YACT: S2000 as a daily driver?

[overst33r]

Originally posted by: Xyclone

Originally posted by: DonVito
With all due respect, IMO your parents are crazy to even consider buying you an S2000 at your age.

I never said "S2000" to them, just "two-seater convertible," and my mom said it's a good choice and that practicality is not important at my age. But, when I first started driving they were paranoid and made me drive my dad's Tundra (full size pickup) for protection against So Cal's SUV predominance. I was actually very surprised at her reaction to me asking about the sports car. They probably think I am experienced enough to handle a fast car, but I don't want them to start thinking of an SUV rear ending a small car like the S2000. That would totally kill the whole plan/idea.

Anyways, the AP1 generation of S2000's (MY2000-2003) were known to come with no factory understeer or oversteer, so losing control would mean big, big trouble. The AP2 (MY2004-present), however, come with some precautions, so losing control would probably result in a spinout, or 180 degree turn instead of sliding off the freeway or smashing into the center divider.

You might want to do some more research because the Ap1's are popularly known for snap over steer when letting off the throttle. The AP2's largely eliminated that by wider tires and new suspension geometry so the front loses traction first. Either way, you shouldn't be worried about that since you will save that for the track.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: mariok2006

Originally posted by: Xyclone

Originally posted by: DonVito
With all due respect, IMO your parents are crazy to even consider buying you an S2000 at your age.

I never said "S2000" to them, just "two-seater convertible," and my mom said it's a good choice and that practicality is not important at my age. But, when I first started driving they were paranoid and made me drive my dad's Tundra (full size pickup) for protection against So Cal's SUV predominance. I was actually very surprised at her reaction to me asking about the sports car. They probably think I am experienced enough to handle a fast car, but I don't want them to start thinking of an SUV rear ending a small car like the S2000. That would totally kill the whole plan/idea.

Anyways, the AP1 generation of S2000's (MY2000-2003) were known to come with no factory understeer or oversteer, so losing control would mean big, big trouble. The AP2 (MY2004-present), however, come with some precautions, so losing control would probably result in a spinout, or 180 degree turn instead of sliding off the freeway or smashing into the center divider.

You might want to do some more research because the Ap1's are popularly known for snap over steer when letting off the throttle. Either way, you shouldn't be worried about that since you will save that for the track.

Yeah, I've heard about that snap oversteer as well... guess I haven't ever driven it enough to know for sure though.

What did you say your budget was? I wonder if you could somehow find an Evo in your price range

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
I get that but the s2000 is at the bottom of the premium class and the miata/solstice can be configured to the upper end of the standard class....

Miata/solstice $20k-$30k

Ha ha.

The fact that Mazda will happily take your money to dork up your Miata with accessories and appearance packages to the tune of $30k doesn't make it any more "premium"

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
I get that but the s2000 is at the bottom of the premium class and the miata/solstice can be configured to the upper end of the standard class....

Miata/solstice $20k-$30k

Ha ha.

The fact that Mazda will happily take your money to dork up your Miata with accessories and appearance packages to the tune of $30k doesn't make it any more "premium"

heh, all they do is change the looks or some stupid stuff, that's not the point of a sports car... quit wasting time on how the damn thing looks, if you sit inside one and care about it, you're not driving it like it's supposed to be driven

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Just checked, the Miata has 166HP, S2000 has 240 I believe? That's a big difference and so I'd go with an S2000 based on power alone... 166HP isn't exactly fast, not saying 240HP is crazy either, but much better than 166HP.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Miatas weigh 300-500lbs less depending on the year then the s2000. Every 100lbs is worth around 10hp so they are a bit closer together then it sounds like. Still without some form of forced induction I wouldn't be happy with my miata luckily mine does have forced induction. Neither cars are exactly fast in the straight line stock.

What exactly makes the s2000 other then the engine makes it so much more premium then the other 2 seater convertibles slightly bellow it. I've been in them and its not the interior.

b0mbrman
"The S2000's performance is about much more than its power "

Thats how this whole stupid thing got started after I said I went with a $4k turbo charged miata to get the same performance as the s2000 for a hell of a lot less money. I get the s2000 is a nicer car. I just don't think its performance is all that much better other then its engine and its trans a is bit smoother as well.

 

[overst33r]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
Miatas weigh 300-500lbs less depending on the year then the s2000. Every 100lbs is worth around 10hp so they are a bit closer together then it sounds like. Still without some form of forced induction I wouldn't be happy with my miata luckily mine does have forced induction. Neither cars are exactly fast in the straight line stock.

What exactly makes the s2000 other then the engine makes it so much more premium then the other 2 seater convertibles slightly bellow it. I've been in them and its not the interior.

b0mbrman
"The S2000's performance is about much more than its power "

Thats how this whole stupid thing got started after I said I went with a $4k turbo charged miata to get the same performance as the s2000 for a hell of a lot less money. I get the s2000 is a nicer car. I just don't think its performance is all that much better other then its engine and its trans a is bit smoother as well.

You might get nearly the same performance for a lot cheaper, but they don't compare the S2000 to the Boxster S for nothing.

 

[Xyclone]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
Miatas weigh 300-500lbs less depending on the year then the s2000. Every 100lbs is worth around 10hp so they are a bit closer together then it sounds like. Still without some form of forced induction I wouldn't be happy with my miata luckily mine does have forced induction. Neither cars are exactly fast in the straight line stock.

What exactly makes the s2000 other then the engine makes it so much more premium then the other 2 seater convertibles slightly bellow it. I've been in them and its not the interior.

b0mbrman
"The S2000's performance is about much more than its power "

Thats how this whole stupid thing got started after I said I went with a $4k turbo charged miata to get the same performance as the s2000 for a hell of a lot less money. I get the s2000 is a nicer car. I just don't think its performance is all that much better other then its engine and its trans a is bit smoother as well.

The S2000 handles like a dream, and responds well to mods. I know you said other than the engine, but you have a bigger engine to work with, so there's more potential. A turbo S2000 can milk out 400+ HP and 300+ lb/ft of torque. Check S2Ki.com. Also, the car has an unusually high redline (9k RPM for the AP1's, 8.2K RPM for the AP2's), and has a VTEC camshaft switchover, which is perfect for forced induction.

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf

I just don't think its performance is all that much better other then its engine and its trans a is bit smoother as well.

You may have to drive an S2000 through a canyon then before you understand, then...

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: Xyclone

The S2000 handles like a dream, and responds well to mods

It does not.

When the factory squeezes that much power out of such a tiny engine, there's not a whole lot left for Joe Tuner to get...

Do go back to s2ki.com and read how much we spent and how very little power boost we got from CAIs and headers and exhausts and such.

But more importantly, now you're talking crazy. If this is your first sports car, 240 HP is already pushing what might be too much for you.

 

[Xyclone]

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf

I just don't think its performance is all that much better other then its engine and its trans a is bit smoother as well.

You may have to drive an S2000 through a canyon then before you understand, then...

My friend keeps on talking about me going to the canyons with him. He lives in Calabasas, CA, which is right next to PCH and Angeles Crest Highway and streets such as Mullholand (sp?) Hwy. I live like 20 minutes from him. He races his brother's Mini Cooper S and his custom-built Datsun 240Z with a 280Z motor and tranny dropped into it.

 

[Xyclone]

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: Xyclone

The S2000 handles like a dream, and responds well to mods

It does not.

When the factory squeezes that much power out of such a tiny engine, there's not a whole lot left for Joe Tuner to get...

Do go back to s2ki.com and read how much we spent and how very little power boost we got from CAIs and headers and exhausts and such.

But more importantly, now you're talking crazy. If this is your first sports car, 240 HP is already pushing what might be too much for you.

It doesn't respond well to FI mods? I didn't mean i/h/e mods, I meant FI mods after turboing/SC'ing the s2k.

 

[Pollock]

What about a Z3? Or am I way off mark?

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Xyclone

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: Xyclone

The S2000 handles like a dream, and responds well to mods

It does not.

When the factory squeezes that much power out of such a tiny engine, there's not a whole lot left for Joe Tuner to get...

Do go back to s2ki.com and read how much we spent and how very little power boost we got from CAIs and headers and exhausts and such.

But more importantly, now you're talking crazy. If this is your first sports car, 240 HP is already pushing what might be too much for you.

It doesn't respond well to FI mods? I didn't mean i/h/e mods, I meant FI mods after turboing/SC'ing the s2k.

I just checked the pricing on the S2000 FI. Holy hell... $5000-6000 for a basic 5.5psi kit?

EDIT: No wonder, 11.5:1 compression stock.

 

[Pollock]

Eh? No further discussion?

 

[ViviTheMage]

s2000 is a nice commuter car, ive heard they can be a little stiff....

im sure it gets good gas mileage

 

[akiraxtc]

i daily drive mine... it's a 2002 model so suspension setup is bit stiffer than the ap2 models. i'm fine driving it on a daily basis... not lethargic when cruising around town even when rpms are low. I drive it like i stole it when conditions permit though.
So far so good.. with 50% freeway 50% city traffic i'm still getting 26mpg average. Pleasantly surprised since i don't particularly buy this car because of the gas milage but nice nonetheless. There's an advantage of owning one... no freeloaders on your car
oh insurance is not that expensive for me at $800/yr full coverage for 100/300/100 coverage. ymmv if you are under 25

 

[Koing]

Insurance is £1400 with my mum on it or £1800 from another place...my current insurance is £415! This is also quoted for next year when I was thinking of buying the car. 24 with 3yrs no claims bonus...I wonder if it drops a bit more when I turn 25? Either way it looks like I'm going to have to sack off buying this car.

I can afford the car but I really can't stomach paying an extra £1k to insure. I refuse to do that!

<- sticks with beater £600, 12yr old 1.4 Astra

Koing

 

[needalife]

I'm a s2000 daily driver also. I love it. Only problem is when I have to move big stuff and it won't fit in the car. If you have someone who you can borrow a bigger car in needy time, go for it.

 

[rpanic]

You are suppose to use premium gas with it, don?t know if you thought of that also.

 

[jagec]

Well my daily driver is a motorcycle, and my "practical" car is an MR2, so...

Still, a sports car at 17? Ouch. Please let me know when you're driving so that I can stay off the roads.