MSM or S2K??

"WolfmanJimCBW" (WolfmanJimCBW)
04/22/2014 at 15:17 • Filed to: None

Very simple question. Would you rather a Mazdaspeed Miata or a S2000. I'm looking at choosing between the two whenever I pay some more down on that minivan my wife wanted. So see, minivans aren't the devil. Since we got that I can have whatever I want.

I have to take an 80 mile roundtrip everyday, but from what I've read, as long as I don't go crazy on the throttle, both the MSM and the S2k should net me what the E30 does. That's about 26 - 28 MPG. I'm okay with this since the trade off is a fun drive everyday. Both manuals, RWD, lightweight, great handling machines. The S2k has more power of course, but is that worth the price tage on them. I would be looking at an AP2 instead of the AP1. Plus I've read that the S2k isn't that great until 6k rpm anyway. What is Oppo's take?

DISCUSSION (29)

MonkeePuzzle > WolfmanJimCBW
04/22/2014 at 15:19

both great cars right? choose on looks, price and availability?

Brian Silvestro > WolfmanJimCBW
04/22/2014 at 15:20

S2k, it seems to be the car that is a step above a Miata.

avens > WolfmanJimCBW
04/22/2014 at 15:22

Mandatory.

WolfmanJimCBW > Brian Silvestro
04/22/2014 at 15:22

Love the S2k, but there is almost none in the area except for ones that have been extremely beaten. The ones that haven't been are extremely expensive. I have found some through autotrader about 300 miles away from me that check out okay and go for about 13 - 15k.

WolfmanJimCBW > MonkeePuzzle
04/22/2014 at 15:24

Price and availability would be the MSM. A lot more of them. There is actually one not to far from me that is a 3 previous owner, no accident car according to carfax and has a nice price tag on it, but a few thousand more than NADA.

WolfmanJimCBW > avens
04/22/2014 at 15:25

Just wow.

MonkeePuzzle > WolfmanJimCBW
04/22/2014 at 15:25

then even as a STRONG lover of all things Honda, I'd go for the Mazda.

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > WolfmanJimCBW
04/22/2014 at 15:25

S2000. The MSM is cool, but it runs a very archaic untunable ECU with terrible fuel mapping, is hard to find parts for, and really doesn't make all that great power to the wheels in real life.

S2000 is just like a Miata but better in every single way. Go S2k.

WolfmanJimCBW > Brian Silvestro
04/22/2014 at 15:26

I also used to own a NA Miata and fell in love with that, but I love the S2k as well.

WolfmanJimCBW > MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig
04/22/2014 at 15:27

Personal experience?? I was also planning on Flyin Miata parts if I could get the MSM for a good enough price. They have the Big Enchilada which overcomes the ECU thanks to replacing it. Would that even the playing field any?

AM3R > WolfmanJimCBW
04/22/2014 at 15:32

personally I'd go S2k. Just a more capable car out the box. I know you said you can't find many local to you, hit up s2k forums and you should have some luck. Anyways, going on a 300 mile road trip is the perfect way to get acquainted with your new ride!

I remember reading a thread a while back on either a BMW or Audi forum about someone making the decision between a turbo'd miata or a turbo'd S2k, and the general consensus was that the S2k was more refined while still being a no frills sports car.

avens > WolfmanJimCBW
04/22/2014 at 15:32

Check these related ones too (not the exact same but good watch still).

Brian Silvestro > WolfmanJimCBW
04/22/2014 at 15:32

Yeah, every one I've found seems to either have a shitload of miles on it, or be really overpriced. You're in a predicament!

WolfmanJimCBW > Brian Silvestro
04/22/2014 at 15:34

I know it is worth a good bit, but DAYYUMM is all I could say to some of the prices.

WolfmanJimCBW > avens
04/22/2014 at 15:35

Ahh. Lotus. Something I would love to drive but won't be able to afford anytime soon.

WolfmanJimCBW > WolfmanJimCBW
04/22/2014 at 15:38

That is the lowest priced S2K within 500 miles of me. It is a 2002 AP1, so it is a no go.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

WolfmanJimCBW > Brian Silvestro
04/22/2014 at 15:42

I just found 1 in Austin with a Hardtop. 2006 model. 84000 miles. For 18000 that is a little bit less than NADA.

Brian Silvestro > WolfmanJimCBW
04/22/2014 at 15:44

Hardtop makes all the difference!

WolfmanJimCBW > Brian Silvestro
04/22/2014 at 15:49

It would do nicely in the garage since I have a mower with a Honda motor and the wife drives an Odyssey.

Jeff-God-of-Biscuits > WolfmanJimCBW
04/22/2014 at 15:53

The great thing about the S is that it drives like a civic below 6, but goes like holy hell above. It's like having 2 cars. I would have no reservations teaching my wife how to drive stick in the S, and it just looks like a rockstar.

WolfmanJimCBW > Jeff-God-of-Biscuits
04/22/2014 at 15:54

Everyone is starting to make me think that Miata isn't always the answer.

Jeff-God-of-Biscuits > WolfmanJimCBW
04/22/2014 at 15:55

Well, it is.... Unless there is a wagon or an S2000 in the question

LuczOr > WolfmanJimCBW
04/22/2014 at 16:16

the S2000 is not only more powerful, it's a better car in pretty much every way.

tromoly > WolfmanJimCBW
04/22/2014 at 16:31

S2000, it has a roomier footwell (if you can actually say roomy in a car that small), and personally I like its control layout better.

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > AM3R
04/22/2014 at 16:33

Until you go on craigslist and the chance of finding a pristine S2K is slim to none depending on where you live.

WolfmanJimCBW > tromoly
04/22/2014 at 16:34

I'm 5'6" so it's not like I need a whole bunch of room.

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > WolfmanJimCBW
04/22/2014 at 16:54

A bit yes, but MSM-specific parts are very hard to come by if something breaks. S2K has a bountiful aftermarket.

Another area the MSM falls way, way, WAY short is the gearbox and rear end. 6 speeds with a shorter final drive than the 5 speed means, and I'm not exaggerating, shifting every 3 seconds. 6th gear at 50mph is like 3000rpm, highway in SIXTH GEAR is like 4000rpm. Also the car is GEAR LIMITED to 127mph. With a 5speed and a decent final drive, you'd be able to use that nice torque curve from the turbo, but Mazda really dropped the ball with the drivetrain.

WolfmanJimCBW > MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig
04/22/2014 at 17:10

Very informative.

shinsen > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura
04/22/2014 at 18:09

lol, truth