My paradigm shift - from M3s to my S2000 - Introduction
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 33
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From: West Linn, OR
My paradigm shift - from M3s to my S2000 - Introduction
Hey guys, want to introduce myself...
It all came together at the right time for me and I'm loving this car. Here's my history of what led me to the s2k.
I've only owned BMWs over the last 10 years and never imagined myself owning anything else. For the past 5 years, I've had my beloved 1997 E36 M3. As I become addicted to open track days, I slowly turned it into a race car. After it had a roll cage, stripped interior and bucket seats in it, I still thought I'd be daily driving it. Well that only lasted for about 6 months until I got tired of it - mostly it was the road noise that bugged me. So I started my search for a daily driver, and I thought there could be nothing better than another M3... so I got myself a 2003 E46 M3.
Here's the two together:
Owning the E46 M3 was a terrible decision. I couldn't fund my track days anymore and the E36 collected dust because I was always doing some sort of maintenance on the E46. If it wasn't the subframe cracking, then it was a new radiator, or new suspension... well you get the idea. But besides the maintenance headache, it just never felt right. I always felt like the car was bloated and just disconnected. I did like the engine, and the 333 bhp was nice, but I just never felt at home with the car.
So I started to come to the conclusion that I needed something else, and I started looking for another car in the $16-22k range. I knew that I had to step outside the BMW world if I was going to be happy in the long-term. I just didn't want to deal with constant maintenance anymore. I looked at the FRS/BRZ, 2013-2015 Civic Si, VW GTI, Focus ST, Cooper S and a few others... and I just came out unsatisfied. I didn't love any of them, and came away from it thinking that I would have to just use my DD as a car that goes from point A to point B. But then I starting thinking: man I've always loved the look of the S2K, and a higher mileage one in my price range should be super reliable compared to what I've been going through.
I had always kept the S2K off the list because I figured I didn't fit in it - I'm 6'4" - but then I tried one and fell in love immediately. To my surprise I felt really comfortable sitting in it. It felt exactly like what I was used to from the e36 M3 but in Honda form... just a pure driving experience with an amazing engine and even better handling, a momentum car that rewards you in the corners. I then started my search, and in 2 months I had what I had wanted, my GPW AP2.
Here's the first day parked in my carport:
And at work:
After this experience I really started to become a Honda fanboy quite quickly. The s2000 is an amazing car that is every bit as fun as the M3. And to continue the story, around 1 week ago my fiancee and I realized that she needed a new car too. I felt bad for her driving her P.O.S. 95 Altima that needed to have the heater on to even get down the street. With summer coming back to the Bay Area I knew I needed to help her get out her time-bomb, so I helped her get out and pick up a Civic. We'll be submitting the Altima to cash for clunkers.
Here's the two of us driving our new-to-us Hondas:
It all came together at the right time for me and I'm loving this car. Here's my history of what led me to the s2k.
I've only owned BMWs over the last 10 years and never imagined myself owning anything else. For the past 5 years, I've had my beloved 1997 E36 M3. As I become addicted to open track days, I slowly turned it into a race car. After it had a roll cage, stripped interior and bucket seats in it, I still thought I'd be daily driving it. Well that only lasted for about 6 months until I got tired of it - mostly it was the road noise that bugged me. So I started my search for a daily driver, and I thought there could be nothing better than another M3... so I got myself a 2003 E46 M3.
Here's the two together:
Owning the E46 M3 was a terrible decision. I couldn't fund my track days anymore and the E36 collected dust because I was always doing some sort of maintenance on the E46. If it wasn't the subframe cracking, then it was a new radiator, or new suspension... well you get the idea. But besides the maintenance headache, it just never felt right. I always felt like the car was bloated and just disconnected. I did like the engine, and the 333 bhp was nice, but I just never felt at home with the car.
So I started to come to the conclusion that I needed something else, and I started looking for another car in the $16-22k range. I knew that I had to step outside the BMW world if I was going to be happy in the long-term. I just didn't want to deal with constant maintenance anymore. I looked at the FRS/BRZ, 2013-2015 Civic Si, VW GTI, Focus ST, Cooper S and a few others... and I just came out unsatisfied. I didn't love any of them, and came away from it thinking that I would have to just use my DD as a car that goes from point A to point B. But then I starting thinking: man I've always loved the look of the S2K, and a higher mileage one in my price range should be super reliable compared to what I've been going through.
I had always kept the S2K off the list because I figured I didn't fit in it - I'm 6'4" - but then I tried one and fell in love immediately. To my surprise I felt really comfortable sitting in it. It felt exactly like what I was used to from the e36 M3 but in Honda form... just a pure driving experience with an amazing engine and even better handling, a momentum car that rewards you in the corners. I then started my search, and in 2 months I had what I had wanted, my GPW AP2.
Here's the first day parked in my carport:
And at work:
After this experience I really started to become a Honda fanboy quite quickly. The s2000 is an amazing car that is every bit as fun as the M3. And to continue the story, around 1 week ago my fiancee and I realized that she needed a new car too. I felt bad for her driving her P.O.S. 95 Altima that needed to have the heater on to even get down the street. With summer coming back to the Bay Area I knew I needed to help her get out her time-bomb, so I helped her get out and pick up a Civic. We'll be submitting the Altima to cash for clunkers.
Here's the two of us driving our new-to-us Hondas:
Community Organizer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 31,070
Likes: 566
Welcome to the club 
I bought my 01 S2k in 04 with 22k miles on it. It now has 230k, well the chassis anyway
Ive done some mods over the years to further enhance the already great precision performance, creating my ideal version of a track ready DD toy. Nothing beats the feeling I get out of it, even after 12 years and being N/A to supercharged, back to N/A. Not only was this a pretty unique car when it came out, with little to compare with for the time, they still dont make cars like this anymore, and never will again. Its probably the latest "modern" analog sports car you will be able to get your hands on, certainly with a convert and at the price point. I appreciate the BMW's you own for what they are, I know there are many S2k guys here that do as well. I am a big fan of inline 6's which is a big part of it for me. Im not a big fan of the cost required to maintain one, especially if you enjoy beating on your cars. I dont want to say the S2000 is absolutely bullet proof, it has a few weaker links of its own like most cars, but overall its extremely reliable just like a Civic. Makes it hard to poopoo for the fun factor and performance.
Glad you got into an S2000! It's Roni btw. Hope to see you at the local meets and/or track/driving events!
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 29,958
Likes: 5,467
From: Ontario Canada
Congrats, I've always loved the M3's, but having owned a past BMW I just hate how they nickel and dime you to death. Great cars if you don't mind throwing money at them on a regular basis.
That Ap2 looks great, nice find. Now pull up that windscreen will you, it's a great place to put a decal too , lol.
That Ap2 looks great, nice find. Now pull up that windscreen will you, it's a great place to put a decal too , lol.
