Weekend drive choice? S2000 vs. 240Z vs. Miata

[3tekcorps]

You're getting close to Lotus Elise beater prices. Seems like the perfect fit to me.

I thought the old Z cars could get pretty squirmy on a driver.

[Never_Enough]

Miata. Miss mine so I'm looking for another & the ND is one of the very very few cars I would seriously consider selling my Z06 for.

[Never_Enough]

Originally Posted by FriskyDingo

I think the S2K is overrated. It's not the delicate handling ballerina so many make it out to be. But it is fun, and it'll be reliable. Nice ones bring $ though.

Miatas I think are even more overrated. I think they are quite possibly the most overrated car ever. Every one I've ever driven just felt soft. Light, and pure, but soft. The softness was the overwhelmingly defining trait.

A clean 240 would be awesome. I've never driven one, but I think the old school feel might compliment your modern rides nicely. And I love the way they look.

I would also throw a FR-S/BRZ or older Boxster into the mix.

There's a reason so many Miatas are used for road courses. Overrated...LMAO

[FriskyDingo]

Originally Posted by BoostedRide

There's a reason so many Miatas are used for road courses. Overrated...LMAO

Yeah, because they're basic, easy to modify for racing, and like I already said, LIGHT.

That has dick to do with the fact that from the factory, with the possible exception of hardcore models like the Club Spec or whatever, they're like driving gutless little topless marshmallows.

Maybe you check out Chris Harris' review of one. I'm not alone in not thinking the Miata is all that and a bag of chips.

[overcoil]

This piece was on Autoblog. I find the 240Z special

http://www.autoblog.com/article/fuguz/

[Never_Enough]

Originally Posted by FriskyDingo

Yeah, because they're basic, easy to modify for racing, and like I already said, LIGHT.

That has dick to do with the fact that from the factory, with the possible exception of hardcore models like the Club Spec or whatever, they're like driving gutless little topless marshmallows.

Maybe you check out Chris Harris' review of one. I'm not alone in not thinking the Miata is all that and a bag of chips.

Yea, they don't handle well at all in stock form LOL

No one buys a stock Miata to go fast IN A STRAIGHT LINE.

You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but don't spew misinformation.

[FriskyDingo]

Originally Posted by BoostedRide

Yea, they don't handle well at all in stock form LOL

No one buys a stock Miata to go fast IN A STRAIGHT LINE.

You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but don't spew misinformation.

They handle pretty good, but they're still soft. Lots of roll; lots of body motion in general. I don't recall saying people bought Miatas to go fast in a straight line. But there are numerous cars that handle as well or better that actually have some nuts to them.

Look, I get you're a Miata fan, it's pretty easy to pick up on. But they're far from the majestic, magical cars they're made out to be. Like you said, I'm entitled to my opinion, and the guy is in here asking for it. And my opinion is that Miatas aren't all they are cracked up to be. It's not my problem you can't handle it being different from yours.

[-BEASTMW-]

You mentioned you're 6'6". You might have to cross the S2000 and Miata stuff off your list...

[eluded]

Originally Posted by -BEASTMW-

You mentioned you're 6'6". You might have to cross the S2000 and Miata stuff off your list...

[Red Bread]

ND is pretty roomy. I'm 6'2" and fit fine in my NB after pulling off the visors and taking a turkey carver to the seat foam.

ND feels as big as my Z3 M Coupe who a 6'8" friend fit mostly comfortably in.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by FriskyDingo

They handle pretty good, but they're still soft. Lots of roll; lots of body motion in general. I don't recall saying people bought Miatas to go fast in a straight line. But there are numerous cars that handle as well or better that actually have some nuts to them.

Look, I get you're a Miata fan, it's pretty easy to pick up on. But they're far from the majestic, magical cars they're made out to be. Like you said, I'm entitled to my opinion, and the guy is in here asking for it. And my opinion is that Miatas aren't all they are cracked up to be. It's not my problem you can't handle it being different from yours.

I used to drive home in my old Miata at lunch past a Porsche dealer and their test drive path. I was friends with a sales person there. I drove that path at 8-9/10's and frequently blew past Boxsters and 911's and finally had my friend tell ask me to stop doing it as they were losing sales because a lowly Miata could pass them.

They're soft, but they communicate better than nearly any car and they're neutral, predictable and benign. They won't scare you and they're certainly not as fast as a well driven Porsche, but most cars aren't well driven.

[David70]

From the track days I have been to I have always been impressed with how well the Miata's did. They don't corner flat, they don't do well on long straights but how they do in the corners is impressive. Biggest problem some of them had was catching more powerful cars in the corners but not being able to get by them on the straights.

Add in the cheap replacement parts for maintenance and repair and they seem to be on another level when it comes to a great track car. This benefit would extend as a daily driver also.

[Cloudywolf]

My friend picked up a 240Z but it had a ton of maintenance issues and he ended up selling it at a loss. Great car but difficult to find one in good condition.

[copmagnet82]

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

I chose the S2000 as you can see. Its reliable and cheap to maintain.

It's power level is just right for zooming around town or the backroads while being able to enjoy the entire rev range. When you feel like you want torque, just jump into your M5. Its steering isn't the best so definitely go drive one and see for yourself.

really? I haven't found a car in that price range that can match S2000's steering and handling.

...or maybe it's just personal preference

[copmagnet82]

...oh, and my choice would be the S2000

[Kolyan2k]

Love my s2k. Probably the best car I have ever owned. Not an attention whore like m3 was though

[RobC2]

AP1 S2000. The prices are rather high for a good one, but it really is a special car. I regret selling mine all the time.

[-BEASTMW-]

Originally Posted by RobC2

AP1 S2000. The prices are rather high for a good one, but it really is a special car. I regret selling mine all the time.

Seems like a ton of people here love S2000s. Maybe I should list mine here when I sell it later this year for an E90 M3...

[overcoil]

Originally Posted by -BEASTMW-

Seems like a ton of people here love S2000s. Maybe I should list mine here when I sell it later this year for an E90 M3...

The 2.0 liter 8300rpm engine has got to be one of the greatest engines ever. So not too surprising.

[eluded]

Originally Posted by -BEASTMW-

Seems like a ton of people here love S2000s. Maybe I should list mine here when I sell it later this year for an E90 M3...

From one torqueless wonder to another

[-BEASTMW-]

Originally Posted by eluded

From one torqueless wonder to another

Haha I find it funny that people call the M3 torqueless. Sure it is next to a C63 or a turbocharged rival, but 295 lb/ft from a V8 is not objectively torqueless. An S2k is indeed torqueless (153 lb/ft @ 7500rpm!) even with super-short gearing (3000rpm in 6th = 55mph).

[fcman]

Originally Posted by -BEASTMW-

Haha I find it funny that people call the M3 torqueless. Sure it is next to a C63 or a turbocharged rival, but 295 lb/ft from a V8 is not objectively torqueless. An S2k is indeed torqueless (153 lb/ft @ 7500rpm!) even with super-short gearing (3000rpm in 6th = 55mph).

The M3 makes less torque per liter than the S2000, if that puts it into perspective.