Honda S2000.... yay or nay?

[tigerbait]

My dad is about to buy a new car, and he is looking for one of these roadster style cars. He has driven the Z3 2.5i ($36k) and the Benz SLK230 ($42k) and the Honda S2000 ($33k). He doesn't want to spend more than $35k, so the Benz is a little out of range, as is the Boxster. After driving those cars, he said he liked the S2000 the best, and said it felt very powerful, even though he said he didn't even take it over 6000 rpm(dealer discouraged it because you shouldn't get to the VTEC range before 500 miles). I know the beef with the S2000 is that it needs so much revving to get it going, but if he feels it is powerful enough when driving at average rpm (he is coming from a '93 4Runner, so anything will seem fast) then is there any reason he shouldn't get it compared to the other cars? The beamer is nice but that plastic rear window has got to go. The Benz has an awesome top (hard top coupe converted to roadster). What do you people recommend as the best buy?

 

[PsychoAndy]

might wanna check this out first linky

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

From a price/performance standpoint the S2000 is the clear winner. That said, if what he really wants is a sporty convertible for cruising around on the weekends, the S2000 may be a little too intense and lacking in comfort and luxury compared to the SLK or Z3. I owned an Acura Integra GS-R for about a year and the buzzy, small VTEC four drove me batty on long drives, though the car was quite quick when pushed. The S2000 has a bit more torque, but it is still wanting in this area, which makes for a driving experience that can be uncomfortably intense.

 

[tigerbait]

<< might wanna check this out first linky >>



yeah, i just checked out that thread before i posted.... poor car

 

[dionx]

from that link, its the driver, not the car. so i still give it a yay!

soon as i'm out of college and have a job, first 2nd car to get is either S2000 or IS300. most likely S2000 since i already have a sedan.

 

[AzNmAnJLH]

if i was your dad i wouldn't dream of buying it until the nest is empty..... too much of a chance of having it wreak by a wreckless youth showing off to his friends

 

[AlwaysWong]

<< After driving those cars, he said he liked the S2000 the best >>



He should get what he likes.

 

[tigerbait]

<< if i was your dad i wouldn't dream of buying it until the nest is empty..... too much of a chance of having it wreak by a wreckless youth showing off to his friends >>



well, that's why he is wanting to get one of these. I am his youngest child, and I'm 21 and about to graduate college, so there won't be any reckless teens borrowing the car . My mom has a Lexus LS400 so they can use when they need something smooth or need to go on a long trip. And I'll get his 4Runner, and get rid of my POS '89 Mazda 929.

edit: spelling

 

[Cyberian]

<< so there won't be any wreckless teens borrowing the car >>

Any reckless ones?

 

[tigerbait]

<< Any reckless ones? >>



ehh... give me a break... I'm an engineering major... I don't need spelling

 

[Static911]

check out the car forums for more info

S2000 International Website

To launch, most people drop the clutch at 6k...nothing less than 4k...

Also, a big important question (that has arisen there on the board) is: is your father comfortable driving a "Honda?" Status thingy if you can call that...

Static911

 

[mrchan]

if he can wait a while, get the rx 8 due out next year. 250 HP rotary engine, 50/50 weight distribution, FOUR DOORS and 0-60 in about 6.0 flat for an estimated 26k - 30k. man thats gonna be a sweet car.

 

[Static911]

How bout the SC430! Yeah!

J/K though...I know I know...costs a bit

All I know is, I'm gonna be taking that car for a spin around the California Speedway a few times when Lexus brings all the model cars out there..

Static911

 

[tigerbait]

<< Also, a big important question (that has arisen there on the board) is: is your father comfortable driving a "Honda?" Status thingy if you can call that >>



I brought up that same point today, asking if he'd rather have the keys to a Benz or the keys to a Honda, and he said it didn't matter to him one bit. He doesn't care about that sort of thing, which is good, I guess.




<< if he can wait a while, get the rx 8 due out next year >>



he can probably wait, but I can't

My car is struggling big time. Actually, there are lot of nice things on the horizon, such as the new Nissan 350z and the RX8 that you mentioned.

 

[Static911]

Actually, I too have looked very seriously into a S2000 as a weekend car...however...there is no replacement for displacement...so unfortunately, I won't be joining the S2k owners...

BTW, the S2k is a definate looker...

edit: my bro and I are thinking of modding the 1UZ-FE engine (the LS400 engine)...we are half-thinking of making a Japanese muscle car...if that even makes sense...4.0L or we rip a 4.3L and drop into an older model LS400 (we have a thing for 4 door sedans)

Static911

 

[Rent]

Yea on the S2000. If he fits comfortably in it. I don't, being 6'3".

 

[saltedeggman]

yay

 

[b0mbrman]

Yeah...the S2000's very cool though the alternatives are also pretty worthwhile

 

[Vortex22]

Yay for the car that I want

 

[LiLRiceBoi]

I would prefer the SLK (hardtop convertable), but the S2000 is pretty nice too. If your dad likes it, tell him to get it.

 

[TuffGuy]

i personally prefer the 3.0 I6 z3. it has A LOT more torque.

z3 vs s2000

 

[luvya]

yay! but my friends pay more than 40k for it.....nayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy:|

 

[Nefrodite]

s2000, i think edwards did a comparison between roadsters. s2000 is highly recommended

 

[yakko]

If he likes the S2000 then he should get it. I personally like the Z3 better.

 

[Siddhartha]

I own a GSR, it is a quick car for the money and yes it is buzzy so I turn the radio up a little louder.
If the choice comes down to having a really high reving four cylinder or a six cylinder engine for about the same money. I probably would go with the six. But man, doesn't the S2000 have a top speed of over 150 mph? Not bad for a $33,000 car.