I just test drove a 2001 s2000 that they had as a demo car in College Park Honda.
My initial thoughts on the car. I love the gearing - it's just so close and don't have to make a huge effort to shift gear. The whole time I was driving the car I was thinking of what others have to comment on the car on this board. This was a 2001 which had the plastic window on the back. It's terrible, I had hard time seeing out of it. I am glad for 2002 they have made that glass. Honda should go back retro fit all of them (like they will). Next the acceleration is good in a linear curve, instead of the torque I am used to from my BMWs They are two different breed of cars and I will not compare them. I like them both of different reasons. So anyway, the road was not very open to do crazy stuff, but i took it up to 70 on University Blvd. I did not want to get a ticket. The two only drawback of the car is turning. I was making a u turn at moderate speed and there was a little bit of sliding going on in the rear. i am used to BMW stick to the road like glue handling. But I knew the s2000 is not easy to drive unless you are a good driver. So anyway, I might need to learn to handle this car a little bit better. The other thing is it's not very roomy. I guess a feature of sports car. This is going to be more of my daily driving car so I guess I will get used to it. I have a few questions for all of you.
1. How many of you guys use this as daily driving car?
2. The turn was the con I had, but has anyone else experience this?
3. How is this car in the rain etc.

I am going back next week to see if they can close the deal on this car.
peace.

 

me
Yes, and IMO it is one of the fun things about the car. I can slide the rear almost anytime want to, but I can always maintain positive control (thus far )
Good for a performance, RWD sports car with dry weather wheels Since it is my daily driver and I have to drive in the rain sometimes, I just keep it under VTEC, and exercise caution and haven't had any problems yet.

On a side note, I think you'll find that the '01 transmission is different than the '02, so don't let this take you by surprise. Supossedly it has been improved.

Good luck

 

Greetings,

I'm a former E36M3 owner, and you are right, the S2k and the BMWs are not a good comparison other than their straight line performance is pretty similar. I use my car as a daily driver. No real problems there. There are only a couple of wimpy things I miss from the M3. The decent stereo...there are some things that can be done to the stock Stook to improve the sound for not too much money, but it is no premium HK or even base package 8-speaker system like in the BMWs. I also miss the OBC...but again that's pretty wimpy. It did take me a while to get accustomed to the lower torque...lots of clutch slipping at stop lights till I got used to it. The brakes are not quite as phenomenal as the M3, but they are better than most. Otherwise, it is a nice commuter car with the added benefit of allowing a top down drive home to help relax away a hard day at work.

The oversteer you experienced is not uncommon, especially with worn rear tires. You cannot drive this car like an E36/E46 or it can bite you. It does not communicate that the rear is losing grip as well as the BMWs, but it's not unmanageable. The S2k rewards those who use very smooth inputs of steering and throttle, and punishes those who lift mid corner or apply too much power early on exit. Search for threads on "snap oversteer"...the handling is a bit of a debate between those who say it is just fine and those who probably drive more aggressively on public roads than they should. But the common wisdom is not to push it too hard on the street. I've been an autocrosser for almost 15 years now, and I definitely treat the S2k with respect on the street.

Rain handling is decent. At least as good as the M3 when both are on good rubber. My M3 was a bear in the wet on tires worn to anywhere near the wear bars, and I'd imagine the S2k is about the same (haven't had mine long enough to wear the tires that far yet).

The car is a lot of fun to drive, however!

Hope this helps.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by moonpie
[B]

 

If the rear tires are worn your rear will slide very easily.

IF the tires are good, the rear will also slide easily in cold weather... Wait until it warms up. The car sticks like glue.

 

this was a demo car. I am under the assumsing it was abuse. i did not check the tires out much. Also the weather was a bit cold. yes, I think I am gonna go ahead and get the car, it's just the finance i have work out. Having a mortgate, 02 330ci, 95 M3 does not put me on the best interest of the bankers to give me a green light for a loan. Although my credit history is in the 760s and pay everything on time. Kaiwang, if you live in the area, let's meet up so I can see your car. I talked to Evolution in Chantilly and those guys have their car hooked to the ground. U should check them out.
LIL raja

 

760's is very high credit rating. You shoudnt have much problems getting a loan!

I live in reston. a few mins from the reston town center.

I have my s2000 under wraps for the winter (although it really didnt snow this winter) but if the weather dries up next week i can take it out. The s2000 is kinda like my "baby".

There are alot of s2000 owners on this board that also live in this area.

 

kewl, over time I have made some friends on the bimmer board and it's really cool to share the same interest. Now, i am also getting spa yellow s2000 and met couple of people and they seem really kewl as well. I can't wait to get my car. it's actually gonna be my semi -show and fun car as I plan to mod this car to a certain degree.

KaiWang,
what car do you drive during the winter? I live across Herndon High school in Herndon Chase which is like 10 minutes from town center. i actually used to work at banana republic in the center. LOL!
so yeah, hope the weather gets better so I can drive my cars as well.

peace.
LIL Raja

 

Actually I'm driving a 01 M Coupe. It has heated seats to keep my ass warm in the winter!

But I had a 97 M3 once. You will like the S2000. Its the most fun to drive car I've ever owned and the s2k owners in this area are great bunch of guys to hang out with.

 

is your car black M-coupe cuz maybe I had encounter with you couple weeks ago on toll road. hahah. If that was you, i am sorry cuz I was messing around in my civic with altezza lights. If that was u in the M coupe then you will remember the incident.

LIL Raja