S2000

[Emancipated]

Remember these cars, guys? Say what you want about a low torque, high revving "lawn mower" but you have to respect a I4 that can beat a Mustang GT stock vs stock.

They're so cheap on Autotrader now. There's one just over 50,000km for $18k. Great summer car.

Any thoughts?

[jetway1212]

S2000 is indeed a masterpiece of precision and quality. Very nice summer car and GREAT tracking car. If you're into the sport and can afford them, then there is no reason not to get one.

Wait for some muscle cars fan boys who only drive 10 sec or less comes in and bash the car.

[Emancipated]

No need for bashing. I am a fan of fast cars, full stop. I like the S2000 because it's a choice within my budget and it's a good car in its own right. Good on fuel economy and has a little pep when you wanna red line and hear that exhaust note.

[airodus]

I found the old 2L ones a lil noisy to daily drive. I heard the 2.2L somewhat alleviated the noise issue. Otherwise great cars, especially when you want to fling them around.

[Emancipated]

I found the old 2L ones a lil noisy to daily drive. I heard the 2.2L somewhat alleviated the noise issue. Otherwise great cars, especially when you want to fling them around.

What year did the 2.0 cease production? Is there any particular MY to look out for? There's a few 2005 and even 2007 that's in my budget.

[xcentric]

love it!, although still hungry for a nsx,more like 28k for a 91 with higher miles. hope they both con'd to depreciate in this economy

[ES_Revenge]

Remember these cars, guys? Say what you want about a low torque, high revving "lawn mower" but you have to respect a I4 that can beat a Mustang GT stock vs stock.
That depends on your definition of "beat"...

They're so cheap on Autotrader now. There's one just over 50,000km for $18k.
Well I mean you can practically find anything for cheap on Autotrader. Abnormally cheap and just regularly cheap are different stories though... Are S2000s with that mileage typically that price or is this one unusually low? cars that are priced lower than most other same models with similar mileage/options are usually cheaper for a reason.

Great summer car.
Again depends on your definition of "great", lol.

Any thoughts?
Yeah I despise the S2000, personally. Said this on numerous occasions and I have very good reasons... The car is a one-trick, torqueless wonder that is certainly a track superstar but nearly useless for driving in the real world (except perhaps looking nice).

Below 7k rpm the car has nothing and I mean nothing. When the S2000 was initially released way back when, it was published in various places that the car is so slow below it's VTEC changeover that if you didn't rev the car to it's redline before every shift, it's slow as the ol' blackstrap. In fact even a Toyota Tercel a then-current car with like less than 100hp would be even with it should you not shift above ~7k RPM.

Even today with the newer engine, many "lesser" cars will have their way with the S2000 unless you drive it like you're a crazyman. Of course when driven like a lunatic the car performs very well, but outside of that envelope you're probably better off in a modern-day Versa, Yaris, Civic, Mazda3 etc. No seriously, you are--those cars will probably feel faster provided you're not driving like a race driver.

Seriously who revs to like 9k rpm while driving on public roads, everyday, everytime they shift gears? :confused: Not only will you get a headache real fast, I'm sure that will attract the attention of cops, real quick. Oh and that fuel economy? That's out the window too, once you're driving the car like that.

Sure the chassis is excellent too, but seriously? Unless you really plan on taking the car to the track on a regular basis (the only place the car will impress you and impress you it will on the track), then get a real meant-for-the-road roadster like the Z4, TT, Mazdaspeed Miata, Solstice GXP, Sky Red Line, etc.

I never understood why people oohed and aahed about a car that is so "all show and no go" when it comes to daily public driving.

[skewed]

Impressive performance however I still personally believe they don't have the look for the pricetag. It is fugly if you ask me.

[Jay Hova]

On my cousin's street (Hamilton) there was a guy who owned an Acura NSX, BMW X5 and an S2000. This was about 7-8 years ago.

[Kayne]

Remember these cars, guys? Say what you want about a low torque, high revving "lawn mower" but you have to respect a I4 that can beat a Mustang GT stock vs stock.

They're so cheap on Autotrader now. There's one just over 50,000km for $18k. Great summer car.

Any thoughts?

Lets not forget the price difference between a Mustang G.T. and a S2000. I wonder what the difference would be like when comparing a similar priced stang like a 03 Cobra or WS6 and a s2000.

I think the S200 is a great car and a blaast to drive but lets keep the comparison fair.

[big tuna]

Below 7k rpm the car has nothing and I mean nothing. When the S2000 was initially released way back when, it was published in various places that the car is so slow below it's VTEC changeover that if you didn't rev the car to it's redline before every shift, it's slow as the ol' blackstrap. In fact even a Toyota Tercel a then-current car with like less than 100hp would be even with it should you not shift above ~7k RPM.thanks for your insight, could you be a LITTLE more overdramatic?

i don't track mine but at the same time i don't shift at 9k on public roads either. hard to do that when you're blocked in by champagne corollas from block to block... pretty obvious that this car is far from practical but i only insure mine about 8 months out of the year so it works for me since our other car has been a wagon/suv the last few years. and please for the love of god don't throw this in the same category as the goddess of tracking, the miata... my gf owned hers for the first few years i had my s2 and it was a night and day difference jumping between them. that thing was a rwd yaris with 50:50 that you had to pilot with a shifter the size of a pomeranian penis but i guess that works for some people

OP - what year is that one for 18k? 02+ has the glass back window and the AP2s have the 17" wheels plus tweaked tail/headlights

[Tomy]

regardless, s2k is one sexy car :)

at this price, u dont have to wait till u lose all ur hair to buy one. great deal...

[skidz88]

I'd rather have a 350Z and have torque anytime I wanted it.

[Emancipated]

I'd rather have a 350Z and have torque anytime I wanted it.

I didn't realize you could get one under $20k. Yeah, right.. you can't. None are even listed on Autotrader. Chances are, people with the S2K use it as a summer car exclusively so less mileage, less winter elements abuse, etc.

[TT333]

This is one car that I have never driven, but talking to an owner last year I remember him saying his biggest complain was fuel economy when driving the car hard. We all knew 4cyls suck on gas anyways when you have to rev them, but apparently it's not so good on this car.

Still though, great looking car. GL, OP

edit: Oh, and I'll race you in my '00 Stang GT, too. Just come out to BC :P

[skidz88]

I didn't realize you could get one under $20k. Yeah, right.. you can't. None are even listed on Autotrader. Chances are, people with the S2K use it as a summer car exclusively so less mileage, less winter elements abuse, etc.

I just searched autotrader and found at least a dozen under $20k...3 of them even have the track pack.

[maniacshopper]

I've always found the s2k a nice ride. But agree with others, no torque.
Depends on what you plan to do with the car. Buy and drive. Or buy and modify. Add a turbo, but there's only so much you can do to this engine.
I'd look into a used 350Z manual, please. No rice, just exhaust and brakes upgrade.

[Emancipated]

I've always found the s2k a nice ride. But agree with others, no torque.
Depends on what you plan to do with the car. Buy and drive. Or buy and modify. Add a turbo, but there's only so much you can do to this engine.
I'd look into a used 350Z manual, please. No rice, just exhaust and brakes upgrade.

If the Z was in contention, I would rather buy a Genesis Coupe. More practical. the S2000 is a pleasure ride. Come winter, I'll just drive the beater.

[Emancipated]

I just searched autotrader and found at least a dozen under $20k...3 of them even have the track pack.

I was searching for "Z" rather than 350Z.

My apologies.

[ssainani]

i think i can reply here ..... i've always always always hated and laughed at the s2000 and it's owners...... no powere under 6k .... and always bragging about hp per litre stats ....

the last few cars i've owned have been torquey turbo audi's.... (we still have one...and we love them) but i was given a chance to drive a coworkers s2k.

i now own one --

http://myfiletemp.com/s2kclean.jpg

for the money it's probably the best value - yes...it's pretty gutless under a certain rpm (especially the ap1) -- but the power is there when and if you need it ... otherwise it's easy to drive and great on gas

very very reliable .... again pretty good on gas .... quick when it needs to be and it draws a TON of good attention - random strangers give you the thumbs up....little kids with their parents point and dream....etc.
probably very bad in the winter ..... very good and useful trunk for that class of car

it's also my second/summer car which helps -- not sure if i'd consider one as my only car ..... not very usable ... and you can never ever take a third person with you. with that said many many people do daily drive it problem free - especially with access to another 'normal' car when needed it would be totally feasible

[bizzmanager]

I have owned both 350 and S2k.
For sheer fun and enjoyment I prefer the S2k. Mine had CAI, HFC and Chiped.
With a few hundred in upgrade you are even or just walking a 350. IMO the S2k feels like driving a real purpose built machine while the 350 feels like a very nicely designed body on top of a lot of plastic and a minivan engine.
Oh and the insurance was much cheaper on the S2k due to it being a 4cl engine.

[ES_Revenge]

thanks for your insight, could you be a LITTLE more overdramatic?
That's the thing I'm not being either dramatic nor "overdramatic". That's literally true. A Tercel has about the same 0-60 as the original S2000 if you don't break the VTEC changeover in the S2000. This is no joke or drama. The only drama is that drama that is required to drive the S2000 to accelerate faster than econoboxes and even minivans.

pretty obvious that this car is far from practical
Ah so you agree :) ;)

and please for the love of god don't throw this in the same category as the goddess of tracking, the miata... my gf owned hers for the first few years i had my s2 and it was a night and day difference jumping between them.
Yeah the Miata probably actually goes somewhere when you just open the throttle just a bit, as opposed to the S2000 which goes nowhere unless your foot is on the floor :lol:

I wonder what the difference would be like when comparing a similar priced stang like a 03 Cobra or WS6 and a s2000.
:confused: WS6 is a Pontiac RPO (extended to a nameplate/trim), not a Ford one. And if you were talking about the Firebird/TA w/WS6 package remember that car (unlike certain year Mustang Cobras) still has a live axle rear end, which is definitely going to have the S2000 turning circles around it.

I think the S200 is a great car and a blaast to drive but lets keep the comparison fair.
Yeah but to do that you'd have to keep practically any other car designed for public road/consumer use out of the comparison. So you're left with like the S2000, the T-Rex, and the Ariel Atom LOL. Only the T-Rex and Atom are obviously not really meant to drive around town in everyday, while the S2000 is cleverly "disguised" as a regular people car.

I'd rather have a 350Z and have torque anytime I wanted it.
Sure the VQ35xx certainly has more absolute torque than the S2000 (well I mean hey what doesn't, lol) but if you really want some real low-end "anytime you want it", you'll want some forced induction. :) For example, some turbo 4 cylinder engines generate as much or more torque than the VQ and at much lower RPM to boot. ;)

[big tuna]

Sure the VQ35xx certainly has more absolute torque than the S2000 (well I mean hey what doesn't, lol) but if you really want some real low-end "anytime you want it", you'll want some forced induction. :) For example, some turbo 4 cylinder engines generate as much or more torque than the VQ and at much lower RPM to boot. ;)soooo, you're just contradicting whatever points people are making in this thread:confused: it's not enough to slag on the s2000 but now even vq35s are inferior? maybe i should've bought a wrx instead and hacked off the top, that way i'd clearly have the most bestest superiorest daily driver 0-60 10sec or less live life quarter mile at a time redline on the streets while shifting with uber torque at 2k rpm vehicle that isn't in production

we had a mazdaspeed miata for one night and took that out for a rip... now THAT miata had some guts but in all honesty, without reinforced suspension, brakes or bigger wheels, the thing felt like a death trap. there's a reason why track miatas hardly resemble the daily driven ones... you keep telling yourself that the miata can fly because the majority of the owners know it doesn't have the capabilities while stock. rock on troll

[TenzoR]

I rather get the Miata for some reason

[Emancipated]

I rather get the Miata for some reason

Really? If there ever was a chick car, the Miata is it (sorry, soupnazi - hey, fellow sharky member).

Anyway, to those who are posturing this and that about #s... stop already. The S2000 is better than a damn Civic Coupe and a moderately used one costs almost as little.

S2000 or a Civic? Hmm... tough choice. It's a nice, dependable and reliable car. Period.

[tjayl]

... there's a reason why track miatas hardly resemble the daily driven ones... you keep telling yourself that the miata can fly because the majority of the owners know it doesn't have the capabilities while stock.

You must be unaware of SPEC Miata racing. The modifications permitted are very minimal and can easily be daily driven, yet they have no problem with it's capabilities. Even stock, they are impressive.

[KawaiiTentacleBeast]

I rather get the Miata for some reason

The Miata is a lot lighter than the S2000 and the new one with the PRHT is pretty nice.

WS6 is a Pontiac RPO (extended to a nameplate/trim), not a Ford one. And if you were talking about the Firebird/TA w/WS6 package remember that car (unlike certain year Mustang Cobras) still has a live axle rear end, which is definitely going to have the S2000 turning circles around it.

I think the S2000 is so much heavier because the chassis is massively over engineered. It's almost as if they intended to put a V8 in but ran out of money at the end. :lol:

So obviously you should put the WS6 engine in the S2k.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f187/hboy7777/july8th2007030.jpg

[TenzoR]

Look wise I have to agree S2000 > Miata by a mile but having the choice of a retractable hardtop makes Miata > S2000 for me personally.

I've always prefer handling over power so both cars are great handler (perhaps Miata is slightly better).

[big tuna]

You must be unaware of SPEC Miata racing. The modifications permitted are very minimal and can easily be daily driven, yet they have no problem with it's capabilities. Even stock, they are impressive.by 'fly' i was referring to "Yeah the Miata probably actually goes somewhere when you just open the throttle just a bit, as opposed to the S2000 which goes nowhere unless your foot is on the floor"

i've never discredited the way the miata handles (since everything works great together as a package), but i find ignorance overflowing in that previous statement comparing acceleration. sounds like he writes for fox news. anyways this is a moot point... OP isn't considering a cobra, ws6 or miata and could probably give a flying ***** about the comparisons. more pros & cons at www.s2ki.ca

[maniacshopper]

on the latest hot version ep 97 video, they have an AE86 body with a mazda RE in it, rename the car to RE86. It looked like a sweet ride, autocrossed like a champ.

this suggestion may piss off Honda heads here, I drive a honda too btw.
Maybe S2K with RE transplant. I'm not talking about the NA renesis engine, but the older one with turbo from the FD3S. It should have enough torque. Small enough to fit an S2K, maybe.

[KawaiiTentacleBeast]

The NC Miata would be a perfect home for the RENESIS, since it's actually very similar to the RX-8 under the skin and you don't really need much more stuff to make it work. Theres a guy in Australia who did it with a wrecked Miata but I don't think anyone has done it here because the NC is still pretty new and expensive.

Maybe S2K with RE transplant. I'm not talking about the NA renesis engine, but the older one with turbo from the FD3S. It should have enough torque. Small enough to fit an S2K, maybe.

Probably but why not just drive the RX7 then? It's already lighter than the S2000 and has back seats and is quite good looking.

There is a SR20DET mounting kit for the S2000 though.

http://www.thermalnator.com/files/fvwithinter.jpg

[Kayne]

:confused: WS6 is a Pontiac RPO (extended to a nameplate/trim), not a Ford one. And if you were talking about the Firebird/TA w/WS6 package remember that car (unlike certain year Mustang Cobras) still has a live axle rear end, which is definitely going to have the S2000 turning circles around it.





I know its a Pontiac and I know it has a solid axle. But bang for buck it gives some better choices than the OP comparing a Mustang GT.

[tjayl]

by 'fly' i was referring to "Yeah the Miata probably actually goes somewhere when you just open the throttle just a bit, as opposed to the S2000 which goes nowhere unless your foot is on the floor"

i've never discredited the way the miata handles (since everything works great together as a package), but i find ignorance overflowing in that previous statement comparing acceleration. sounds like he writes for fox news. anyways this is a moot point... OP isn't considering a cobra, ws6 or miata and could probably give a flying ***** about the comparisons. more pros & cons at www.s2ki.ca

Sorry, I missed that you were talking acceleration wise. My 91 doesn't pretend to be fast, but it's fun!