Ok, I'm highly considering the purchase of a 2006 S2k, but had a few questions.

1) I can't seem to find solid 0-60 times. What is the average range for the 0-60 in stock form? How easy is it to get to low 5's/high 4's???

2) I've read on here that bolt on mods don't do a whole lot to the car. This will be my good weather daily driver (my other ride is a 4x4 Jeep), so I want it to be fun, comfortable, yet also very quick. I'm reading about S/C, what is the price range on this? DO you feel its still useable as a daily driver?

3) My current daily driver is an '02 Civic Si, and I owned a '00 Si back when it was new. How much quicker/fun will the S2k feel over the '02 Si (Hatchback)?

4) Is the stereo pretty easy to get to sound good? I'm not interested in four 15" subs and bouncing down the street, I just want it to sound good, and be able to hear it with the top down. I know the DIN is only single DIN, so it limits what I can install, and also no video screen/nav either. Are the speakers in good locations? Is it fairly easy to add a single 8" or 10" sub and amp, etc etc. I plan on making my iPod and Sirius both work in the S2k.

5) Is there anything I should be "weary" of or any issues I should be aware of?

I'm stuck between this and an '06 M3, and while i know they are totally different beasts, a lot of M3 owners have/had the S2k, and they all speak very highly about it. My thinking is I can get the M3, and then save constanly to buy mods, or I can buy the S2k, get it decently modded up front, and then have some cash left to do some work on my house rather than dumping it all into the car itself. My important things are fun to drive, and good acceleration. I plan on buying one of the two within the next 2 weeks.

Thanks for all the info, I just found the forum yesterday, so I admit I'm still reading and researching, but all your help is greatly appreciated.

 

Go test-drive both and see what you like better. Both will be a lot more fun than your previous Si's.

 

Sorry for the wrong section, didn't know it'd go in here. I'm hoping to drive them both on Wednesday, but while that tells me seat of the pants feel, you guys already own them and have a better understanding of the other questions. But of course I will drive them both .. my butt gets a few votes in this.

 

The '06 (AP2) most likely still retains a "clutch delay valve". You won't likely be able to get 0-60 times like they did with the AP1 cars. To get even the best published times (in the mid 5's), you have to "launch the crap" out of the car. It's nearly impossible to do this with that valve in place. Even without that valve, it is not an easy task to "launch" the S and many people who do launch the car usually end up punishing it badly. Times can be as high as mid to high 6's.

 

1) What XViper said. The delay valve is a pain in the butt but can be removed. There is a do-it-yourself on this site for that just look around. Be careful if you buy this car and try to launch it. I would suggest meeting up with someone in your area that knows how to properly launch the car. It is a lot different than your current Si. You can damage the rearend or fry your clutch if you don't do it right.

2) Bolt ons do a little and that's about it. I would personally look into getting the 4.56 gears as this is the best bang for the buck look on www.rickss2k.com for info on these. The S/C is great but it costs in the neighborhood of 5K depending on whether you get one with an aftercooler or not. It can be good for up to 300whp however. Everything I've read, seen, heard a S/C S2000 is usuable daily especially if you keep the rpm's down when just cruising. The real difference of the S/C is up top in the higher rpm range.

3. The S is much quicker and is a totally different beast. Take your time to get used to it or the M3 as they are rear wheel drive and will be worlds away from your Si in handling characteristics. Fun factor is atleast plus 10 in the S

I've owned 2 S2000's and clocked over 60K miles on them. I love the car and even though it's not the fastest, rarest, etc. car around, it is a blast to drive.

I hope this helps atleast somewhat...

 

Excellent feedback, thank you. The gearing is on my list already, and the S/C is a possiblility. I think I'll try to find someone close to me and see if I can take a ride in it and feel the difference, then decide.

What does the Clutch Delay do? I'm not sure I want to remove it, or if its adviseable. As for 0-60 launches, its more a curiousity. I'm not planning in drag racing it, and I'm not a big street racer. I'm more interested in the ability to accelerate out of its way, and pass easily on the freeway. Rolling starts and such are more my interest.

For those with the S/C, how low do you keep it to stay "off" so to speak? Like in my '02 Si, it redlines at 7k (I think, its off the top of my head) and in "cruising home" mode, I tend to shift what feels really really, between 3k and 4k. Keeps it nice and smooth, gas mileage up. I can always downshift if I need sudden power.

I'm actually leaning towards the S2000, and I've never had a bad Honda yet, so the reliability is a great part as well. Now just to find one. Which leads to one more question:


Is there any major reason not to get an '06? I'm leaning more towards getting an '06 than '05, unless there's a reason I shouldn't.

 

just buy it, believe me.. the attention everyday, the girls love it, and considerably one of the best handling cars out there. this car is fast on corners, if you focus on straights.. simple bolt-ons is a must

watch best motoring for any tuning guide

 

I came from a 02 Ephatch as well. I traded that sh!t in and never looked back. The handling is insane compared to the Ep. It pulls much harder throughout the rev range and it has real vtec not that crappy vtec in the SI hatch. That engine belonged in a Ex not an SI. Honda really dropped the ball on that car very badly.

As far as canyon running oges the S2k does take alot more balls to push. The Ep was easy to drive fast since it was FWD and understeered. It takes alot more skill which i hope to brush up sometime this year at a HPDE. You''ll only miss the 4 seats and the utility of the hatch.

Keep in mind this car is not without its comprimises. Its much noisier than the Si and has virtually no trunk space. But if you ar creative you can fit alot of junk in there if needed and in worse case drop the top and place stuff in the passnger seat.

Drop that top heavy overweight low revvin mini mini van looking SI and get yourself a real sports car imo. =-)

cheers and happy motoring!

 

I always felt the EP was much more anemic than my '00 Coupe. I still miss the coupe sometimes, jsut cause it was a lot of fun to throwi t around, much more so than the hatchback. I won't miss the 4 seats or hatch space at all, the S2000, while my daily driver, is far from the only car in the stable. My other main ride is an '05 Wrangler, plus I have a '91 CHerokee for really hauling stuff, wife has an '03 Passat for people and the baby, and the sister-in-law that lives with us has a CHevy Geo, so lots of cars around, the S2000 is my fun car, and good weather daily driver. I'm pretty excited. As I look around, the price of aftermarket goodies has pretty much got me set on the S2k at this point.

 

The cluch delay valve restricts the flow of clutch fluid back towards the pedal side of the system in the slave cylinder. This essentially puts a limit on the speed with which the clutch can clamp down, thereby making it much more difficult to do clutch drops and high rpm rapid gear changes where you don't have time to give rev matching much consideration. Here is a thread on how it's removed:
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=275175

You can stay "off" the supercharger is you don't go much over about 5000 rpm. Most stock S/C kits don't begin to contribute significant HP till you get past the parasitic drag of the blower itself. On this car, this is around 5000 rpm. So basically, if you stay under VTEC, the car drives like a stock car.

"Gears" will give you grunt down low. Althought the mechanical advantage continues throughout the rev band, it's down low that you feel it most. The perfect combination is a wise selection of gear ratio and supercharger, however, on an AP2 (like the '06 you are considering), "gears" are not such an important factor as Honda already changed the gearing in the transmission to mimic having a higher final drive ratio.