Ever drive an S2000?

Mike Feinstein · Mike Feinstein's Garage

I hear nothing but good things (except for low torque) and I just saw a black one that ... dare I say it ... looked nice.

Just wondering about driving impressions. How's the fun-factor compared to your P-car? I understand it's a screamer above 4K. I like screamers

Bobboloo · Bobboloo's Garage

I read recently that the newest version has worked out some of the suspension short comings and made it an actual contender to the Boxter. The Boxter still has the edge but at a price penalty.

As far as the motor goes I've always thought Honda does a great job with motors. Particularly with the valve train. Back in the late 80's they were kickin booty in F1.

Bobby

DRD · 04-11-2002, 01:10 PM

I have drove the new s2000. A nice little car, tight and nicely layed out. On the power side, it takes for ever to rev, to 8000 rpm, with not allot of torque, I rate it a dog on the power side.
So my impression, I wil stay with the p car, its hard to beat the p-car!
DRD
Darren:
rolleyes:

Jim T · 04-11-2002, 01:24 PM

My neighbor has one, I've driven it a couple of times, and examined it many times.

It is a really neat car, well put together, feels like a race car when you just sit in it.

And, when you flog it, it absolutely screams. Holy *****, what a blast!

But, as a daily driver, I think it just doesn't have enough torque. It is cliche, but you really do have to rev it a lot to make it go. When you shift as in normal driving, its a pretty slow car.

If you like high rev/low torque go-karts, and are looking to buy a brand new car, it seems to me a pretty tempting machine. I think he paid $32K, which seems pretty good for a car that is relatively exotic (high power, high RPM, lots of aluminum, etc.). I've seen Camrys on the lot that sticker at $29K.

I'd rather buy a mint '89 Carrera for less, but comparing a new car with a 13 year old car is a little like comparing apples/oranges. If a new Boxster is $50K, I'd be pretty tempted to take an S2000 with $18K in the glovebox instead.

Pillow · 04-11-2002, 01:24 PM

He said "screamer"

a-huh a- huh

I have to admit the S2000 is a sharp looking car, better than the Boxster for sure. The Boxster has never been a good looking car anyway (better than the TT but that is not saying much).

Granted for regular driving I think the Boxster would be better due to mid-engine and a better torque curve. All out street flogging in the mountains I would go S2000 where you can keep it charging for the redline. Around town I do not see the S2000 as a good car though.

Value wise the Boxster will be a better investment though, if that matters at all?

In the East Cobb area where I live there are bunch of Boxsters and S2000s running around. Also seeing a bunch of 911s since it is warming up... Fired mine up yesterday to blow out the cobwebs (smoked like a b!tch for the first 5-10 minutes, not sure why... I guess 4 months will do that).

rickeolis · 04-11-2002, 01:25 PM

Car and Driver did a comparison a couple of years ago, of 6 or 7 small sports convertibles including the Miata, Mercedes MLK, BMW Z3, Honda S-2000, our Boxter, and a couple others. The Honda ran away with it, mostly concerning performance.

BlueSkyJaunte · 04-11-2002, 01:39 PM

I'd rather have an MR2 Spyder. Really.

I drove an S2000 about a year ago--you had to rev the snot out of it to get anywhere. To me, revving an I-4 to 8000 is no fun. Kind of like being in a vehicle powered by a monster dentist's drill.

Maybe it was just the one I drove but I actually prefer a 915 to the way the tranny shifted in the S2000. It was very notchy and balky, despite a short throw.

I also came away with the impression of a VERY claustrophobic interior.

Obviously I kept the 911.

Jim T · 04-11-2002, 02:13 PM

Yeah, the MR2 Spyder, which I think you can buy brand new for around $21-22K, is actually a pretty cool little car, esp. for the price.

rickeolis · 04-11-2002, 02:18 PM

Car and Driver did a comparison a couple of years ago, of 6 or 7 small sports convertibles including the Miata, Mercedes MLK, BMW Z3, Honda S-2000, our Boxter, and a couple others. The Honda ran away with it, mostly concerning performance.

Bill Douglas · 04-11-2002, 02:20 PM

A friend drove one and thought there was something wrong with it because it was so gutless. On the way back he thought "oh well, I'll just blow the bastard up before I return it", once he hit 7,000rpm he said it really took off and was nice to drive. He didn't buy it as he said he would feel too much like a boy racer doing his daily commute at 7,000rpm.

feelyx · 04-11-2002, 03:36 PM

mmmmm...,.
Thats funny.. I find plenty of torque.. for casual street driving

Also redline is 9000rpm. As for the shifting Honda has a recall on the clutch, which make a huge difference in the shifting. Also the Vtec is adjustable, (aftermarket of couse). so you can have on way sooner. As for comparing to a 55,000 dollar boxster? They are both chick cars, let the girls have what they want. ...And yes,.. its my wifes daily driver... And yes... she's afraid of it after 6000rpm.

Tim in Sac