If you're on a tight budget I'd say go with the MR2. But be careful. The stock turbos are fun to drive but as soon as you get the itch to start doing power mods you throw the best part of the car out the window. I'd honestly rather have an NA MR2.

If you're looking to spend a little more money just test drive the other two and you'll end up getting an S2000.

 

s2000

 

I say 350Z, based on these reasons:

First of all, I've driven both the S2000 and the 350Z, and I can say that they perform very similar, however, accomplish it very differently.

I like the fact that the 350Z makes torque similar to its horsepower. I also like the way the interior is laid out and the fact that I can actually fit inside the Nissan. I'm also not fond of the squeaks and leaks that convertible tops are very prone for, however the "fun factor" once the top is down counts for something. Also, the digital instrumentation of the Honda, although cool, is a little over the top for me...

Albeit the S2000 is very fun to drive for short distances, the 350Z gets my vote.

 

Ive owned my mr2 for 4 years and the only complaint I have about them is the cost of parts if it breaks. An example is i just replaced a heater hose and it was like 150 something for a 12 inch hose, insulated b/c its turbo charged. Paying over 10 bucks an inch, insane. Other than that, awesome car for the price. I drove a 350Z, i wan't too impressed but a nice car none the less. Never had the pleasure of driving an s2000, but I wouldn't mind.

 

I personally would go with the mr2. I've driven S2000's and every time I've walked away thinking about how much I dislike them. I'm not a huge fan of the cockpit, and I HATE the fact that there isn't any power until very high up in the RPM range.

 

I have driven all of them a couple times and I like the S2000 the most even for a nissan bias person

 

I'm not a huge fan of the 350. The s2k is a nice car though i've only ever rode in 1, not driven although it still seemed like tons of fun. the mr2 is a fun car too but there not alot of shops local that you can jsut take it to when you've got a problem. you can spend around 2k in parts though and get it to well over 300whp which isn't too bad for a $ to power gain comparison.

 

Depends on what you want to do with it.

Take a lot of roadtrips? - 350Z

Want a 'vert or plan on lots of track time? - S2000

The MR2 is sort of an odd duck in this comparo because it's so much cheaper. It all comes down to whether or not you've got a thing for mid-engined cars.

Have you thought about an MR-S? Underpowered, but LIGHT (under 2200 I think) and with a 2ZZ-GE swap they haul ass.


I'd go with the Z, because I'd take it on 3,000 mile roadtrips.

 

actually....have taken my 03 s2k to chicago a couple times, and drove back my 06 s2k from chicago after i bought it....and its an awesome road trip car, i love it.....i'm 6'0", 225 lbs. but yes, the z definitley has some more room in it.

 

You must not be familiar with the crap ride quality and the boomy cabin in a Z, then.