[QUOTE]Originally posted by Cedric Tomkinson
[B]The MX5 (Miata) is a great sportscar that more than anything revived the present interest in roadsters. Why knock it?

 

The incredible thing is that the Japs got that bit so right, which is the reason for it's richly deserved success.
I know ' A rose by any other name.................' and all that, but don't you think Miata is a really sucky name? it's known as the MX5 here which I think is better and you really don't hear people knocking it or making unfair comparisons with more powerful cars. It's now available with an 1800 engine which i would think would be an improvement!

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by carfanatic
[B]The latest issue of Automobile magazine awards the Miata as the "Best sports car under $40,000".

 

For what its worth, ealier in the magazine there's an article listing the S2000 as one of four honorable mentions coming in a close second. The RSX, X5, and 3 series were also listed as close second places in their class. I left my magazine at work or else I'd go into more detail.

 

Wait a minute, the Miata's in the $21,000 - $24,000 range...why the hell is it in competition with S2000, Z3, or TTs?

 

It's not in competition with those cars. I think that's the point. How do you crown a car that isn't competitive with other cars the king of that class? Not to disparage the Miata, which is a great car in it's own right, but the class is best sports car under 40k. If it were best VALUE in a SPORTS CAR under 40k there MIGHT be a case. Certainly there would be more debate about that class. Best Sportscar period below 40k. Is there really any doubt?

 

Damn! I bought the wrong roadster.

 

The point of my post was not to trash the Miata; I think it's a great car and it ushered in a new era of sports cars. However, I don't think that that makes it the best car to buy if you have a $40,000 budget.

 

I have seen BSP Miatas regularly beat S2000s in my local auto-x division, so to say that they aren't sports cars capable of hanging near an S2000 is pretty ignorant, IMO.

In a straightline, it's obvious that the S2000 will rock the Miata's world. I don't think it is a better car, overall, but from a pure auto-x performance standpoint, ANY car is hard-pressed to beat it, including the S2k.

I just want an S2000 because I want to meld the two cars I have now into one

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Silock
[B]I have seen BSP Miatas regularly beat S2000s in my local auto-x division, so to say that they aren't sports cars capable of hanging near an S2000 is pretty ignorant, IMO.

In a straightline, it's obvious that the S2000 will rock the Miata's world.