I picked up a 97 M3 sedan at the beginning of this past summer and i've been slowly learning about the car since then. I drove it in a few autocrosses and it handles amazingly well, but it feels a bit too heavy and not as nimble as I like. The car is starting to get some small quirks/problems that most E36's have so i was thinking about selling it to get a newer s2000 with less miles and potential problems. I had a turbo civic before so i've always been a huge honda fan and just like the reliability/simplistic engineering.

I guess my question would be what are some of the downfalls to having a s2000 vs a M3 besides the fact that the car is smaller and i'd lose 3 rear seats and some utility. The only other thing i can think of for sure is the lack of torque going from a 3.2L I6 with 240 hp/23X torque to 2.0L I4 with 240 hp and a lot less torque.

Any other pro's cons for the S2k vs M3 that you guys can think of? Also would it be reasonable to say that i can find a 00-02 S2000 with less than 60Kish miles for around 15-18 grand in the DFW, Tx area?

 

...you won't blend in with traffic as much anymore, this can be a downfall if you like to drive around faster than posted speed limits

I don't think that you'll find a clean S2000 for 15K period, but you never know. I did come across a 80K miles 00 for 16.5K, so if you are looking for under 60K miles, in my opinion, the cheapest you'll do is 18K for a 00. Once you get there, you'll notice, for just 1K more you can buy a newer one, one with less miles, and 1K more, even younger.. eeek. I say get a 02 if you can afford it though.

 

torque or not, the S2000 is as fast or faster than the M3 coupe.

You won't find a decent, clean S2000 for under $18K. Salvage title and high mileage may get you a tick under it, but S2000s hold their value well.

 

most likely not

 

Yeah, and you should test drive one if you haven't already. Thats the best way to go. You may drive it and figure that you don't like it.

On the other hand, it is one of those cars that rarely fails to please.

 

that's not true at all. the s2000 is actually one of those cars that you either really love or really hate.

 

Really? Everyone I've been around, strangers, friends or work mates have all liked the car.

I guess this is subjective, but I still feel it is a car that is more likely to impress a potential buyer than to not.

 

well, let me elaborate. based on looks, the s2000 will impress most, but it is after having driven the car, that is where you get the "lovers" and "haters". to many, the s2000 is just too extreme, and thus they hate it.

 

Thanks for the reply. I guess we've just had different experiences. No biggy, I can see your point though. Even more reason to test drive

 

I looked on my local autotrader and found a bunch of 00-02's with about 60 or less K miles starting @ 15.5 up to around 18-19ish which isn't too bad. I anticipate being able to sell my M3 for around 16 or so and i wouldn't mind dropping a grand to get a car that's 3-4 years newer.

Does anyone get frustrated driving their s2k in town at partial throttle @ city speeds like getting off the line at a light? I really don't want to have to rev my car to 5-6K in 1st and 2nd to be able to get moving and from the lack of torque on paper i suspect that might be a problem. I can shift under 2500 rpms in every gear in the M and still accelerate comfortably due to the 3.2L torque.

Besides the clutches/transmissions being really weak in the s2k are there any other inherent design flaws? Lastly does anyone in TX with a s2000 want to trade for my M3 plus some cash