I got to test drive a modded 01 s2k at a Honda dealership the other day. That's one sick car! I'm thinking about trading in my 98 M3 and 93 Miata for a new s2k.

All my friends think I'm insane that I'm lowering myself from a Bimmer to a Honda and driving a girly car (like my Miata wasn't?). I can't enjoy the M3 unless I'm on a road course (TWS) where I've never been passed up by an S2000. But there are times that I prefer to tear up the street in the slower Miata.

Any insight from past e36 M3 owners (or Miata owners too) who now own the S2000?

-Tom
98 M3
93 Miata
84 944

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by tnguyen2
[B]I got to test drive a modded 01 s2k at a Honda dealership the other day.

 

How modded was the s2k?

 

I can't remember all the mods offhand, but the car looked lowered, Remus exhaust, and 18" Antera wheels.

 

Find new friends, they sound like snobs.

 

Your BMW is a fine automobile with gobs of low-end torque and excellent balance. The S2000 is a roadster that really shines on the track with great power in the high end. Two different animals if you ask me.

No S2000 may have passed you on the track, but you probably realize that it's mostly the driver responsible for that. I've passed my fair share of exotics on the track, including M3s, Porsche 993 turbos, and Lotus Esprits, and have been passed by well-driven "lesser" cars. Take your new S2000 out there and see how you fare against your BMW buddies .

If the badge is important to you, the new 315hp M Roadster is going to be pretty awesome!

 

I sold my e36 M3 with low miles (1.5k) last year and bought a 02 S2000. Hey, I have more fun with the S than the M! Yes, it's a Honda, my cousin owns a 02 C32 and he loves to drive my S too!

Have fun!

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by tnguyen2
[B]I got to test drive a modded 01 s2k at a Honda dealership the other day.

 

Tom,

I traded my '95 E36M3 for my '01 S2k a couple of weeks ago. I loved my M3, but my repair luck with the car was not good. And with it being out of warranty, I was running into some very expensive repair bills. So it was time for a change. I also wanted a roadster again, as I'd had a Miata for many years (it went with the ex-wife in the divorce ).

Do I miss the M3? Somethings I do miss...mostly sissy non-performance related stuff. I miss the OBC. I miss the better stereo. I miss the every-which-way adjustable vader-seats. Believe it or not, I miss the Q-ship factor of the M3...most victims did not realize they had lined up againt an ///M until I was a car length ahead and could read the badge.

Performance wise, I miss the M3 brakes, which were stellar. I miss the torque...the head snapping thrust is intoxicating. I miss the predictable handling even if it is not the go-kart feel of the S2k or the Miata.

Things I like about my new Stook: I can put the top down. It is fun to drive on the street at normal speeds...the M3 did not become fun till I was going fast enough to go to jail. I want to re-iterate that point...if you stay out of VTEC, you can buzz around town having a blast shifting like crazy pretending to be Ayrton re-incarnate and not draw the ire of the local law enforcement. But then if you want fast it has that too...I've run a street race against an autox buddy's E36M3 and we stayed door to door till we backed out at 70mph. I like the rapid steering response and go-kart feel. I really like the shift feel...in stock form the M3 shifting is not as firm or short as I like. I like not having to buy 7 quarts of Mobile 1 every 3 months! I like being able to wash the car in 15 min and wax it in 30 min (I think I'd spend 15 min on each M3 wheel...they had so many spokes) . And I really like having warranty.

And as for your friends who say you are trading down...well, I've gotten more complements on the Stook in the last two weeks than I ever got on the M3.

If I had to replace an M3 and a Miata with one car, the S2k would be my choice for the money. But hey, if I had the money a Modena Spyder would be it!

Good luck with your decision.

 

Yeah, I live in Sugarcreek and one of my neighbors down the street has a yellow Modena. I thought about trading in the Miata and turbocharging the M3 with a Stage 2 Active Autowerke kit. Also thought about throwing down an FMII turbo kit on the Miata. But oh that S2000...

Maintenance bills have been terrible on my M. I'm on my 11th set of tires (5 of which were race tires). I'm looking for a more affordable alternative. I love the Miata, but it's too damned slow at the light. The IS300 was a joke. After test-driving the S2000, I think I found a worthy successor. It combines the agility and performance of the e36 M3 with the top-down/fun factor of the Miata.

Couldn't care less about the badge. My friends thought I was settling for the M3 instead of the Boxster or the CLK as I had initially wanted. Whatever, I've had more positive comments on the Miata than my M.

Love the M, but I'm more stoked about the Stook. I think I might have to get one to see if I can pass up some M3s on the track.

thanks for the advice everybody
-tom