[bleucamaro]

As someone who has recently been shopping for an S2000, I like the driving dynamics. To me, its still gutless, but thats not the point, its fun to drive. Miatas are also fun to drive, but more gutless. The two 4banger cars you mentioned are lighter and more nimble, but the V8 cars can be made to handle very well, they're just more clumsey in the transitions and less precise feeling. But, you get the power! The difference comes to feel, build quality, and taste.

Some of the replies mentioned, track driving, is that your goal? What is the intended use of the car? If it is going to see heavy auto-x / track / DE time, I'd go for the miata. The consumables are considerably cheaper and will last longer. If its a street only car, that becomes a wash.

Also, how important is it to be an open car? The F-body cars will be horibly flimsy/floppy feeling in a convertible. . . as will a Fox body and newer mustang.

I prefer the feel and fit of the S2000 to a first gen Miata (have not driven newer), and I'm 6'1", 180lb.


edit: another option: Not sure if this is your cup of tea at all, but have you considered an '04 - '05 STi? I loved mine, only sold it because I put 150k miles on it and was a little bored with it. With very little done to it, it flat ripped. I liked showing up to PCA auto-x's and beating everything on street tires. Very easy to drive fast.

And another option - E36 or E46 M3? Their prices are in the low $10k's to low $20k's depending on options, miles, etc. I'm looking at a '99 'vert this afternoon.

My only S2000 gripes are the examples I've driven had excessive clutch travel before engaging (not sure if the examples I drove, or the model in general), clutch pedal will come out 75% before biting. Also, the power steering is overboosted, which means you could just put fatter front tires on, and it would probably feel better.