I'm realy going crazy trying to decide which sports car to buy. My last one was a '88 BMW M-3. The most fun car I've ever owned,but realy expensive to keep. Parts were very high and service was crazy.

The cars I'm considering are,
1 Honda S2000
2 Base model Corvette
3 BMW Z3
4 Subaru WRX

If any of you have experience with these cars I'd apreciate your input.I was wondering what kind of deals you guys got on your S2000s and what the dealer support was like. I live in the Fort Worth Texas ares.

Thanks,

Maurice

 

thats an easy choice, S2000!

 

Thats easy!

Corvette = to big
Z3 = to old,based on a car that was released in the early 80

 

I just recently bought my 2002 at honda of mckinney for $31000.
PM me if you want more info. I had a great experience buying there.

 

Say Maurice,

Variety of factors involved with these cars; too many to list - but - there is an easy way to figure out what is important to you in buying a car, and that is the Fun Quotient.

Using the equation of Fun=Speed/Dollars, determine your number. As you are aware, the M3 was fun, but expensive. In my view, same with the Corvette. It's an awesome car, blazing fast but could be just as expensive to upkeep. Especially is you get a fender bender. Hey, it's a huge car and if you like that, that's o.k.

The Z3 does not have the handling precision of our S2000. Also, I test drove the Z3, and between the S2000 and the Z3, I felt much more comfortable sitting low in the cockpit in the S. In the Z3, I sat more stiff, upright and higher; not very comfortable to me.

The Suburu I don't really consider it a true competitor to our S2000. Do you want a convertible or not would be my question.

Finally, I really think the S2000 is the best value in any sports car. It is a beauty to look at, a blast to drive, it's fast, the handling is out of this world and for the money, again, the best value.

That, to me, is my answer to the Fun=Speed/Dollars equation.

 

I kinda disagree with the whole convertable factor in some ways. I realize that for some people, this is a major buying factor. But it seems that some people don't realize that for others, its not a factor at all. I have been drooling over the S2K since it came out, and I am truly hoping to own one sometime (hopefully sooner than later). That being said, I don't want it because its a convertible. In fact, I kind of consider it a drawback. I don't really have much desire to have the top down. I'm sure that if I had one, I would use the convertible occasionally, but I actually intend to put a hardtop on it all of the time.

That said, I'm not trying to flame anyone for their opinion, but rather to point out that it may not be as much of a factor for some people as it is for others.

 

Hi there... I'm kinda in the same boat as you are... but I've narrowed by choices down to:

Lexus IS300
S2000

I currently own a very light and tossable 87 Corolla... so being light is definitely on my list.

I test drived the WRX.. and it was very dissapointing... turbo lag was huge, and the car was very heavy, and it felt heavy too... not agile at all.

So if you like the "lightness" found in your 88 M3, then I would scratch the WRX off your list.

Just 2 cents.

Mikhal
http://www.geocities.com/ae82power

 

I didn't think I would like the convertible as I have never had one and I am old! I used it a lot more than I thought I would and even with the top up it is a blast to drive.

 

Drive all of them first and choose the one you like. The S2000 isn't great as a daily driver (imho), stiff ride and small cargo space. But you can't beat it's look and handling. Mine is mainly for the autox/weekend jaunts. My friends have a Scoobies and I like them. Granted the interior could use some better materials but it has nice power and you can get lots of nice aftermarket parts for it. And it's 4 wheel drive.

 

I'm totally with the sentiment that you drive the cars and choose the one that talks to you.

Having said all that, I've driven all, but no more than test drives.

Corvette:
Corvette has all the bang, reasonable $, and reasonable comfort. Fast real world, faster track, livable. But it feels heavy and I have trouble feeling secure driving such a fast car fast, especially when I can't see the corners.

Z3:
It appears I'm in the minority here in that I like it. But it is being discontinued as of now for the (to me) hideous Z4. The Z3 (to me) looks good, sounds good, drives well and has sufficient grunt even in 2.5 guise. Negatives are high cost (for the power), a surprising amount of cowl shake and a plastic rear window. To me, more real-world friendly than an S2K with more low-end and more relaxed highway cruise.

WRX:
I'm lukewarm. It didn't strike me anywhere near as good as the reviews gush. Fair amount of turbo lag. Mediocre materials. Definite player if you want an all-in-one, esp if you live in the snow-belt. But if I was in TX, probably not on my short list.

S2000:
Drive an decide. Love the sound, love the immediacy of the handling, like the exterior looks, rigid, high-tech, but don't like the interior (looks, ergonomics). I'd say yes, the best convertible sports car for the money, handily.

Given the diversity of your list, I'd add:
Miata (unless you want more power). Best grins for the $.
350Z (since convertible is apparently not your req't). Best overall performance value.
Boxster (used). I think this is one sweet car, just seriously overpriced.