[flagella]

Originally Posted by Gerbs

^why Is the s2k more fun to drive than a stage 2 335i

Drive both and you'll know.

I had owned s2k for about 6 years before I had to sell it due to starting a family. I have every intention of getting back to one, although not sure when that might be possible and whether there'll still even be a mint one available by then. S2000 is by far the best car I have ever driven. Below is an S2000 review by a miata owner I saved many years ago. He summarized it up really well. Read if you're bored .

Energy, I won't hold any responsibility if you get an uncontrollable itch to buy an S2000 immediately after reading this.

Here is my review of the S2000.
I own a 1997 Mazda Miata which is also a two seater convertible.

Out of boredom and curiosity I went down to a local Carmax to test drive an 05 MazdaSpeed Miata. I wanted a to get a feel of what my 97 Miata would be like with more power. I wasn't blown away, (I was actually really disappointed with how quiet the exhaust was), but it certainly peaked my interest in adding some form of forced induction to my Miata.

I saw a 2006 S2000 with 7K on it asked the salesman if I could drive it, and he offered me the keys.

Strapping into the leather seat, lowering the power top (I don't have to unzip anything? The car does it for me?), and snicking the shifter into first gear was enough. I was sold. Slowly, I eased the car into traffic. The first time I shifted from first to second I thought I had missed the gate. I couldn't believe how short and precise the throw was. The clutch was smooth and easy to modulate and the angry little screamer under the hood made decent enough torque at low revs.

I eased the car into the first bend and I was pleasantly surprised. The slop free helm, although not quite as communicative as my Miata's (which on long highway trips is a bit too communicative), provided instant feedback and perfectly linear turn in. The chassis felt stiff and the suspension taut and compliant. This made for an almost shocking level of tossability that I didn't think was possible in a 2850 pound car with two dudes in it. I knew the S2000 was a better car with a MUCH higher performance envelope than my Miata, but I never thought it would feel so light.

Cruising up the onramp and into a quick right hander, I asked the salesman if I could punch it. Confident enough in my driving skill he granted me permission. Heel toeing from 4th to 2nd, I caught the little 2.2 liter a hair below the vicious part of its power band at around 5500 rpm. I threaded the car into the corner and gently eased on the gas, knowing the VTEC surge and ensuing drift would be enough to anger the traction control. The last thing I needed was a terrified salesman who wasn't earning commission to tell me to slow down.

3 quarters of the way through the corner, I heard the pitch of the motor change. The little terrorist of an engine that seconds ago had sounded like an Accord barked out a glorious high pitched shriek. The car was telling me it was on cam and ready to go. I buried my right foot.

With the sound of knashing valves and cams ripping the air apart behind me like some out of control blender from hell, the S2000 rocketed forward. Although not overwhelming or brutal like the acceleration from an AMG or LS V8 powered car, the vicious little 4 banger makes the S2000 absolutely and undoubtedly fast. Not wanting to bounce off the rev limiter or get arrested for noise disturbance, I banged home the 2-3 upshift at just short of the 8200 rpm indicated redline. My foot still buried in it and the speedometer's digital numbers shooting upward past 85 in a blur of LEDs, I backed off. The disgruntled little engine snorted as though it was disappointed with me and then quietly settled into a sedate highway cruise as I snicked the shifter into 6th.

I understood this car. Much like my Miata which I love, the S2000 has personality. My Mazda is a playful little car, happy to tool around town or scream toward redline on a back road. The Miata is your best friend. Its humble, it doesn't hold it against you if you take the other car when the weather isn't nice, its good on gas and you know it will never try to kill you or get you arrested. The S2000 on the other hand isn't your best friend. The S2000 is the serious and quiet kid who every weekend downs a 5th of Jack Daniels dons a black leather suit and goes base jumping off the Empire State Building. It may not have your best interests at heart but it sure is a thrill to spend time with. It’s the car that is constantly asking you, "are you sure you don't want to push just a little farther and go a little faster?"

I can't stop thinking about it. My absolute desire to hear that scream every time I drive is consuming me. I want the engine. I want the gearbox. I want the rock solid stability. I want the dead sexy red start button. I want the Laser blue paint. I want the simple, elegant and purposeful styling. It wouldn't matter if it didn't have the legendary Honda reliability or the added luxury of the power top and glass window. I would still give my left arm to drive one every day.

The only thing that has kept me from totally losing my mind and buying that stupid Honda is the fact that my Miata is still a really really really good car. Not to mention A LOT cheaper.