I have never owned a convertible before, and after lurking for weeks, am very close to taking the plunge on a new S.

To help avoid buyer's remorse, please chime in...

I can't really find a comparable car to the S. I want a convertible sports car that is fun to drive under 40k. If you narrow choices down to convertibles, then you have the:

Miata - not enough power for me (test drove one)
Solstice - GM scares me and still seems underpowered
Sebring conv. - not a sports car
Solara - again, not a sports car
3-series - I have a 330i now and the 3 feels heavy
M3 - price
Boxster - overpriced IMHO (test drove one)
Crossfire - ?
SLK - price
Corvette - price
Elise - maybe but as a daily driver?

When I think about it, what really is a direct competitor to the S?

 

You can get a decently priced turbo kit for the miata which will make it at least stock s2000 fast. Other than that all the other options seem pretty bad except maybe a turbo/sc solstice that should be coming out in the future.

Did you think about an E36 M3 vert, you can find one for in the same price range as a 02 S2000. Elise is still about mid 40's which is 10K more than a new s2000.

 

drive them all and my guess is you would come back to honda, unless u get seduced by porsche's image.

 

I was in a similar position as you a couple months ago. Although, I didn't even consider most on your list. I did narrow it down to the S and Boxster.

In the end, I chose the S over the Boxster for tow reasons:
1) Maintenance costs and the ablility to do my own maintenance.
2) For the same money, I could get an 02 Boxster S or 04 S2000....newer is better right?

A couple questions to ask yourself....
1) Do you mind having to rev an engine to 8 (or 9K) to extract full power? Coming from a 330, your probably used to having plenty of torque from most RPMs. With the S, be ready to use the full RPM range. Not to say there isn't decent torque down low (I have an 04 ) But the real fun begins at 6K (VTEC switchover)

 

Normally someone posts up when there are maybe 3 car choices to go after, but since you're all over the place I'm sending you to Car Talk.

For $40K (dealing with used cars) you've already eliminated a decent Boxster (2005 MY) and pretty much all E46 M3 Verts with okay mileage, but maybe you can find a decent Vette. If you want performance, then you've eliminted everything else......the only thing that goes both ways (performance and price) is the S2000, and maybe......just maybe the Miata.

I have left the Elise out - I think it is still too early to put judgement on them and I haven't driven one.

 

Lotus Elise
Perfomance and enjoyment, best handling and the best ('affordable') sport car in the world.

Porsche Boxster
High quality, but expensive. Good car overall.

SLK
New model is cooler, but still lacks feelin'

Corvette
Big boat.

M3
Whot? ahmh, a powered beemier. Ok, next please.

Honda S2000
I'm still in love with it, don't ask me why.



Is a matter of personal feelings, not a bunch of cyphers. Try to test everyone and choose the last you remember when going to sleep and the first one when waking up.

 

Man,with the choices you're listing,if you have to ask that kind of question,better buy a SUV,and a big one.!!!

 

Don't forget the 350Z vert.

 

CORVETTE a big BOAT : , RU SERIOUS?? I'll take that boat over a S2000 anyday...

 

countach is European