Do I Regret Buying a Honda S2000 vs ND Miata?

#honda #s2000 #asmrdriving
Here's another S2000 video for the rotation, really liking this new format. Let me know what you guys think. Today we talk about what I went through for almost 2 months before making this purchase. I hope this helps steer your decision. All love for both Miata and S2K communities! Both are such fun platforms and I'm grateful we have plenty of choices with each having their own strengths. Count how many times I say "versus", and as always enjoy the video!

[KarloPunzal]

For an almost 20 year old car, the S2000 holds up pretty well for its age compared to other cars. The S2000 is timeless, I'm on my 3rd AP2, this time I'm keeping her forever. I've owned cars with way more power and performance than the S2000, but the visceral feeling of driving the S2000 is unmatched. The S2000 is a great easy car to maintain, almost all maintenance items you can do yourself. I see you're also in the Vegas area. Come out some time to the meets.

[thatoneotherotherguy]

In late 2018 I was deciding between an AP2 S2000 and a brand new ND2 Miata. I went with the ND2, $26, 000 plus taxes. It's been an amazing time with the car. Sure, having an S2000 that wouldn't have depreciated at all would've been neat, but I've really valued the daily drivability of the ND2. This motor hits max torque at 4000RPM and does 40mpg at 70mph. Combined with the light weight of the ND and some nice creature comforts like a backup cam and bluetooth, it's been a great "11 month per year" car for me.

The S2000 is awesome north of 6000RPM. The ND2 is awesome, well, everywhere.

[danielkim]

Nice video. You made a lot of good points. I personally think that if your primary goal is to have fun, you can't go wrong with either option. However, the S2K can be also considered an investment, but like you said, the ND Miata has more "livable power" which is something to really consider as well. The sketch factor of older cars is also a good point. It seems so much easier to go with the ND Miata for peace of mind, modern amenities/safety features, ect. Although, just as you pointed out, the S2000 has that rarity factor that turns heads, but paying the price of a new sports car for something that old is conflicting (although the nicer S2000s are going to continue increasing in value).

[marcratelierbritishmotors]

Congratulation for this analysis and return of experience. It is exactly the same questions and answers I make... and end up 4 years ago with a Honda S2000 2004 AP1 F20C Phase 2 (in Europe we have the AP1 2.0l, red ligne 9000 rpm with the AP2 body) in mint condition and 75 K km (now 98 K km) and I am still on the honeymoon with it.

[h.j.victory]

Even in stock form the AP2 is a very competitive and able car on the track. My AP2 has 230k and I have tracked it at Streets of Willow and Big Willow.

My Mazdaspeed Miata MX5 and the AP2 are the most fun stock cars I have tracked.

[Understated_enthusiast]

Great quality intro! Good content - subscribed! Hope to see the channel grow. Good luck.

[TMHTNN]

Thank you for this video. The practical side of me leans toward the ND due it's pricing and the fear of parts scarcity with the s2k. The ND being common is actually a strength for long-term ownership, but I have nostalgia for my turboed '95 R package, not the ND. I've owned a S/C s2000 CR in my youth also and numerous jdm/Honda cars inbetween.

The cinematography and the driving vibes from this video really captures the spirit of the s2k for me. I've been debating this choice for well over a year as to which forever car I'll own. I've exhausted all my sources for opinions, but this video tipped me to the s2k, especially when you pointed out how "excited you get" when you look at it. I don't think I've ever used that perspective before for my decision making and I think it's enough to make me stick with team Honda. Hope to see more stuff from you dude!

[mtzhp]

Im holding onto my AP2 as long as possible. 10 years so far. They are making a lot of ND Miatas - I have time to own one of those, but a clean stock S2000 like I have will never come again this side of Bring a Trailer.

[jonathanhiener]

Hey man, I've been following since your first canyon videos in the old 370Z Sport. It's been neat to see your collection grow over time. The points that you raise here are really good questions for any car enthusiast to weigh when considering a classic car purchase. My daily is in fact an ND2 RF, and my weekend car is a 1.6L NA Miata.

Owning an old car can be rewarding and fun (much more so than a modern car), but can also become exhausting when you have to rely on a 20-30 year old car for all your mundane tasks. Using old Japanese convertibles for 5 hour highway drives really saps the fun out of them. Determining your use case should really be #1 in selecting your car, which can be hard to be realistic about. I agree on only recommending something like an S2K or NA/NB as a second or third car, as that's when they'll really get to shine.

The mystery of previous owner maintenance and the luck of the draw in buying a well-used car makes every classic car purchase substantially different to the next. I've seen a fair share of beaten but solid cars, and tragically beautiful classics that required just about every meaningful part replaced. Judging a used car is also much harder to navigate especially when someone is newer to the hobby, not to mention that substantial maintenance can be an overwhelming concept at that stage.

All that being said your last point is a big one. Everyone has their own dream cars and no spec sheets or reviews will change the stuff that you're interested in. Finding cars that make you happy is the ultimate goal, and when people have the means to become the caretaker of a classic, that's a wonderful thing. The car world needs more of that, especially as less and less enthusiast vehicles are produced. Your AP2 is beautiful - I hope you put another 100k on the clock!

[romwild]

Perfectly aligned with my thoughts and how I got my 2000 133k ap1 2 weeks ago. Has some cosmetic things to take care of and I’m looking to go for an OEM+ restoration

[Iitenki]

I have owned and driven a few roadsters - TR6, NB Miata, Boxster and S2000. The TR6 was my gateway drug into roadsters. Really enjoyed the Miata and think I would like the ND even better. I bought my S2k new in 03 and have driven it daily ever since. I just love the visceral feeling behind the wheel of the S2k and enjoy decompressing after work with a nice mountain run. I really focus on maintaining the car, but as time goes by you need to be aware that some parts are a bit tougher to find. Plan on keeping my S2k until my left leg can’t press in the Clutch pedal 😊

[mickeyhartsell]

I've had 4 Miata's and 2 S2000 and trust me the S2000 is so much more than what a Miata offers.

[enriquealvarez]

I bought a 1994 r package miata over other roadster, including the s2000. Mine just became an antique. Being a honda master tech, the na miata just reminds me of a period in time when cars were all mechanical. If I didn't have my crx I would've bought a s2000.

[ts]

I went with an S2000 after debating between it, a Miata, and a GR86. Like you, couldn’t get past the fact that I would still be jealous of other S2000 owners if I didn’t own one.

[ApexClubRacer]

Maybe I missed this but 3rd car? What’s the purpose of your 2nd car then? 1st car is the daily, 2nd should be weekend car.

[leredd]

If i got the money right now. S2k for me in the tracks all day. ND3 for me does everything else gets around 40ish mpg hwy, very comfortable for long drive, and easier to daily it knowing it has warranties too.

[WatchingYoutubeVid]

I sold my nd2 to hopefully get an ap2. I have test drove both and the ND is a better daily but the S2K is a more fun at the limit and looks timeless. If you have a minty ap2 i wouldnt bother with a ND unless the ap2 gave out

[AcoAegis]

I recently got an ND3, and while I still have my old car, I'm trying to treat the ND as my only car, to see if I should sell my old xB. There's no way I could do an S2000 like that, so I totally agree with you on that point. S2000 is definitely more sporty out of the box, but I think an ND has more potential (more costly though I'm sure) just being newer and so popular; there's SO many parts for them.

I'd love to see an ND with a fat rotary in it though, now THAT would be fun

[KidNato]

Great points. I daily my RF.
S2000 will be too valuable daily soon, ND does not have that problem ha ha.

[Ottobon]

Besides the fact i hate the stock suspension geometry on S2000s (old MR2 owner thing i learned about evils of high rear roll centers, but lots of ways to work with or around it), i consider them more ideal then Miatas as a drivers car for most part, as a owner experience. My issue with having done a similar thing but on cheap end of the market with a AW11 many many years ago is having something special is nice, but then you also feel kinda different about it, its a hindrance in a way, although so would be a brand new car. That was easily my least favorite thing about owning and tracking a AW11, was it was too damn rare, i liked what it was but where do i find another? The S2000 is like that but more due to $ value, but in a good way that changes vs a ND Miata.