I've got 35,000 to spend on a new car. Found the perfect car in the S2000... but just can't fit well enough to use as a daily driver. I think i'm going insane trying to find something like it. Since s2000s are the weapon of choice for diehard enthusiasts, I figured you all would know your stuff. My current car is the infamous 2002 Acura TL Type-S. While its a fabulous four door, I have no need for a four-door, and its transverse engine setup, epic length, cushy suspension, and ridiculous understeer leave me thirsting for something with a lot more performance edge. I suppose what I loved about the S2000 was that it's really in a class by itself. Mustang/Z/G35 owners can't argue with the lightweight/50-50/handling dimension of the S2K, and M3/S4/Elise owners can't argue with the price. So now i'm forced to settle with something else. I've spent about 8 months or so debating the issue (until I decided that the s2000 was the one to get, only to be denied by my knees). The cars I heavily considered were:

Nissan 350z/Infiniti G35: Sided against it because its fat, and coming from a serious honda family, I almost feel like I'm committing treason. Track 350z comes close to the 35k edge, but is necessary to make it handle like a true sports car.

Subaru WRX Sti/Mitsubishi Lancer Evo: Wow, I could mod the dickens out of either of them and make them really fast for a pretty reasonable price. AWD is nice and predictable (but I'd argue that it does lack some of the fun of rwd). My only gripe with either is that they have 4 doors, and while I actually do like the styling a little bit, it just doesnt seem sporty? Its rather hard to explain. I'm not trying to be show-offish, but we all know that the ladies love the Z/G/S2k/Bmw of choice.. but i'm not so sure they'd love these 2 AWD warriors. Also, these cars lack the apparant class of the others. The Z with its 35 years of legacy appeals to driving vets because its the Z. The G35 is sold in Japan as the Skyline GT-S, and our beloved Honda S2000 traces its roots to honda's first motorcycle and the 600. At my ever maturing age, I can't see myself driving around the poster child for the awd/turbocharged youth movement, no matter how shallow it sounds

Mazda RX-8: Is this even trying to be a sports car anymore? Supposedly, it has better handling than the Z and a smooth powerband, but where's the power? I know the S2000 doesnt have an uber powerful motor but at least it has the import tuner market behind it. The support for the RX-8 just isnt there. The car seems like too much of a settlers/compromise sporty car for me. It's just not diehard enough.

BMW 330ci: Now I know what you're thinking. Ahhhck!? Its hard for me to. I've burned alot of 330ci's on the highway in my day in a fit of jealous rage because they were BMWs. My oldest sister, however drives a 2001 530i with the sport package and I must say that the handling is AMAZING. If I could afford an M3 i'd get one in a heartbeat but I can't. I'm aware that the 330ci starts around 38k, but I could probably swing one for 36, considering its the old body style and the new coupes should be coming in within the year? My only gripes are the price, the speed, and fear of being associated with the dark side.

Prelude/Integra Type-R/RSX Type-S: Any of these cars I could swing for 22 and under, leaving me with plenty of cash to tinker on them with. I'd feel alot better staying in the Honda fam. But here, I'm forced to deal with FWD. Apparently these are the most RWD handling-like FWDs ever, but still... I've always been a bit worrysome about buying a used car with Manual Transmission, considering how easy they are the mess up behind noob hands. I know these cars arent in the same class as the ones mentioned above but I have VTEC in my veins.

RX-7/SupraTT: Oh yes, the cars that make me wish I was in this situation 8 years ago. The RX-7 is fast, handles well, and is a tuning icon. The Supra neeeeds no introduction. Granted, its heavy and probably isnt the all around performer that the RX-7 is, but its a SUPRA (my college dorm was filled with posters of it.) My issues with these are that they're sooo hard to find, and the ones you do find have 50k+ miles and are going for 40k+ dollars. Supply and demand. Everyone wants one and the guys who have them arent going to let them go without a fight.

Domestics: I do feel bad and ignorant grouping all the domestics together, but I really just dont know enough about them. The Firebird/Camaro era is gone and Magnums and Chargers are not sports cars, no matter how big their v8s get. The new mustang definitely appeals to me, but a 5spd?! This is 2005, and you're 300hp V8 is mated to a 5spd!? I'm really really interested in the new cobra thats coming out. Rumor has it that it will have the Ford GT engine in it. It will probably be a bit out of my budget, but I'll do some investigating. But I think going the Mustang route would be a life altering experience. I rue the day I have to end my subscription to import tuner.

So now that you understand the crisis that I'm going through all because of my long legs, you know why I have called upon you to give me your opinions? What would you choose? I figure that the people who are interested in S2000s are probably most alike me in their preferences in a car. Any insights, opinions, and recommendations of other vehichles that have slipped my mind would be very much appreciated before I go insane. Thanks a lot.

 

The closest thing you are going to find to the S2000 in the same general price range will be the turbo versions Solstice/Sky, and they are only options if you are willing to wait 6-8?? months and that's assuming they will be more spacious inside which I don't know if they are or not.

 

I love the S2000 but it's a tight fit for me. I don't drive my S a lot b/c I have other cars esp. for long trips. Only 18K miles in almost 3 years.

1) For $36K you can get into a C5 Z06. Man that's one of the best cars period.

2) You can go wrong with the 330Ci or the (new) 330i. I'd personally get the new 330i or wait for the new 330Ci.

3) EVO/STi (either)

4) Mustang GT. yes I know its a 5-speed and doesn't have an IRS. But for the price it's still a nice car IMO.

5) G35 coupe

6) RX-8


That's my list of cars, get any of them and you're golden.

 

For $35k, you can get a (fairly) low-mileage C5 Z06, or a near-new C5. That would be my first choice.

After that, I'd look at a new RSX-s with lots of speed and suspension mods. Go test drive one... they handle better than some of the "real" sports cars you listed.

 

Understeer....?

Just put a thicker rear sway bar there. That should take care of it.

Is it a 6 speed?

 

I'd say Corvette too, or the Porsche Boxster. Maybe a used NSX. Not sure if the new Miata is big enough, but that's another option....

 

id go with that..

 

Sorry to hear that the s2k is feeling a little uncomfortable for you.It is a great car but a lot of people do have problems with the size of the car. If I had to pick a substitute I 'd have two cars in mind.






http://www.evolutionimports.net/index.php

You can get the REAL Honda Integra type R U.S. LEGAL unlike the many people who just switch the emblem.

As for the Skyline, not sure if it is U.S. Legal but if it is, I'd take it in a second if I wasn't still paying off for my s2k.

These cars are great on the performance level. The Integra and Skyline aren't roadsters and RWD feels different than FWD and AWD. Think about it for a minute and ask yourself this, how great would it feel to own either of these cars? Also how many people own the real thing? Haven't seen any so far and it would be nice to be driving around in one of these cars.

The Integra is selling for 28k
The Skyline is way out of price selling at 55k but on the website you can find some other Skylines selling for about 30k.

 

Consider a 240sx as well, I know you need to mod it to get some decent performance out of it but they are very mod friendly.

Of course in your position I would get a C5 Z06 and call it a day.

 

I could be wrong, but a Z4 is slightly sportier than a 330Ci and feels a little roomier than the S. If you can find one, how about an M Coupe? An RX-8 is also recommended, if you don't mind the rotary. You should be able to find some good deals on those.

Domestics - Pontiac GTO, Chrysler Crossfire SRT-6, Corvette.

Legroom numbers per some other site: S2000 - 44 inches, BMW 42.0 inches, Acura TL 42.7 inches