If you can find two equal cars and one is a "s" model buy the "s" of course. However, if you can only find a decent car at a decent price and it's not an "s" you can change it later. The two main pieces are the rear anti-sway bar and the limited slip differential. You want them both. Beware also, even though these are simple cars to work on and parts are reasonably cheap they are 20 years old and you will either spend a lot more time or money on it than you think. Good luck. By the way, the other pieces that make a "s" model are the recaro seats, very nice, the steering wheel, and the front air dam.