I'm about to get an S2000. I have a few questions for you guys:

1. How does it handle compared to a Prelude? The Prelude is well balnaced with good tires, and sometimes oversteers just a bit to make it around the corner, but understeers at high speeds. Is this similar to the S2000, or is the S2000 really ass-happy?

2. Any regrets?

 

my last car was a 99 Prelude, and the handling of the S2000 is similar but tighter, more responsive. The S2000 is only "tail happy" if the driver reacts incorrectly or if you punch the throttle in a corner. If good sense and driving skills are applied, you will not lose the rear end.

I miss my Prelude, but I wouldn't go back in a million years. This car is all 3 rings of the circus!

 

I had a '94 VTEC and a '97 Type SH, both bought with autocrossing in mind. If you're serious about performance and handling, you won't miss the Prelude at all. If you want a cruiser, this ain't it. Creature comforts are low on the priority list and the effort was put into the handling and 9K RPM engine, right where they belong.

As far as a comparison of handling, the S2K is the the Prelude as the Prelude is to the Civic - very noticably better. So, the Prelude understeers while the S2K is very balanced. You can get into trouble quickly if you treat the S2K like a FWD car, even the Prelude SH. Throttle steering is much more possible and oversteer can definitely be produced in large amounts. In knowledgeable hands, this is a blessing but in the hands of someone who really doesn't understand the dynamics involved, it's a curse. Far too many wrecks have been reported here and I'll wager a good number of them were self-induced. Treat yourself to a good driving school (autocross or road race) and do your racing on the track and you and your car will live a long, healthy life with the understanding that only driving at the limit can produce.

 

Thanks Sondra,

Maybe I'll see you driving around town. Seems like alot of S2K owners used to own Preludes.

 

Thanks for the advice jguerdat. I have owned all RWD cars before the Prelude, so it should be no problem. It actually took some work with the Prelude to induce oversteer, but I could do it in low speed turns. The understeer was nice when I got into a few sticky situations. I'll make sure to take it easy for awhile.

 

I love them both, sold my Civic SI, replaced it with my s2k. I can't get rid of my prelude. It is an awesome car that I will use for all other occasions when the lack of storage/size or safety of the s2k comes into play.

I think the SH is one of the best FWD cars i've ever driven and its staying in my garage.

 

I love my Prelude, and I wish I could keep it. But I can't. To get the loan for the S2000, I'll have to sell it / trade it in.

 

I love my Prelude to death. I wouldn't let my dad trade it in when I was getting the S2000. I don't think I ever want to give up my Prelude.

 

I feel the same way about my prelude. IM not going to give her up. I love that car. I drive it when im in a totally different mood. The SH is a great handling car for a FWD vehicle. Hell It was voted best Handling under 30k by Car and Driver Mag. Thats what sold me. I couldnt afford the best handler over 30K *BMW M3*. So i got the closest thing to it...The SH. I still drive my lude. More than the s2k in fact. Not right now though because she needs a new clutch ( ACT HD on the way ).

 

Ditto what Sondra said.. I had a 98 SH...

I felt more comfortable in the SH around corners, I never ever ever got myself into any trouble in that car, the S2000 has had a few scary moments (on and off track) but even w/o a skilled driver the s2000 will easily handle any corner with greater speed and more control. You've just gotta learn to please the car instead of forcing it to please you (which is how the prelude felt)

If I had to come up with a regret, it would be leaving behind a car with excellent paint (diamond pearl) that never chipped, for one of the absolutely worst thinnest painted cars I've ever owned (yah, really, worse than my 91 sentra)... stongard is a must, and mine will be going on as soon as the bumper gets repainted.