Honda S2000 vs Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky

[LordMorpheus]

i doubt theres anywhere here that "owns both"
it would be very hard to find any of these models "new"

i would go with S2K cuz they're easier to work on + lighter, what a true roadster should be

I'd go with an S2000 hands down, if I fit in one. The steering wheel doesn't adjust and my knees don't fit.

The Solstice / Sky is a tight fit but I could in theory drive one.

 

[StageLeft]

I have a Sky Redline and have driven both modified and unmodified S2000's ad there is no comparison. Other than the fact they are two seated roadsters they shouldn't even be considered against each other. It's kind of like an Elise and a Corvette actually, similar price range, both excel at different things but once someone drives both, they know which one is their car.

The S2000 is very light, very small, rev happy, and the wind buffeting and road noise is loud with the top down or up. With the top down there is little chance in having a conversation or listening to music. The steering has a much nicer feel and the transmission is like heaven in your hand. As a corner carver, very few cars can match it.

The Sky Redlike is bigger, it has more insulation, and the ecotec LNF is one hell of a motor. The torque is unbelievable for a 4 cylinder stock and with a <$500 tune it will blow your mind. The top is well insulated and the car is very quiet compared to the S2k. The transmission was pulled straight out of a truck and is a bit clunky, though I like the clutch engagement after getting used to it. Steering feel isn't even in the same class as the S2k, and the steering wheel is too large. The interior is far more comfortable, the sound system is far superior, and I think it looks better as well. The top isn't as hard as the reviews make it out to be IMO.

So S2K is more striipped down "drivers" car. Sky RL has some niceties and makes up for the weight disadvantage with a lot of extra power. Stock, in a 1/4 mile, the sky will barely outpace the S2k with both running around 14 seconds. With a tune the Sky drops into the very low 13's and high 12's.

I chose the sky because I am more about passing power, highway cruising, and evenings at the drag strip than anything else and I have done a few long distance trips in it as well. Despite the fact the S2k "feels" better on the track the Sky usually puts down better numbers.

Either way you really can't go wrong, they are both highly enjoyable. In all honest though, if I were buying all over again, I'd pick up a 370z.

Nice comparison!

 

[EightySix Four]

Nice comparison!

Thanks, I should also mention I am just shy of 6'6 and 220lbs, so that changes the way I view both cars from a comfort standpoint.

 

[overst33r]

Nice comparison!

x2

 

[Mermaidman]

My dad's starting to mid-life. He wants to get a new car, has it narrowed down to Honda S2K or a Solstice/Sky.

Can anybody who owns both list some pros/cons of each vehicle? What should we look for specific to these two vehicles when looking at used ones? Any serious recalls to know about?

Thanks

What does your father want out of this purchase? Is it image, roof-less cruising, balls-to-the-wall racing, or . . . ?

I don't think the S2000 would satisfy a mid-life crisis. ^_^

 

[Lotheron]

What does your father want out of this purchase? Is it image, roof-less cruising, balls-to-the-wall racing, or . . . ?

I don't think the S2000 would satisfy a mid-life crisis. ^_^

I would put another vote in for the MX5, but I don't think it would either

 

[vshah]

i love the s2k, but i would suggest a corvette

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Saturn Sky Redline - 260HP and 260TQ

S2000's came with a whopping 153TQ at 7500RPM.


I doubt your Pops will be using the S2000 on a track so I would go with the Solstice GXP or Sky Redline.

One more point: Yes, the S2000 can be driven fast and has an excellent 0-60 time, so long as you are willing to dump the clutch at 4500rpm. In real world driving, its just not a lot of fun.

 

[zerocool84]

Saturn Sky Redline - 260HP and 260TQ

S2000's came with a whopping 153TQ at 7500RPM.


I doubt your Pops will be using the S2000 on a track so I would go with the Solstice GXP or Sky Redline.

One more point: Yes, the S2000 can be driven fast and has an excellent 0-60 time, so long as you are willing to dump the clutch at 4500rpm. In real world driving, its just not a lot of fun.

Yea when I test drove one, I didn't like having to rev it so high but that's how it's made. Some people love high revving engines. The Sky Redline felt much better off the line but the S2k definitely felt tighter in the few corners I was able to take at high speed on the test drives but holy crap it's tiny inside.

 

[EightySix Four]

Yea when I test drove one, I didn't like having to rev it so high but that's how it's made. Some people love high revving engines. The Sky Redline felt much better off the line but the S2k definitely felt tighter in the few corners I was able to take at high speed on the test drives but holy crap it's tiny inside.

Green line is a 2004 S2k, and the blue line is a 2002.

Stock Solstice/Sky Turbo on the dyno. A good tune on a Sky RL for kicks.

Pay particularly close attention to the RPM's. The Sky RL is literally dropping out of the turbo's power band at nearly the exact same place the S2000 finally gets to VTEC. Like I said, one test drive of both and you'll know exactly which car is right for you.

 

[Falloutboy]

Thanks, I should also mention I am just shy of 6'6 and 220lbs, so that changes the way I view both cars from a comfort standpoint.

surprised the sky is comfortable for yah, I was eyeing one and i'm 6'2 and I found it cramped. I'm a bit "wider" than you though so that might have something to do with it. I would love a sky redline coupe though. from what i've read these things are very good track cars and many said if the line stayed around it would of replaced the miata as a fave for a fun track car in popularity

 

[EightySix Four]

surprised the sky is comfortable for yah, I was eyeing one and i'm 6'2 and I found it cramped. I'm a bit "wider" than you though so that might have something to do with it. I would love a sky redline coupe though. from what i've read these things are very good track cars and many said if the line stayed around it would of replaced the miata as a fave for a fun track car in popularity

Never said I'm not cramped, just a whole lot less than the S2k. I drove a 2000 Corvette before it so I'm used to smaller cars I guess.

The Solstice GXP Z0K (clubsport package) won it's class in SCCA racing the years it ran. That class included the Lotus etc. Helluva car. It was unfortunate that it was so low to the ground it was not daily drivable.

 

[shabby]

note: I am not suggesting anyone buys a Solstice. The front end is absolutely disgusting and for some reason simply makes me think of the new Thunderbird that you only see 80 year olds driving for nostalgia.

You must be the only one who thinks its disgusting, you would not believe how many compliments i get on my solstice. Old timers, middle aged people and even kids love it. A lot of roadsters from the 50's/60's had this type of styling and that's why i picked the solstice over the sky because it was so unique compared to everything else that is out there, and no i'm not an old timer let alone middle aged.
Btw what car do you drive?

As for the s2k vs solstice/sky crazySOB297 is dead on, and if you love torque the gxp/redline is your only options. With the gm turbo upgrade kit the torque goes up to 340 ft/lbs, with a tune its even higher.

 

[Throckmorton]

Miata is better. There's a reason it's still around while all those imitators have been axed

 

[MJinZ]

You must be the only one who thinks its disgusting, you would not believe how many compliments i get on my solstice. Old timers, middle aged people and even kids love it. A lot of roadsters from the 50's/60's had this type of styling and that's why i picked the solstice over the sky because it was so unique compared to everything else that is out there, and no i'm not an old timer let alone middle aged.
Btw what car do you drive?

As for the s2k vs solstice/sky crazySOB297 is dead on, and if you love torque the gxp/redline is your only options. With the gm turbo upgrade kit the torque goes up to 340 ft/lbs, with a tune its even higher.

I used to hate the Solstice looks too. Now I don't hate it but the sky still looks much better.

 

[Raduque]

Crazysob that was exactly what I was hoping for, thanks. Also thanks to everybody else for their input. My dad wants a small roadster hence Sky/Solstice, S2k, Z4 was considered but my mom completely overrode it because she "hates the way they look with the long nose". He won't consider Vettes or 350/370/G3X cars because they're bigger than he wants, too.

I told him about having to rev the hell out of the S2K to make any power and he decided he doesn't want that, so it's down to deciding between the Sky or Solstice, and I'm pretty sure he's going to go with the Solstice because he likes the double-grill and rounded front better than the Sky's front end.

Edit: I should've mentioned he already test-drove a Sky when he lived in Alaska a couple years ago and absolutely loved it.

 

[OS]

Miata is better. There's a reason it's still around while all those imitators have been axed

i love the miata but it's not way comparable to these cars.

 

[AdamK47]

I wouldn't mind a Solstice GXP Coupe. Not many made.

 

[Throckmorton]

i love the miata but it's not way comparable to these cars.

The only thing it lacks is horsepower, which is not really what sports cars are about

 

[thedarkwolf]

The only thing it lacks is horsepower, which is not really what sports cars are about

The regular solstice/sky aren't exactly power houses either.

 

[Kromis]

Poll please!

 

[Fenixgoon]

I wouldn't mind a Solstice GXP Coupe. Not many made.

they are SEXY!

 

[RichieZ]

My friend has a s2000 club racer and I have a boxster and formerly owned a Z4.

Of the two cars listed I would personally prefer the S2K b/c its about the driving experience for me.

 

[hans007]

You want to be boring until the day you die?

If mid-life crisis means buying sports cars or motorcycles I've been going a mid-life crisis since I was in my early 20s.

i think i had a 1/4 and 1/3 life crisis based on that.

also as for the S2000 or the solstice or sky, the solstice and sky are mid engine, so it is "Different" supposedly.

I'd probably get the S2000 though as it is probably as good a roadster as you can get especially if you have another car. they do notcost $20k though. a 2006 or something is probalby $20k, but you can buy a 2000 or 2001 S2000 for barely over $10k now.

also , though they are reliability nightmares, a porsche boxster S is suprisingly cheap for a 4-5 year old model. afriend of mine is choosing between a s2000 or boxster S as a 2nd weekend car, and 2005 boxster S goes for maybe $17-18k also.

 

[Fingolfin269]

370z? G37? Not sure why the sky/solstice are even in the same conversation as the S2K.