S2000s are expensive, but they do have something special about them that makes them worth it imo and they can be an absolute track beast if you start modifying them. Ive owned 4, but ironically never tracked them (it was before I was into HPDE).

 

Owned 2 s2k's years back (01 AP1 and 04 AP2) and my brother had a z4m coupe. Fun cars, and since my 04 AP2 met it's demise as a total theft back in 2013 (stolen and never found), i still miss it to this day. s2k gearbox is a thing of beauty and they are great looking cars, but the insurance premium and current market for a decent example doesn't make it as appealing an option when a C5 corvette is pretty much priced the same and the better performing car. the z4m is fun, but it's not particularly light. His z4m also had VANOS solenoid issues that were hilariously expensive to resolve and I hear it's a somewhat common issue on them.

All that said, my miata is my favorite of the 3, even with the dookie turbo setup my MSM has right now.

 

I drove the Z4 M last night and it was amazing. Now I am kicking myself since I have no idea whether its worth that much of amazing. I have a friend pushing me towards a 2009 mustang GT (2009 was first year they got SYNC) which can be found for around 8 grand. It would be faster and much much cheaper to maintain.

 

It's amusing at how impressed you are with all those slow cars. Your mind would be blown if you got to drive a properly boosted Miata

The bimmer is cool until something breaks or needs maint, and then you'll cry into your wallet.

 

As a previous 135i and 335i owner, i still have PTSD over this. Too much real life here :(

 

Yea I am thinking about taking the money from the beemer and just getting a 2011 GT. Maintenance on that would be cheaper by far. @18psi I would love to see a 1.6 with a full FM kit beat a new 5.0 GT. Those kits can put down some power at 12.5 psi I will give them that but I don't think many of them could beat a new GT.

 

Funny you say that: I have had two '15 coyote GT's within the last year actually still have one of them now
previous was a premium auto with 3.55 gears. I currently own a 15 performance pack manual with 3.73's with a whipple charger. 700hp.

But you're missing the point: a b6 1.6 is a terrible engine to start with, and FM turbo bits are outdated and mediocre at best nowadays. I would do neither of those things. You can build a 300whp Miata for a little less than 15 grand, or go buy harolds for exactly 15 grand, and it will put a hurting on a stock gt , and FEEL way more exciting, raw, incredible in the process. None of those other cars will ever feel like a properly done Miata. Trust me, I've had 7 of my own and compared them to everything under the sun over the years.

So if you wanna do "Miata" right, sell your janky contraption, daily another car in the meantime, and start looking for a proper Miata: a 1.8 with proper modern turbo parts

 

I vote Mustang. Just get a Mustang and get rid of the Miata. Please.

 

Buy the mustang, please.