Wow! I just drove my first S2K. Very first impression? What's all the fuss about? It was a nice yellow '01 with 63000 miles on it. I let it warm up while I got familiar with the controls. It was idling at about 1500 RPM. Kinda tight on the inside, but I'm used to small cars (Corrado, Alfa Spider). I ease it out of the lot. I was surprised the salesman just handed me the keys! Oh well, here we go. A little traffic so shifts were around 4500-6000. Still, what's the fuss? I turn down a side street and nail it. Here comes 8500 RPM. Whee! Plenty of fuss!!!

I cruise around for a little while and decide it is too nice a day to ride around with the top up. Pull over, turn a knob. Top down. Wow. I thought the Alfa was easy to drop the top on! Out for more fun. It rides pretty rough. I can feel every little bump. Wouldn't have it any other way! So much better than the soft rides I'm stuck with right now.

Way too much traffic. Weave in and out. Get a lot of stares. Finally get to the front of the pack. Here come 8500 in second gear. Way to fast! Go looking for some twisties. Find some on hiway 2222. Wow. Probably 25% faster than I'm used to and still not scary enough. Push harder. Whoa. A little scary and too much fun. I gotta get one of these! But... I'm just too analytical. I gotta try more cars before I decide. Here's my short list:

03' S2K
04' S2K
BMW M
05' S2K
06' S2k
Lotus Elise
02' S2K
01' S2k
00' S2k

Haven't driven the M or the Elise yet. I figure the Elise is too hard to find and too much money. Same for the M. Way too little bang for the buck.

If I can though, I'll try to get a ride anyway. Just so I'll know. I just got rid of an '03 CL Type S 6-speed. A great car for a grand dad, but the first time you push it into a turn, you wish for something else. Great in a straight line though, but what fun is that? Also, hard to get the top down on

So if I can, some questions for the group. Are there any cars I should add to my list?

Back to the way too analytical part. I've started a spreadsheet showing the differences between the different year model S2Ks. I'd be glad to post it when I'm done. The obvious differences I've found:
Glass back window starting in '02.
2.2 liters in '04 along with a slight compression bump.
Bigger tires and wheels starting in '04

It looks like all other things being equal I'd like a glass window so unless I find a really sweet '00 or '01 I'll be looking at '02 and higher but not really a deal breaker if it is really hot or a bargin.

Question number two. Is the 2.2 liter as much fun to drive as the 2.0? The 2.0 seem awfully hard to beat. I like rap music (especially rapping above 8000 RPM). I had a WRX for a while and I hated the way it was such a dog off the line. I felt like I had to abuse it to get it to go fast. The '01 I drove was a little like that, but not nearly as bad. In fact I could let out the clutch, and nail it and it scooted pretty good. I'd think the '04 should be better off the line, right?

Finally some nit picking I found in the KBB specs. It shows the Shoulder Room for '04s and '05s to be 50.7 compared to 49.8 for the others. Is there really a difference? Epa passenger space goes from 48.4 for '00-'03 and DROPS to 45.1 for the '04 & '05. What'd they do, put a German Sheppard in the passenger's seat?

Anyway, I'd like some subjective input about the differences. What matters and what doesn't and what am I leaving out? Oh yeah, I noticed in a previous post about weights that the bounced all over the place. The specs show a 26 lb. increase in '04. No much, but where did it come from?

Thanks for listening!

Jack
Looks like I'll have an S2K in my future!

 

I don't know that there has been any change in shoulder room....? As far as the differences, the 04+ models supposedly have a slightly softer suspension, and you know the bit about the engine. VTEC begins at about 6000 rpm so with the 2.2L you have 1000 rpms less to play with. Just a thought. I love my 05 though.

 

I couldn't feel a difference in speed 03 vs. o4+. I've got an 03' and love it. As for other cars. The lotus- $45k faster but even smaller and less interior room. Depending on where you live (around here in CT wait list of 4-6 months) M3? M5? M roadster? if buying new... more expensive. Compared to a BMW M, the S is much cheeper to work on and more reliable. But, yes the M will out perform and S (depending on year of course). It all depends on how much $$$ you want to spend. Do you want a convertiable? If not go get an STi or EVO.

 

Can't decide; I'll take one of each!

 

True sport car=Elise !

 

I can't comment on the Elise because I haven't driven one but.....

The M3 is quite a machine, fast, comfortable, turns well, and brakes even better. If I had a choice between the S and an e46 M3 I'd still take the S!! The M is way too luxurious and sedate for what I want in a sporty car. I know that sounds kinda silly (who wouldn't want the best of both worlds?) but, when I drive the in-law's M3 it doesn't feel all that different from any other sedan unless you're pushing it. The S2000 always feels like a sports car.

 

With the right software upgrade, one can rev those M's well over 8500-9000 rpms.

I would take the M.

 

The 2.2L is a tremendous amount of fun to drive. I haven't driven a 2.0L, though, so I don't have a direct comparison. The engine isn't the most important difference between the 2003 and the 2004; the biggest difference is the suspension. They rebalanced the suspension - making the front springs a bit stiffer, the rear springs softer - to reduce the "bump steer"; the car sticks better but some people feel it's less exciting that way.

Total shoulder room was actually increased by that small amount by hollowing out the inner door panels a bit. Most of the minimal extra weight is probably accounted for by the larger wheels and tires. If the EPA interior numbers are volume, the 2004 has a bit larger center console that might reduce the volume a bit.

Other changes in 2004 are: bumpers slightly different; headlights and taillights somewhat different; tailpipes a bit different; interior decor slightly different. There were no changes at all between 2004 and 2005.

 

E46 M3

 

My vote goes to the '04 or newer S2000 if you like having the top down.

M Coupe if you want a hardtop over your head (315bhp M Coupes are tough to find and a lot more $$ -- 240bhp variant is plenty of fun. Try to get one that is Certified Pre-Owned from BMW ... or risk big $$ repairs).

No point in getting any M3 right now. The new one is coming and the E46 M3 will be forgotten relatively quickly. I don't believe an M3 was a real option of yours anyway. It's not the same type of car.

Elise? Don't do it if you really plan to use the car often. A lot of people are already selling their Elises. Just too impractical and too quirky. They're fun, but it'll be a headache to own. Check how many are for sale already (taking a loss) at Elisetalk.com.

Bottom line, there are just so many nice enthusiast cars around these days. You really need to be honest with yourself and find out what your needs and wants are. What is the car's intended use? Once you get those answers, you'll find your car.