Have you considered a 350z?

 

I thought about it, but pretty quickly moved on. A 2-seater that's 3500lbs? Blech. Also, I have issues with visibility. The headliner actually comes down into my view and there are pretty large blindspots to the left and right.

Maybe I've just got to try something new (the 2k) and get used to it. Who knows, I might wonder why I ever liked the 240.

 

I'm a big fan of both the S2000 and the MX-5; One of my former partners in CCR (Cool Cat Racing) has four MX-5's, all boosted, and developing between 200 and 500 WHP. CCR also had a drift team.

Along with the supercharged S2000, we also own a first year, bone stock, MX-5.

If I knew you better, and knew more about your driving habits and skill levels, I'd be in a better position to offer advice, but as it is, all I can do is offer you some guidelines.

Do you like to "play around" on the street, doing things like power slides? Do you like to swing the tail out a little when you take off from a stop sign or redlight?
Or are you willing to restrict your "playing around" to autocrosses, drift events, track days, or other safe and appropriate venues?

If you have enough discipline to behave in a safe manner when driving on the street, then the S2000 might be a good choice for you. If not, you might be happier and safer if you go with an MX-5 and a supercharger or turbocharger (plus a few other mods). A boosted MX-5 with upgraded suspension can be totally awsome, quicker (on an autocross course) than a stock S2000, and remain far more forgiving of driver error, so if you're prone to giving in to the temptation to horse around on the street, an MX-5 might be a better choice.

If you are going to drive an S2000 at it's limits, then you will have to learn what those limits are, and in the process, you are going to have some spins and slides; If you are driving on public roads at the time, it won't be pretty. Learn the cars limits at sanctioned events and schools, and stay a little below the cars limits on the street. Also be sure to learn about the "gotcha's," like cold summer tires, wet leaves, and so on.

Think about how you'll drive the car on the street; Be honest with yourself, and make a choice that won't get you into trouble.

 

IMHO, a boosted MX-5 is a heck of a lot more fun.

 

According to what I've read AP2s don't aren't as tail happy as Ap1s.

 

there stable and controlable once you get used to driving it, a couple weeks after getting mine i broke a control arm after having my rear end fly out trying to floor it around a turn, it was a bad idea, just take it easy once you get the car and get a feel for it. after that there shouldent be a problem

 

Thanks, everyone, for your input. RED MX5, I think you hit the nail on the head. I don't make a habit of excessive burnouts, but to say that I'm a perfectly civilized driver wouldn't be completely honest. Your recommendations are duly noted and I believe I'll be looking more at the MX-5 for the time being.

Once I get a bit older and have enough for a daily driver and a track car, maybe the S2000 will be more my speed.

Again, thank you all for your input.

 

That is wrong. You absolutely can feel vtec kick in. Honda put it higher in the rpm range to help sell the vtec power. If you get it tuned then you can smooth it out so you don't feel the burst when vtec hits but stock at least for an AP1 you can feel a big difference when vtec hits.

 

I definitely agree. He posted that he was considering an "IS300 or 3-series BMW" and thought...well, if those are on the list then maybe his definition of light is under 3500lb.

 

That's because they have VSA. Turn the VSA off and you're sliding all over the place.