Turbo MR2 should be easily quicker than the S2K with a 15 dollar boost controller.

The MR2 is an awesome car, but the S2K is my favorite car i've ever driven.

I also own a G35 Coupe.

 

Have you done extended drives in an S2k? Funny thing - for all the talk about the AP2 being 'softer' than the AP1 when it first came around in '04, the AP1 actually has a noticeably smoother ride.

But anyway, my turbo MR2 is set up for SCCA Solo B-Stock class, so no boost controller for me. Besides, that would just make the turbo lag even worse. I hate lag.

If you've spent a lot of time behind the wheel of both the G35C and S2k I'd love to hear your thoughts on them, either in this thread or via PM.

 

- One turbo compressor
- 1,839 cc 1.8 liters in-line 4 front engine with 83 mm bore, 85 mm stroke, 9.5 compression ratio, double overhead cam and four valves per cylinder
- Premium unleaded fuel 91
- Fuel economy EPA highway (mpg): 26 and EPA city (mpg): 20
- Multi-point injection fuel system
- 12.7 gallon main premium unleaded fuel tank
- Power: 133 kW , 178 HP SAE @ 6,000 rpm; 166 ft lb , 225 Nm @ 4,500 rpm

here is the mazdaspeed specs, not for me but i still like them.

 

When i was looking into getting a new car i was desiding between the s2k and the Z. I test drove both and read up on both. I joined forums dedicated to finding out which was the better by. Heres what i found out about the Z.

Pre 06'(excluding the 05 anniversary ed.) Z's dont have the better rev up engines.

The best mod you can do without going FI is to get a spacer for the intake manifold. With the rev up engine you can get a manifold machined to have higher(wider) inlets. This gives you a good gain for the money, but to me it seemed like a engineering mess up thats being corrected to allow more air flow.

Nissan shares the Z's engine(block) with the altima, maxima, g35, and the pathfinder.

The tranny is more rough and has quiet a few problems, So many so that if you took it to a nissan dealer and told them you were hearing noises or having rough shifts they'd replace it for you. Someone already had posted how their buddy went through a few trannys. Its true! You get your brand new tranny and you may be back to get another. There was a guy on a 350 forum that couldnt even get his Z back home before it gave him more probs. This is after getting the new tranny.

And lastly this is 100% my opinion, and i may get backlash for it but it seems like most(not all) the people on the 350z forums are morons. They know almost nothing about cars besides aesthetic's. Sorry but theres tons more to a car then how it looks.

These were my vices about the 350.

One thing i did like more then the S2k is the interior comfort. Which was nice, but i wanted something that felt fast! Like i was in a race car, not luxury. This is also the reason i believe the Z is more accepted. People(most) want Luxury. I didnt.

Anyways It took me near half a year of research to deside. I ended up with a AP1 S2k. I will gladly say ive never looked back.

 

[QUOTE=BryanH,Feb 23 2007, 03:15 AM]Have you done extended drives in an S2k?

 

The 350Z, Miata, and S2000, all seem to fill somewhat different roles. To me ...

... the Z (and the Skylines too) feels like a modern muscle car. Modern muscle cars aren't like the cars of the 60's; They have competent handling, brakes, etc., and are a heck of a lot of fun.

... the Miata feels like a modern version of the classic Italian roadster (Afla Romeo Spider, Fiat 2000 Spider, etc.). Like the muscle cars, these cars are designed to be fun to drive, and they are.

... the S2000 is more difficult to classify. It's not a muscle car, super car, exotic, or even a traditional roadster. The handling quirks and power delivery of the early cars are not unlike the handling quirks found in the old RWD Porsche cars, and the later cars haven't fallen far from the tree. To realize the potential you have to rev hard, and when you get in over your head you are apt to spin. It's a different kind of car, designed for a different kind of driver (in relatively limited numbers), so one should not expect it to appeal to the masses as much as other cars which are designed to appeal to the largest possible number of potential car buyers. "Most" people should find it a little too harsh, a little too cramped, a little too unforgiving, etc. If they didn't, I don't think it would be the kind of special car that it is. This car is different, and you either love it, or you don't. If you don't, then you'll enjoy a Z or Miata more (and there is nothing wrong with that).

 

I wasn't specifically referencing any comments you've made, I was just recalling how badly the AP2 was panned a few years ago when its details were made public and before it hit the streets. It was written off has having "gone soft" and being dumbed-down for the masses. I don't see this - the AP2 has a rougher ride and requires more skill and patience to shift smoothly/positively, in addition to having a less settling rear end movement (lots of dive/squat). It's when you get the AP2 on a track or autox course and drive it at 10/10ths that it really shines. The new suspension comes alive and the car behaves in a more lively manner than you'd expect after driving it normally on the street.

The AP1 is more direct and honest with its driver while being more comfortable. I definitely prefer the AP1 for daily driving, no question. I do like the AP2's ability to get the power down when racing, and the fact the engine doesn't fall on its face if you find yourself off the cam coming out of a corner.

I debated endlessly whether to get an AP1 or AP2. In the end what really decided it for me was the increased strength/reliability of the AP2 more than anything else.

I think I would be much happier with my AP2 if it had an AP1 flywheel and slave cylinder. If I decide to keep the car for a while I'm definitely going to do that.

 

if i remember correctly and you guys can correct me if i'm wrong honda was developing a type-r variant for the S and scratched the idea and came up with the AP2 instead. i heard everything from larger displacement, sharper handling, wider wheels tires, aggressive gearing, which the AP2 have. if they marketed it as a limited edition type-r variant would we still be using words like liveable, friendlier to descibe the AP2.

and to RED MX-5. i have to agree and disagree with what you said a few post back. yes, its not the classic take on a "tradtional british roadster" because of the size but it's honda take on a classic drop top sports car.

 

I like my AP1 (and prefer the AP1) for completely different reasons, but none of this takes anything away from the AP2. The AP2 incorporated changes that appeal to a wider audiance, and gave up some things that don't matter to most owners.

TRDLiquidSilver, I don't guess I can totally disagree. The S roadster's have always been little screamers, as much motorcycle as sports car, but Honda designed the S to give the driver the feel of an open wheel race car, not the feel of a traditional roadster. You see it in every part of the car, and IMO it's much more than just Honda's interpretation of a traditional roadster. It's their attempt to bring us something completely different (in a production car), and it succeeds in being completely different in a number of ways. Even the AP2 has a front end that sticks much tighter than anything else this side of an all out autocross car. The Miata is actually a much truer realization of the traditional roadster, and none of the S cars could really be considered traditional. Ever seen the chain drive on an S800?

 

350Z freaking nice door handles! No sarcasm in that, so smooth

Total a berlina, thought about a 350Z, only reason I didn't by one. Couldn't get a salesperson to sell me one.

07 NFR - is the SHIT

Guess here in Aus nissan can afford to choose its customers - NOT