I once contemplated selling the S to get a FoST. I kept the S, ended saving more for a good down payment, and eventually bought a FoST as a daily driver. I did drive the FiST a couple of times attending the Ford Racing Octane Academy, and it's a fun car; however, like others have said, there is something special about the S you won't find that easily, and this is why I'm glad I didn't sell the S for the FoST. I've done some work to the FoST and it's a quick car, but it will NEVER be the same satisfying drive as the S. There is a raw sports car feeling (I have an AP1) that is hard to beat and hard to find. Even though it's older, not as fast in a straight line as the FoST, I still find great satisfaction in driving a raw sports car, having the top down, and truly feeling one with the car.

It sounds like you have another car that you will use more often for daily driving. If I were you and have the means of having two cars, I'd definitely get the S.

 

My S2000 is a "fair weather" car only and sits in storage from November until April.

For starters the car is claustrophobic with the roof up and the roads here are abysmal in the winter. I can't think of an environment much harsher than an Ohio winter so I ain't subjecting this car to them. The car is tiny and other drivers often tend to not see them too. I cannot imagine driving this car all year around. Even in the Deep South there are a couple of months of horrible weather.

Easter weekend I put mine back on the road and the weather was wonderful. A couple of inches of snow yesterday and she's back in the garage... Yep, summer car.

"Hot hatch?" Haven't heard that term since the 1980's Top Gear Brit TV show and the original VW GTi. Term somehow implies a hatchback design like the old Ford Pinto to me.

-- Chuck

 

Thanks for sharing, this is the exact kind of advice I was hoping to get here.

 

I own both an 06 Ap2 and a '14 Fiesta ST with full bolt ons.

The S2000 is a car I will never sell. But the Fiesta is the car I drive 90% of the time. The Fiesta is far more practical and comfortable, and just as fun in its own right. It's also not as fatiguing to drive long distances.

But the S2000 will appreciate in value. Yet practically it's pretty much useless in comparison. It's a matter of what you can deal with. If you can deal with the drawbacks of having an S2000 as your only car, which can be a pain in the ass at times, go for it. If not, you will NOT regret getting the Fiesta ST. Both cars are an absolute blast.

 

Integra Type R

 

He wants something to drive every day. Not to get stolen every night.

 

I have been through this very same debate of whether or not to sell the S and get a Fiesta and I've done a ton of research and test drove the Fiesta. In the end I knew I could never sell my S, as it's just too good of a car. My GF and I also are debating trading her Kia Sportage and buying the Fiesta ST together. Since I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee for Winter/hauling duties she'd drive that and we'd share the FiST. The Fiesta is a fun car, and I'll probably eventually pick one up as a daily, but I don't think it could ever compare to the S.

In your situation since you already have a wagon for hauling duties, I'd save up and buy a clean S2000. It's only going to go up in value (also part of why I'm keeping it), and I doubt there are many cars on the road today that can offer what it does at the value.

 

Thanks for the further anecdotes and advice.

It sounds like the prevailing wisdom might be to spring for a clean S now, enjoy the hell out of it, and continue using the wagon for hauling duties. Then when the time comes to replace the older wagon in a few years, a FiST or FoST could take its place. Best of both worlds!

 

This is part of what's been bothering me lately with my S2000 as well, and I'm only 5'6 at about 130lb. I test drove a 370z recently and even though that's also a 2 seater coupe the car just felt like it had so much more room in it, and the interior was much more comfortable. I have an 01 S and the plastic rear on the top ripped last year and I haven't been able to fix it yet, so I'm stuck with the top up which makes the car feel much smaller.

Can you DD an S2000? Absolutely: It's smooth on the road, gets decent MPG, and reliable. It's just an incredibly cramped car with outdated or lacking interior furnishings and amenities by modern standards. It really comes down to where your priorities are in car shopping, and what you really want to find.

-- Chance

 

Great thing about buying a s is that if you later decide you want something else, you should be able to get your money back out of it (assuming you pay a fair price for it).