Without boring you with the details that got me here...I am down to a tough decision and just soliciting thoughts and input.

Choices before me:


04 S2000 - Suzuka Blue
@ $400/mo lease 48 months
Pros: unreal deal, "zippy", drop top
Cons: rough on bumpy roads, small inside

Driven once, liked but did not fall in love. Maybe because it's still cold here and no joy with the top up?


04 RX8 - Silver
@ $500/mo lease 36 months

Driven twice. There is something magical in the "feel" of this car.
Pros: more functional, daily driver with 9K RPMs, quirky design
Cons: a little more to spend, unknown future values, quirky design


The burning questions:

1. Suzuka Blue : Too girly of a color? (no offense ladies)

2. Did I not drive it right?

note: I wound up the RX8 to the buzzer and it was smooth as silk, the S2000 seemed to have less "push" and was radical in getting to higher RPMs

3. Gearbox and clutch - do they stay feeling more "detached" from the car, sort of Honda-like?

4. Resale value. Do the S2000s really hold value?

Thanks in advance.

 

I don't think there is a "girly" color for either the S2000 or RX-8.

 

Just curious. Why does resale value matter when you're leasing the car?

 

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Both are fantastic cars; ultimately you're going to have to decide first and foremost whether you are more attracted to the benefits of a 2+2 coupe or to the benefits of a roadster. Obviously the RX-8 is simply going to shine in cruddy weather when you need to haul some stuff or people; the S2000 is going to shine in warmer weather with a good friend / significant other in the passenger seat.

I was in a similar position to you, and in the end I convinced myself that the next car I'd get would be a convertible, no matter what. That kind of set the priority. The '04 Suzuka (my car!) has been fantastic; color and style is great, handling and performance are great and... to be honest, the one day a week or two ago where I was able to drop the top for the first time in five months, in warm weather, made up for the entire winter.

 

I test drove an RX-8 and was impressed; however, I am an autocrosser and that was my sole purpose in getting a new vehicle so the S2000 won out (the bumpy ride is because it's a damned go kart). The bumpy ride probably won't ever go away and the fact that there's NO ROOM in the inside for ANYTHING won't change either, nor will the fact that the RX-8 is not a convertible....Sounds like maybe the RX-8 may be more practical for you. Make your list of wants and needs in a vehicle (like, when there's a passenger in mine, where the heck do I put my purse?), and see which one comes out ahead.

 

Oh, by the way, it's going to be 80 and sunny here today. If you can't put the top down for 6 months out of the year, a convertible may not be such a must-have.

 

Hey! This is an S2000 board.

Buy the S2000.

I hate Suzuka Blue, by the way. I actually see that color more than Silverstone since my "next door neighbor" at work drives one and parks it right where I see it every day. My own Silverstone spends most of its time in the garage under a car cover.

Seriously, color is all personal preference, but Suzuka Blue and Berlina Black are the only S2000 colors I would never consider.

Convertibles are a blast in the winter.

 

I don't own the Suzuka Blue, But its a real nice color. If you didn't fall in love with the s2000,
chances are you won't like it when you buy it. And another thing the rx-8 has bad gas milage.

 

The Mazda is $100 more per month and is still a lease???

Forget that. I see the length of term is different, but still.....