Those of you that know me know that I've been a part of the SoVA S2000 community for the better part of the last 7 years. This is my second S2K... I came back about 3 years ago after spending two years in BMW land. I have always been an S2000 fan, since way before I got my first one back in 2005, and I'm sure I will be sad to see this one go.

Why am I selling? Due to being busy at work, busy with two young kids, and busy at life in general, my S does a whole lot of sitting in the garage. Rather than have it sit in my garage, I'd rather have the money sitting in my bank account. I especially love the thrill that I get driving it on a nice cool evening on the HOV or on some twisty back roads. I love the fact that it is such a head-turner, even for a 7 year old relatively inexpensive car. But the fact remains that in almost 3 years of ownership, I've barely put 5,000 miles on it. That's a waste.

So the solution should be to just drive it more, right? Well, yeah, you'd think... but honestly I don't enjoy driving it in stop and go traffic, which is the majority of my daily work commute, so I take the TSX instead. On the weekends, when I'm with the family, we take our SUV. I don't drive it in the rain and I hardly ever drive it in the winter. That leaves those few days a month where we have a local meet, or when I take it to the golf course or out for a "random" drive on occasion. That adds up to less than 2000mi/year as it turns out.

What's next? I'm not really sure. I'm going to continue to daily the TSX for the time being. I'm thinking of maybe picking up a beater truck for maybe around $5K-$6K. Something reliable enough to get me up and down the road to work on occasion or the hardware store, and to haul crap to the landfill Fred Sanford style. I'll save the rest of the cash from the S2K sale and my part out, put some other money I've been stashing away with it and come back in style sometime in 2013. The short list includes a used, well maintained or CPO'd E92 M3, 987 Cayman S, or maybe even a 997.1 911 if the latter half of this year is as good as the first half has been financially. Either way, if I'm going to replace the S2000, it'll have to be something along that "practical dream car" category.

Sorry to ramble on. I, like so many others who have moved on from the S2000, will still be a member of this community. Stay tuned for the part out thread that will be coming up sometime down the road. I'm in no rush to part it out, so I'll take my time. If any locals have interest in my hardtop or turbo kit though, let me know via PM.

 

Drive the s2k at night/weekend only or that still wouldn't do?

 

I do drive the S2K most weekends when the weather is good. It's just that Saturday is usually our family day, so we take the SUV. My Sunday hobby is either golf or a soccer league that I'm in, and even though I will drive to those events (often taking the long way just to get some driving in) it still isn't much. If I hit 50mi in a weekend, that's a lot for me. During the week after work, there's barely any time anything, much less driving around aimlessly in my car.

 

Kev, really excited to see what you end up in!

Funny thing is, that's my exact "cars I want to own" list. I was extremely close to getting the E92 M, but with wanting to stay around/below $40k, I would probably end up in non-CPO'd car with high mileage(for a BMW). Reason why we ended up in the STi... I couldn't think of a better car that was brand new, in that price range, and had such awesome versatility.

Honestly though, I'd love to see you in a 911. I know CF Porsche has a few brand new 991 911s...

After reading a bunch of threads on M3post, it seems that even the new Ms can't compare to an older 997.1 911. You can actually score a mildly used 997.1 GT3 for about the same price as a fully option new M3. And the newer Caymans are also awesome cars! I do prefer the 09+, with the somewhat refreshed taillights and different bumpers. Good luck to you man, and keep us posted on the journey!

Btw, not sure if you're already on them, but I've found M3post and 6speedonline to have a ton of great info on both cars.

 

Yeah, there's a 991 C2S in white on the lot that I jog by as part of my morning run. I can't tell you how many times I've stopped to stare at it. The sticker is $117K though, so um yeah... definitely not even close.

Like I said, I'm going to take my time for sure, though the 987.2 (09+) Cayman S is leading the pack right now for me. The 06-08 Cayman S is a very capable car as well and a nice upgrade from the S2K, but in 2009 in addition to the interior and a few other minor things, they got the direct fuel injection system, kicking up the power to 320hp and 273ftlbs. As I'm sure you're aware, many P-car enthusiasts are quietly saying it is better than the base 911 in many ways. If I could afford a 997.2 911 (09+) there'd be no question here, but that is out of my range too. However there are a few '06 and '07 911 C2s out there that aren't ridiculously over budget. The E92 M3 would definitely be the most practical of the group, and certainly no slouch for spirited driving either, so it is on the list as well. I've always said if I were to ever get rid of the S2000 it'd be a Lotus or a Porsche though, and I've decided the Lotus is just too raw (I'd drive it less than I currently drive my S), so more than likely it'll be a P car. I'll probably go Cayman S first and then try to nab a well maintained 997.2 C2S sometime 4-5 years down the road.

But I'm getting ahead of myself... I'm just going to stash some money away for the time being and see how things unfold.

 

Tow hitch and utility trailer.

 

Good luck Kevin. Just dont be a stranger buddy. Not many of us old timers left.

 

I've also heard that the Cayman S is better than the 911 in some ways. I know that a Cayman R will walk all over a 911 on the track, but those things are pretty expensive. From what I've read over the years, Porsche says that the Cayman is one of the best handling cars they've made.

How much are 09+ Caymans going for? I think I've seen some pre 09s in the upper 30s.

 

Right now, mid-upper $40s for the Cayman S. The new 2013 981 Caymans are starting to hit the US right now though, so I'm hoping that around a year from now the 09s will drop to the low $40s or maybe even right at $40K once the 2014 models start hitting dealerships.

 

I'll continue to bring the S2k out to the local meets right up until I sell it, and then whenever I get in something else I'll definitely bring that out too. Hell, I'll roll up in the TSX if need be!