You are comparing a new classic roadster design to an early supercar design. Different design targets and very different user experiences. For me the choice is easily the 2000. If you think the NSX is your kind of car you may want to look harder at the improved later models.

 

If you find a LOW mileage NSX in GREAT shape for a price similar to a new S2000 then I would get it (speaking from experience). The real decision is do you want a roadster or not?

PS: USAA charged me EXACTLY the same ins. premium on the older NSX and the S2000.

 

See June 2001 (Yellow Z06 and C5-R on the cover) R&T for an artical about buying a used NSX. I'd want the targa model but according to R&T the chassis rigidity takes a big hit. I know in my 85 Vette, there was a BIG difference in chassis stiffness with top in or out.

Tough choice, but since the S2000 is a second car, the top MUST come down.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by SFDukie
[B]Another factor which hasn't been mentioned is that an auto loan for a used car will always be more expensive than for new-

 

Get the NSX if you never owned one before.. Its something everyone should experience once in their life time.....

 

You can say the same for the S2k...

 

Having owned a supercharged NSX, and now owning the stock S2k... I would take the S any day.

There are two real questions car-wise...

1)Roadster vs. racer

The S2K is a very fun car that can haul ass when required to and take corners like nobody's business. You feel every bump in the road and have a real sense of the car at all times. The NSX is pure power at the drop of a hat. A very civilized car under normal driving circumstances, but it has a tendency to feel pretty detached most of the time.

If you love screaming F1-style engines, tight handling that is better described as fun than as easy, and want to feel like you're driving the car instead of being driven by the car, get the S2K.

If you want to drive 100+ mph and feel like you're going 20mph, take 90 degree corners at 60-80 mph and not even move in your seat, or if you just want to press the gas at stop lights and be at 100+ mph by the time you hit the other side of the intersection, get the NSX.

2)new vs. used

The S2K and NSX are about the same when it comes to reliability, when they're both new that is. With an 8 year old car, you're going to have 8 years of driving you didn't do, on a car you just bought. Who knows what may have happened. Parts for the NSX are also much more expensive than those for the S2K, and remember, the NSX wont have a warantee to take care of it.



A few more things to consider.

1)Pre 96 NSX's were all 5 speeds, the S2K is a 6
2)There were no targa NSX's until 95 or 96, the S2K is a convertible
3)I had the NSX for two years and got 15 tickets, I've had the S2K for one year now and have 2 tickets so far. The NSX has to be going fast to be fun, the S2K is fun at any speed.

Lots of others of course but I won't list them all. IMHO, the $32k S2000 is a lot more fun to drive than the $80k NSX with the $10k supercharger. Once the speed wears off, the NSX gets boring really fast, but I find new reasons to love my S2000 every day.

Scott

[Edited by BnB-S2K on 05-16-2001 at 05:55 PM]

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by BnB-S2K
[B] 3)I had the NSX for two years and got 15 tickets, I've had the S2K for one year now and have 2 tickets so far.

 

I'd take the S2000 over the NSX if it were the same price. You get a new car out of it and like others have said, getting a good rate on a car loan is easier on a new one. Knowing that there's the 97+ 3.2L, 6spd version of the NSX would make me want one of those, not the earlier 3.0L, 5spd. But then again I wish I was in the position to be able to afford either car....

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by dbrower
[B][QUOTE]Originally posted by SFDukie
[b]Another factor which hasn't been mentioned is that an auto loan for a used car will always be more expensive than for new-