna get out of the way, yes, higher RPMs are the answer but thats the same for any car.
I've driven plenty of miatas before (NA, NB and NCs) and they jsut didnt give me the thrill I enjoy driving the S2k.
Plus as my wife said, if space is an issue then its S2k all the way lol I dont fit well in miatas (the NC was ok since its bigger) but I fit very comfortably in the S2k and can drive forever in it.
Plus, vtekkks is FTW (lol2)
oh, and we average 23mpg city(and that was w/ some normal and some spirited driving)....not recently tho because w/ the K&N I havent been able to keep my foot off the pedal cuz it sounds too pretty lol
As far as the "no tq" comment. I've had 0 issues driving this car in traffic daily. Even at low RPMs it moves but of course if you really wanna get out of the way, yes, higher RPMs are the answer but thats the same for any car.
I've driven plenty of miatas before (NA, NB and NCs) and they jsut didnt give me the thrill I enjoy driving the S2k.
Plus as my wife said, if space is an issue then its S2k all the way lol I dont fit well in miatas (the NC was ok since its bigger) but I fit very comfortably in the S2k and can drive forever in it.
Plus, vtekkks is FTW (lol2)
oh, and we average 23mpg city(and that was w/ some normal and some spirited driving)....not recently tho because w/ the K&N I havent been able to keep my foot off the pedal cuz it sounds too pretty lol
Oh yeah, I forgot about that. Yes, the gas mileage suffers but damn if it doesn't sound pretty!
I’ve driven both, a 05’Honda S2000 and a 08’ Mazda Miata. Both are great fun to drive but if I had to choose one or the other it would be the S2000 without a blink. It’s just as fast as a MS3 but the driving experience makes you feel like you’re in a race car plus it’s a convertible when you want it to be.
Despite not having a lot of low end torque it still has plenty of power even below 4500 to make normal driving pleasurable and since the 6-speed manual is so crisp and easy to engage, down shifting to make a pass, etc isn’t a hassle but actually quite fun.
Its torque curve despite being low in ft-lbs is very flat and power builds very linear / smoothly. At 4500-8200rpms there’s great power along with a fantastic sound from the engine and it never feels like its being pushed beyond its limits even at 8000+ RPMS.
Driver ergonomics are top notch; the seating position, steering wheel, and clutch and shifter arrangement feel as if they were pulled right out of a race car, couldn’t be any better I don’t think. The steering is very precise, delivers great road feel and is perfectly weighted.
The clutch is very easy to engage and makes moving from a stop and making perfect shifts a breeze. The 6-speed manual shifter is out of this world good! The throws are very short/ precise and the gear ratios couldn’t be a better match for the cars power band. The seat hold you nice and secure offer plenty of adjustability and are comfortable.
Despite being a 2dr roadster sports car it’s actually more practical than you might think. The trunk in the back has room to but enough gear, etc for a weekend getaway and there are plenty of empty slots in the front to put miscellaneous items such as keys and sunglasses, etc.
I’m probably going to pick up a used lightly used one for less than 25k then bolt on a GReddy Turbo kit (295WHP vs. ~190-200whp stock), BC racing suspension, EBC brakes, Nitto tire, and some light weight forged after market wheels.
Despite not having a lot of low end torque it still has plenty of power even below 4500 to make normal driving pleasurable and since the 6-speed manual is so crisp and easy to engage, down shifting to make a pass, etc isn’t a hassle but actually quite fun.
Its torque curve despite being low in ft-lbs is very flat and power builds very linear / smoothly. At 4500-8200rpms there’s great power along with a fantastic sound from the engine and it never feels like its being pushed beyond its limits even at 8000+ RPMS.
Driver ergonomics are top notch; the seating position, steering wheel, and clutch and shifter arrangement feel as if they were pulled right out of a race car, couldn’t be any better I don’t think. The steering is very precise, delivers great road feel and is perfectly weighted.
The clutch is very easy to engage and makes moving from a stop and making perfect shifts a breeze. The 6-speed manual shifter is out of this world good! The throws are very short/ precise and the gear ratios couldn’t be a better match for the cars power band. The seat hold you nice and secure offer plenty of adjustability and are comfortable.
Despite being a 2dr roadster sports car it’s actually more practical than you might think. The trunk in the back has room to but enough gear, etc for a weekend getaway and there are plenty of empty slots in the front to put miscellaneous items such as keys and sunglasses, etc.
I’m probably going to pick up a used lightly used one for less than 25k then bolt on a GReddy Turbo kit (295WHP vs. ~190-200whp stock), BC racing suspension, EBC brakes, Nitto tire, and some light weight forged after market wheels.
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I really don't think you have driven both to know enough about ether. The MIATA is like the S2K when NOT in VTEC. The only time you will be in VTEC is when you are passing or in another situation when you need to be. Your normal shifting will be around 3-3500. The S2K has plenty of power below VTEC.
There is NO comparison between the S2K and the Miata. The S2K is a true sports car and the Miata is an overgrown go-cart.
I owned an S2K for almost 5 years. Made one hell of a DD for me as I put 116,000 miles on it. I also drove it from SF to Houston Tx and back and to my total amazement my back, butt or legs never hurt one bit. The only issue I had was my knee kept resting on the radio door when it was down. To me that was simply unbelievable. Try that in a Miata and let me know how it goes
The Cons to the S2K is that you have to toss 10K minimum at it to get any real additional power and EVERYTHING for the S2K is as expensive as hell. As far as community goes, the S2K community in the East Bay is cool as hell. Hell they even let me bring my MS3 to their Dyno day and loved my car. I so loved my S2K but after 5 years things like the top needed replacing and I was simply tired of a vert and wanted something more practical so I got my MS3.
Also, it's kinda insulting to call the S2K just a Honda. It is really quite a work of art for what you get for 30k. You should read the history of the S2K before you call it just a Honda. The Honda I owned was HAND MADE in Japan right next to the NXS (Though I believe the 2003 and up are factory made now). The side panels are special materials......bah read the history on it and you will see. It's WAY more than a simple HONDA.
So for me it's a simple decision. Given the same money and both cars around the same price, the S2K should win hands down. You simply get way more car for the money.
Also, to the OP. Turbo Miata? Why? The S2K will still beat it. Besides, put that same money down for aTurbo kit for the S2K and you're talking real power
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Sorry man but UNTRUE on all points here. The S2K I had averaged 26ish MPG for me. I drove 80-90miles every day to work and back without issue in my S2000. When you drive in heavy commute traffic the two most important things you want in a car is POWER and BRAKES of which the S2000 had both.
As far as ride goes, the ONLY time the S2000 is what I would call rough is when you hit the center median bumps they put down the center of the road or the little bumps they put before a Stop Sign sometimes. That will rattle your teeth for sure. However, pot holes and such are NO PROBLEM and normal road conditions are no problem ether. My S2000 rode just as good as my MS3 or my RX8.
No TQ? Sure. However there is VTEC to get you out of trouble when needed. I like that a lot better than my RX8 as with the RX8 you punch it you have to wait for the power to build and with the S2000 you punch it and it just flat out goes man.
As far as Sexy? Sorry bro but you lose. The S2000 is simply pure sex. The Miata is no where near sexy in any shape or form. Cute sure. But Sexy. No way in hell bro. NOT a chance.
when i say the s2k is a honda, i mean a lot of people who have one treat them as if they're a bugatti, keeping it a garage queen etc...
main thing is here in socal, tops get slashed, seats get stolen etc... people don't mess with miata's as most people think it's a gay car. i agree the s2k > miata in terms or pure performance. i am still deciding at this point.
main thing is here in socal, tops get slashed, seats get stolen etc... people don't mess with miata's as most people think it's a gay car. i agree the s2k > miata in terms or pure performance. i am still deciding at this point.
Saskatchewan17
Member
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- 2008 TR Mazdaspeed 3
