So you didn't end up buying the ebay m3? Sorry to hear that. There is nothing worse to look at a car in person that you saw sale pictures of and think the 2 don't match in any way.

 

Honestly you're better off. I spent some time with e46s and they're good cars bolstered by a lot of hype. Their interior paint starts flaking and starts creaking. And the driving experience isnt sportscar great, but is the easiest sportscar to live with minus the cost of ownerahip. Great cars and will always be a cult classic.

 

What's your ownership experience in Texas with an S2000 like?

I know you had an AP1 and now AP2, but to live with/really get to enjoy? Lot's of straight roads, lots of high heat top up days, and do you think the A/C can keep up compared to the other cars?

My experience with the S2000 was that it wasn't bad to have the top up and A/C going because the cabin was small and cooled off quick, but nothing touches the legendary GM A/C for fat americans haha.

 

Legendary GM A/C? My Silverado A/C sucks compared to my wife's Civic (and my S2000, for that matter). My Ford pickup had better A/C as well.

 

Man that sucks to hear

 

City traffic like any other. Not many interesting roads near DFW but tons in hill country west of Austin. Lots of tracks nearby - Eagles Canyon, Motorsport Ranch Creeson, Motorsport Ranch Houston, Hallet, Texas World Speedway, and of course COTA. Lots of autocross activity. Still plenty of opportunity to drive top down. Cabin cools off very quickly from the AC.

 

+1

I drove my S2000 daily when I lived in Texas and while it got pretty hot at times, the A/C was pretty good. I think I usually put the top up if it was over 100*F, though, unless I was constantly on the move (ie, not in slow-moving traffic).

 

A/C is fine with both cars, though I don't enjoy driving the S2000 top up that much ex at the track. There are endless miles of great roads in the TX Hill Country, but they're not so exciting in North Texas. Around here, the Z is more fun and comfortable on the street, but will need a lot of work to make it as good on the track.

 

Sorry to hear the car was not to your liking. A friend of mine has a convertible version. The E46 M3 is his one "soft spot" car. He adores them.

For me it was an SW20 MR2 Turbo. Wish they were not 20 years old and riced out.

 

Even when it is 100-110 out I don't turn the A/C on my S2000 all the way up. Maybe half way at most and I don't turn on recirculation.