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Honda S2000 vs MX-5 Miata

62 messages,  Last post on May 22, 2009 at 6:52 AM

You are in the Honda S2000 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Mazda MX-5 Miata

Messages Page 4 of 7

#25 of 62 Re: Miata v S2K [aviboy97] by estreka

Jun 25, 2007 (1:14 pm)

Replying to: aviboy97 (Jun 25, 2007 8:33 am)
Keep in mind, I'm talking about a Mazdaspeed Miata. I haven't been inside a loaded Miata. I say the build quality is poor because every panel seemed to either rattle or move when touched. I felt as it I were in a PlaySkool S2000. The seats and the dash were nice. And I liked the feel of the steering wheel.
 
Don't get me wrong, I love the Miata (I refuse to call it the MX-5). If I couldn't afford the S, I definately would have considered a Miata.

#26 of 62 Re: Miata v S2K [estreka] by aviboy97

Jun 26, 2007 (7:55 am)

Replying to: estreka (Jun 25, 2007 1:14 pm)
Don't get me wrong, I love the Miata (I refuse to call it the MX-5). If I couldn't afford the S, I definitely would have considered a Miata.
 
If I could afford the S2000, I would buy on over the Miata as well. And I am a Mazda enthusiast and owner...

#27 of 62 Re: Miata v S2K [estreka] by erics6

Jun 29, 2007 (9:15 am)

Replying to: estreka (Jun 24, 2007 10:24 am)
I'm a little suprised by the poor build quality comment, and the claim that the S2k is a better all-around car. I'm assuming you mean the 05 MSM with the turbo.
 
The MSM is basically the same interior as any other Miata. A few sporty touches. Big difference is the turbo and suspension. Plastics aren't Lexus quality, but everyone I've seen has been well put together. Plastics in the S2k are about the same to me. Also, very well put together.
 
S2K is a better true sports car, but I find the MSM to be a much easier day to day car. S2K is better on the track. To me, you've got two different cars at different price points. Both are great cars. I'm somebody who looks at the dollar/fun value, so my choice would be the MSM.

#28 of 62 Re: Miata v S2K [erics6] by ateixeira

Jul 02, 2007 (8:49 am)

Replying to: erics6 (Jun 29, 2007 9:15 am)
The S2K is competing in a price bracket some $8 grand higher than the average Miata, so this shouldn't come as a surprise.
 
Even MazdaSpeeds sold for cheap, as they only came out late in the NB's product cycle.

#29 of 62 4 months old by accelerator

Aug 31, 2007 (7:22 am)

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.

#30 of 62 Re: 4 months old [accelerator] by ateixeira

Aug 31, 2007 (7:25 am)

Replying to: accelerator (Aug 31, 2007 7:22 am)
Sounds good, glad you're enjoying your S2K!
 
Temps are mild in the Mid-atlantic right now, so it's been perfect top down weather.
 
FWIW, the Miata PRHT (power retractable hardtop) is in such high demand that dealers command MSRP and there are wait lists in some places.
 
One dealer employee here on Edmunds (aviboy) says his dealer has only had 1 allocated to them so far and it sold at MSRP immediately. People shopping for them are having a hard time even finding them.
 
Mazda has a hit on its hands. Funny thing is the soft tops are readily available and heavily discounted.

#31 of 62 Re: 4 months old [ateixeira] by accelerator

Aug 31, 2007 (9:04 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 31, 2007 7:25 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.

#32 of 62 Re: 4 months old [accelerator] by aviboy97

Aug 31, 2007 (9:38 am)

Replying to: accelerator (Aug 31, 2007 9:04 am)
$6,500 below MSRP does sound like a good deal! The S2K is a great car, you will love it. The Miata is just a different car. It's a shame the cup holder was in your way. I actually feel your pain, because I am 6'3" and it is near my leg when I sit in it. Unfortunately, the car is no made to fit everyone!
 
The 2007 MX-5's, the few we have, are being discounted to move them. We just got in a few 2008 rag tops, and only 1 hard top, which sold at MSRP before it got here no questions asked. That is basically what we have been seeing. The hard top is so desirable, and supply is so low, when someone can find one, they buy it instantly.

#33 of 62 Re: 4 months old [accelerator] by ateixeira

Aug 31, 2007 (10:21 am)

Replying to: accelerator (Aug 31, 2007 9:04 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.

#34 of 62 Re: 4 months old [ateixeira] by accelerator

Aug 31, 2007 (11:09 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 31, 2007 10:21 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.

Messages Page 4 of 7

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