I spent an afternoon test driving both, and going into the test drive, I was fairly sure I wanted the S (even with that mail slot on the hood). But after driving both, much to my surprise, I liked the base model better. It rides slightly better on 16 wheels, and the manual is much easier to shift smoothly--not to mention the clutch is more forgiving (I was going to get an automatic S before I test drove--looking back, I don't know what I was thinking, as the base manual is so easy and fun to drive--no way I'll go automatic now). The base is plenty quick, and I actually like the sound of the engine better on the base than the S (The S has just a little too much growl, the base is perfect for my taste. Maybe I'm just getting old). I can fully understand why someone would chose the S over the base, but for me I preferred driving the base by a significant margin. Now I won't have to deal with the looks of the air intake on the base, which for some irrational reason drives me nuts. But I do like the look of the S bumpers better than the stock base look, as well as the chrome gas cap, so when I buy, many mods to come...
To each their own, but you really do have to test drive them one right after the other, on the same road, to get a full appreciation of the differences between the two--I'm so happy I did. |