Just investigating all my options for lease end. I understand there will be an '08 S2000. Who has any first hand experience with this car. Always loved the looks and the sportiness. Haven't driven one yet. I love my XF but I'm sure the S2000 is more like the traditional sportscar in the vein of my beloved TR6. What are your collective thoughts?

 

Unless your 5 foot nothing, and have small Japanese hands I would pass. they are very expensive, but I'm sure the parts are of good quality and the dealers have the skill to repair them. Which are a plus!

 

I had my heart set on a s2000 for years (came out in 2000).
Friend of mine/Jaguar dealer manager brought a used one home for me to try back in 2003. My wife and I loved it.
Fast forward 4 years. I drove a 2007 in December this year, when I was trying out roadsters. We did not like it so much (and it was the first roadster we drove). They are loud, VERY low on torque, and have to rev up to the redline to produce their power.
Small cockpit too. The Xfire has a lot more room - IMO.

They are VERY reliable though, have lots of aftermarket goodies available, they have quite a club-type following, etc.

From what I read, Honda is going to come out with more of a grand touring style roadster next as the s2000 replacement.

I can't knock the s2000; it is a fine auto. I would recommend you drive one and see what you think.

Good luck.

 

It's old and outdated, looong over due for a facelift. Not to mention slow by today's standards. It was hot in 2000. Only Vettes, and LS-1 F- bodies could smoke it. Now, Z's, G's and Subaru's, not to mention our beloved SRT-6, own them. Moustang GT's can even embarrass them.

 

They don't really come alive until around 6,000 rpm or so, maybe even a bit higher than that. My PT Cruiser Turbo can scare them, and if the S2000 driver isn't really skilled it can beat them. My Stage 1 PT makes 250 HP and 275 lb ft of torque, the S2000 makes 240 HP but only 165 lb ft.

 

Nice car. Looked at getting one before the Z4 (traded on my SRT6). Like the others said, no grunt (torque) and the drone of high revs make it uncomfortable on the highway.

 

Yeah you have to have an experienced drive that knows to take it to the high RPM's. That's where the VTEC kicks in and makes the engine become alive. It's the same on the Civic Si.

A long time ago (back in 2000), I had my heart set on a S2000. But I'm so glad I got a Crossfire instead.

 

The S2000 may get embarrassed or smoked in a straight line by the cars mentioned, but none of them, including the SRT-6, will keep up with it on a winding road.

It was not designed for straight line acceleration, or for stop light drag races. It's a road car, and even today it still does that exceptionally well.

 

I couldn't disagree more. My G35 pulls a .92. I never understood why anyone would want to race around corners.

 

Let's see...Juan Fangio, Mario Andretti, Jim Clark, AJ Foyt, Ayrton Senna, Michael Shummacher, Stirling Moss, Nigel Mansel, Dan Gurney, Bobby and Al Unser, Richard Petty, Sam Posey, Rob Walker, etc., etc. etc...

Why race around corners? Requires skill, maybe?

The G35 is a great car, but it would not keep up with a comparably driven/comparably shod S2000 on a winding road.

 

I'm quite sure my SRT-6 would. Motor Trend has the S2000 pulling a .90. They did a comparison of it, a 350Z and an RX-8. The S2000 came in third! They likened it to "a go cart."

 

I wanted one for the longest time until I drove it. It was really loud on the inside and actually a rougher ride than the Crossfire.

 

All I know is that in San Diego only silver ones were sold. I did see a yellow one several months ago, that one must have been a repaint. Seriously, is silver the only color they come in?

 

no they come in several colors... black, white, silver, red, light blue, and yellow to name a few.

 

I wonder what happened to the guy who started this thread? Do you still wanna buy an S2000? You'd be far better off buying an SRT-6.

 

I'm still here. Yeh its still a possibility. If I would have wanted an SRT6 I could've bought one instead of my LTD. I had heard the ride was much stiffer than the LTD and I don't care for the suede interior. I'm not nuts about the fixed wing and the speed thing wasn't my #1 priority. If I get anything instead of keeping my LTD Roadster it'll be to get a stick again. I drove both auto and stick when I bought this car and felt it was suited more to the auto. I absolutely love the way the car drives BUT miss the shifting in a sports car. My first option will be to get another LTD Roadster, different color combo and with a stick but I don't want a used car SO I have to be able to find a new one. Odds on that are going to be slim, hence my checking out the alternatives.

 

I've traded in an S2000 for a 6 spd XFire, the S2k is definitely more of sports car then the Xfire but the
XFire is 10x for comfortable for everyday driving. If you can afford to have 2 cars then S2k and something else for day to day otherwise Crossfire.

S2k has the best trans I've ever experienced, SRT6 is auto only so S2k and SRT-6 is really a proper comparison.

 

The S2000 is a great car. I almost traded in my G35 Coupe 6MT for one. That is until I found my SRT6!

 

The first couple years have a 9,000 redline...WOW.

 

I know that I'm kind of late but I thought I'd chime in. I owned a AP2 (2.2 liter, facelifted, etc) S2000 and it is an amazing car. It's one of those cars that can always bring a smile to your face. Such fun. I wish I never let it go. The thing about that car is that you'll love it to death as a second/weekend car but not so much as a daily driver, especially if your commute is jammed with traffic.
There are so many pros to the car but it has it's faults.

Main pros:
- A driver's car. You need to learn to drive the car and when you are able to control it at its limit, it is extremely rewarding.
- Very tight and solid feel.
- Perfect steering.
- Great looks. Classic sports car look. Definitely an eye catcher.
- Very balanced suspension. Very nimble and more comfortable than most think.
- Convertible w/a fast folding electric top.
- Wonderful gearbox (until you start getting annoyed with the pesky 1st to 2nd synchro that grinds often).
- The thrill of V-tec kicking in.
- Spartan interior means business and looks very tidy not to mention is very ergonomic. Great seating position, nice steering wheel.
- Rare. It's not your everyday car that you see around every corner.

Main faults:
- Low on torque but low on weight so it moves well but who wouldn't want more, especially with such a competent chassis.
- Loud cabin. Annoying when you want a quiet ride home on the freeway with the top up.
- Mediocre sound system.
- Brakes that do the job but I'd want more from such a pure sports car. Give me some six pot calipers and some 13" slotted and vented rotors.

I've driven the AP1 2.0 liter version (2000-2003) too but I much prefer the AP2 over because of the several revisions (engine, suspension, brakes, interior, new bumpers and wheels, etc). The 9,000 rpm redline of the AP1 is not as important as the bump in torque in the AP2. I'd welcome even more torque. That chassis is excellent and can definitely handle it (look at all the force-fed S2K rolling around and the 2JZ swapped ones).

Someone mentioned the G35 and 350Z and they are both great cars but are sort of mediocre, not to mention that they are me-too cars. My father owned a 350Z a few years back and it was good fun. The VQ35 is a very torquey powerplant but with the weight of those cars, it needs to be. I favor the S2K over them because 1. It's gorgeous roadster (far better looking that the Z vert) 2. It's chassis/suspension is just as tight if not more and it is definitely more nimble 3. The gearbox trounces that of the Z/G cars. 4. Believe it or not, the seats are better. I would get back aches after a trip in the Z that lasted more than 30 min.

As far as comparing it to the Crossfire; frankly the Crossfire feels soft. This shouldn't be seen as a negative because it makes sense. The Crossfire wasn't meant to be a hardcore sports car like the S2K. It was meant to be a sports tourer. Because of this the Crossfire has a more forgiving suspension, a much torquier engine, luxury features, more cabin space, offers an auto tranny, etc. They are 2 completely different animals.

One thing to point out as a plus to the Crossfire in terms of performance is its grip. The pre-traction control equipped S2Ks will kill you in a corner unless you're a very skilled driver because it's back end likes to snap out very easily. On the other hand, the Crossfire has loads of grip and is more predictable in a corner. This reinforces the fact that you must learn to drive the S2k before you can really drive it fast.

My time with the Crossfire makes me prefer it with an auto while the S2K definitely gets the manual (as if I had a choice). All in all, they are both great cars for different purposes. Sorry for the long post but I can do car talk forever.