So I'm gonna be in the market for a go-fast car in a few months and I think I've narrowed my search to these two cars. I currently own a '95 Acura Integra and I love the reliability and ease of working on Honda cars. This vehicle is going to be a daily driver for my commute to and from work and wherever else I go. I am a VERY spirited driver. I like to hug corners and drive fast.

That being said, The Mitsu Evo 9 will give me more room in the form of a big back seat and trunk, all wheel drive for some serious traction, and more power than the S2k. I like that the car has it's peak torque (289 ft/lbs) at 3500 rpms. I don't always want to be above 6k to have power. Having room will help with things like road trips and groceries.

The S2000 is definitely the better looking car. I also like that it is N/A, since I will be buying it used and turbo motors wear worse under harsh driving. I really like the idea of having a convertible roadster, but the way I drive I'll have to be really careful about spinning out the back in a turn. I have been driving Honda front wheel drive cars for a number of years now and am used to pulling myself through corners.

Can you give me some constructive advice, thoughts about improving mid range and low end power for the S2k, and help me decide what to do? Thanks in advance.

 

They are 2 different cars.
Im on my 2nd S2000 and i love everything about it. I think there both great looking cars. I loved the way my s2000 looked lowered with my oem hardtop. I would say a lowered evo 9 with no spoiler and wheels is very sexy as well. If you need the room dont get the s2000. get the 4dr that will make your everyday life easier. Im sure the evo would be very reliable as long as it was not trashed on. IDK its your decision but there both great cars. I do know that evos are holding there value better than as s2000. you can find an 06 s2000 for 20k or less. i doubt you can find an 06 MR for less than 23-25?
I know the horsepower of a evo 9 is right under 300?
Is the torque really 389? never read it was that much

 

IMO, if the evo was not new i would not get it.
name alone sounds like a ragged out car.

s2000 is a great car, fun and so much you can do with it.

its up to you.

 

My bad, I meant to type 289*

 

My main concern is space. This will my my only car, so the lack of cargo space is a detriment. I love everything else (except the lack of low and mid range power).

 

Space was a concern for me as well , so far i realize that i almost always have a friend or someone else to pick something up for me if i needed to.

 

test drive both then decide, with factoring in space and everything else

I used to own a 360hp WRX and I loved the power but NOTHING can compare to the driving experience I get in the S2000

 

Evo's feel a lot faster than they really are because of the power band. The small turbo spools up so fast that it gives the driver a nice kick in the pants, but they really aren't very fast. They're great off the line, but over 50mph, they're slow as hell. They only put about 225-230 to the wheels and weigh about 3300lbs, compared to an S2K which puts 200-210 to the wheels and weigh 2800lbs.

To make the decision easier, drive both cars. The Evo WILL feel a lot faster, but it really isn't much faster than an S2K (from a roll), both take premium, both are terribly slow under 4000 RPM, etc. If space is a concern, the Evo is the obvious choice, however, why not use the Teggy for the space and the S2K for the fun? Space/seating was a concern for me, which is why I bought a '95 Accord Sedan.

 

Sounds like (like most asking about the S versus another car) you need to do more test driving. If you aren't convinced that you have to buy it despite it's shortcomings after driving it then the other car is probably better suited for you.

If you decide on the S be sure to track/autocross it.

 

LOL sounds like most of u that replyed know nothing about evos. The evo 9 puts more than 225-230awhp stock my 8 did that. The evo 9 is faster than the 8. Ok i have had both cars now the evo 8 and the S2000 CR.

Evo
Pros- 4 door, truboed,cheap to make fast for less than $2k u can have over 300awhp, bullet proof engine i drove my VIII hard every day and sold it at 86,000 miles on her with no problems

Cons- alot of unwanted looks, replacement parts are not cheap, u have to change diff fluid its AWD, So maintiance is a little more than the S, no going topless, all the power is in the lower rpms and no 8000 redline

S2000
Pros- Great looking car, cheap to maintain, replacement parts are cheap, much more fun to drive than a evo even though its slower, RWD honda whats not to like,

Cons- Slow but its fun so kind of makes up for it, cost a arm and leg to make fast, convertable tops get broken into and tear over time, 2 door small trunk can barley fit a suitcase in the trunk,

It's up to u really u can get the S2000 and evo cheap with low miles right now because most people want greener cars now. In a perfect world to me i would own both. But i love my CR blast to drive and looks great. I really miss my evo to just for the sher easy to mod and cheap and i think the evos look great as well.
I was in the same spot as u after i sold my VIII in CA i moved to FL and said well do i get another evo or a S2000. I could not find any evos close to me except the 10 and i thought it felt like a tank when i drove it so i looked at some s2000 did not like them all that much untill i test drove a CR and saw one in person and loved the look and feel of it. I was suprised how much fun the car is and how it feels like a $100k when im driving it. Hope this helps both are great cars. BUT IF U ARE KEEPING THE EVO STOCK I WOULD RATHER HAVE A STOCK S2000 THAN EVO