Hello all,
I've had my car since 3/13 and I've got almost 800 miles on her now. I did the proper break-in procedure and have since vtec'd the car a few times. My dad has a 2000 Mustang GT. His car feels much faster than mine. I haven't had the chance to do a direct, head to head run with it yet though. I hear a lot of people on the board that are beating Mustang GTs pretty easily but I don't think my car can do it.

Are S2000's consistant in power output or is there a lot of dfference between cars. (talking all stock here of course.) I'd hate to think I got an S that was down on power. Anyone else think they're stock S is weaker than it should be?

Perhaps the car just needs a few more miles on it?

 

You're probably feeling the difference in torque. The S2000 will easily make up for lack of torque in a race because of it's weight to horsepower ratio. Your S2000 is fast and will take a mustang GT. Learn how to drive it though. The power is in the upper RPM range...rev it high and shift it high, and watch that mustang get smaller and smaller in the rear view.

Now try driving the Mustang in the twisties (curvy roads) and see which one is more of a pleasure to drive.

 

My car feels faster at 7,000 miles than when I first had her.
She will tend to improve a bit as you run her in a bit more.

 

Well, I don't think that's what I'm feeling. Well, I'm feeling the torque difference, but even taking that into account the S just doesn't feel as fast. I hear people talking about chirping second, gettin squirrelly when VTEC switches and I'm getting none of that. (VTEC is definitely engaging, I feel that easily) I'm revving it up to 9k with my foot pushing through the floorboards, shifting as fast as I can. (I'm not doing clutch dumps, I don't even launch the Mustang hard, I'm just talking about getting on it from a roll here.)

Actually, the Mustangs horrible shifter, truck like clutch, SUV ride height, and bizarre ergonomics make the S more of a pleasure to drive in the straights too!! Don't get me wrong, I like Mustangs, always will, they're just not really comparable cars. I'm just wondering why my S feels so much slower. I'll have a chance this week to run them head to head so I'll keep ya'll posted.

 

Cool....I still own a 84' Mustang Conv GT (20th Anniv) that I got real cheap a long time ago in high school, and I have an S2000 coming in April. Its still fun to hear and punch a V8 though. Two different vehicles. Cars are fun!

 

don't forget to keep a close eye on your oil level!

 

I couldn't even come close to chirping second when I was stock. And now that I'm pushing 220 to the wheels...it's still a rarity. As Andy mentioned it will feel as if it's getting faster as you add more miles and if you looking for more speed now add a few mods.

 

Dave- Although it is possible that you may have gotten one of the weaker S2K's I would reserve judgement until you have more miles. Don't be alarmed that your car doesn't feel as fast as you believe it should. IMO, it is all perception of power through torque. Over time and miles your car should steadily strengthen however it will never "feel " as fast as say a Mustang GT. I believe that this is a common feeling among s2000 owners. I have learned to look at my speedometer instead of relying on the old butt dyno. In fact, I have a cousin with a slightly modded V6 mustang which feels pretty quick. (235 lb-ft of torque) However, when I watched the speedometer it took quite a while to go from 60-80 . I believe that a lot of owners will concur that the s2k is much faster in reality than it feels.

 

Hi Dave

My 2000 S2000 felt like a slug when it was new. It took mine a good 10,000 miles before it loosened up. My black beauty feels like a rocket at 21000 miles. Some other folks' S2000s were quick out of the box. Luck of the draw. Check that the spark plugs are torqued correctly - and be patient.

 

I have only had my s2k since 3/9, so I am a fairly new owner as well and I think I am pushing just about the same # of miles on the car. I agree that my car doesn't "feel" as fast as I would've expected - however when I think I am doing 50, and I look down and the speedo reads 75 it makes me realize how well the car runs and how stable she can be.

The other day I got an eye-opener following a friend of mine home down Route 106 in Vermont. He was in an old toyota pickup truck and we were just cruising along at 60. For a whim I decided to pass him and opened her up - just as I got by him I looked down and I was doing 110 just from a quick pass.

The best part of the whole "doesn't feel fast" is that my wife now lets me be when I drive 90+ down the highway God help me if she ever looks over at the speedo...