Yesterday, I was commuting from the dental school when a yellow S2K caught my eye at one of the dealers in my route. I pulled over and asked to test drive it.
>2005 S2000
>109,000 miles
>Nearly mint condition, mechanically, and aesthetically perfect.
> 1 owner car, the boomer asked the dealer to sell it for him as his knees can no longer tolerate driving the car.
>Yellow with black interior
I test drove it and it was flawless. The gearshifts from the 6 speed manual transmission were perfect, the clutch was not too light nor too heavy, the steering was also perfectly weighted. The car felt light compared to what I own (an 04' XKR coupe, and an '18 Mini Cooper Countryman). I almost pulled the trigger but I can't afford a third car right now. I considered trading the Mini for the S2k, but then I remembered that I need the practicality of the Mini for driving around my 93 y/o grandfather. It's the perfect height for him to get in and out of when I take him to his medical appointments. He can't get into the Jag, and the S2K is even smaller. I am not selling the Jag for it because it's got sentimental value. It was my late father's pride and joy. I've got two more years of residency training before I graduate and can start earning decent money. What are some other, US market, lightweight, manual transmission, analogue sports cars I could buy in 2 years, other than the S2K and an MX5, that are also driver's cars? Ideally something with at least as much power as the S2k, but no heavier than it. I would love an NA1 or NA2 NSX, but that's probably not going to happen if the prices keep increasing. A Lotus Exige, Elise, or Emira would also be interesting. I'm willing to consider JDM, or Euro. I generally don't like american cars except for the Viper, but those are as rare as hen's teeth where I live.
tl;dr In 2 years, I want to buy a manual transmission lightweight sports car that is as analogue as possible and reasonably affordable. Give suggestions
Did you check the fricking sticky? Look I know its a bit outdated but the cars there are still in existence.
> would love an NA1 or NA2 NSX, but that's probably not going to happen if the prices keep increasing. A Lotus Exige, Elise, or Emira would also be interesting. I'm willing to consider JDM, or Euro. I generally don't like american cars except for the Viper,
All of what you listed are never going to be cheap.
The sticky is not what I'm looking for. I've got standing job offers of $250k + starting salary as a periodontist for when I graduate. I'm considering cars between $20k - $100k. I want to the most raw driving experience between that price range so that I can keep it as a goal that will motivate me to continue with this residency that is draining my life away with the amount of work and studying I got on my plate right now.
>I want to the most raw driving experience between that price range
buy and Alfa 4C
SW20 MR2 Turbo is a little more power than the S2000 and a similar weight, but honestly the S2000 is hard to beat in terms of driving feel. Consider maybe the best feeling transmission ever.
an Elise is the answer if lightweight is a higher priority than horsepower.
It's a bit morbid but if he's 93 you probably won't need the Mini much longer anyway.
I've heard steering feel in the S2k is terrible as its an early electric power steering system.
when was the last time you looked at Elise prices?
He said he's looking at between 20k and 100k.
An S1 or crappy S2 can be had BELOW 20k, so its hardly going to be an issue.
to cater to limp-wristed homosexuals like you, clearly.
Just because something is done, doesn't always mean its better.
Every car manufacturer moved to electric power steering for the fuel economy improvements. It's still completely inferior for road feel.
Go drive a 997. Rent one on Turo or something and take it to a twisty road if you can.
I've got about 10k miles behind the wheel of an AP2 (my dad's, had my own set of keys and drove it regularly) and they're just not worth what people want for them these days. The Porsche absolutely blows it, and every other attainable car I've ever driven, away for not much more money.
I just checked the classifieds in my area and the prices are all over the place for the 997. A clapped out base 997 911 Carrera is selling for $43k. Most the Carrera S and 4S are in the $60 - $90k range, and then there's one guy asking $285,000 for a modified GT2 that makes "950 HP".
Damn, you could get a decent 2S (which is what I'd go with) in the low 50s last time I checked. Still though, if you're seriously considering 100k as the top end and have cars like the Exige on your list the 997 should be within your range and personally I think it's really hard to beat for the money.
Nc2 Miata your grandpa could probably be comfy in it they were the target market. Cheaper so you could prob get it today. 7800 fuel cutoff
Import an R33
just buy an r3 rx8 and get it ported. Ez, cheaper, more practical at the cost of getting a rebuild at 150k. since its na and an s2, you could probably take it further though since mild porting helps the reliability on the renesis and the updated engine had better oiling. plus you get the 9k redline and benefit of a comfortable sports car and back seats
Get the rx-7. An rx-8 is a much better car while costing 1/5th as much, but it’s a worse sports car and much less raw.
Just replace the suspension (ohlins r&t), bushings, differential (os giken), engine, and turbos + all vacuum lines (stock turbos are fine for 300+ HP and you don’t need anymore for a driver’s car). Get the cleanest interior & exterior you can find, then plan on dumping $20k into restoring all that stuff. It’s way more than an rx-8 that’ll put down similar laptimes stock, but the rx-7 has hydraulic handling and weighs less so it feels better to drive. Don’t frick around with exhausts except maybe a new catalytic converter. I had a modified rx-7 vs one with the stock exhaust, and the 20hp and minus 20lbs of a titanium exhaust just isn’t worth it because it’s not as fun to drive when it’s so loud (literally have hearing loss from it).
Alternatively, a v6 z4 like someone else mentioned is also very good if you want a roadster. Felt similar to my rx-7 but better interior quality and overall has a more solid feel to it.
Just get a C5 Corvette and you'll mog all those tiny-engined nip cars in performance, reliability, MPG and handling even if it does weigh a bit more than an S2K stock.
The s2k is a better sorted car. Its got much better feel as well, especially the ap1. The vette is nice, but its kind of numb for a car in that bracket, especially with an engine that only revs to 6000rpm and has gearing that lets you go from 1st to 4th. Also half of the vettes you find are 4l60's, and z06's cost more than s2k's
Lotus Elise. No competition.
Otherwise NC2/3 Miata. The S2K is mostly raw but the steering is dogshit. NA/NB Miata are more raw than NC but the chassis is a wet noodle. ND Miata drives like a videogame.
In terms of "rawness", an NA/NB Miata has basically every metric for a raw car in the most modern package. No abs, no traction control, hydraulic/manual steering, cable throttle, shifter that actually feels mechanical. The only car that comes close is an Elise but no longer affordable. Going newer than the NA/NB you're going to run into EPS, DBW, nannies, and electric bullshit. S2K included.
SHOE
LITERAL CLOWN SHOES
This will increase in price before you get one if you wait 2 years.
Analogue to what?
>grandpa outlived his son
damn...if you don't mind me asking, how did he pass?
>I want to buy a manual transmission lightweight sports car that is as analogue as possible and reasonably affordable. Give suggestions
I mean obviously a Miata. Its the boring answer; but its the right one.
Lancer Evo. There's even a wagon form floating around.
Find one that isn't too modified, and retains stock clutch and turbo
Z4 3.0si
Virtually the same weight, 2 seats, comes in a manual option, naturally aspirated motor with a great sound and more power than the s2000.
The ultimate driving machine.
Daily z4 propaganda
bro don't ever compare his parts bin rental spec plastic engined McDonald's strutted special to the legendary s2000 you moronic homosexual.
Tf are you waffling on about?
What's wrong with the z4? Is it too reasonably priced for you?
I get that the styling isn't for everyone but on the performance side of things it has great handling, great sound and the same weight as the s2000 with 2 extra cylinders.
OP asked for a car with 2 seats, same power, comes in a manual and the same weight as the s2000 that is better priced.
I suggested something, unlike your moronic fat ass.
"lEgendAry s2000" yall absolutely creaming over this thing is what's overhyping it and driving up prices.
He's the same autistic freak that keeps spamming the same thing over and over again, look up on the archives for his keywords.
Z4M Coupe is more in line with what OP wants anyways. He's got money.
Yeah I mean if that's the price bracket he's willing to pay for that won't be a bad choice.
Or if he wants to stick to the Japanese theme he can go with the supra as he mentioned. I'm just not sure if the stick shift would be as readily available.
Something that new also seems to wander off the whole idea of a driving experience as raw as possible.
How the frick is a $60,000 car better priced than a $25,000 one?
Are you stupid or something?
I suggested a 3.0si Z4 (only produced until 2009)
Which is the same time period as the s2000.
Pretty sure the e85 z4 is better value for money for the very similar performance and weight.
I don't know how the E85's drive, but I test drove a Z4 sDrive35i and... ended up in a Z3 2.8.
The dealership owner knew I'd prefer the Z3 over the Z4 even before I drove them.
The Z3 is much more analog than the Z4.
Z4 M40i with the new manual is good
Just watch this YouTuber's videos and come back. Most cars are fun, if youre really gonna have money like that just buy a vacation house and buy more than one.
It looks like I'm going to be aiming for an S2K or a Lotus Elise. Yes, I will be earning quite a bit as a periodontist, but I don't want to splurge on a vacation home or an expensive new car because I will have large student loan from dental school to pay for. If the S2k is unattainable by then, then I'll go for the Lotus. It's sad to see how much they are appreciating... Let me check how much the payment would be for the $33k S2K at the dealership nearby. I still dream about it.
Yup. Look at the MX5 too. GR86 if it was going to be your only car. He has a excel spreadsheet where he ranks every car reviewed according to their steering feel, handling, engine, and wow factor + link to the videos. Of course I always encourage people to drive the cars they like. He's owned a dozen S2000s, a GR86, and currently owns a Integra Type S.
Honestly don't overthink it, most cars with sporting intentions are fun when you have a good road in front of you. Variety is the spice of life. As a enthusiast I don't fanboy a specific car for that reason... I'd have fun in a Evo like I would in a Mustang Mach 1 or a Corvette or a 116hp Miata
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/0/d/1QoqAWydVYdy-MARBWKOzGOPhF30SxPeiUwGa1tuV5BE/htmlview
Thanks for the link of the spreadsheet. Interesting information. It looks more objective than the DougScore, which is just Doug pulling shit from his ass.
I don't like the Z4. Something about it doesn't sit well with me. The styling looks off. And yeah, the McDonald's meme guy has a point, although it's not as bad as he makes it out to be. And if I'm going for a new Z4, might as well go for the BMW Supra instead. If the choice is available, I would rather have a coupe.
I love the F-type and if I can find a manual one I would jump on it. Depreciation is still on-going on those. A manual F-type R would have been the dream car but they never mated the V8 to a manual. However, that being said, the F-type is too heavy, and I test drove one, and found to the steering to be a little bit light. It was precise, but it needed to be heavier. However, it WAS one of the later 4-cyl f-types with the electronic power steering.
The V8 I actually found to be too much in the F-type, the V6 felt like the sweet spot, the V8 just feels dumb, you can never really step into it fully unless you find a good track.
That being said, F-Type sales in the US for the V6 manuals was less than 4% of total F-type sales, so even if it is depreciating, I don't expect the manuals to depreciate anywhere near as much because of their rarity.
A manual 2024 Z4 is only about $60,000. Around $75,000 fully kitted with 7 year warranty. And you can do the European delivery option for a vacation to europe if you're fine waiting on shipping your car back to the US to avoid the new car import fees.
This is the only sane option for a doctor/dentist. Having a used sports car for the track is fine, but if you're daily driving a used sports car as a doctor/dentist I assume you're a moron.
Sucks the F-type jag doesn't come in a manual anymore, and 2024 is the final model year.
I hate hondas and convertibles but the s2000 is ok imo OP
>analog
>posts exclusively cars with EFI
Oh, I see, you don't actually want analog, you want a car that's memed by journalists
Why not just go back to a manual steering rack and drum brakes?
manual steering is fine, drums are not.
>manual steering is fine
No the frick it's not
It gives you the most direct feedback while driving.
If you can't maneuver a manual rack car you might have a serious medical issue.
My mother had a peugeot 106 with a manual steering rack back in the 2000s and managed that fine. She's hardly the hulk.
And yet almost every performance vehicle from the last 2 decades comes with power steering.
It's fine. I'm pretty sure a lot of light 'drivers' cars like lotus7 patterns and ae86 do just fine without power steering. My last one and my current one don't have it.
btw the mclaren f1 doesn't have power steering.
By the way, McLaren F1 is over 30 years old.
What does that have to do with anything? It's widely and correctly regarded as the best car ever made and it somehow manages to get by without power steering.
And yet the Speedtail and Elva use power steering
crazy
I don't know what either of those are they're probably gay and not worth knowing.
Hydraulic power steering and disc brakes are analog, moron, you are th8nking of electronic steering and brake by wire
>Hydraulic power steering
You'll still see morons insisting power steering removes your ability to feel the road, even if it's hydraulic.
see
Power steering and disc brakes are analog too unless some digital electronic module is involved
My dad had one for a couple years, I drove it only twice but it was like a sportbike. High revving and light. Cool car
High revving yes, light? no.
Why did he only drive it twice?
It is pretty damn light compared to most cars for sale today.
I don't consider 1200kg/2800lb lightweight far from it. Far too heavy for a non-turbo 4cyl.
Only I drove it twice
He stopped letting me when he saw how I drove it
>Really?
I stopped buying jags, but I started with a 2008 XJR that was nice, then got a used 2012 XK which was also nice. Then thought the XK basically doesn't have a backseat anyway, why not try the F-type. So when the 2016 models were out with the manual were at my local jag dealer I decided to test drive the manual V6 and the auto V8 back to back and the V8 just felt a bit much and while the F-type IS heavy for a 2 seater, putting a 480+HP V8 in it is just more than it needs in my opinion unless you're really into juicing it on public roads.
My 2008 XJR made ~395HP with a supercharged V8, my 2012 XK made ~380HP from the NA V8, the 2016 F-type supercharged V6's were making ~335-375HP and the V8's were doing ~480-570HP.
Maybe it was just me, but I felt like ~400HP from a 3500-4000lbs car was good enough and once you were getting to 500HP+ it was a bit much.
But that was another life, I have a family now and drive a Honda Fit or a Volvo XC60. Womp womp.
If i was your grandpa i'd prefer to ride in the S2000 for my medical appointments, stop fricking patronising me you little bastard.
>I have been dailying the Jag (pic:rel) for the past 7 years
Patrician.
For $100k you can get a brand new 2024 718 GTS 4.0
right around 3000lbs and 400hp with a nice interior and more curb appeal than anything else in the thread.
I've never been a used car kinda guy though
>718 GTS 4.0
Facts
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a39588522/2022-porsche-cayman-gts-4-0-reliability-maintenance/
Sadly 2025 is going electric
>Of the clownshoe engine options, which is the one to get?
3.0 M54