New to me S2000
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Joined: Jun 2014
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From: Cincinnati, OH
New to me S2000
Kids are old enough and with the official blessing of my lovely wife.
I had originally started down this path with the intention a grabbing a used third generation Miata. Then, I hit a local dealer with a 2006 Miata, a 2004 S2000, and several 1999-2001 M Roadsters. The Miata wasn't bad, but was a little under powered, had a nervous suspension response over lightly broken pavement, not unlike my 2005 Mazda 3 daily driver, and was a bit cheap inside, even in Grand Touring/Limited Edition trim. Least comfortable seats of the trio too. Liked the S2000 quite a bit, but it was the most expensive of his cars that I tried, although lovely in red, and on 13K on the clock. Loved the low end grunt of the M Roaster, but it felt heavy and ponderous, with long clutch and shifter throws. Excellent brakes and crazy cowl shake rounded out the picture on the Bimmer.
Tried the same trio again the following weekend, with my wife in tow, and we both locked in on the S2000 as a target. Again, the example we drove was too expensive for what it was, and went home content that it may take a bit to find a good AP2 model, at a price I was willing to pay.
Two days later, last Monday evening, a craigslist search brings up a single owner, 2006 Suzuka Blue, about 300 miles south in TN, with 24,850 miles on the clock and a reasonable asking price. Driven by a couple in the 50's and stored under cover in a garage when not in use. There are no body or wheel marks, other than a couple small stone chips on the front bumper. His original photos didn't get me real excited by the Blue exterior/interior combo, but understood it was going to attract far less attention from Johnny Law than something more vibrant. I had an 89 CRXsi at one time, and was able to achieve a record ticket count over my 10 year ownership. To be honest, it looked much better in person, and drove like a dream. We settled on 20k. It is a far nicer car than I deserve.
First upgrade will be new rubber, as they are the original 050's, and the rears are right at the wear bar. Don't want to risk hydroplaning my new toy into the ditch. Otherwise, pretty much intend to keep her stock.
I had originally started down this path with the intention a grabbing a used third generation Miata. Then, I hit a local dealer with a 2006 Miata, a 2004 S2000, and several 1999-2001 M Roadsters. The Miata wasn't bad, but was a little under powered, had a nervous suspension response over lightly broken pavement, not unlike my 2005 Mazda 3 daily driver, and was a bit cheap inside, even in Grand Touring/Limited Edition trim. Least comfortable seats of the trio too. Liked the S2000 quite a bit, but it was the most expensive of his cars that I tried, although lovely in red, and on 13K on the clock. Loved the low end grunt of the M Roaster, but it felt heavy and ponderous, with long clutch and shifter throws. Excellent brakes and crazy cowl shake rounded out the picture on the Bimmer.
Tried the same trio again the following weekend, with my wife in tow, and we both locked in on the S2000 as a target. Again, the example we drove was too expensive for what it was, and went home content that it may take a bit to find a good AP2 model, at a price I was willing to pay.
Two days later, last Monday evening, a craigslist search brings up a single owner, 2006 Suzuka Blue, about 300 miles south in TN, with 24,850 miles on the clock and a reasonable asking price. Driven by a couple in the 50's and stored under cover in a garage when not in use. There are no body or wheel marks, other than a couple small stone chips on the front bumper. His original photos didn't get me real excited by the Blue exterior/interior combo, but understood it was going to attract far less attention from Johnny Law than something more vibrant. I had an 89 CRXsi at one time, and was able to achieve a record ticket count over my 10 year ownership. To be honest, it looked much better in person, and drove like a dream. We settled on 20k. It is a far nicer car than I deserve.
First upgrade will be new rubber, as they are the original 050's, and the rears are right at the wear bar. Don't want to risk hydroplaning my new toy into the ditch. Otherwise, pretty much intend to keep her stock.
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Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 6
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From: Cincinnati, OH
Thanks for the warm welcome.
New rubber has been ordered and will go on next week. My local suspension guru has suggested the UK spec alignment numbers, which supposedly have a little more rear tow-in. Bill generally knows what he is doing, and I'm going to trust him on this one.
Although I have no plans to mod her, she will be energetically exercised.
New rubber has been ordered and will go on next week. My local suspension guru has suggested the UK spec alignment numbers, which supposedly have a little more rear tow-in. Bill generally knows what he is doing, and I'm going to trust him on this one.
Although I have no plans to mod her, she will be energetically exercised.
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 163
Likes: 4
From: Upstate SC
Awesome looking car. Like you, I lucked out and found a pristine example: https://www.s2ki.com/home/2012/07/10...r-a-car-cover/
Good idea on the tires.
Enjoy the ride - these are awesome cars!
Good idea on the tires.
Enjoy the ride - these are awesome cars!
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