renesisgenesis

I'm looking into getting one of these two cars. The Honda would be an AP1, and the Mazda doesn't matter what year because the 04's and 05's were the same I think. Both would be under 40k miles. Pricing seems to be very similar, with the Honda possibly a little more, but not much.


I would plan on probably doing basic intake/exhaust mods for both cars, but nothing too major. Maybe new rims for the Mazda.

From what I can tell, the Mazda would generally be cheaper to upgrade and would easily show large bhp gains. Plus it is turbo so it probably wouldn't lose power at higher elevation, which is important here in Oregon, with the entire central area of the state with awesome roads at high elevation.

What are your thoughts on the pros and cons?
Which would you choose?

I plan on spending less than 14 grand for the initial sale price.

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

getting rid of the 8?

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

The S2K and the Miata while they are both 2 seat convertibles have different personalities. The S2K has much more horsepower. However, I never hear as much about the S2K's handling like I do with the Miata.

NErx8

The Miata (even NA, not the speed edition) will see a lot of cheap HP gains. There is a huge aftermarket community with lots of support for anything you'd like to do. I've seen everything from V8s to 500whp turbo monsters.

I cannot speak to the S2000 from personal experience, but out of the box it will have a lot more straight line performance than the Miata. I love my NA 95 and will definitely find it hard to sell it : (

SleepeR1st

iTrader: (2)

If you are contemplating a miata, you should not be contemplating an AP1 S2k, but instead an AP2. World of difference in the handling/stability department. Driving to the "edge" in a miata is a sublime experience, driving to the "edge" in an AP1 S2k will get you killed.

NErx8

Very good point. It's been said that "It's more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow". I can take my Miata to the limit (granted it's not a turbo car) but if I pushed even my 8 that hard I'd probably kill myself or someone else.

renesisgenesis

1. I can't afford an AP2

2. The powerband is already small enough in an AP1, and because both AP1 and AP2 switch cams at 6000, the AP1 actually has a larger power band. I prefer the ap2 final drive, but that is swapable anyway. I have heard differing viewpoints about the handling of ap1s and 2s, basically people seem to say that they just handle differently, with the ap2 a little softer and relaxed, quieter engine, etc.

But if the ap2 is THAT much better, then maybe I will try to fork over three extra grand for one.

the1jesster

I do make one sweet intake for for the Miata I have sold over 100 of these dyno got avg of 13hp gain there are a lot of simple mods to pull big numbers from or little brother also make a bunch of alum track goodies like this battery box

mike[piston eater]

iTrader: (3)

a mazdaspeed miata is just so unique cause they had a limited run, but i do love s2ks

WTBRotary!

iTrader: (6)

Ehh i perfer the Miata, My mother owns one and its a fun little toy... not too fast to let you doing something too stupid, but not too slow to be boring... its a fling-able toy and hell, its only the best selling sports car in history... You cant go wrong getting this thing. Id only prefer the S2000 if you got the CR, which is kinda like the R3 trim for the 8...

mike[piston eater]

iTrader: (3)

eww the cr is disgusting

WTBRotary!

iTrader: (6)

ehh, I dont feel that way, I think it has good and bad qualities... but the Blue or Yellow CR is pretty cool

cjkim

14k will get you a pretty damn nice ap1. you might be able to find an ap2 at that price.
Found my clean ap1 for considerably less.

i briefly considered the miata, but honestly couldn't get away from the 9000 rpm F20C... It's a different beast from the 9000 rpm renny.

That said... go for a 2002 at least. 2003 preferable.

ZumnRx8

Shut up you traitor!!! Are you planning to make it to the SoCal Beach cruises this year?

mike[piston eater]

iTrader: (3)

zumn id do the same as cjkim lol

RA-Eight

iTrader: (6)

Both are excellent cars. For experienced drivers they both have excellent handling, with the edge going to the S for more power. The miata is more forgiving at it's limit, while the S will exploit an inexperience driver at it's limit.

I'd get a MY02+ AP1, unless you can find an affordable AP2.

nate340

why get a mazdaspeed miata when you can get a normal miata and add a turbo for far less and you get vvt.

flier129

$14k and I could have one fast and reliable NA but will require work, obviously.

The MSM can see 220rwhp with bolt-ons and stock manifold and turbo.

But you could also build a 220rwhp NA for $7-$8k and it'd be just as reliable.

I favor miatas, lol but the s2000 is a great car. I've driven a few was impressed with them. If you keeping the 8 and wanting a weekend toy, go the cheaper miata route.

renesisgenesis

Well that's a good point, however, I do trust a car with a turbo setup from the factory more than an aftermarket application. That being said, I don't really have any data to support this theory with regards to the miatas. Another important factor is that the mazdaspeed already has other things going for it over the base miata which would porbably cost another 2 grand or so to replicate in the base miata, such as stronger clutch, upgraded suspoension with bilsteins, nicer front bumper, better stereo, etc...


From what I can tell, it takes about 2 grand to get the mazdaspeed up to around 240 crank bhp. With only 2500 pounds with full fuel tank, that is pretty damn attractive to me.


My heart wants to get the AP1 s2000, but I want to get into modding, especially get into installing them myself, and I get the feeling that aftermarket parts for the honda are freaking pricy, give only small gains, and probably not as easy to install, but hey I hope I'm wrong, cuz like I said, I kinda secretly want the honda even if I tell myself I should get the miata.

I have driven a few AP1's, and I can attest to the hair-on-the-arms-raising feeling it delivers. It seriously feels like you are driving a racecar with that motor it has.

cfm251

iTrader: (3)

I, prefer the Mazdaspeed Miata, but if you insisnt on an S2K then you better get a hardtop for it ASAP, or else you might find your top slashed and your seats missing one day...

Spinning Sushi

iTrader: (21)

I'd go with the S2000. The only thing is that the aftermarket availability for the S2000 is as limited as the 8. In fact, the prices are just about the same with the 8; expensive.

hoss -05

iTrader: (4)

Mazdaspeed hands down... also think about the insurance. The insurance on my old Miata was Cheep!

swoope

iTrader: (5)

having spent time on a track with both.. i would have to give the nod to the s2k! the things do very well..

beers

8 Maniac

iTrader: (1)

Not to be too cliche, but drive both and choose which one you like. I've driven both and I'd have to go with the s2k. I could see myself choosing an s2k to replace the 8, but not a miata. The s2k had a very similar feel to the 8... more so than the miata I think. They're both good cars and it'll come down to which you prefer the feel of.

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

Stock Miata and build your own FI Mazdaspeed. Get a 2009 retractable hard top and have the best of both worlds.