M3ORS2000

Hi! All,

Newbie here. I would like your input in deciding my next car, still open to any
make/model. If it helps, I am 35, married male with no children living in California. 8 year old Honda accord is my only car (in 2 years , I will replace with BMW 3 series, hopefully).

I have been reading a lot in s2ki, M3 forums for the last 3 months to decide my next car. I am basically looking RWD car with good handling for a daily driver.

In my research, I moved from one car to the next in the following order...I have never driven a RWD car, so please excuse me for any of my wrong assumptions..

G35 / 350Z (Comfort and Luxury but not the best handling car )

M3 (2006 end of the model year, cant wait for 2008 model, may be too
expensive for me)

S2K (I liked everything about it except the low torque below 6k rpm)

Now I saw an ad on Edmunds about this new Miata being bigger, stronger,
quicker and bolder.. to attract more male drivers??

Here's the advantages of MX-5 over S2k in the words of Mazdausa



2005 MAZDA MAZDASPEED MX-5 MIATA
2005 HONDA S2000 6-Spd MT


Base Price MSRP $25,780 $33,150
Comparably Equipped Price $26,340 $33,700

Engine & Transmission

Torque @ RPM 166@4500 162@6500

EPA Mileage Estimates

Fuel Economy Highway (mpg) 26.0 25.0

Safety
Passenger Air Bag Cutoff Switch Standard Not Available

Audio Systems
Power Radio Antenna Standard Not Available

Interior

Delayed Courtesy Light Standard Not Available
Illuminated Vanity Mirror Standard Not Available
Seatback Storage Standard Not Available

Exterior
Fog Lights Standard Not Available
Halogen Lights Standard Not Available

Dimensions - Interior
Front Head Room (inches) 37.1 34.6

Dimensions - Exterior
Height (inches) 48.0 50.0

Capacities

MFR Passenger Volume 46.0 44.8
MFR Cargo Volume 5.1 5.0

Curb Weight (lbs)

Curb Weight Manual (lbs) 2529 2835

Warranty

Basic (months) 48 36
Basic (miles) 50000 36000
Powertrain (months) 48 36
Powertrain (miles) 50000 36000

Right now, I still want S2k. Will this new Miata suits better than S2K
as my daily driver.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Kalyan

AusS2000

Huge VTEC induced grin Not Available Standard

Many of these items are pretty unimportant IMHO. And keep in mind that when people say the S2000 has 'no torque' they are comparing it to cars with similar peak horsepower ratings not MX-5s. I think you'd find very little difference in low down drivability.

There is no doubt the new MX-5 is an improvement on the old version and is less of a hairdresser's car but it is still a bit softer than the S. I'd say if you want a sporty car go the MX-5, if you want a sports car go the S2000.

vAnt

Halogen Lights Standard Not Available



Just because Miata has rediculous features over the S2000 doesn't mean it's better in that aspect.

Power radio antenna? Hahaha

Because we all know that power radio antennas should mean life and death in a car

Nice-Face

if this is a indecisive decision for more than 1-2 minutes,,then just go wit the mx-5...forreal.

KAY'S

go away please.... or how about you go drive them..... you tell me.

JDMchris.com

comparing the miata to the S2000 is like comparing a civic to S2000.

the best thing to remember is... YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. yes the miata is cheaper... and cheaper for a reason.

benny

I find it interesting in your comparison that horsepower is not introduced?

Yes there is a most definite price difference between the two vehicles and the greater part of that would be for the Honda technology (engine wise).

I think, if you are to do a fair comparison, hp must be entered into the equation.

As well as not meeting yourself at every corner. The size of the grin on your face as you pull back into the garage. A heads up comparison (stock/stock) on the street. etc.
Or maybe power antennaes and luxury amenities are your thing...

Of course you must also decide which you just plain old like better..... Could be the lighter weight Mazda. Could be the Honda.....

AusS2000

Hmmm, who was this comparison written by? I'm guessing Mazda marketing. They've managed to turn a negative into a positive. The S2000 doesn't have Halogen lights, because it has HIDs.

Reminds me of a nerd joke:

Bill Gates (Microsoft) and Steve Jobs (Apple) are playing frisbee on the edge of the lake outside Bill's Redmond home. Bill throws the frisbee too high and it flys over Steve's head and lands far out in the water. Steve walks across the water, picks up the frisbee and throws it back.

A journalist is watching and writes an article for the Seattle Post:
"Bill Gates exceeds expectations; Steve Jobs can't swim."

M3ORS2000

Thanks for all who replied.
Niceface- for an sports car expert like you it may take 1-2 min for a decision, for me it takes 1-2 months.. I am going to buy it next 2006 spring.

kay's - WTF , I will definitely share my experiences when I get the new car

JDM - You want me to go for 2006 M3? I can afford it right now. I didnt say I am considering Miata for being it cheaper than S2K.

Benny, I only listed the advantages as per Mazausa. The HP advantage is listed in
the complete comparision. It provides advantages of miata over any other vehicle.

Here's the advantages of S2K from Honda point of view.

The 2005 Honda S2000 S2000 Manual Transmission has the following advantages over the 2006 Mazda MX-5 Sport


Feature
Honda Advantage
Destination Charge
The destination charge on the S2000 6-Spd MT is $10 less than on MX-5 Sport.
ALG Residual Value % After 60 Months
ALG Residual Value after 60 months is 38% on S2000 6-Spd MT while 35% on MX-5 Sport.
Engine Displacement
S2000 6-Spd MT has 158 more cc's of Displacement than MX-5 Sport.
Horsepower @ rpm
S2000 6-Spd MT's Horsepower @ rpm is 240@7800 while MX-5 Sport's Horsepower @ rpm is 170@6700.
Torque @ rpm
S2000 6-Spd MT's Torque @ rpm is 162@6500 while MX-5 Sport's Torque @ rpm is 140@5000.
Stereo Anti-Theft
Stereo Anti-Theft is Standard on S2000 6-Spd MT but Not Available on MX-5 Sport.
Air Filtration
Air Filtration is Standard on S2000 6-Spd MT but Not Available on MX-5 Sport.
Leather-Trimmed Seats
Leather-Trimmed Seats are Standard on S2000 6-Spd MT but Not Available on MX-5 Sport.
CD Changer
CD Changer is Optional on S2000 6-Spd MT but Not Available on MX-5 Sport.
Cargo Net
Cargo Net is Optional on S2000 6-Spd MT but Not Available on MX-5 Sport.
Armrest Storage
Armrest Storage is Standard on S2000 6-Spd MT but Not Available on MX-5 Sport.
Spoiler
Spoiler is Standard on S2000 6-Spd MT but Not Available on MX-5 Sport.
Engine Displacement
S2000 6-Spd MT has 158 more cc's of Displacement than MX-5 Sport.
Horsepower @ rpm
S2000 6-Spd MT's Horsepower @ rpm is 240@7800 while MX-5 Sport's Horsepower @ rpm is 170@6700.
Torque @ rpm
S2000 6-Spd MT's Torque @ rpm is 162@6500 while MX-5 Sport's Torque @ rpm is 140@5000.
Fuel Capacity (gal.)
S2000 6-Spd MT has 0.5 more gallons of Fuel Capacity than MX-5 Sport.
Wheelbase (in.)
S2000 6-Spd MT has 2.8 more inches of Wheelbase than MX-5 Sport.
Length (in.)
S2000 6-Spd MT has 4.9 more inches in Length than MX-5 Sport.
Width (in.)
S2000 6-Spd MT has 1.2 more inches in Width than MX-5 Sport.
Legroom (Front, in.)
S2000 6-Spd MT has 1.2 inches more of Front Legroom than MX-5 Sport.


I will continue to follow this thread.
Thanks

benny

So let me get this straight...
After reading this last post of yours, which car do you think you should buy?

I mean doesn't it all come down to the dollars and cents...(or should I say sense)