i think both cars are a poor choice for a college student's car.

 

and btw, is graduating high school such a big achievement?? :rofl:

 

still gonna be game over in a rollover h:

350z hardtop FTW

but IMO if you're gonna get a convertible either way, S2K FTW

 

350z

I have an s2000 and it really isn't all that much fun. It is really really slow and underpowered, yeah its kind of fun to blast through the twisty back country roads but for every day useable power it really is lacking. I got mine as sort of an impulse buy and now I wish I'd gotten a 350 and I am probably going to get rid of it soon.

The s2000 feels nice to drive and you are sitting in what I feel is optimal driver position and the shifter is smooth and crisp and the clutch is awesome. The build is awesome on the car like most honda products. However my biggest qualm is it has no torque what so ever and just feels really really slow. The 350z looks better too IMO and the new 3.5L from nissan in the G35 and 350 sounds amazing. It is also quite responsive from the experience I have driving around my friend's. The s2000 power band is a joke. Neither car gets that much attention from the opposite sex so that is a wash right there. The honda you do get honda build quality and I never worry about breaking the car even if I am out beating the piss out of it(often cause its so slow)

Get the 350z

 

i think your performance perspective is a little skewed since you're used to driving high-powered supras and vipers it's not like the 350Z is any faster, in a straight line or not.

coming from a G35C, there are plenty of faults with the VQ's powertrain. it has plenty of torque but it wheezes at high RPM. the shifter is slow and clunky. the 350Z feels like a porker compared to the S2000 and IMO, is more of a GT than a sports car. i'd even choose an RX8 before a 350Z.

 

Obviously i'm S biased. S is nice but be careful. It's one of those cars where you think you know it, then as you get closer to driving it 10/10ths you get into deep poo. Some are partial because of the lack of torque but it's enough for me. How fast do you really need to go on city roads. :rick:

350z is nice too, G35C more practical. I'd just get an RSX-S in your case. Sporty enough, roomy enough with growth for the future.

 

I would say neither is very good for a college student. You want backseats and you want the ability to haul shit around.

Edit: With that said, I would probably take the S2000. Other suggestions, if I may throw them in, are a WRX, maybe a Legacy. New Civic Si also sounds like it would lots of fun, but still be somewhat practical.

Edit2: Oh and I saw RSX-S mentioned above

 

As much as I love the S2000 I'd have to go with the 350. I was actually this close (...) to buying a 350Z a few months ago but I realized that WRX > 350.

 

Get the Z. The S2K will bite you in the ass. Also, I guarantee you someone breaks in through the convertable top at school.

 

Throw a tantrum until your parents get you Viper.