What option would you not skimp out on?

[tomonomics]

Factory options I'm glad I have:

1. 03-04 (Glass window, glove box, semi-functional cup holder, variocam/a few extra HP)
2. Grey leather interior (I like to leave the top down, so black was not an option for me)
3. Heated seats
4. Windscreen
5. Seal Grey

My car came with Cruise Control, but I live near NYC. So I'm either in traffic, or out for a drive in the twisties. I think I've used it twice in 3 years, as I haven't yet done a road trip over 1000 miles r/t.

Factory options I wish I had: Sport exhaust, Litronics.

Aftermarket options that were easily added: Radio upgrade, SmarTop, and at some point I will likely get Fred's HID headlight upgrade.

I was coming from an NB Miata, so the base 2.7 was enough power for me, and still is. I will say that the little bit of extra low end power on the 03/04 sealed the deal after having driven three or four older models. My color (Seal Grey) was more important to me than the S model, and the money I saved paid for my IMS upgrade. Having said all that, I don't think anyone has ever regretted the 3.2, so get one if you can.

I can't stress enough the heated seats (which were not originally a requirement for me...I actually didn't even know I had them until two weeks after I bought the car!). Your passengers will like them, it will allow you keep the top down in cooler weather, and in my case I drive the car much more in the winter than I thought I ever would (I also have a set of winter wheels/tires).

Good luck in your search...this site has TONS of useful info and very helpful people. The 986forum is one aftermarket option that I could not live without.