After a few years saving, I'm getting close to potentially having enough money to replace the old S2000 with something special. I've had it for 15 years, done plenty of my own work on it, including a full external mechanical refurb and rebuild over lockdown. But now it might be time for something new, which I've always promised myself would only happen when I could afford something genuinely more special.

So, I'm after some thoughts on what you might consider, max price around the £30-40k mark (inc the proceeds from selling my S2000). I'm very much of the mind to concentrate on the genuine value to me, rather than cost/brand/perceived quality etc.

What I use it for...
It gets about 1500 miles a year, unless we do a big road trip to Europe (once every few years). I also do the occasional track day, sometimes combined with a weekend away. It's main use is top-down sunny days on A/B roads (often with a motorway jaunt to get to the area first).

What I like about the S2000...

• (Just) enough performance for the road. I did have it supercharged to 400+bhp, but found B road driving more 'staccato', wnd the lack of intake noise and throttle response was a downside.
• It's lively and fun at reasonable speeds. The gearshift and intake noise (with CAI) are excellent.
• It's a pretty car and I still like walking back to it, even after 15+years of ownership.
• I do like the roof down motoring. Gives a sense of 'being outdoors' even when driving between destinations. Genuinely not sure how much I'd miss this and whether I could forgo it for the right car.
• It's reliable and relatively cheap to run & fix.
• I do like being able to tinker myself, and obviously this saves money!
• It fits in my garage and on the road, it's not too big.
• It gets up my drive! There's a sharp transition which prevents me lowering it much lower than stock.

What I've been considering...

• Aston Vantage (roadster manual).
• Lotus Evora (manual - shame they never made a drop top).
• Cayman (something turns me off a Boxster - the looks I think, but the Cayman obviously isn't a drop top).
• TVR Tuscan/Tamora/T350 (from reading up, the Tamora with T350 front end would be ideal).

​​Does anyone else have any other ideas, or comparative experiences of the cars above?

​​​​​​Thoughts welcome!

Cheers
Chris

 

I don't have any experience of your options (unfortunately for both of us lol), but one thing that struck me is that you said "It's main use is top-down sunny days on A/B roads", but you're considering hard tops, and it would be a shame if the replacement, didn't really fulfil the main objective.

Some other $0.02 thoughts..

Is the Aston too much of a GT car for B road blasting...?
Would Aston or Porsche be as cheap to fix?
Anything else in the Lotus range float your boat?
Would you be as comfortable using something 3-4 times the value of the S2K on track?

Not trying to rain on your parade - I'm enviable of your "problem"! :-)

I suppose the "premium open top b road blaster" (for British roads) is a relatively small market... The boxster and Elises are the only ones I can think of but no doubt there's others. TVRs are super cool, although those big engines seem a bit of overkill if you like being able to work the engine for your rewards. If I wanted a pure toy, I'd be seriously looking at Nobles, although would be a tin top....

 

All great points, and exactly the sort of questions I have in my head.

I think, if the Aston would be a good 'experience', but is it fun/nimble/lively enough to enjoy on UK roads? Noble is an interesting shout, but perhaps a bit to track focused for the weeks/weekends away? I'd probably go with an Evora/Cayman for looks and (relative) luxury if I went for a tintop.

Maybe the perfect option is an Aston and a Caterham!

 

Lotus-wise, I'd love an Elise for the driving pleasure and track, but very cosy for weeks/weekends away. I think an Evora convertible would be ideal! Shame they never made one.

 

It does sound like your requirements are going to be quite difficult to meet with only one vehicle unfortunately :-( The S2K does do a remarkably good job of being somewhat practical while being an enjoyable drivers' car, with a soft top...

Not quite sure of values of these but...

• Presume a R35 isn't "special" enough (and got a roof)?
• R8 convertible?
• Would an old 911 convertible fit the bill, or would you prefer modern?

 

Alfa 4C?

 

Aston is big, also I’m sure the one I tested did lampposts to the gallon rather than miles!
Lotus or TVR- reliability?
Porsche, maybe.718 spyder.but in budget?

This is why we all are hanging on to our S2’s?

 

Jedi, agreed. The S does seem to have a unique balance of driving pleasure, relative luxury, soft top and looks. Maybe this is why I'm finding replacing it so hard!

R35 - Not driven one, but apparently very complicated, not very 'pure' as a driving experience, and hard top. Looks are a bit 'lego' for my liking too.
R8 - Never even crossed my mind, but an interesting one. Having seen them on the road, they do seem big, and perhaps a little on the ostentatious side? Will look at prices though.
911 - You know what, I've always had a dislike for them (nothing objective, though - maybe just because they're a bit 'default option' for people who are less discerning, and I do tend towards something that's a little different to the norm). But lately, the earlier ones do have a bit more appeal. I still don't like the rear end looks or the engine in the wrong place (imagine the car they could've created if they'd put it in the right place!). 997 Carrera or S could be an option. I ought to drive one really, before making my mind up.

Sam - 4C isn't a bad shout, but they're £40k+, and not much room in them. I'd probably just go Elise if I was heading in that direction.

 

Yeh, the V8 is a thirsty beast. But at 1500 miles a year, I can probably suck that up.

TVRs - by all accounts the old ones have mostly had their electrics fixed and any chassis issues are mainly rust-proofable. Prices seem to be rising though.

I really struggle with the looks of a Boxster, plus the fact they're so ubiquitous. But again, I ought to probably drive one before deciding against. I'd probably go for an older low mileage Boxster if I went that way. I do like the 987 Cayman. Amazing how much better it looks than the equivalent Boxster!

 

Yeah, misread your price comment of including the S2000 profits in the budget of £30-40k.