MX5 Turbo to S2000??
Discussion
I'm considering making the switch from my Mazda MX5 Turbo to an S2000, I've been known to slate VTEC in the past until I took my friends one out last night. I'm just wondering if it's worth making the change, they are quite similar cars in character but I starting to love the VTEC zone and revving the living nuts off it, is quite addictive.
Does this novelty ever wear off and of course as I'll only be in the market for a '99 to '02 model will I need to do any further checks, I've gone through most of the guides and chatted to other owners, besides seized suspension componenets, oil bolt recall and oil usage, is there a set of geometry/alignment settings I could use to make it more planted - or does this require even more careful driving than usual.
Do I make the change or not? I'm very conflicted as my car has had a turbo fitted and bundles of torque low down, that's my only picking point.
Please convince me!!
Does this novelty ever wear off and of course as I'll only be in the market for a '99 to '02 model will I need to do any further checks, I've gone through most of the guides and chatted to other owners, besides seized suspension componenets, oil bolt recall and oil usage, is there a set of geometry/alignment settings I could use to make it more planted - or does this require even more careful driving than usual.
Do I make the change or not? I'm very conflicted as my car has had a turbo fitted and bundles of torque low down, that's my only picking point.
Please convince me!!
In all honesty, it depends what sort of power-delivery you prefer - the S2000 will probably, at least half the time, feel slower, and, if you catch it off-cam, (comparatively) reluctant to accelerate.
So it'll be harder work to get the power out of it, you'll need to think about your driving more, and you'll probably miss the mid-range torque more-than-once. But the top-end you've experienced, and it really is that addictive...I'm on VTEC-cars #3 and 4 now, over about 7 years. The ability to get a quiet(-ish) >30mpg on a long run, then rag the **** out of it down a b-road straight after is quite a nice jekyll-and-hyde characteristic!
That said:-
- The S2000 feels more solid - bit bigger, better quality, sublime gearbox, superbly well engineered.
- It feels more planted to the road...which could be good (loads of grip, feels secure under the limit), or bad (harder to breach the limits, more snappy when it does go...this can be ameliorated by geo changes (and by fitting braces), but it's never going to be quite as instinctive as the -5.
- It lacks some of the feedback through the wheel of the -5...which combined with the snappier rear-end can make it more intimidating than a -5. If you're confident in what you're doing, it seems to respond better and more instinctively, bizarrely enough...so it's not really a car for a beginner to rwd (which you don't sound like you are).
As for the first-gen S2000's...you've done your research, you know they've a plastic rear-screen which can't be changed without changing the whole hood. You know about bushes, and oil-use, and corroding alloys, and so-on...
Drive a couple, see what you think. The engine is an instant hit on a test-drive which needs more thought to use properly in the real-world, while the steering/handling remain as ultra-direct as on the test-drive, but need time to get used to the feedback and poise...
So it'll be harder work to get the power out of it, you'll need to think about your driving more, and you'll probably miss the mid-range torque more-than-once. But the top-end you've experienced, and it really is that addictive...I'm on VTEC-cars #3 and 4 now, over about 7 years. The ability to get a quiet(-ish) >30mpg on a long run, then rag the **** out of it down a b-road straight after is quite a nice jekyll-and-hyde characteristic!
That said:-
- The S2000 feels more solid - bit bigger, better quality, sublime gearbox, superbly well engineered.
- It feels more planted to the road...which could be good (loads of grip, feels secure under the limit), or bad (harder to breach the limits, more snappy when it does go...this can be ameliorated by geo changes (and by fitting braces), but it's never going to be quite as instinctive as the -5.
- It lacks some of the feedback through the wheel of the -5...which combined with the snappier rear-end can make it more intimidating than a -5. If you're confident in what you're doing, it seems to respond better and more instinctively, bizarrely enough...so it's not really a car for a beginner to rwd (which you don't sound like you are).
As for the first-gen S2000's...you've done your research, you know they've a plastic rear-screen which can't be changed without changing the whole hood. You know about bushes, and oil-use, and corroding alloys, and so-on...
Drive a couple, see what you think. The engine is an instant hit on a test-drive which needs more thought to use properly in the real-world, while the steering/handling remain as ultra-direct as on the test-drive, but need time to get used to the feedback and poise...
I've not been in a turbo Mx-5 but I drove a decent stock one that was braced and everything and my s2000 feels a lot more solid. Even if the power is there with the turbo I think the s2000 is going to be a more serious feeling car if you like the VTEC and revving I think you should definitely switch!
I echo Havocs thoughts all except 30mpg and its quite quiet. He must drive like a girl 
I've had the S2 after a sgtring of turbos - the turbos feel a hell of a lot quicker than the s2k (yes, even the Rover), btu they arent. Although it doesnt actually feel that quick, when on a charge its got ample performace and is easily the best handling car I've driven. (Mines a facelift though).
If you come down to the JapChat RR day, I'll happily take you for a spin (literally if its wet).
I've had the S2 after a sgtring of turbos - the turbos feel a hell of a lot quicker than the s2k (yes, even the Rover), btu they arent. Although it doesnt actually feel that quick, when on a charge its got ample performace and is easily the best handling car I've driven. (Mines a facelift though).
If you come down to the JapChat RR day, I'll happily take you for a spin (literally if its wet).
juzzyp said:
I'll be coming but I won't be rolling roading.
My mind is virtually made up now, just need a passenger ride at proper VTEC speeds to get an idea, I would offer one in return but I don't trust my turbo engine one bit now after the HG went south on me!
Looks like ive had to drop out mate My mind is virtually made up now, just need a passenger ride at proper VTEC speeds to get an idea, I would offer one in return but I don't trust my turbo engine one bit now after the HG went south on me!
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