Drove a buddy's S2000 last night

[FrayAdjacent]

And I'm impressed.

First the negatives: It feels rougher than the Boxster. It's definitely noisier, both from the road and the engine. You can feel a lot more engine vibration, even cruising at 35mph through a neighborhood.

The positives:

The clutch throw is maybe 3", and the shifter also has a very short throw and is very solid! I was impressed, as those both make the car feel more like a racer. (makes me want a STS!) Buddy's car had a trumpet intake, so when winding it up through the revs, at about 6k, it opens up the second cam profile and the engine roars! It sounds like a Ferrari! And DAMN, revving that thing to 9000rpm and shifting is amazing! People talk about the S2000 not having any torque until higher revs.. well, you GET to those higher revs SO damn fast, you'd never know that there was less torque! I have to say that little car HAULS ASS!

It also has a pushbutton start, and the top goes down in 4 seconds!

The fun part of the drive - We're heading back to my buddy's house since he's kinda drunk (I was fine, never drink and drive kids!). So I'm winding it out, feeling the pull of the engine... He tells me to take a curve like I would in my car... So I come up on a right turn lane from a four lane road to another four lane road, and go into the turn at maybe 40 something MPH. It's turning great, but as I get to the apex, the back tires lose grip! I beautifully countersteer and catch it, but the tires don't grip!! I can't remember if I gave it throttle or not, but the back end reversed it's swing and I tried to countersteer again, but it was over, the car went around. I hit the clutch, but I think the engine already stalled... the attitude of the front wheels had the car do a J turn after the back became the front, and we ended up pointing pretty much the way we needed to be.

The problem was the rear tires on the car are almost gone! With good tires, I bet that car would have gripped and ripped through that turn! Buddy swore right there that he was ordering new tires TODAY! He also complemented me on how I handled the car through that event. I just wish I had been able to throttle out after the first oversteer event! It was also good that there was NO ONE around. I wouldn't have taken that turn if there were anyone around.


All in all, the S2000 is a pretty good little roadster. I'd rate it more toward the track use end than the Boxster, because it's noisier and there's more vibration from the engine. I now have some serious respect for that car!

[Chills]

Good write-up, Fray. I've always liked the S2000's. Honda makes a good roadster. Props to you saving the car, too. I hope that I'd be able to do the same thing in a similar situation.

[pteam]

I dont like em. Its an overpriced 4 cylinder honda IMO

s2000's suddenly loose grip and spin out. Ive seen them on skid pads and slaloms going all hunky dorry, then a sudden spin. Its the cars design, not the tires IMO, or the driver.

[FrayAdjacent]

Originally Posted by boggtown

s2000's suddenly loose grip and spin out. Ive seen them on skid pads and slaloms going all hunky dorry, then a sudden spin. Its the cars design, not the tires IMO, or the driver.

Well, I bet fresh rubber wouldn't HURT!

Maybe there's something goofy with the suspension? I did feel the car pull to the right a little under WOT. Felt like torquesteer to me, but it's RWD. hmm...

[blue2000s]

I've never driven (or owned) a Honda/Acura that I didn't like. They're always light, responsive and fun, oh and build to last too.

[J-RAD]

My impression is that they generally handle very well and the precision of the gear box is great (probably the cars greatest strength) - much more precise than my Porsche's.

However, they are buzzy and there is no torque. They're absolute dogs unless you like living above 6,000rpm and drive it like you stole it all the time it's not a particularly enjoyable car (for me anyway). But, when you get it in it's sweet spot it goes quite well (although I'd never compare/confuse it's sound to that of a Ferrari's, nor do I think anyone else would). Then there is the styling, which, to me, is the basic equivalent of a Civic convertible. The styling looks like that of a cheap car.

Bottom line, they are pretty capable cars but they'd never make it to a short list for me.