If you're considering small[ish] sport[y] roadsters, the list is pretty small:

S2K
Miata
Boxster
Z3 or M roadster
Solstice / Saturn RL
Toyota MR S
350Z roadster (maybe, getting a little porky)

I didn't add a few cars based on your buying requirements.

I cross shopped the Boxster, didn't do anything for me to justify the price delta. I won't own another BMW product. I wasn't turned on by the looks of the Miata or the MR-S.

The Sol/Sky cars are pretty solid, nice motor, FI out of the box. They just didn't have the same driving dynamics as the S for me (and terrible tops and storage).

I had originally planned on a C6 Vert, but decided on something very different this time around (I've had a few Vettes).

 

Under 30k? Buy a new S while they are still out there.

 

I agree, anything above 20k can get you into a way better sports car nowadays. In fact unless you have never been in the S2000, I don't even recommend the AP1 to people. I tell people to spend 16k or less on an AP2.


From 16-20k I tell people to buy the E46 M3, C5 Z06's, 2005+ 350z's with 300+ hp

If you are bold get the EVO/STI

 

My friend sold his wife's 2005 boxster S (auto) with only 13k for $29k. Reccession is good for you to look for something in one class higher for your budget.

 

IMO with the 2005's, the power difference isn't that substantial between S and non-S models so I'd go with the non-S. Better buy IMO. '07+ Boxsters that share the Cayman drivetrains are a different story.

 

thanks guys for all the responses so far.

i was planning on getting a cayman but with us trying to buy a house i figured i would spend a little less. Figured a used 2004 with about 50k miles would be fine. Figured with the recession I would be able to pick one up for about 16kish.

no dice, but like everyone said, i will be patient and it's probably a good idea to start expanding into those winter-y states. I still remember getting my 02 in dec 01 for $500 over invoice in chiago when they were still marked up like crazy hehe.

 

Get the nicest example you can afford. I happened to have an e90 myself, after my AP1, before coming back to my current AP2. I missed the extreme sporting edge. The only time I regretted it so far was when I couldn't fit my luggage in it for a European trip, lol.

 

BUT... I think when you factor in operating costs the S2000 is still the best. Otherwise I would have been in a 996 a while ago. When I get the itch/bored I have no problem considering parting and trading but when I break it down - especially with the Euros (E46 M, 996 911, etc) - yea - the running costs add up quickly. Because you can afford a 25K Porsche doesn't mean you can afford to maintain it - a trap Im leary of falling into.

Then again Im 22 so my priorities are very different than someone 10-15+ my age.

 

Another thing that is against the S2000 is the insurance costs, especially younger folk.

You can get more car for the same amount of insurance costs as the S2000 in other cars.

 

Look at 2006 M Roadsters. A few nice examples for under $30K.