Honda S2000....

[coreseller]

Possibly looking into purchasing one (not for myself), wanted to know if any of you guys have owned or have had first hand experience with one and your thoughts.

[shadrach74]

Originally Posted by coreseller

Possibly looking into purchasing one (not for myself), wanted to know if any of you guys have owned or have had first hand experience with one and your thoughts.

I've driven but not owned an S2000. Great handling and fun to drive aggressively not good for much else IMHO. The one I drove had a power-band that put me more in mind of a sport bike than an auto, but I'm not sure how modded it was. Lots of aftermarket pieces available for these cars. Trunk is useless.

[Chief]

Originally Posted by shadrach74

I've driven but not owned an S2000. Great handling and fun to drive aggressively not good for much else IMHO. The one I drove had a power-band that put me more in mind of a sport bike than an auto, but I'm not sure how modded it was. Lots of aftermarket pieces available for these cars. Trunk is useless.

Pretty much the same experience I had. The power band is exactly like a sportbike. Typical Honda, low maintenance. The trunk is just big enough for a golf bag

But I'm 6' tall and found it a bit cramped.

[MConte05]

Drove as well, have not owned. Wayyy too cramped for my tastes, and you cannot adjust the steering wheel. They look stunning though.

[dallison]

I love my hondas, but, i was very clausterphobic and started to get car sick which was a first when i drove one.

[txd0mask]

I had an S2000 for about 6 years. Wonderful car. Ridiculously cheap to maintain. I think I spent about $2500 maintaining it to 73,000 miles. I spend nearly that much every year to maintain my Boxster.

Pluses -
Amazing Handling
Relatively Quick Acceleration (Similar to boxster S)
Drives like a go-cart

Minuses -
Tiny interior
Loud
Very Little Torque (150 lbs per foot or something similiar)

Would I buy one again? Yes, yes, yes and yes. I think of the cars I've owned, the S2000 is one of my favorites. I regret selling it every day. Once my boxster dies - (and assuming I can't buy a 911/cayman), I'm definitely going to buy another one.

[Uller God]

Never owned but driven one multiple occasions. First impression...where is the power? Nothing comes on until your into 6500RPM, zero torque. At 6' tall I have the seat at maximum depth and back all the way in the Box, I fit perfect. Felt cramped in the Honda. Shifted very tight, typical Honda quality all around.

[Duffy3074]

I moved from an AP2 to my 3.2S, I didn't like the lack of torque or the lifeless steering, whilst it was awesome in VTEC mode it was extremely ordinary otherwise.




Wouldn't go back!

[coreseller]

Well, the replies certainly cover the spectrum lol. Like I said, it's not going to be for me and frankly isn't my cup of tea to begin with. What does attract me towards it is it's a Honda. I've got some time to decide and am considering some others so keep the replies coming if you have owned one. Thanks guys.......

[l3m]

Search is your friend. I remember running across this before I bought my Box. I know you're not looking into comparisons but there are some stories of people's experiences.

http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/29472-boxster-vs-s2000.html

[LAP1DOUG]

I beat them in autocrosses all the time, but it takes some work. A S2000 was my second choice for a play car, but hated the low torque vibrator engine. Four cylinder engines belong in motorbikes...

[Rvipond]

Bought a 2001 new, owned it for 6 years, loved the power and torque. Lacks the finess of my Boxster, much smaller cabin and much sparser presentation. Good car but not a Porsche.

[Duffy3074]

Originally Posted by Rvipond

Bought a 2001 new, owned it for 6 years, loved the power and torque. Lacks the finess of my Boxster, much smaller cabin and much sparser presentation. Good car but not a Porsche.

Sorry, but........what torque?

It was the lack of this that made it so frustrating for me on a daily basis

[Topless]

I have driven a few. Fun car when you wind it up. No soul.

[ProjectM96]

Interior is much tighter than a Boxsters. Less trunk space. It accelerates slower than a base 986 but matched the 155mph top speed. It also matches the Boxster S 3.2L 0-60mph time.

My friend had an S2000 and when he drove the 987 05 Boxster base, he said the 987 felt more balanced and quicker than his car.

[qstoria]

Honda make some terrific motors but my opinion is that the cars they put them in weigh just that little bit too much to make them quick enough and therefore a viable alternative to the Boxster.

The NSX motors were all great as is the F20C from the S2000, not to mention the K20 series.

If Honda just got a bit more out of the S2000's motor, OR shed some weight from it then the current car could be considered a genuine rival to a 986. Of course the lack of torque from 4 cylinders and 2 (or 2.2) litres is evident in a car that weighs 1250 odd kilograms..

[Perfectlap]

Great autocrosser. Boring to drive on the road as it drove just like my first Honda.

I was friends with a former junior racer who once competed in the same series as a former F1 driver who won Monaco. He bought an S2000. A few weeks later I show up in Boxster S. He nearly pissed his pants. He then proceeds to list every way that makes the Boxster the bar setter. Clearly he was pissed that he did not opt for the 986. Given that the S2000 is no slouch it left an impression on me.

[RandallNeighbour]

I've been told by S2000 owners that the only torque to be found is at the top of the powerband, so revving it to 8900 and keeping it near redline is required to really enjoy the car.

There's a lot of time wasted between 700 rpm at idle and 8900 rpm...

[coreseller]

Since posting the original question I have since driven one and have discounted it, it was to be for one of my kids (please save your parental advice, not interested), for one main reason: To get anything useful out of the drive-train you have to what seems to me twist the berries out of it. Not interested in anything with that kind of temptation. I'll be looking at some other more Docile (yet very cool) rides in the next couple of months. BTW......Regarding Parental Advice.......Dangle the Carrot......It's a Helluva Incentive..........$15 to $20k used for a "Cool" car for a full ride to College......Money in the Bank.

[LAP1DOUG]

Originally Posted by coreseller

BTW......Regarding Parental Advice.......Dangle the Carrot......It's a Helluva Incentive..........$15 to $20k used for a "Cool" car for a full ride to College......Money in the Bank.

+1 on that. Gave my daghter an E46M3, and she rewarded us with a 100% paid college scholarship.