EVO is faster around a track, grips more, etc...

But you still feel like you're driving a regular sedan when taking corners.

In the S2000 you cannot replace the fact that your a$$ is sitting on the rear wheels, and that my friend, is priceless when you're taking a corner while the steering wheel is turned in the opposite direction as the car is sliding

 

It's not a false sense of confidence. They really are confident, because the car really is easy to drive. The only thing false about it is (often) the driver's misunderstanding of how much is skill and how much is the car.

 

Evo/STi have way more body roll than the s2000 because the center of gravity is much higher.

evo/sti also has a 60/40 front/rear weight distribution, and you can def. feel that during turns, esp. quick transition corners that require direction changes (sorry for lack of a more technical term lol). they rely on computerized AWD systems to help the car in areas that are lacking due to the nature of the design of the chassis....i mean they have 4 doors and look like boxes.

the s2000 is RWD, lighter, 50/50 f/r weight distribution - it handles way more "naturally" and to me much more confidence inspiring due to almost non-existent body roll.

that said on paper and in real life the Evo/STi can obviously grip grip and grip. s2000 might give out on grip earlier and not exit the corner as hard. i do know around cones the s2000 with its light weight/lower CG/balance has the advantage over the AWD sedan's, but on open track the sedans are much more competitive, and with the power deficit most bigger tracks will give the AWD cars the win. stock vs. stock

IIRC some s2000 with only coilovers and some other suspension parts owned up a class for the Redline time attack event, against other more modified cars...it was built for t3h corners!!!!!!!

 

As a former STI owner when I owned my 01 S2K, I can't actually say which car handles better, because their characteristics are different. My 04 STI was an outstanding handling car. It of course feels completely different because it's AWD, torquey, and has significantly more HP, but this is a very subjective debate, and from my personal experience I wanna call them even, and all about the driver. The STI has so much get up and go the moment you push the pedal down. It's simply a monster, so the extra power it posesses can get an inexperienced driver into trouble.




With that said, the EVO has proven to be a better handler then the STI, even more so now. The STI is a hatch, and Subaru more or less diverted away from the performance competition, and really made that car friendly by softening up the suspension. My 04 was very raw and untamed, and the ride is even bumpier then my 01 or current 06 S2K was. I really like the new STI, and if I could afford it, i'd gladly replace it as my daily driver/winter car over my Mazdaspeed 6.

 

it's a different feeling car, but the EVO is nothing short of amazing. imo, the evo is faster and more useable, but the s2k is more fun for whatever intangible reason.

 

I guess it must be me then, because at our local AutoX, the Evos wip me by about 5 seconds on each course. I can't see how they are classed in the same class. That said though, the are all modified with power upgrades etc., so I don't think I have ever run against a truly stock Evo. Mine is bone stock.

For those who say the S has no body roll - rubbish. Stock they do, hence the reason for bigger front sway bars in AutoX.

Stock for stock, I don't see how an S can be expected to keep up with an Evo/Sti on a track given same skilled drivers. They have more HP and trq, the handling figures (lateral grip and slalom speeds) are almost identical canceling out any perception that an S would be better in the twisties, and then that AWD pull out of corners and on accelerating from low speeds. On paper, and in real life in my experience, they out perform the S on all counts - except the fun to drive subjective factor.

 

When I compare an evo and sti to a s2000 I cant only compare performance apsects, but I also take into account how much fun I am having while I am driving it. That is important to me. If you only take performance into account an evo or sti will will every time. Give each car to 2 equal drivers and the evo or sti will win every time against a s2000. I am speaking of stock of course. As far as experience goes I would honestly say the s2000 takes the cake. For me the s2000 brings a smile to my face each time I drive it where as I felt like I was driving the family stationwagon with racing seats when I drove the other two. It seemed to me that to enjoy the evo or sti I had to drive it fast or in some crazy twisties, but with the s2000 I can stick it at 55 with the top down and im in heaven. Plus on top of that, if I want a little extra excitement I can just go and hit those same twisties with my s2000 and i would have even more fun. Thats my opinion though. All in all I have to say that all 3 cars are amazing vehicles and I like all of them.

-Ian

 

Fun trumps speed anytime (unless you are a competitive racer who's career counts on being fastest).

I'd drive the slower & lighter S2k over any sedan any day.

Also, when you say something handles better, that is a relative claim. 2 people could drive the same car and come to 2 completely different opinions on how a car handles.

 

I've owned a fully modified WRX (corner balanced coilovers, swaybars, cross bars, pulled more power and handled better than an STi) and a modded Evo IX RS and I can tell you right now that both cars are not "hype".

 

I have some actual facts. Last week I tracked my car at No Problems Raceway. I was running with several Miatas, 2 Evos, 2 Stis, and several other cars. All our laps were automatically timed. All the Evos and Stis were modified, some without seats, all had track tires and intake/exhaust. My S is completely stock, tires, brakes, intake/exhaust. I am no expert at track driving (my second time). Results were Sti was fastest followed by Evo, Sti, Evo, S2000. The fastest time for the winning Sti was 1:26, my best time was 1:32. Observing these cars, I noticed alot of body roll, also, when they lost control it was eaily regained; whereas, I had a little difficulty in regaining control, which ended up with me mowing the lawn of the infield. I had a great time and am ready to make some modifications to my car. 1. new rotors, pads, fluid and lines 2. Bridgestone RE01R tires Hopefully, this will help lower my lap times for future runs.

John