hey guys im new here... i dont have a s2000 right now.. but there are so many deals on used s2000 because of winter coming up... so do u guys drive your s2000's during winter... if so how is it???
i was going to wait till spring... but i want to buy one right now... thanks for your help guys

 

You MUST get dedicated snow tires. With these and a block heater, this car is just great in winter here. The interior heater is strong and the driving characteristics are very predictable and manageable.
Besides myself, Woodson, Former drive our cars all winter. BlackS2000 used to drive his but he moved to Victoria. In fact, he still has a set of near new snow tires in Calgary for sale. I believe there are many others who drive their cars all winter but they are not on this forum much.
Here's a bunch of vids of us playing in the snow:
http://forums.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=156779

 

I'll second that the heater is strong enough. If I have the air set to full hot, I can actually scald my hands with the hot air coming out of the air vents. Imagine holding a hot blow drier close to your hand; that's what it's like. It's a wonder I haven't melted the wrap on the steering wheel yet. I WISH my 240SX could produce heat like that in the winter. Add to the fact that the passenger compartment is so small, it doesn't take much to heat it up.

 

how is the rag top in the winter... cause i know 2000-2001 have plastic on the back... is the rag top easy to wash? does it ever leak? what kind of problems will i be looking at?

 

That's an interesting question. The rag top is actually made from vinyl sheets stitched and glued together. How does it behave in weather well below freezing? I would expect it to get hard as a rock. I think those that are winter driving here in Calgary also own the factory hardtop option and are using that.

My top certainly doesn't leak when it's raining. Sometimes I get a little water between the side window and weather stripping when I'm rinsing it off with a hose. But I think most cars with free glass for door windows have that problem (my 240 does too). There are reports of holes in the top that have worn through over time. They occur at the base of the top right behind the B-pillar. I've got one of those holes. It's a small slit about 5mm long. It's never been a problem.

As for washing it, it's easy. Vinyl cleans up easy, and there's lots of products you can buy to "treat and protect" it. That plastic window is a chore to keep clean and clear. The plastic is VERY soft. Simply dragging your hand across it with a ring on can draw a nice permanent line in the plastic (guess how I know that...). Fortunately, there have been plenty of people before you who have lived with that window for a long time, so there's lots of tips an advice on how to take care of it.

Chris.

 

Actually, "rag" top is a misnomer. It's made out of plastic (PVC). You wash it with the rest of your car. And a couple times a year, you should protect it with something like 303 Protectant or Low Gloss ArmourAll. If you have the plastic window, don't brush snow off it using your typical snow brush. You'll scratch it. You should either use a soft glove or mitten or put on static cling tint (then brush away). Make sure you don't operate the top when it's too cold (it's stated in the owner's manual how cold). I used it this way (no hardtop) for the first winter and it was fine. I had no leaks. However, some guys have reported that they are seeing wear holes in the top, but these are rare.

 

welli will be trading in my rsx type s... im thinking i should just keep it for the winter and buy the s2000 in the spring... but for sure i want to be part of the prairie redliners!!! im a dedicated tuner...haha
but im thinking if i should just get a 2002+ so i can get the glass rear window instead

 

No leaks or wear holes here.

 

All you need is a GOOD set of Winter tires!

 

I bought a set of Blizzak's and they are great in the winter. The S2000 is just as much fun driving in the winter as it is in the summer (okay maybe not as much fun). Those 30 below days are damn cold getting into the car but after about 5-10 minutes it's down right toasty! What a great heater.

I give a for the S2000 as a winter car. Just remember that you will get rock chips on the hood if you don't have the 3M film.