Stock FD is definitely quicker but the steering is slower, bigger steering wheel and no room for me to heel-toe. The S has lighter and quicker steering with little less feedback but feels more tossable. Heel-toe is not a problem. A much better track car than the FD.

 

Not to tout it, but forced injection is possible and well-tested on the S2000 as an aftermarket mod. If you aren't happy with stock performance, supercharging will put you in RX-7's territory. I suppose, properly done, that's like a $4-5K mod, but you might be a good candidate for it.

In any case, I don't think I've heard any former RX-7 owners bitching seriously about the S transition. Just remember, you do have (expensive) aftermarket options.

 

Y'know, as a "vintage" owner, I've heard that lament more than once. For folks used to RX-7s, or perhaps old British sports cars (more common), the lack of necessary tweaking of the S2000 is sometimes a negative.

I guess in that sense the S2000 is less of a "toy" or perhaps less of a traditional sports car than others. Personally, I'm happy not to have the headaches associated with such cars. My Miata was also rock solid before the S2000. My '82 Fiat Spider on the other hand... (now that car had character)