I've been in the habit of buying a new car every few years, but my S is the first car in over 5 years that I've kept more than 12 months.

I've thought about what car I'd like to own next (911, M3, NSX), but I'm afraid nothing will measure up to the "fun to drive" factor of the S.

Anyone have any stories of trading their S in and experiencing buyer's remorse?

 

I traded in my 2002 S2000 for a 2003.5 M3 convertible a few months ago. There are things I miss about the S2000, but I can honestly say that I have no regrets.

 

I don't think I'd be too remorseful if I exchanged for a Lotus Elise . You'd lose some space in the passenger compartment and truck, but man, what a ride!

 

I'm in the market for an S and I'd have to agree, there are faster, more practical, cheaper cars out there (E36 M3 is the alternative in my case), but nothing I've driven has come close to the S2k's 'fun to drive' factor.

My friend is working on a Lotus Super7 kit car, which when complete, should be like an S on steroids - 200 hp, 1200 lbs, tighter lock-to-lock than the S.

That said, good luck on your search and let us know what you find.

 

all i can say is my s would be in the trash can really fast if i could just go out and get an nsx...have you driven one?

 

Or a Noble M12 GTO-3R

But right now, I'm having too much fun with my S!

 

I've been for a ride in one. Maybe it was just because I wasn't behind the wheel, but it didn't win me over like the S2000 did.

 

IMO An M3 would do. I Kept my S and in addition i copped an 04 SMG M3 convertible (E46). And i gotta say this car is FN quick! There is a sports button that launches you. To me it feels like a "vtec button." Its also practicle because you can fit more friends and still have that convertible feeling. The optional navigation along with the H.K. sound are sweet.
On the down side, i heard of maintenace problems with the earlier models but chances are your not going keep a car for 4-5+ years right?

But still love my S just as much. The handling can't compare

 

What all have you driven? And what are you looking for?

See, the only comparison I can give is from my own experience, but without knowing what all you've driven or are looking for.

I've driven RX-7 TT ('93), new RX-8, Evo, STi ('04), M3 ('01), and the S2000 ('02). All manual. My favorite, RX-7 TT.

It's a toss up between the '05 STi and the C6, neither of which I've driven yet. If the money wasn't a factor, I'll choose the C6, that's what I really want. Why? I don't know. It looks good and the stats are tops. Comfort/fun factor, I don't know yet, but it looks good and the stats are tops. Shifter, I don't know, but it looks good and... That's how I ended up buying the S in the first place, it looked good and the stats were tops.

Lotus, but only if I have a 2nd car (which, I do...)

My 2 cents.

 

Keep the S2000, get an M3... best of all things automotive.