Buddy of mine just bought an '02 Honda S2000

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Scott R

Even with the engine turned the "wrong way" they are surprisingly easy to work on.

I guess I don't understand this...it's front engine/RWD, no?

[scottmandue]

Really, really love these cars... (never driven one but would like to).

However if I were sports car shopping I would compare what I could get in used a P-car (or Matt's RX-7 ) for the same money.

[nota]

Originally Posted by speeder

I guess I don't understand this...it's front engine/RWD, no?

yes

"wrong way" is relative to a standard FWD honda crosswise location

btw I like the S2000
but even high miles or rebuilt ones are way too much for a 10+ year old honda
ie low teens

btw local c-list has a ''claimed'' 600+ hp turbo S2000 running e-85

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Yes, a proper sports car has RWD or AWD, never FWD. Of course the engine location (in order of preference) would be mid, rear and finally front. The S2000 is a proper sports car since it's RWD.

[epbrown]

Originally Posted by nota

yes

"wrong way" is relative to a standard FWD honda crosswise location

btw I like the S2000
but even high miles or rebuilt ones are way too much for a 10+ year old honda
ie low teens

I like them but the reason they hold their value is their curse: they're the dream cars of Honda fanboys, so are sought after, but those same guys carve them up in goofy ways. In a few more years, a clean, unmodified one will be scarce as hen's teeth.

I was considering one when I lived in Chicago but insurance was more expensive than my 2005 Boxster S, as the S2K was more often stolen and stripped for parts, especially the seats. A black S2000 next to my black CBR600RR would have been cool, though.

[look 171]

The engine is behind the Axle. That's why that thing has such long hood. I think Road and Track tested it against and all the testers favored the S2000 and beat it in some of the tests.

Its fun little car, with plenty of power, very small in size and can be thrown around the corner all day long.

I drive my S once to twice a week. the rest of the time, its dirty trucks and my 4 runner.

[dw1]

I like the 1st gen cars (esp. handling & shifter) very much, but IMHO the engine need more grunt at low & medium RPMs.

I drove one a few years ago and I really had to rev it to get competitive performance . At low rpm the engine doesn't make much power and even the torque peak is 7500 rpm.

It's almost motorcycle-engine-like in power & power delivery. If your friend is comfortable reving the piss out of it, he'll love it.

Me, I'm more old school, being brought up on muscle cars & Brit sports cars with "tractor engines", so my performance car driving style uses low-end torque to better dig off the line & exit corners. "Horsepower wins arguments, torque wins races..."

[Tobra]

Those Honda motors love to rev. I ran my integra to 8000 practically every time I got in it. Thing ran like a clock for better than 140,000 miles.

Insurance is pretty brutal on one of those.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by Tobra

Those Honda motors love to rev. I ran my integra to 8000 practically every time I got in it. Thing ran like a clock for better than 140,000 miles.

Insurance is pretty brutal on one of those.

I pay $45/month for ins on my 98 Prelude...rev it to redline with nitrous and it never fails me. Honda engines are built to last.

[biosurfer1]

I worked for a Honda dealership when they were new.

We didn't get many to sell (small dealership) and the ones we did get never stayed on the lot long. I only got to drive them down the freeway about 1/4 mile to the gas station but they sure liked to rev. I wasn't overly impressed with the acceleration but I dont think that was their thing anyways.

I wouldn't mind having one to cruise around in.

[recycled sixtie]

I sat in one many years ago. The ergonomics did not feel right. My elbows were like chicken wings looking for support(no arm rest). I don't have that problem with the Boxster or Miata. Nice looking car though....

[Baz]

Thanks for all the comments so far...I sent them to my buddy - he'll be stoked with all the positive feedback.

He's been a car guy ever since I've known him from the early 70's. He used to own a 912E at one point that was really sweet. As well as a bunch of British sports cars...Healeys, MGs, Triumps, etc.

Jeff - would love to see a pic of yours. You might find it interesting that he's an avid cyclist and has been involved in the sport for many many years on different levels. You guys would have a lot in common to talk about.

[look 171]

Here's a couple of old pics



Great, a fellow Cyclist and S owner. He will have lots-o-fun in that little thing. Mine is a 2000, s2000 with 60+K miles on it. These cars are screwed pretty well. No rattles and I drive it pretty hard. Tell him to save his pennies for rear tires. I go through a set in 8000 miles. Aggressive alignment (just a little more then stock but not close to track set up) and my poor driving habits are the contributions to that.

[look 171]

All right, what's the secret on getting the pics rotated. They look good when I imported it on here, what heppened?

I will get out tomorrow for a better pic

[Baz]

Originally Posted by look 171

All right, what's the secret on getting the pics rotated. They look good when I imported it on here, what happened?

I will get out tomorrow for a better pic

Ha ha......thanks for posting those, Jeff. If you click on them and select "view image" they come out right side up so no worries.

Try turning your camera sideways (landscape mode) when you take your pics!

My buddy just called and was really stoked to get all the comments. Especially coming form the Porsche community they carry a lot of weight.

[recycled sixtie]

The car ticks most of the boxes for looks, performance and reliability. However I don't think that many got sold which is pretty sad. I remember years back seeing one in the showroom and it was listed at $40k Can. new and I think in those days that was a lot of money....

[Baz]

Forgot to mention this morning my buddy said he found the all the original paperwork on the car including the invoice...the car sold new for $32K.

He only paid $13K for it. Not bad....

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by recycled sixtie

I sat in one many years ago. The ergonomics did not feel right. My elbows were like chicken wings looking for support(no arm rest). I don't have that problem with the Boxster or Miata. Nice looking car though....

This is the primary reason I am rolling in a turbo miata instead of a yellow S2K

[Jim Bremner]

I drove one at Streets of Willow Springs. This track should have been right up this cars ally. I will say that it handle like it should ( I did spin it going into turn 2 CCW due to over breaking due to a untalented driver parking his car in the exit) To me the car is like driving a 85cc race kart that has been ported to only work at 13,000 rpm. It's gutless when not rev'ed up to 8k-9k ys it has the highest hp per liter of any road car but power under the curve is worthless. I drove it like a rental car (it was) and to be honest I didn't pay for it and I still fell cheated. If it had the Honda truck v6 it might be a better car or if it had a turbo and a 8spd trans the motor might work.

[WIL84911]

I am seriously considering this car to replace my 84 carrera due to job loss.