Mazda MX-5 Miata vs Honda S2000

Well, its time for me to chime in here just a bit. Nothing bad, just providing my two cents. I sat in a 2007 Miata and my biggest complaint is the cup holder on the driver's side, it hits me right at the knee. Perhaps if it was padded it would have been a different story as I was really looking forward to the Miata HT but the cup holder issue was a deal breaker for me. I guess I could have added some padding but it would not have looked OEM which I prefer.
 
I ended up getting a Rio Yellow S2000 about 4 months ago and I have absolutely no regrets. The S2000 really does have a pratical side as I'm getting around 25mpg (I drive 60 miles per day, half is highway, half is stop-n-go). It is my daily driver and I love it. I'm actually getting out of bed in the morning instead of hitting snooze, just so I can go drive my car! I've spent $210 on groceries (no liquor or medicines, all food related items) and they all fit in the trunk, except the eggs, they got the front seat - why take a chance?). I can fit 4 5gallon water jugs, three in the trunk upright and the 4th is in the passenger seat. Sure, I wont be able to haul a bed or sofa, but for $20, I'll rent a truck from Home Depot or Lowes and if I need it longer than an hour, I'll just stop by Enterprise and rent a truck for 24hours for $35.
 
The summer of 2007 was a very wet one for our area and the VSA (vehicle stability assist) kicks in at just the right time. I haven't had a RWD car in a while so I was nervous with all the wet streets but the VSA was perfect, not too intruding and still allowed me to have fun while preventing me from doing something stupid. Note: the VSA can be turned off so you CAN do something stupid if you so desire.

Replies to this message:
• ateixeira (Aug 31, 2007 6:25 am)
  • accelerator (Aug 31, 2007 8:04 am)
    • aviboy97 (Aug 31, 2007 8:38 am)
    • ateixeira (Aug 31, 2007 9:21 am) and 8 more...

Replying to: accelerator (Aug 31, 2007 6:22 am)

Replies to this message:
• accelerator (Aug 31, 2007 8:04 am)
  • aviboy97 (Aug 31, 2007 8:38 am)
  • ateixeira (Aug 31, 2007 9:21 am)
    • accelerator (Aug 31, 2007 10:09 am) and 6 more...
    • aviboy97 (Sep 01, 2007 7:57 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 31, 2007 6:25 am)

I hope I didn't sound like I was bashing the Miata because I wasn't trying to (sorry to dangle my participle). didn't mean. I think it is a fantastic car, especially for the price. The price I paid for my S2000 was heavily discounted as the dealer had 13 on hand and is/was having a hard time moving them because of the Sky/Solstice/Miata. I paid about $6500 below MSRP. I couldn't walk away. My wife actually likes the Miata better since there is an automatic option (she cannot drive a stick-shift). The Mita is a very capable car, IMO.
 
Here in Dallas, softtops are readily available, too.

Replies to this message:
• aviboy97 (Aug 31, 2007 8:38 am)
• ateixeira (Aug 31, 2007 9:21 am)
  • accelerator (Aug 31, 2007 10:09 am)
    • ateixeira (Sep 04, 2007 8:10 am) and 4 more...
    • habitat1 (Sep 07, 2007 3:28 pm)
  • aviboy97 (Sep 01, 2007 7:57 am)

Replying to: accelerator (Aug 31, 2007 8:04 am)

Replying to: accelerator (Aug 31, 2007 8:04 am)

You didn't sound like that at all, no problem.
 
Actually the cup holder annoys me a little, too. Not a deal killer, but the door panel could definitely have been better designed.
 
Does the S2000 take premium fuel? Miata does.
 
I have a '93 Miata and it's turned out to be an efficient little commuter. I get about 27-28mpg on plain old regular. Mazda now wants 91 octane for the 2006+ models, actually they've recommended premium since the 2000 model IIRC.

Replies to this message:
• accelerator (Aug 31, 2007 10:09 am)
  • ateixeira (Sep 04, 2007 8:10 am)
    • accelerator (Sep 04, 2007 8:32 am) and 3 more...
  • habitat1 (Sep 07, 2007 3:28 pm)
• aviboy97 (Sep 01, 2007 7:57 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 31, 2007 9:21 am)

Yeah, it does take Premium. I get nearly 300 miles on a tank and I believe the tank is 12.5 gallons. After the break-in was completed, I visit the VTEC range pretty regularly and I'm seeing well over 23-25mpg with top down. I understand the top down reduces fuel efficiency by about 1-2mpg... Is that the same on the Miata? 23-25 is huge increase from my previous vehicle which avg. 16-17mpg. Frankly, I'm willing to sacrifice the 1-2mpg for the top down experience since I'm still coming out ahead! Once the ozone is gone, I'll drive a hard top.
 
My bigest complaint about ANY convertible is the crap that seems to find its way into my left eye. I guess I need better sunglasses.
 
Oh, and being able to see underneath the 18-wheeler next to me is a little discearning but I digress.

Replies to this message:
• ateixeira (Sep 04, 2007 8:10 am)
  • accelerator (Sep 04, 2007 8:32 am)
    • ateixeira (Sep 04, 2007 8:35 am)
    • estreka (Sep 04, 2007 5:05 pm) and 1 more...
• habitat1 (Sep 07, 2007 3:28 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 31, 2007 9:21 am)

Replying to: accelerator (Aug 31, 2007 10:09 am)

Replies to this message:
• accelerator (Sep 04, 2007 8:32 am)
  • ateixeira (Sep 04, 2007 8:35 am)
  • estreka (Sep 04, 2007 5:05 pm)
    • ateixeira (Sep 05, 2007 7:23 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Sep 04, 2007 8:10 am)

For me (in Texas), top goes up if the temp is higher than 94 and if it is cooler than ... oh wait, I have hit a low yet. Haven't had the car long enought to experience any low temperatures yet.

Replies to this message:
• ateixeira (Sep 04, 2007 8:35 am)
• estreka (Sep 04, 2007 5:05 pm)
  • ateixeira (Sep 05, 2007 7:23 am)

Replying to: accelerator (Sep 04, 2007 8:32 am)

Even that hot, I'll run the A/C, but the top still does down!