It's funny that you're saying all of this. I have 2 friends who have NSXs, and we've all been talking about selling them and getting a Cayman. My target is a 2013-2016 Cayman S. The NSX and S2000 are great, but they're old. But I've also read that an S2000 isn't far from being as much fun as a Boxer/Cayman and it's a lot cheaper to own. Heck, I haven't ruled out the possibility of simply selling EVERYTHING and just getting a GTI. Practical, fun to drive, economical, and the car mags love them, year after year.

 

The 981 Cayman is amazing, highly recommend! Beats my S2000 in every way, but a little bit weary about tracking it which is why I keep the S2000.

 

Just for grins I was perusing the local Craigslist. Almost fell out of my chair!

2005 Honda S2000 S 2000 S-2000 Convertible 2D 2 D 2-D FOR ONLY $497/mo - $24,988 (MJG AUTO SALES)

2005 Honda S2000 Convertible 2D

VIN: JHMAP21405S002192
condition: excellent
cylinders: 4 cylinders
fuel: gas
odometer: 98488
title status: salvage

 

I can very much appreciate this. I see a lot of people comparing the S2000 with various coupes, but for me this just doesn't compute. In my case, one of the key things about the S2000 is that it is a roadster (though not in the truest sense, as in the case of your '61 Sprite). I wanted a S2000 to enjoy driving with the top down, and that's why the car has brought me as much enjoyment as it has. I can't think of another alternative out there that holds more appeal to me given my personal preferences. As electronics have become increasingly invasive in today's vehicles, there hasn't been a car made in nearly two decades that has truly appealed to me, so I no longer find myself being tempted by anything new. Regardless of whether prices were to continue to rise, or the bottom were to fall out of the used/enthusiast/collector car market, the most attractive option for me remains hanging on to the S2K to drive and enjoy when I feel like it.

 

Yep, this.

Not my quote, but I agree: "if you're driving this car with the top up, the storm outside better have a name".

And yeah, market can go in either direction, no matter to me...the pure driving joy that this machine provides is....well...tough to describe...Maybe R.E.M has it down:

Maybe I ride, maybe you walk
Maybe I drive to get off, baby

 

I agree. I don't foresee a material drop in prices, if any, at all in the future given the underlying supply/demand dynamics for these cars. I, too, had to bite the bullet last year when I bought my MY'08 in GPW with 37k miles for 39k. It was painful laying out that much for the car and I probably overpaid a bit, but ultimately i knew I wanted to be back in one so I'm glad now. No regrets.

 

I agree completely. I bought the S2000 specifically because of being able to put the top down. Comparing it to any car that cant do that is a silly comparison for me, because they're missing a "must have" feature, so they automatically arent in the same category.
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That's funny, because for me the convertible aspect was a non-factor. I had always loved the car for everything BUT the soft-top... totally neutral on that. However, now that I own one, I absolutely LOVE the fact that it's a convertible. In 2 years of driving it, the top has been UP maybe 1% of the time. I had no idea I would love top-down driving so much.

It's just such a special car all around. I love my S2K. The only thing I can think of that would replace it is a new 718, but even still... nah. Half the fun of ownership for me is wrenching on the thing, and that wouldn't happen with a 718 (as if I could afford one anyway).

 

My S has certainly grown on me. I got it with 31K miles from one owner (had cardiac issues and let a dealer sell it) but it was pristine, stock, and rust free being from Phoenix. They had lots of pictures and I paid market for it without seeing it. It was two weeks before I could fly there and drive it back home near Sacramento. I had a blast going over the Sonora Pass in the Sierras. I had never even driven an S2000 before that. I just knew from research and talking with owners that was the car to get. I searched for over 6 months until I found exactly what I wanted: An 08 or 09 Rio Yellow with low miles and stock.

The top is one of my favorite features. Just seconds to go up or down. All I have done is add NVH insulation which made it quite for highway conversation and improved the sound of the new head unit but stock speakers.

My wife and I look for places to go visit with this car. Highway 1 up and down the west coast, Sierras, Death Valley, Sequoias, the list goes on and on. We now have 76K miles and are planning to head to the Black Hills driving with my brother in law and his Vette.

 

My wife, kids, and I drove from Chicago to Yellowstone/Grand Teton and back some years ago. The Black Hills - including the adjacent Badlands - was one of, if not the, most scenic part of the entire trip.