Debate: Autocross/Mountain car

"LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com" (limitedtimeonly) 04/22/2018 at 17:51 • Filed to: Autocross, Miata, S2000

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I was discussing my desire for a C5 Z06 with skilled and knowledgeable friends as we packed up from the weekend autocross. One insisted that I should forget about the Vette and get a Honda S2000. This is based on him taking a spin in a prepared STR S2000 CR. I don’t really want a convertible, but I countered with, why not an ND Miata?

So, debate: Honda S2000 or ND Mazda Miata for a dedicated autocross and mountain car? Go.

(In finding the below image I found this discussion but still am curious about Oppopinions. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! )

AestheticsInMotion > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 04/22/2018 at 18:21

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I’m not an autocrosser but for mountains I’d pick the S2k. They’re both firmly in “momentum car” territory which is great for twisty mountain roads, but the Honda has an engine that rewards you for riding it in the high rpm’s whereas the Miata is just “okay” regardless of how much you wring it out. Resale value is a huge difference too if that matters for you. ND’s will continue to drop for a long time, at a bare minumum that S2k is going break even when sold. I love the ND, but if you’re seriously thinking about getting one may as well grab an NA. Creature comforts aren’t much improved, and storage space is significantly worse in the ND than previous gens.

Blunion05 drives a pink S2000 (USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST) > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 04/22/2018 at 18:23

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Miata: More streetability

S2000: Less streetability

boxrocket > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 04/22/2018 at 18:30

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Miata.

interstate366, now In The Industry > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 04/22/2018 at 18:39

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S2K

LongbowMkII > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 04/22/2018 at 18:50

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C5 Z06

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 04/22/2018 at 18:54

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S2000. Though after driving an ND, I don’t get the love.

Discerning > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 04/22/2018 at 19:39

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C5 convertible. Cheaper and quicker than both.

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > LongbowMkII 04/22/2018 at 20:11

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That’s not the debate, though! C5 Z06 is more appealing to me than either, but the idea was that it may not suit my racing style and if I were to consider the S2000, why not the ND Miata?

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > Discerning 04/22/2018 at 20:11

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If I’m getting a C5 it won’t be a convertible.

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 04/22/2018 at 20:14

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So you have driven both, and don’t think much of the ND?

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 04/22/2018 at 21:29

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I haven’t driven the S2000, but it seems to have something that I think the ND is lacking: A special engine. I don’t think I’ve driven an engine with less soul than the Skyactiv.

Discerning > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 04/23/2018 at 10:17

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Im just saying that, if you were to go convertible, a C5 would likely serve you better than an S2K or ND.

daender > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 04/23/2018 at 18:16

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I thought the S2000 CR was still the car to beat in STR autocross but apparently the results at Nationals says otherwise!

ND Miatas swept the top three! However, the S2000 is still a great sportscar and it’ll probably be a faster car in autocross and on the streets out of the box.

Honestly, wait until the new ND drops with the extra horsepower and see if you can pick up a used ND from an autocrosser who’s upgrading. If SCCA allows the updated ND to compete in STR, it’s going to be a beast to beat!

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > daender 04/23/2018 at 18:20

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That is thoughtful perspective, thank you. I truly need to work on my driving skills before I’m willing to get a dedicated autocross car, unless I have irrational interest in one like the C5 Z06. So, who knows.

Your proposed strategy makes a lot of sense. I should probably test out an ND and see if I find myself more interested in one.

daender > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com 04/23/2018 at 18:26

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It might be worth heading out to a SCCA autocross and seeing if you can get a ride in a ND and a S2k back-to-back.

I have two friends who autocross Corvettes (C5Z and C6Z), they’re expensive to maintain compared to a Miata but they say it’s worth it for the speed and the V8 sound. My answer to that is to buy a LS-swapped Miata. The Corvette is great for track days, maybe not so great at low-speed autocross and tight mountain roads.