The s2000 is a great car. The thing the miata has is cost. The s2000 is a much more expensive car. For the cost there is no better track car than a miata.
A lightly modified NC miata really closes the gap on the s2000 power difference and handling. I'd still prefer the s2000 for daily driving because of the engine alone but I think the NC miata is a better handling car when you put a real suspension on them, not the grandma stock suspension they came with.
Matthew Heagerty, but then it becomes a hypothetical comparison. There are lots of S2000 mods not the least being supercharger/turbocharger options that drive the hp & torque way up there. Plus there are S2000 chassis (handling) & brake upgrades that take the stock vehicle to a whole other level. It always then comes down to the $$. It ends up coming down to the proverbial, “If you want to play, you have to pay.”
I’ll talk a bit about experiences I have for both of the cars. I personally have tracked both cars and I love them both. The power, like you mentioned, was night and day and the biggest problem with the miata is that it is quite difficult making power unless you go boost or do a crazy engine swap. The cost of doing a reliable turbo or supercharger/rotrex would easily be at the cost of a s2k. I have yet to see a reliable boosted miata at the race track without spending a tone of money and time on it. Recently the k swap on miata is getting more popular but I’ve seen failures from the poor design on the oil pan. The other major difference I had was how much better the steering feedback was on the miata vs the electric steering on the s2k. The s2k is also tougher to drive if you’re just learning because of its difficultly to drive at the edge (I drove an ap2). That being said, I love both cars and I don’t have a preference on one over the other. My recommendation is to pick something that you can have fun and enjoy while on the track with your friends
I agree. What I find annoying with my S2000 is having to stay literally above 6-7K RPMs at all times on track (Nordschleife with AP1). Sometimes I don't feel like downshifting and/or driving the rings off the engine, but there's really nothing down low. I've never had this issue with the MX5 or any other sports car. Otherwise it is fantastic.
Considering track running costs, ease of use and maintenance, these will equate to more track time with the Miata. Plus, i always hated the snap oversteer at the limit behavior of the s2000. Not fun when it happens outside a track.
I was able to fix the snap over-steer in the S2K by putting a spacer under the gas pedal that limits extension to about 60%. This results in the same power as Miata and reduces that over-steer that you're afraid of.
The Miata wins in everything except power. Not to mention, you can pick up NA/NB and NC1's cheap. You could buy two clean NC1's for the price of one S2000.
I think it's going to depend on the prep of each. Stock v stock, the S2000 would win. My old Miata is easy to drive at the limit and faster than my S2000, which wants to kill me at the limit. But they're both modified, so the comparison is only useful between those two particular cars.
Pretty late comment, but as far as high speed corners are concerned you definitely weren't helped by the top being down. Car gets real squirly at speed then. And without basic aero mods it creates more lift than a S2K as well so that also plays against it. Nothing some plywood and lexan can't fix tho ! But for sure you need lighter hands and need to be much more relaxed to get the most out of it.
But why?! ABS is really nice in terms of not ruining tires. I did enjoy the purity of driving a completely analog car with the Miata, but I didn't enjoy ruining the occasional new tire.
mehftv cause racecars on track rarely use abs. I figure the abs would kick in too early and a skilled driver would lose time with abs. I'd rather try and become that skilled driver.
Some ABS systems do that with sticky tyres, but most (especially in dedicated sports cars) do very well on track and I wouldn't deactivate it unless it was causing problems. ABS can save you several hundred bucks in tyres in a split second.
Love honda but when u start talking s2k vs miata the miata wins all the time. Why? For one thing its not discontinued and theres alot more guys that can drive a miata fast than there is fast s2k drivers. Sure head to head stock s2k wins, but overall miata is the answer.
The s2000 is a great car. The thing the miata has is cost. The s2000 is a much more expensive car. For the cost there is no better track car than a miata.
both are good cars
Here's the customary comment and like for one of my fav car youtubers.
Customary 💓 for one of my favorite commenters
Overall maintenance costs and parts Miata by far as much as S2K has many things going for it.
A lightly modified NC miata really closes the gap on the s2000 power difference and handling. I'd still prefer the s2000 for daily driving because of the engine alone but I think the NC miata is a better handling car when you put a real suspension on them, not the grandma stock suspension they came with.
Matthew Heagerty, but then it becomes a hypothetical comparison. There are lots of S2000 mods not the least being supercharger/turbocharger options that drive the hp & torque way up there. Plus there are S2000 chassis (handling) & brake upgrades that take the stock vehicle to a whole other level. It always then comes down to the $$.
It ends up coming down to the proverbial, “If you want to play, you have to pay.”
I’ll talk a bit about experiences I have for both of the cars. I personally have tracked both cars and I love them both.
The power, like you mentioned, was night and day and the biggest problem with the miata is that it is quite difficult making power unless you go boost or do a crazy engine swap. The cost of doing a reliable turbo or supercharger/rotrex would easily be at the cost of a s2k. I have yet to see a reliable boosted miata at the race track without spending a tone of money and time on it. Recently the k swap on miata is getting more popular but I’ve seen failures from the poor design on the oil pan.
The other major difference I had was how much better the steering feedback was on the miata vs the electric steering on the s2k. The s2k is also tougher to drive if you’re just learning because of its difficultly to drive at the edge (I drove an ap2).
That being said, I love both cars and I don’t have a preference on one over the other. My recommendation is to pick something that you can have fun and enjoy while on the track with your friends
I agree. What I find annoying with my S2000 is having to stay literally above 6-7K RPMs at all times on track (Nordschleife with AP1). Sometimes I don't feel like downshifting and/or driving the rings off the engine, but there's really nothing down low. I've never had this issue with the MX5 or any other sports car. Otherwise it is fantastic.
VTEC yo.
Doesn't the miata lack power on the high rpm range though?@@CreepinCreeper145
I own a 2004 AP2 and a 2004 Mazdaspeed miata mx5.
Both great cars to track even in stock form
Great video comparison... I'm ecstatic to know about that engine swap you hinted at!
Considering track running costs, ease of use and maintenance, these will equate to more track time with the Miata. Plus, i always hated the snap oversteer at the limit behavior of the s2000. Not fun when it happens outside a track.
I was able to fix the snap over-steer in the S2K by putting a spacer under the gas pedal that limits extension to about 60%. This results in the same power as Miata and reduces that over-steer that you're afraid of.
Agreed! Valid points
LOOOOOOOL
Nothing a swaybar swap and square 255 setup won't solve.
Shadowboost yeah its really no big deal at all and totally over exagerated
The Miata wins in everything except power. Not to mention, you can pick up NA/NB and NC1's cheap. You could buy two clean NC1's for the price of one S2000.
Picking up a Miata today. Will have both to compare haha
I think it's going to depend on the prep of each. Stock v stock, the S2000 would win. My old Miata is easy to drive at the limit and faster than my S2000, which wants to kill me at the limit. But they're both modified, so the comparison is only useful between those two particular cars.
What's your setup on the S2000?
Shadowboost Basically stock, but with Fortune Auto 510 coilovers, 12K/10K. Eibach FSW, as well. On square setup with RE-71R.
Pretty late comment, but as far as high speed corners are concerned you definitely weren't helped by the top being down. Car gets real squirly at speed then. And without basic aero mods it creates more lift than a S2K as well so that also plays against it. Nothing some plywood and lexan can't fix tho ! But for sure you need lighter hands and need to be much more relaxed to get the most out of it.
Good input, thanks! Aren't you the Miata driver who plays Assetto Corsa?
Lol, one of them at least. Mainly on iR tho... But you've probably seen me on AC forums yeah, I often post in the Track Day thread amongst others.
Good discussion
miata is always the answer
tao l turbo it and create your own "VTEC"
Not on stock power and suspension.
not hating zygrene but love how he says s2000 is better but being so for behind
Compare tracking a Mazda RX8 compared to the S2K!
Mr2 is best
hey, i see myself!!
Can you disable the abs on the s2000? I'd probably lean towards doing that, as long as it doesn't hurt the car.
But why?! ABS is really nice in terms of not ruining tires. I did enjoy the purity of driving a completely analog car with the Miata, but I didn't enjoy ruining the occasional new tire.
doclogic Why would you disable ABS, it will improve track times as it’s impossible to lockup the tires.
Could pull the fuse for it I think. On my integra thats what I do at autocross to minimize driver aids
mehftv cause racecars on track rarely use abs. I figure the abs would kick in too early and a skilled driver would lose time with abs. I'd rather try and become that skilled driver.
Some ABS systems do that with sticky tyres, but most (especially in dedicated sports cars) do very well on track and I wouldn't deactivate it unless it was causing problems. ABS can save you several hundred bucks in tyres in a split second.
Miaka grip better bc ain't got no power.drop 100 more power it's gonna be like s2k
Love honda but when u start talking s2k vs miata the miata wins all the time. Why? For one thing its not discontinued and theres alot more guys that can drive a miata fast than there is fast s2k drivers. Sure head to head stock s2k wins, but overall miata is the answer.
V8 swap the miata, no comparison
I'd rather v12 swap a Honda fit
Please stop TALKING!
No U