The twins are forever compared to cars costing far more when they were new (Cayman, S2k, RX-8, Elise, 370Z, etc.). These cars simply do not fit in the same price range and shouldn't be compared. It's great that OP has had such good taste in cars, but price is a critical factor that shouldn't be ignored when discussing dynamics, fit and finish.
- OP your BRZ runs $26-$28k MSRP in 2013
- Your S2000 had an MSRP of $32,300 in 2001. Now adjust that to 2013 dollars and you get $42,621 (2.34% inflation).
That's a $17-19k difference in real buying power straight up. Put even half that amount into your BRZ and it will FLY (on the track or street). Put $17 - $19k into it and you can have whatever kind of car you want (ultra-light track beast, show queen, GT or some combination of all 3). The S2K and BRZ are apples to oranges because they never existed in the same price category until your Honda aged 12 years.
- Now OP your Prelude Si's MSRP was $17,136 in 1993. That translates to $27,726 worth of buying power in 2013 which is right inline with your BRZ. By your own account your BRZ dynamically trounces your Prelude even when it was new.
2+2 sports coupes in the same actual price range were the early 240SX, Celica, Talon, Eclipse, and Prelude, later the Gen Coupe, etc. Rarely however are the triplets compared to these cars. Why? MotorTrend's Johnnie Liberman & Scott Mortara put it this way...
MotorTrend's Best Driver's Car 2012
"With the exception of Mazda's Miata, has any car ever punched above its weight like this? Mortara, for one, doesn't think so. "If price were a factor, the BRZ would win this competition hands-down."
The triplets are dynamically so good, and so much fun that people naturally tend to compare them not against their true class rivals, but instead, to the best cars they've ever driven or at minimum cars costing thousands more. High profit, low volume niche sports cars instead of 2+2s in the same range.
Yes the interior is spartan. That's because the car isn't even pretending to be a GT (grand turismo or touring coupe). Notice the lack of sound deadening? Yes, it has a back seat, but that helps to lower import/export tariffs and insurance rates as non-specialty vehicle (which btw bolts out in just a few minutes (ever wonder why?)).
This is also why the '86 is considered likely to be an instant classic. The triplets are accessible, fun and fairly pure. Toyobaru/Subuyota will sell a ton, and you got in early. Enjoy the drive and watch every other mfg jump on the bandwagon afterwards.