Ok, I always do this when I go to buy a new car; get all teh insight I can from the people who know. I live in upstate cold ass NY but am moving to Florida next August. I'm looking at getting a new car in teh spring though and working on it before I move. I had an '03 RX8 and loved it but fishtailed on teh freeway and totalled it :`( ........I loved it to death though and was my first RWD car. Right now I'm stuck between another RX-8, RSX-S, or S2K. The RX8 handles great, has insanely sexy interior and a very unique look but is high maintenence because of the rotary and has low torque. Basically I'm just trying to get as educated on the S2k right now. How would you compare it to the RX8? Is it as reliable as every other honda out there? Does the softop create alot of problems? Does it malfunction or fade alot? How's working on it as far as mods go (primarily suspension)? I loved my rx8 to death and got compliments on it every day; does the S2k pull in the same kind of attention? And lastly, without and bias, RX8 or S2k if it was your decision to make?

Sorry for all the Q's and if you don't want to answer them just gimme a quick summation of why the S2K is the better choice in your opinion.

O and I almost forgot, are there any years I need to avoid? Thanks!

 

If I had needed 4-seats, I would have bought the RX-8...they are very similar in almost every respect to the s2k. You will feel right at home in an s2k after having an RX-8. The RX-8 gear shift knob even fits on the s2k (and I know someone who has that knob since they like it better).

But some of the downsides you mention are the same for the s2k...low torque and rwd oversteer (worse on the 00-03 cars).

The car seems increadibly reliable to me. But then I've had my car since it was less than a year old and I know the maintenance. But my car has been driven HARD...hundreds of autoxes, several track days and a couple Dragons. It now has almost 100k DD miles on it. It's had a couple minor issues and one major diff failure (they won't last forever with autox launches).

The tops don't tend to fade much or malfuntion...they do get rips over time. Replacing the tops can be a bit of a PIA.

There isn't really a year to avoid. 00-01 were the most raw and twitchy. They also had plastic rear windows, which look nice new but suck over time (many early cars have been converted to glass rear windows). 02-03 were the best of the early cars. Major changes came in 04...larger displacement for more whp/torque but at a lower redline (can be safely raised to nearly that of the early car)...suspension changes made the car less tail happy but a bit softer and more rear body roll (suspension mods take care of that pretty quick). There were cosmetic changes through the years...whether you like the changes or not is subjective, so decide for yourself.

From a mods perspective...Honda did a brilliant job out of the box. There is not much you can do NA to make more than 15-20 more whp over stock and you will spend a ton to get those few extra ponys. FI is the only way to really get more hp. Suspension mods are better, but lowering the car significantly makes the car handle poorly...this car's suspension needs to travel.

Good luck on your decision. And post up when you have your car and move to Florida. The Florida community is extremely active all over the state. Where in Florida are you moving?

 

Thanks man, so you're saying lowering the S2K is a no no?

 

Slamming is a no-no if you want better handling. The only way to slam and get the car to handle better is to do some really serious supporting mods, like body work to run a 10" rear wheel and 9" in the front to squeeze some massive rubber. And then add on that springs so stiff that you will think you're going over bumps in a park bench. That will make an excellent track car...but not so much fun on the street.

My testing has shown the car can drop about an inch with 500lb springs is about the most you want to go on the street and have decent handling.

But many do slam their cars...they want the look more than anything.

 

Good summary neg, I agree.

 

Hmm, Ya I won't ever be at a track and I plan on letting my gf drive it alot since she hates her car (don't worry she'll go through rigorous training with my civic first lol). But I think my decision is definately down to the RSX-s and S2k. Thanks for the advice and I'll def be back around with pix when I get it. BTW, here's a pic of my RX-8 when I still had her :`(

 

Welcome to the site, good luck finding the car you want.
Can't help you with the rx8 comparison, I've never driven one.
Levi

 

You had an 03 RX8? I thought they came out in 04


Either way, I see the RX8 as a compromise. In case you need more room/seats.
Its a great car if you need a little bit more utility, but IMO the S2000 performs better (straight line and otherwise), and looks better

You shouldnt need compliments when you drive the S as you'll be happy enough......but im sure you will get them

 

Nope, the RX8 definately came out in '03