Greetings. I'm new! Work moved me to east SF Bay and I sold my 300zx TT. Photos below. Very modified (by me) but low-key looking; engine internals, coilover suspension, turbos, etc etc. Somewhere around 500 rwhp.

Always wanted an S2k and had to sell the Z because I knew there was no way I'd get it to pass in Cali with all my 'off-road' parts. Now I'm learning how limited my options for a boosted s2k in Cali are. So, I'm wondering - anyone have thoughts on the s2k versus a Focus RS? I think there's a lot I prefer about the s2k, but I don't have experience owning either.

I'm in no rush to purchase and will probably test drive stuff for a bit before I decide what I'm going to do. Requirements: fun to drive, manual. Strongly preferred: rwd, spool sound. Maybe an all motor S2k is my best option for Cali, and if I leave the state I can pick up another Z to get back into the danger zone. I like that the s2k is smaller, vert, rwd, and better to look at than the Focus. I'm betting it's more fun to drive. Thoughts?

 

Get both

Some will disagree with me, but if I didn't own a daily, I would HATE my S2000. Simply because I know it's a car that I cannot drive everyday, for every situation. It was abundantly clear the other day when I went to go pick up a bumper for my S2000, but I couldn't use my S2000 to pick it up.

If you already have a daily, S2000 all the way.

 

Hah, yeah makes sense. I have a stock, base Focus for daily. This'll be strictly for fun.

 

Then S2000

 

Honestly both cars are super fun to drive. I had a Focus ST for a while and got to drive my friends RS a few times. Its got plenty of power and its rear biased so the thing can get pretty slidey. Theres always one at the Autocross event i go to every month.

There are some benefits to the RS. 4-doors, hatch, more power, AWD. newer, there are more CARB legal options as well to add more power and the engines in those cars are pretty robust. The downsides obviously is that its a FORD, and there have already been a few recalls for the RS the past year.

I personally have dailyed my S2000 and it worked in every scenario i was in, however you already have a daily so you dont need to worry about that.

Personally it sounds like you really like lightweight RWD cars with massive power. Thats very achievable on the S2k platform as our engines are strong and can hold lots of power stock. However you wont be hitting numbers like your 300zx if you want to stay CARB legal. Your best bet is the Greddy Turbo kit which is the only remaining FI kit thats CARB legal for this platform and it only really makes around 300whp give or take.

I was actually looking between an S2k and an RS myself about a year ago and decided on the S2k, as i wanted a racecar with Honda reliability and potential with mods. The RS would have been fun but since i already had a FoST, i kinda already knew what the experience was going to be like.

 

Anyone know this car? Thoughts?

 

looks pretty clean. Pretty good price too considering the mileage.

 

Truth on the recalls. I've got two 2014 base Focuses, and I am blown away by the ridiculous number of recalls they've had. One of the Focuses needed new clutch, transmission, another clutch, will be getting a THIRD under the latest recall, PCV failure, seatbelt, etc. The other hasn't needed almost anything. I'm hoping to start toying with the transmission shift module at some point. I don't understand why they have the clutch issues besides a bad program. And the shifting should be a lot more responsive.

And yes, lightweight, small RWD has always been what feels right for me. Thx for your thoughts.

 

Welcome