mK3/nc mx5 or S2000???

[davidif]

I'm ready for another toy for the weekends and the odd trackday(maybe 3/4 a year) and possibly a ring trip.

I fancy the idea of a sports car as it would cover these bases and would also be used for weekends away with the other half and so easier to justify!

I've had 3 MX5's previously 2 Mk1's and a Mk3 and whilst I've never owned an S2000 i do have a soft spot for a Honda, my daily is a 2.2 Diesel Civic and i also have a CR-Z so a foot in each camp as it were.

I am of course aware of the performance differential although given that an Mx5 is considerably cheaper i'd be looking to get it to BBR for a 185bhp tune which would lessen the difference. i am lead to believe that the Mazda's chassis is a bit more playful and maybe a little less likely to spit me off into the scenery it would probably be a cheaper car overall and i think i am swayed to the Mazda's looks over the Honda.

I am interested in peoples views and in particular to hear from people who've had this dilemma and as to the direction they eventually took.

[davidif]

I also forgot to add that due to the significantly reduced initial outlay for an MX5 i would look to do some handling mods (coilovers uprated ARB'S?) and a full geo set up immediately whereas i would struggle to justify the additional expense if i had paid considerably more for an S2000.

I guess what i am looking to establish is would a sympathetically modified MX5 be better suited to my intended use than a stock S2000?

Thanks

[ZX10R NIN]

There was a thread on this very subject the other day so I'd say that's worth a search.

[davidif]

ZX10R NIN said:

There was a thread on this very subject the other day so I'd say that's worth a search.

Thanks ZX i will.

[ZX10R NIN]

Personally II'd go for the S2000 yes it costs more but it is a special car as parts wear then you can still upgrade the S2000 as you go along, the MX5 is a good car but for me the S2000 is a special car.

[Actus Reus]

How tall are you OP? S2000 cabin is a bit tight isn't it? If you fit though, S2000 - as above - it's a special car.

[davidif]

Actus Reus said:

How tall are you OP? S2000 cabin is a bit tight isn't it? If you fit though, S2000 - as above - it's a special car.

Not tall, about 5'11 so should fit in either!

[Jimmy Recard]

ZX10R NIN said:

Personally II'd go for the S2000 yes it costs more but it is a special car as parts wear then you can still upgrade the S2000 as you go along, the MX5 is a good car but for me the S2000 is a special car.

I had an NC. Definitely not built or engineered as well as an S2000, but obviously much cheaper

I spent my entire ownership wishing I had bought an S2000 or Boxster S. Now I have the latter and it’s great

I did buy a cheap one, but I had plenty of problems. Water ingress, PCV valve (biggest pain in the arse in the world to change), structural rust, radiator collapsed internally. It put me off Mazda in general tbh

With the PCV valve bad, it could easily burn a litre of oil in 150 miles or less on track

Mine did two Nürburgring trips and numerous track days with the issue, just with constant oil top ups. Really annoying and expensive!

It did handle nicely, have excellent brakes and never broke down. Also very, very good on petrol. Usual mpg in the 30s

Edited by Jimmy Recard on Thursday 2nd July 20:55

[maz8062]

I owned an AP1 S2000 and recently test drove a Mk3.5 Sport tech NC with the folding hard top. The NC handled well, although I thought the ride a tad too harsh.

My summary and the reason I didn’t buy it - it is a nearly S2000. It needs more power!

Get the S and don’t look back,

[davidif]

Jimmy Recard said:

I had an NC. Definitely not built or engineered as well as an S2000, but obviously much cheaper

I spent my entire ownership wishing I had bought an S2000 or Boxster S. Now I have the latter and it’s great

I did buy a cheap one, but I had plenty of problems. Water ingress, PCV valve (biggest pain in the arse in the world to change), structural rust, radiator collapsed internally. It put me off Mazda in general tbh

With the PCV valve bad, it could easily burn a litre of oil in 150 miles or less on track

Mine did two Nürburgring trips and numerous track days with the issue, just with constant oil top ups. Really annoying and expensive!

It did handle nicely, have excellent brakes and never broke down. Also very, very good on petrol. Usual mpg in the 30s

Edited by Jimmy Recard on Thursday 2nd July 20:55

Thanks for the perspective Jimmy. however i've 'done the Boxter and personally wasn't all that impressed. Admittedly mine was a 986 2.7 but i felt that i was sitting on it rather than in it and whilst it sounded good with a Porsche sports exhaust it wasn't all that quick. main issue for me was that i felt like i had a ticking time bomb with potential IMS bearing issues etc

[davidif]

maz8062 said:

I owned an AP1 S2000 and recently test drove a Mk3.5 Sport tech NC with the folding hard top. The NC handled well, although I thought the ride a tad too harsh.

My summary and the reason I didn’t buy it - it is a nearly S2000. It needs more power!

Get the S and don’t look back,

I fully expect the MX5 to be a little slower (even with the proposed BBR mods which should take it to about 185bhp) but i am pondering as to whether the difference will be that great??

It'll still be considerably cheaper and there appears to be a much greater choice of cars to choose from.

Finally i believe that both are susceptible to tin worm so i will need to look over any potential purchase very carefully.

[Mr Tidy]

Personally as you've had MX5s I'd be tempted to try an S2000 for a different experience, assuming budget permitted.

If it doesn't have to be Japanese and you could live with a straight 6 a BMW Z4 would be an alternative, but generally without the rust!

For S2000 money you ought to be able to find a Z4M Roadster.

Anyway good luck whatever you decide to go for.

[davidif]

Mr Tidy said:

Personally as you've had MX5s I'd be tempted to try an S2000 for a different experience, assuming budget permitted.

If it doesn't have to be Japanese and you could live with a straight 6 a BMW Z4 would be an alternative, but generally without the rust!

For S2000 money you ought to be able to find a Z4M Roadster.

Anyway good luck whatever you decide to go for.

Another possibility although i would want a manual gearbox and i'm not generally a fan of BMW manuals.

[Angpozzuto]

The smart option would be to buy the s2000 as any depreciation would be minimal if it doesn't increase in value, me personally I'd buy the mx5 and spend the change on mods. A supercharger kit would also sort the performance deficit nicely

[Jonstar]

Had a bbr 185 mx5 mk3 with uprated arb and before that had a standard mk3, and borrowed an s2k for a few weeks.

Standard mk3 was st, lasted 3 months. Tough choice on the other too, s2k was better built and had a more exciting engine but the bbr had better feedback, more torque and was more chuckable, handling on both was similarly good.

You won't go wrong with either but if money is less of an object go for the s2k.

[Mr Tidy]

davidif said:

Another possibility although i would want a manual gearbox and i'm not generally a fan of BMW manuals.

No, I know what you mean! I'm on manual BMW numbers 7 & 8 and have found them very variable. I've had a couple of obstructive ones, a few good ones and the rest were just OK! But I've stuck with them because sadly RWD and manual doesn't give too many options these days.

From what I've read the Mazdas and Hondas seem to get their manual boxes right.

[Al U]

Previous S2000 owner here, last had one in 2015. They are good cars, but they do have a bit of a cult following which can make some people talk them up like they are a lot better than they are in reality. The gear change in them is super sweet, probably a highlight of the car for me. Handling is pretty good at 8/10, above that you need to be handy and switched on. They are very tyre and geometry sensitive (need a proper 4 wheel alignment). If you are coming from any sort of turbo car petrol or diesel, you will notice that you really need to thrash the engine to use any meaningful part of the 240bhp. This is great when you are in the mood, but on a Monday morning can be a bit much.

I bought mine (a 2005, so pretty sought after as a facelift, lower tax bracket and no T/C which some of the purists prefer) for £8.5k, kept it for 10 months, put 19000 miles on it and then sold it for just under £12k as they really started to appreciate in value when I was looking to sell. Mine was in fantastic condition when I got it though and was even better when I sold it after I had gone over it with a fine tooth comb. I think at that sort of level they start to get overpriced, to the point that I'd only recommend one if you can comfortably afford it.

[Jonstar]

I have to agree they are overpriced now, if it was my money I would get a bbr 200 for £5k, to my mind it would have the s2000 licked in all areas (Inc gear change) other than rareness and build quality.

At £12k an s2000 wouldnt get a look in, get a z4m or boxster s / Cayman s which are all in a different league.

[davidif]

some very helpful info. i think I've come to the realization that for my budget any S2000 is likely to need tlc. as its going to be a third car i feel more comfortable putting say 5k aside to buy, and subtly upgrade an MX5, as to whether i'll have the better car who knows??

[Al U]

Jonstar said:

I have to agree they are overpriced now, if it was my money I would get a bbr 200 for £5k, to my mind it would have the s2000 licked in all areas (Inc gear change) other than rareness and build quality.

At £12k an s2000 wouldnt get a look in, get a z4m or boxster s / Cayman s which are all in a different league.

£12k at the time I was selling and even still now I think is near mid market to be honest, cheap ones no less than around £4k and that would be for a leggy early car all the way up to £20k for 2009 Edition 100 (the white only run out special).

Boxster S/Cayman S are possible at £12k but there is no way you would get a Z4M Coupe for that. A convertible might be doable but even those you are realistically talking £14k minimum. I got my S2000 because it was so much cheaper than what I really wanted which was a late Z4M Coupe which at the time was a £20k car.