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I had my 2003 S2000 for 7 years before getting rid of it for back seats with an R32 (immensely competent but boring which made me buy a track prepped NA6 MX5 for sh!ts and giggles). Everything about the S2000 you've read in terms of rawness and directness is pretty much spot on compared to the BRZ but (and this is a big BUT) the steering feel on the BRZ is night and day better than the S2000. I can take the BRZ at 8 or 9/10ths with confidence whereas in the S I would be second guessing how much front end grip I had left, and when it does let go, it does with less warning especially at the back end (I had a big moment coming out of the S turn at Winton's back straight). Another factor is with the S2000, you sit a little further back closer to the back axle whereas the pivot point is closer to centre in the BRZ. I much prefer a more centred pivot point but that's a personal matter of what you prefer during rotation.
Gearbox and transmission the S wins but only marginally. I had the updated AP1 model which had a slightly heavier gear knob which made shifting less rifle bolt than the 2000 model I drove. I actually prefer a slightly notchier gearbox to feel the gears engaging mechanically. A heavy knob makes shifts smoother and easier but takes away some of the feel.
In terms of power the BRZ is actually better with more torque at anything below 6000rpm. If you're not in the mood to rev it out in the S2000 then the BRZ is more usable. I hardly went above 6000rpm on the street anyway. For those times where you are in the mood and it's a warm night, then nothing beats the fun you can have in the S and I still miss it. But for 95% of the other times I have more accessible fun in the BRZ. And I'm not putting on velcro sticky tyres on it this time like I did with the S.
Oh and back seats to fit baby seats wins every time for us dads.
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