Well, the S2000 was returned to Honda today about three weeks ahead of my official lease end date of May 9th. My wife was whining about 5 cars clogging up the driveway so, I decided to forego another 1,000 miles on the Honda.

After dropping off the S2000, it was off to the Connecticut DMV for a few hours of excruciating pain. But the SRT6 is now registered and insured.

After the DMV, it was off to Town Fair Tire for new rubber. I went with Dunlop SP Sport Max TT's in the OEM sizes. The Dunlop's seem a bit noisier and a bit harsher than the OEM Conti all season tires they replaced. But they also seem a lot stickier with more direct steering response.

LOL, I read all the reviews of the SRT-6 where journalists characterized the SRT-6 suspension as punishing and I was therefore expecting some horrendous ride quality. I suppose all things are relative. Compared to my reference point which was an 08 S2000, I'd say the SRT-6 is roughly similar. Which is to say, the way I like a suspension setup. I hate dive, squat, and body lean. So, the the SRT-6 meets my expectations extremely well. I took my wife out for a twenty mile joy ride tonight and even she pronounced the ride quality as very good for a high performance car.

My 50 mile comparison to the S2000.......

• I'll miss the laser sharp steering and suspension of the S2000, the SRT-6 simply doesn't have the same degree of communication.
• I'll miss the near race car song of the 8,200 RPM redline of the F22C engine.
• No manual transmission will ever surpass the Aisin unit in the S2000.
• Dropping the top on a sunny 70 degree day is just.....wonderful.
• Driving in heavy traffic in a roadster with zero sound insulation is just.....miserable.

But.....

• The SRT-6 has plenty of absolute grip.
• I won't miss the high noise levels. The SRT-6 is simply more refined.
• The SRT-6 engine is so smooooth and quiet compared to the frenetic Honda I4 engine.
• Torque is wonderful. Anywhere in the rev range. Ahhhh!
• The AMG 5 spd auto is an excellent transmission in its own right. And stop n go traffic will be much more livable.
• I have power seats, nav, heated seats, dual climate controls, telescoping wheel, homelink transmitter, fog lamps, and better storage capacity.
• The SRT-6 is way cooler to look at.
• My SRT-6 cost me $4,200 less than a buyout of my S2000 lease.

All decisions are tradeoffs. I'm feeling pretty good about this one.