s2k or miata
 

Will be buying a roadster soon. Has anyone here had experience with the Miata and Sex2000. If so, which would you recommend?

Thx.

There are 2 versions of the S2000, and while they are pretty close. Which one are you referring to?

There are 7 versions of the Miata, with an 8th ready to come out. Which one are you referring to?

++^^

A lot depends on what you want to do with it, and how much you have to spend. The 2K is nice, but there are a lot less of them out there than there are Miatas. Miata parts are a LOT cheaper and there are a lot more options out there.

Miata ... miata is always the answer.

What is a good weekend car
what is a good tuner
what is a good roadster
What is a fun gas saver
what is a cheap fun car
what is a good auto car

Could go on for days. Do your self a favor and spend about 3000 on a nice- 1st gen. Use any remaining cash for maintenance then get the il motorsports center console. Then maybe some sound upgrades.

2nd gens can be gotten pretty cheap as well.

If you are really looking to spend s2k money get a mazdaspeed or s2k. Or just do a mild build on a 1st gen.


Gen1 miata is about as good as it gets for a pure drivers roadster. NB is the best compromise. NC.... just get an s2k...

Ap1 S2k.
1st gen miata.

Thank you.

What would be your intended use?


The AP1's chassis is more hair trigger, but it is also much more modern. You will have significant differences between chassis flex from age alone, before getting to the advancement of the S2000. The S2000 is definitely faster, no contest, though it is also much more expensive to maintain (it's cheaper than the 8, but very few cars are cheaper to maintain than an NA Miata). The interior quality will also be much better on the S2000, both from a higher initial price point and less years wearing on it.

If you are looking to track/race/autox whatever you get, it's pretty hard to beat the Miata. The cost of mods is vastly cheaper as is the cost of replacement if something goes wrong and you lose the car. The S2000's engine takes kindly to power, but not so much to extended power usage. Nearly all of the track cars that I have personally witnessed blowing an engine on track have been S2000s, split about evenly between boosted and naturally aspirated, and several of them caught fire from the hot oil spraying onto the manifold.

Basically, for any form of track/competition/autox, I'd take the Miata. For a daily, I'd pick the Miata between the two, but I have a problem with VTEC's implementation and how it feels, so for the money I went looking for a 3rd option. If you are looking for a sporty convertible daily, you might want to look at a 986 Boxster. Maintenance is even higher than either of the other two, but the engine is much more enjoyable, interior quality is very good and far more comfortable on the road, and the 99-01 base Boxsters are often under S2000 money. It will be faster than the Miata, not much slower than the S2000. Kind of like a convertible RX-8 actually, with the smooth engine, comfortable ride, supremely balanced chassis.

Good luck :)

I own a NA.
It's the perfect weekend car if you don't care about acceleration. If you want to accelerate hard it's just boring and you might fall asleep between gear changes. It's extremely fun to drive slow on b roads though.

The s2k is raw tool that wants to be taken by the scuff of its neck and thrown around corners. It's much more a driver's car than the miata: unforgiving, tail happy and if you make it out alive... rewarding.

Thx. I just want a decent track car/ occasional daily driver/ and a car to take to the coast now and then. I'll most likely end up getting the Miata, and improve it as I go.

My NA is, well now was, a blast. I sold it yesterday. I teared up a little bit seeing it go. I loved that car more than any other car I've ever had until the 8. I will have another NA eventually. But it will be a Mariner Blue car.

the 1.6l 1st gen miatas had very good interior, very basic though. Still solid. I had 220k on mine and the dash, center console, door panels, and steering still looked pretty damn good. Driver seat had a few tears, but the passenger seat looked new. Carpet was rough.

They changed the interior to be cheaper in the 1.8s... Lot of 1.8 guys swap to 1.6 dash.

You can get a lot nice bits for the 1st gen interior.

from spartan but not ghetto.
http://images.forum-auto.com/mesimag.../Interior1.jpg

To classic brit roadster retro theme.
http://revlimiter.net/blog/wp-conten...9/DSC_2344.jpg

Next mx5 I get will be getting all the fantastic retro bits I can find. ANd this console.
http://spazchicken.com/Mazda/miata/console10.jpg

#2s interior is well balanced and modern. I like it. How was your miata on fuel efficiency cruising around town while driving moderately?

Also I'm 6"2 and a bit more built than the average male of my height. Would I have issues being comfortable or would I have to cram in?

At 6'2" and more built, an NA Miata may not be possible. You will need to go test fit. I am 6'1" 170lbs, and I don't fit comfortably in an NA, only barely comfortably in an NB, with basically no extra freedom of movement. An NC has more freedom, but still not much.

The S2000 had more room than the NC for me.

s2k imo

Fitting in a miata is just about picking the right seat and mounting it correctly. I'm 6'5" and about 265lbs and I fit in mine with a hardtop and helmet on.

Yeah. I've done some reading up on it, and it seems it's entirely possible according to several forum threads. I'll test drive one soon and take it from there.

Thx for the help everyone.

I am 6 foot and 230. I fit in my miata like a glove with stock seats. (91 NA)

NB Is a different story. You are going to sit higher up. However NA seats will swap in. You can also remove some foam from them to get a bit lower. Or get aftermarket seats with side mounting rails.

As for gas mileage. I drove that car as hard as I could (without going to jail) every single day. 25-29mpg city. 30-34 highway.