You should try something new, you already know what an s2000 is like id get an rx7 and if you hate it then sell it and look for an S. It sounds like price is a big decision maker and since the FD is the cheaper of your options you can spend more on parts. And do yu really want to be driving in a four door car that you dont like as much and isnt as fun 360 days of the year cause the other 5 you might need the extra seats? Whatever you decide pics are a must and take some of the moutain roads too.

 

After reading some of the good points here I have pretty much decided to go with the small fun sports car rather than something less fulfilling for the meet of the year.

As soon as I do decide on and purchase one I shall post pictures of my cars first trip to Mt. Nokogiri to visit the buddha of road safety featured in the top gear race between the bullet train and R35 GT-R.

 

The S2000 outside the US and Japan is a pretty rare sight (assumption made from worldwide sales figures). I was in a similar position to you and checked out the Civic Type R too. It seemed like a really sweet car but I chose the S2000 for the convertible and head-turning factor. The car's other attributes need not be rehashed here . The other sports cars you mentioned are available too but lack of good mechanics for maintenance deterred me. I have no regrets picking the S2000 over others.

Honestly though, the Civic Type R would make for a better daily driver and is probably just as much as a head-turner. If you'll be driving it a lot, and by a lot I mean everyday, and by everyday I mean more than an hour a day, then maybe it would be the better choice just because of the livability and space. If I had purchased the CTR instead of the S I would probably be satisfied speed-wise but longing for the drop top. I no longer ride motorcycles due to the bad road conditions and I need open air one way or another.

 

Good point.

 

To be honest you don't really see a lot of S2000's here either. The most common sports cars I see are Silvia's domestically speaking. Most people here either have Kei cars or a BMW/Benz.

As far as lack of reputable mechanics etc goes for maintaining some of the older JDM favorites (ie. RX7) I am mechanically inclined enough to do the work myself at a garage workshop. They have places here you can rent with hydrolic lifts and full tool sets, for X amount of yen per hour. Fantastic. I am also attending an automotive technical college as soon as my time at university is up in 2 years time. So it would be neat to keep what is sure to be a classic up and running for homework as it were...

 

I would say get FD2 R just because I wanted to buy it so bad when back in Europe - but now being with S for a while - I'd stick with it. Good luck with purchase.

 

Get this Honda: