Used Car Face-Off: 2000s Japanese Roadsters Edition

"Amoore100" (amoore100) 06/24/2016 at 21:46 • Filed to: Used Car Face-Off, Honda, Toyota, Mazda

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After yesterday’s !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , I was inspired to feature a Used Car Face-Off between three of the purest Japanese roadsters sold in the United States since 2000. With two FR drop tops and one MR, it’s up to you to decide which is worth dropping over $10K on. Here are the options:

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Yes, $12.5K is an absurd price for a 16 year old Honda, even one as special as this one. Granted, this first-edition S2000 has that screaming 9000 rpm VTEC mill with only 92K miles on it and looks to be supremely well-kept. Clean title, no mechanical issues, and no modifications (thankfully), as most modded S2000s end up looking worse than the grain department in an Asian supermarket. Thus, are you swayed to this little pocket rocket?

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When Toyota took the MR2 on the Miata route for the third generation, many felt that the car was a bit more of a showy roadster than a true sportster. However, the little mid-engined Toy kept its fun status by still being one of the cheapest mid-engined cars on the market and many say it’s even more exhilarating than the Miata itself. Does this fully restored and refreshed example with 79K miles strike your fancy or does the Echo-esque interior turn you away with the high price tag?

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Whereas the S2000 and MR2 have shot up in price after their lines were discontinued, the mass-market Miata has felt the effects of depreciation to a greater extent, thus we must compare a newer Miata to stay in the same price range here. With the 3rd gen, Mazda brought back the playful charms of the original with all the luxuries and conveniences of 2008. Is this 58K mile example a bargain or is the MX-5 just a bit too common for your desires?

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TheHondaBro > Amoore100 06/24/2016 at 21:53

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...I’m a bit biased.

Aaron M - MasoFiST > Amoore100 06/24/2016 at 21:55

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Two words: 2ZZ swap.

Amoore100 > TheHondaBro 06/24/2016 at 21:58

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Just a bit. I’ll bet you chose the Toyota, didn’t you. ;)

The Lurktastic Opponaught > Amoore100 06/24/2016 at 21:58

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I test drove a yellow mr2 when they were new to the market. I almost pulled the trigger. WHY MUST YOU TAUNT ME?

TheHondaBro > Amoore100 06/24/2016 at 21:59

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Maybe...

Amoore100 > The Lurktastic Opponaught 06/24/2016 at 22:00

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Well $10K is a lot for a backwards Echo, if that’s any consolation...

Amoore100 > TheHondaBro 06/24/2016 at 22:01

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Um, it is one?

phenotyp > Amoore100 06/24/2016 at 22:04

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I so wish I could have kept my MR2.

interstate366, now In The Industry > Amoore100 06/24/2016 at 22:13

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S all day.

boredalways > Amoore100 06/24/2016 at 22:16

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phenotyp > phenotyp 06/24/2016 at 22:19

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RedlineZ bought an SV (And is getting rid of the z) > Amoore100 06/24/2016 at 22:33

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No drop top z?

Roadster Man > Amoore100 06/24/2016 at 22:57

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IT REVS TO 9000.

Game over.

Opposite Locksmith > Roadster Man 06/25/2016 at 01:26

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I am collecting parts for a bmw 2003 f20c swap! Solely for revs

Amoore100 > RedlineZ bought an SV (And is getting rid of the z) 06/25/2016 at 04:00

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Well, it’s a bit more of a cruiser than a go-kart.

Roadster Man > Opposite Locksmith 06/25/2016 at 10:36

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That sounds incredible! I dream of putting an F20C in a Datsun 510 or AE86

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > Amoore100 06/25/2016 at 12:13

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I voted MR2 since I just bought one myself, but I wonder why someone would fully restore one at this point in time, since it still is a relatively cheap sporty car built on economy bones. Huge fun though, at saner speeds than the S2000.

Amoore100 > Out, but with a W - has found the answer 06/25/2016 at 12:18

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Nice! Hope you have fun with it! I don’t really understand either, but if it means one more nice ZZW30 MR2 on the roads then I’m not complaining.

Opposite Locksmith > Roadster Man 06/25/2016 at 14:22

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CAtuned fabricated all of the mounting hardware and parts!

RT > Amoore100 06/26/2016 at 14:09

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S2000. Probably the best driving experience out of the three, especially when it comes the the engine.

And it’s an AP1 so it's got a higher rev limit. :>

Amoore100 > RT 06/26/2016 at 15:14

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Yeah, Honda has always been a master of engine crafting and they basically put their flagship four cylinder into the S2000 as a kind of showcase of their efforts. It's probably the last great high revving Honda engine before the turbos and hybrids take over.