This will sound biased, but I'd say to stick with the S, its so rewarding to drive. Porsches will cost you quite a bit in consumables. A C5Z06 however can be just as rewarding as an S, but I think an S sizes up well if you just compare both by Power to weight numbers.

 

Sticking with the S will make you a better driver because it rewards smoothness and momentum but has enough power to train your right foot.

 

I agree with both statements. I am not of the income bracket where Pcar maintenance is no big deal. The torque of the American V8 is tempting, but not so much so to pull the trigger.

 

Update.

I believe my car is almost 80% done (but what is "done"?)

My current mods are:
K&N Intake, Invidia Header (came with car), Skunk2 Exhaust (came with car, bought silencers), Berk Hi Flow Cat, Hondata (about to get tuned), KW Clubsports, Eibach FSB, Miata FSB on rear, OEM rear on all corners with 255 RS3, APR GTC 200, WASP Splitter, brake ducts, race seats, Harddog rollbar, stainless lines, track pads (currently Project Mu).

I haven't yet did a track day with Hondata or the splitter, but the wing was simply superb. Amazing. Totally confidence inspiring.

The last few modifications will probably just be for reliability: a true baffled oil pan, maybe accusump, oil cooler, maybe better radiator, gauges to read oil pressure/temp and maybe water temp. Last may be a hard top, but that is a $1K nice to have, so most likely not. I am still on the fence about R compounds. With R then hitch and trailer (another $500 to 1K).

My evaluation of the S2K is that it is an amazing car. Without the wing, the Vettes and Pcars in the instructor group would blow by me. With the wing, it takes them longer to catch and pull away. This journey is fun. I can't see myself getting any other car. Sure, a Vette or Pcar could be faster, but I doubt it would be more fun.

 

Oh, the only other mod is I need to get some used passenger seat rails to mock up a race seat on the passenger rails to get the airbags working again. I wouldn't have sold my seats to fund some parts of this project, if I really thought about it.