The latest issue of Automobile magazine awards the Miata as the "Best sports car under $40,000". Are these guys on crack or what? I mean, I have nothing but respect for the Miata and it is a great car for the price but when compared to everything else that can be bought in the $30-40K range (S2000, TT, Z3, etc.) I think it's no contest. Other than price, is the Miata better than the S2000 in any way?

 

I think probably the best thing about the Miata is that it reintroduced the two-seat roadster when the genre appeared to be all but dead. But best under $40K in today's market? I don't think so.

 

No; the Miata cannot hold a candle to the S2000 in any way (if price is not a factor). I had a 2001 Miata before getting my 2001 S2000, and the Miata was a seriously under-powered car (though I loved the totally neutral handling at the limit).
Also, the S2000 is a much more "masculine" car (there, I said it) than the Miata, and this is important to many S2000 owners, even if they might not admit it.
Calling the Miata "the best" for under $40,000 is a joke IMHO.

 

I guess Mazda (via parent Ford) buys more advertising in Automobile magazine.

 

Maybe the S2000 is just too much of a sports car and a handful for the average driver? In fact, quite a number of convertible comparisons have been leaving the S2000 out ...

 

s2ktaxi is right. Most all auto "journalists" and magazines these days are for sale to the highest bidder. In fact, the very idea of an "automotive journalist" has become an oxymoron.

 

Let's be real - the Miata is an excellent sports car! It doesn't have the power of the S2000, but it has great road feel and excellent balance.

Also, let's not by hypocrites - how often do we claim that the S2000 is a near-equal to the Porsche Boxster S? Many Porsche drivers laugh at that statement, and there are some valid reasons to poo-poo our little Honda in a comparison. IMO, the Boxster S has better road feel, more low-end torque and is an easier car to drive at the limit. Much about car preference is subjective and I prefer the Honda . So, we should recognize the Miata as the excellent car that it is and not need to be defensive about some group of autojournalist choosing one as the "best" car.

Now if they had chosen a Z3 2.5 ...

 

You are right about that CoralDoc, but I still stick by my statement about auto journalism. With a few exceptions, it absolutely stinks.

 

A current Miata with stock tires is not bad in the road feel department but the previous ones left a lot to be desired in road feel. Granted, the balance was good.

 

I thought that there was a really good reason/s that I don't subscribe to Automobile anymore.