Last month, my wife and I went test driving cars one day...my Avalanche was in the shop, so I couldn't go dirt or mountain biking, and didn't have much better to do. Thought maybe I'd get a new car this summer, but I fell for the CS harder than expected, and found a good enough deal to accelerate my timing.

I'm planning to pick up my CS as soon as the buyer and I can work out the logistics, hopefully no more than a few weeks - I'm already getting impatient, even though it would be just hanging out in my garage w/ all the horrible weather we've gottten in Austin recently.

I see that there are plenty of S2000 to Cayman owners, so I'm hoping some of y'all might be able to share your experiences of the change. I'm really torn about whether or not to keep my S2000, and perhaps y'alls input might help clarify my thought process. It's definitely not for sale until I get my CS at the earliest, but it can't hurt to start planning.

On the sell side, it obviously makes sense financially to sell...I could get low to mid 20's for it and lose a full coverage insurance payment (it wasn't financed, so no mo. pmts.) I also have a storage issue. We have a 3 car garage, but 1 bay is for motorcycles, 1 for my wife's Jetta, and 1 for the S2000 or its successor. I might be able to keep it garaged at my in-laws in Seguin (73 miles away), but if that's the case, I'd prob. only drive it for track events. Either way, I suspect I'll probably be pretty enamored w/ my new toy, and less inclined to drive the S2000.

On the keep side, I've enjoyed six great years of S2000 ownership (first w/ an '01, now have an '03). My '03 is really clean, w/ only 22K miles and tastefully modded (Volk 17" CE28N wheels, Koni/GC coilovers, SS brake lines, great stero, etc.), and it would be hard to find another AP1 like it. I've pre-purchased 6 track weekends @ TWS for this year, and would rather do them in the S2000 than the CS due to lower risk exposure, how well the S2000's suspension is tuned, and lower cost of consumables. It's really easy to work on, and as reliable as an anvil. I also expect to miss the top down experience in nice weather & the 9K rpm redline, but I think the CS has enough offsetting strengths that I'll be able to live w/o it.

Do you think I'll regret selling the S2000, or forget all about it after getting the CS? I've test driven one, but not in ideal traffic conditions to fully realize what it's capable of. If only I had a 4 car garage or could talk the wife into giving up her garage spot, the answer would be a lot easier!

The S2000 is a great car.

But you will forget all about it after you get the Cayman S I assure you

I have owned both and from time to time I my s2k. I somtimes consider getting another one. I miss the top down stuff from time to time. However, I wouldnt give my CS up for anything.

I have owned many Porsche cars, M3's and S2000's- you name it.

My most recent was a 2004 S2000 that I bought new b/c the Boxster S update was not ready and I needed to get rid of my current Boxster S due to high miles. I only intended on keeping it for a few months.

I bought it new for 30K in May of 2004 and sold it 3 months ago with 30,000 miles for $24K- pretty damn good (or maybe I'm just used to losing way more $$$). It was agreat car, never one warranty service done on it- more than I can say about my 1400 mile old CS.

Anyhow, I loved my S2000, it outlasted 996's and the NSX, but I haven't missed it one bit since the CS arrived!

One interesting note, I always alternated from the S2000 to the E46 M3 and the M3 felt like a rocket, now I alternate between the CS and the M3, the M3 feels like a pig.

__________________
08 RS 60
06 CS (making some other lucky person happy)
70 BMW 2002

Former '01 S2000 owner and the only thing that I miss is the top down experience which is not an S2000 "thing" per se. From a handling, daily driveability, power, you name it, S2k will become a faded (but pleasant) memory. Maybe one other thing to miss is the (liveliness?) of the S2k.

I did not miss the harsh ride, noise, zero torque, tight interior, and hi-speed curves on less than smooth roads (strong pucker factor). Still loved the car though... But I'm all grown up now.

J

Hey Chris, I recognize you over from S2ki.com. I enjoyed your post where you reviewed the test drives. I just picked up a Cayman S a few days ago and haven't had the chance to post it in car talk yet. I went from the S2000 to the M3 and now to the Cayman S.

In my opinion, unless you miss the top down aspect of the S2000, you will not regret getting rid of S2000 for the Cayman S. The handling is on par with the S2000 but the Cayman just feels more solid. It is more refined and has less wind noise while having a decent amount of storage space. The gearbox on the S2000 is better but then again, the S2000's gearbox is better than pretty much any other car. If you can swing it financially, the Cayman S is just a step up that you won't regret. Right now would be a good time to pick up an 06' for about 52k.

If you guys could pick a second car with a soft top which would you choose? I've been looking for a used convertable and trying to decide between a Boxter, S2000, and Miata. As far as looks I like the S2000.

I traded recently my '03 S2000 for a '07 CS. My S2000 had 33K kms. Never tracked. Just road miles. Compared to the CS, the S2000 is a toy and the CS is a tool.

I loved my S2000 and I had lots of fun driving it. I started to look for another car because I went back to riding a motorcycle and realized that when it was nice enough to have the top down, my preference was to ride the bike and not drive the S2000.

I wanted a sports car that would behave well in foul weather and winter. My S2000 didn't have the electronics the CS has as well as some of the creature comfort the CS has, e.g. heated seats.

The kicker for me was the test drive. The CS has more grip and more glued to the ground in curves. The engine is much more flexible with torque / power from low RPM. The S2000 felt more tossable although it weighs approx. the same as the CS. The CS feels more robust.

After one monther of ownership, the only thing I miss about the S2000 is the flickable shifter. The CS's shifter is longer but feels more robust. I also own a BMW 530 and I feel the CS has all the pluses of the BMW 530 plus those of the S2000 and then many of its own. There hasn't been a millisecond of second thought about trading my S2000.

These comments are in regards to the CS. I test drove the base Cayman as well. I didn't get the WOW I had with the CS. Not sure I would be as eager to trade if it were for the base Cayman.

Chris,

I would def. keep the s2000 if you can afford it, especially if you intend to go to the track often. Buy a california car cover and you will be set. During the harsh winter months I would store it. I personally would not bring my Cayman to the track (Gasp!). I am not wealthy by any means and I intend to protect my toy I want to keep her for a long time and I would hate to have to get her repaired.

The only way I would sell the s2000 is if your finances are streched. I am glad that you decided to get the Cayman!

Bobby

Do you already have a Cayman? If so, the S2000 would be an easy choice!

Yes I do. But want to add a soft top but can't afford a new car so I was looking at used Boxter, S2000, or Miata

Based on the responses I've seen here (thanks to all for their input!), I'll probably be selling my '03 soon...and coincidentally, I'll need to go to Houston to pick up my Cayman S.

I may be biased, but I think it would be hard to find a nicer AP1 anywhere!