Drove a buddy's S2000 last night

[indydave]

I bought a new 2005 S2000 and put about 12,000 miles on it. The 2004+ were retuned a bit and had a little more torque and a slightly lower redline than the earlier S2K's, but it was still very much like a high-performance motorcycle engine.

There were a few things I loved about the S2000.
-build quality
-handling (with one exception)
-clutch and shifter were the best I've ever used
-fast (as long as you keep the tach in the VTEC range)

What I didn't like:
-Cockpit was too snug. OK for commuting and spirited drives, but not very comfortable for long trips. It was very tight and claustrophobic with the top up.
-Noise. Engine sounded great when you're shifting at 7500 RPM and playing Michael Schumacher, but it got tiresome when you're not flogging it. The tires were also noisy, particularly with the top up.
-Stereo sucked. I think it's even worse than the Boxster
-No traction control (became standard in 2006)
-Handling (the exception). Even with new tires, the rear tires would break away without much warning. I bought mine in December, and the first morning I drove it to work it was about 40 degrees outside. I had driven about one mile, and I made a left turn at fairly high speed...not a dangerous speed, but about as fast as I would have taken the turn in other vehicle (an Acura MDX).

I made it half-way around the turn and the rear tires kept going . I spun it 180 degrees right in the middle of the road. I was EXTREMELY lucky.... didn't run off the road, didn't hit anything. The only damage was the sphincter wrinkle in the driver's seat.

I never spun it again, but I certainly understood that this was a serious car that was in desperate need of a stability management system.

The Honda was fun, but I like my Boxster (2001 S) more. The Porsche is much more comfortable and attracts more attention. The only thing I really miss about the S2000 is the shifter.

I knew i wasnt crazy, thanks for confirming dave. You should buy an ebay short shifter for like 60 bucks, it really makes a difference if you install it correctly.

[mts]

I used to own a 2005 S2000 and really enjoyed the car. I thought it was a very well built car and pretty much a bargain for what it cost.

A few folks have commented on the lack of torque and I guess I have a different opinion on that. It does have to be driven hard to be enjoyed, but that can be said of almost any 4 cylinder or small 6 cylinder variant sports car.....they like the revs. I thought the car had plenty of torque if driven properly. I see the issue come up from time to time on the net and I'm just about convinced it comes from those that have never spent much/any time behind the wheel of one or those that are accustomed to bigger motored cars that can be shifted at really low rpms......what's the fun of that.

On the handling, yes, the car is prone to snap oversteer at the limit. It's designed that way. That's the fast way to get around the track in the hands of an excellent driver. The S2000 is in it's element there. I can see how someone not paying attention or just plain inexperienced on how to handle something like that could have trouble. Of course, there's another car that's legendary for it's race-track prowise and it's need for an excellent driver to keep the snap oversteer away at the limit.......it's called a 911. Completely different cars but similar in that regard.

If I had more garage space, I'd still have my S2000.

[eric95]

I love the shifter in the s2k. I thought it was broken when I first sat down.

You need to drive the car like a maniac to really enjoy it. It's not a z06, so don't expect that roller coaster feeling when you floor it.

Now if only it didn't look like a Civic with the roof cut off.

[Rodger]

A friend I'm staying with in San Antonio during Boxstoberfest has an S2000. He's very comfortable driving the car way too fast and he knows how to extract every little bit from it. In fact, he's comfortable enough with the oversteer that he induces it on purpose. What can I say? The guy can drive.

I've tried replicating the power-on oversteer in the Boxster and can't really do it properly.

[David N.]

Our cars are just too well balanced. Damn!

-David

[Bambino Don]

Originally Posted by eric95

I love the shifter in the s2k. I thought it was broken when I first sat down.

It is amazing very easy to use and is such a small movement aswell.

So what is a TRUE sports car anyway

I dont think either arn't a true sports car. Just a different take on the word.

Very similer owners though as, do you not feel as a Boxster owner you are constantly in defence to other porsche owners i.e cayman, 911 owners as you have the baby of the group, a boxster never says they drive a boxster, they say they drive a Porsche. so boxster owners stick together, wave or flash each other and are passionate about their car. Because they are 'protective'.

Having an s2000 is the same as unfortunatly its a 'honda' so its a constant defence and you cant say an s2000 as not everyone knows what that is so you always explain your car, "oh it has 240hp and has red leather and is 150mph etc...etc

With regards to the cars:

Honda managed to get 240hp out of a 2.0ltr engine and yeah okay all that power is at the top end, who cares. You could blast the s2000 everyday within an inch of its life and it still wants more and more. The brakes let it down a we bit.

The Porsche (in my case) boxster S is what 250hp from a 3.2 but you dont always need to drop a gear to blast it, as it has low down torque. The box is better looking but i did feel a little more in control in the S2k prob because its lighter and smaller. ( interior is tiny).

[vincesf]

I have owned 3 S2000's, a 2003, 2006 and 2007. Many early S2000 enthusiasts believe that the earlier 9000 rpm engine made from 2000 to 2003 is better than the revised 8,000 rpm engine (better lower range toruque) made from 2004 to 2008. Having had both, I prefer the 8,000 engine and other improvements to the car. Yes, the fact that the earlier cars rev to 9,000 rpms really sets the S2000 apart from other cars, but the engine feels very ordinary up to 6,000 rpm's. The Boxster has more usable power delivered in a broader range. As for the shifter, yes it is one of the sweetest shifters available, very direct and precise. Comfort: The cockpit seems very narrow as compared to the Boxster and if you are the least bit broad shoulered, you may find it a bit uncomfortable as the door sill is high. Honda improved the interior space over the years, but it is definitely a tighter fit than a Boxster. As for roadnoise, the car revs high at even normal speeds and you feel that it can use one more gear when cruising at 70 mph on the highway Cost: Stickers for $34,500 and can be had for under $30,000 + Tax and Lic. Price is one of the greatest advantages, and will depreciate approximately $8,000 to $10,000 over a 3 year period. That's not bad. The Boxster is a better car, is it worth the price differential? Yes, if you can afford it. After 3 S2000's, I am still dreaming about my 2006 Boxster S, which I regret selling.
vincesf

[Brucelee]

Very similer owners though as, do you not feel as a Boxster owner you are constantly in defence to other porsche owners i.e cayman, 911 owners as you have the baby of the group, a boxster never says they drive a boxster, they say they drive a Porsche. so boxster owners stick together, wave or flash each other and are passionate about their car. Because they are 'protective'.

Well, I don't feel like I have to defend any of my actions to anyone but I have reached an age where I feel that is fine. Specific to what car I am driving, since I don't define myself by my car and I give little for anyone else's opinion, I am good.

I do understand what you are saying however.

I always give this kind of thing the CHECKBOOK test. At the end of the month when I am paying my bills, I look around to see who is helping me out with some money to pay those bills.

THAT is the person whose opinion I consider important. The rest is just noise.