AP2 S2K vs NB2 MX5 6SP Shifters

"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678) 02/16/2017 at 10:31 • Filed to: None

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Yes, I know that is some title gore on this post..

But anyways, I just want to take a quick second to compare the shifters on the the S2000 I just rented versus my own Miata. For reference, the Honda S2000 was a 2005 (So an AP2) with around 150k miles on it. And my Miata is a 2001 with around 180k miles on it. Both are six speed manuals and are in many ways comparable cars of similar vintage and mileage.

Maybe it was just this particular s2k example (I havent driven any others) but oh man was it night/day how much better the shifter is in my Miata. I returned the s2000 on Monday and when I got back in my Miata today, I was relieved at how simple every single shift was. Clutch feel is really about the same so it is just the shifter that was significantly different. It was just really notchy in the Honda and didnt have that “buttery smooth” feeling of my Miata. I was thinking I could use a shifter rebuild in my Miata but now I think it is perfectly fine.

Just curious if anyone else has driven both and come to same conclusion that Miata Shifter >>> S2k Shifter or if this Honda was just poorly maintained.

Full Miata vs S2000 comparison to come soon!

Nibby > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 02/16/2017 at 10:37

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fixed

Ash78, voting early and often > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 02/16/2017 at 10:39

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Oppo is nothing but shiftposting these days...

Ash78, voting early and often > Nibby 02/16/2017 at 10:40

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You ever look at some auto shifters from the 90s and 00s and think “ Even the designers wanted the owners to feel bad about this choice. ” ?

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Nibby 02/16/2017 at 10:41

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fixed it again.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Nibby 02/16/2017 at 10:41

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THE PAIN, MAKE IT STOP

OPPOsaurus WRX > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 02/16/2017 at 10:42

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my brother-in-law made a similar comment on my driving between the WRX and Allroad. He said it seemed like I could shift smoother in the Allroad and he asked why. I wasn;t sure if it was because one clutch was less than 20k miles and the other was probably 50k+ or if it was because one was in a luxury tourer type car and the other was a sporty hot hatch

Textured Soy Protein > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 02/16/2017 at 10:43

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I had a ’99 NB 6-speed that I got rid of in 2008 and it’s been at least that long since I drove an S2k but I recall thinking both of them had very excellent shifters. With the mileage and age you’re talking about it’s certainly possible the S2k shifter is worn out, could be as simple as needing new bushings or something.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > OPPOsaurus WRX 02/16/2017 at 10:47

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See that’s where I am confused too. Maybe it is just the condition of the car. I do have a newish (less than 30k miles) clutch in the Miata and its certainly possible the Honda’s clutch is original. But generally my shifter operated about the same before/after the clutch change so idk if it matters much. The Honda definitely needed some force to go into second but even the other gears weren’t nearly as smooth/predictable as my Miata.

Nibby > Ash78, voting early and often 02/16/2017 at 10:48

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Definitely had to be the case

Nibby > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 02/16/2017 at 10:48

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Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Textured Soy Protein 02/16/2017 at 10:51

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I suppose. I was just more confused since my Miata has more mileage and is definitely on the original shifter (although the clutch is newer). But of course it is the quality of the mileage rather than the actual number that matters. The S2k was a salvage title special with all sorts of other hints at delayed maintenance so its certainly possible you are correct.

Also, it wasn’t bad in the S2000 because I didnt really notice the difference until I got back in my Miata.

Textured Soy Protein > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 02/16/2017 at 10:56

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With that age and mileage it’s tough to generalize things. Even though your car’s shifter might be fine, the S2k’s still could be beaten up.

yitznewton > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 02/16/2017 at 11:14

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I’ve noticed the S2000 shifter isn’t smooth... until the gear oil is hot, and I mean spirited-drive hot. When you’re actually driving hard, it’s beautiful. Cold, it’s distracting, and “normal” hot, it’s just OK. But I imagine this particular example is probably under-maintained too.

MarquetteLa > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 02/16/2017 at 12:40

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Your Miata is overdue for a shifter rebuild. The boots have probably disintegrated at 180k. Mine was shredded at 91k.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > MarquetteLa 02/16/2017 at 12:53

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I agree, that’s what my thought was. It is next on my to do list. The S2k experience just made me think that there really was no need to hurry though. I did buy the car at 125k so its possible it was done before but I wouldnt think so. It is a cheap and easy replacement so I planned to do it this summer at some point.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > yitznewton 02/16/2017 at 12:57

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Actually, you are spot on with how I felt about it. I definitely had no complaints while in the canyons. And the complaints I had were strongest when just driving around town. I noticed it most when I got in my Miata that hadn’t moved in 7 days and it was instantly smooth. I could definitely live with that though since the rest of the driving experience was excellent.

feather-throttle-not-hair > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 02/16/2017 at 19:38

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I’ve driven an NA and an AP1, thought the AP1 was forever ago. If i remember correctly, the AP1 required more effort but was extremely precise feeling. I dunno, i really liked the NA miata’s shifter (1.8) but I think i really really liked the AP1 shifter.

The shifter on my 350Z feels more “tight” than either of them, though the throw is slightly longer. Way more effort and way less buttery. Its hampered by the heavy stock flywheel that’s in there making you wait too long between upshifts if you want to be smooth.

I also liked the shifter on my friend’s 996 turbo, its a pretty long throw which initially made me think it wouldn’t feel precise, but it was actually very precise, with not much effort, while still giving a lot of feel.