I've owned two. A Mk2 and a Mk3. I bought them from new, bought them back to back and owned each for 3 years. In a word, stunning.
These are proper rear wheel drive sports cars and need handling as such particularly in the wet. One of my motivations for buying an S2000 was the badge snobbery around some other brands of roadsters. This machine took the fight to Mr Porsche (Boxster, not the S). It was a fraction of the price but because you didn't have to change gear until the rev counter hit 9000 revs, you could take a Boxster off the line and leave them in your mirror as they lost ground whilst changing gear.
Incidentally, the short shift in the S2000 is sublime so gear shifts are quick. The downside to the Mk1 and Mk2 was the fact I had to carry a litre of engine oil around with me in the boot because it needed pretty much a litre a week. You also need a funnel as the engine is in the middle of the engine compartment and the filler cap is directly under the hinged end of the bonnet so pouring oil in without a funnel was difficult to say the least. This issue was resolved on the Mk3 and top up oil was in keeping with most other cars of this age.
I've been tempted many times to get myself another. The engine sound when it screams is something else and the reliability is second to none. I drove 37k a year with my second one and not one issue. The car is a good all rounder, motorways and distance and nipping around town or country drives at the weekend. Boot is small but enough for two sports bags and a little more.
I've driven two seater sports cars all my life (Spitfire, MX5's, MG's, Jaguar, Astons, Mercedes, Audi's, Aero8's) but if I had to choose just one for my desert island, for the fun and reliability, it would be the S2000. You've probably gathered I love them :-)Love to hear how you go on.
