Am I crazy? C5 vs. S2000 seeking opinions
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Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Nashville, TN
You CAN get a C5 roadster - so I don't know why this turned into a Z06 VS S2000 conversation? C5 'vert VS S2000 makes more sense. If they put the 405hp motor in the convertible that would be a different story 
New S is $33k, maybe $30 with a discount? New C5 'vert is $50k or more, with maybe $6k of a discount. So there is a HUGE difference in the prices new. The cars are a little closer together on the used market, but the S would still be cheaper.
As Josh points out, how many times can you drive (safely) on the street at WOT? To me the big fun of my C5 was hammering the big V-8. That never really got old, but since you hit 60+ in 1st and around 85 in 2nd - was short lived (and burned through the gas).
Driving the S is just more "fun" - even cruising, but when you do nail it you get decent pull once the motor spools up. Is it the same pull as a C5? Nope. Does it have the V-8 rumble/growl? Nope - but it still sounds cool.
I didn't get either car to impress someone else or to look cool. That said, I have had more comments on the S in a year than I did in 3 years with the 'vette. Both were bright red, but the C5 is a more orange color - the S is "real red". I get the "could they have made that car any redder?" comment a lot
In the end, I guess it is what the owner wants out of the car. I wanted a C5 since they came out - ditto the S2000. I would not pay more than sticker for anything - in fact I never even pay sticker, so I didn't even look at the S back in the MY2000 when I got the 'vette. Now I can say I had one, but it cost me a lot of money and I didn't get to enjoy it like I should have. I first stopped in S2KI after seeing a bunch of S's in the Smokies (my wife and I were in the C5). I asked could you now get deals on them and the answer was yes. So about a year later I came back and got more info, sold the C5, and got the S.
To me the S is just a better car and way more fun. In the end everyone has to decide which is the right car for them - nothing THAT wrong with a C5, or a Z convertible, or even a Z4 (well, the looks), or a number of other choices. I loved my '96 M Miata, except it had no power.
Dennis
New S is $33k, maybe $30 with a discount? New C5 'vert is $50k or more, with maybe $6k of a discount. So there is a HUGE difference in the prices new. The cars are a little closer together on the used market, but the S would still be cheaper.
As Josh points out, how many times can you drive (safely) on the street at WOT? To me the big fun of my C5 was hammering the big V-8. That never really got old, but since you hit 60+ in 1st and around 85 in 2nd - was short lived (and burned through the gas).
Driving the S is just more "fun" - even cruising, but when you do nail it you get decent pull once the motor spools up. Is it the same pull as a C5? Nope. Does it have the V-8 rumble/growl? Nope - but it still sounds cool.
I didn't get either car to impress someone else or to look cool. That said, I have had more comments on the S in a year than I did in 3 years with the 'vette. Both were bright red, but the C5 is a more orange color - the S is "real red". I get the "could they have made that car any redder?" comment a lot
In the end, I guess it is what the owner wants out of the car. I wanted a C5 since they came out - ditto the S2000. I would not pay more than sticker for anything - in fact I never even pay sticker, so I didn't even look at the S back in the MY2000 when I got the 'vette. Now I can say I had one, but it cost me a lot of money and I didn't get to enjoy it like I should have. I first stopped in S2KI after seeing a bunch of S's in the Smokies (my wife and I were in the C5). I asked could you now get deals on them and the answer was yes. So about a year later I came back and got more info, sold the C5, and got the S.
To me the S is just a better car and way more fun. In the end everyone has to decide which is the right car for them - nothing THAT wrong with a C5, or a Z convertible, or even a Z4 (well, the looks), or a number of other choices. I loved my '96 M Miata, except it had no power.
Dennis
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From: Euless
distortion, you go bro 
C5 is an amazing car if you modify is correctly. C5 plus modify will blow away s2000 on power but then you are comparing a V8 against a 4. I don't think this is a good compare.
Test drive both cars, if you could, have each one for a weekend and pick the one you think you will have the most fun with. If you like power, get the C5.
C5 is on my list of car to own before I turn 50s
C5 is an amazing car if you modify is correctly. C5 plus modify will blow away s2000 on power but then you are comparing a V8 against a 4. I don't think this is a good compare.
Test drive both cars, if you could, have each one for a weekend and pick the one you think you will have the most fun with. If you like power, get the C5.
C5 is on my list of car to own before I turn 50s
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Atlanta
Thanks for not flaming me off the thread.. I love s2ki and ls1tech cuz all the people love all cars.. often times people will stereotype the c5 and not give it a fighting chance.. However, the truth is.. all cars kick ass.. Even if its a hugo.. it can still be modified to kickass.. The good part is.. average lifespan promotes the ability to own several cars while you live Hence why owning a C5 AND an s2000 is not out of the question... I think its just a choice of which one to get first *chuckle*.. One thing to keep in mind is with the new arrival of the c6 on the market shortly.. you might want to keep out of the c5 market to avoid depreciation. Although, vettes in the past have not lost much value to new generations.. If the c6 is as revolutionary as gm insiders say it is, a shrinking resale market might be something to think about.
Andy: You are correct in that acceleration is not fair.. However, I just wanted to make sure he knows that any particular point about the car is easily modified.. there is a wide aftermarket for handling upgrades for the C5.. If you want z06 handling on a c5, just buy the damn z06 swaybars, shocks, etc. Don't let that sway your choice.. The z06 cam/heads aren't very expensive either.. so yet another reason.. If hes thinking.. I really want a z06.. not a c5.. so I'll get s2k.. just making sure he knows that he can OUTperform a z06 for not much money
It is unfair yes.. 8 vs 4.. what makes it even worse is its nearly 3x the displacement Hence why its comparitively cheap to make 500hp out of a c5..
Josh
Hence why owning a C5 AND an s2000 is not out of the question... I think its just a choice of which one to get first *chuckle*.. One thing to keep in mind is with the new arrival of the c6 on the market shortly.. you might want to keep out of the c5 market to avoid depreciation. Although, vettes in the past have not lost much value to new generations.. If the c6 is as revolutionary as gm insiders say it is, a shrinking resale market might be something to think about.Andy: You are correct in that acceleration is not fair.. However, I just wanted to make sure he knows that any particular point about the car is easily modified.. there is a wide aftermarket for handling upgrades for the C5.. If you want z06 handling on a c5, just buy the damn z06 swaybars, shocks, etc. Don't let that sway your choice.. The z06 cam/heads aren't very expensive either.. so yet another reason.. If hes thinking.. I really want a z06.. not a c5.. so I'll get s2k.. just making sure he knows that he can OUTperform a z06 for not much money
It is unfair yes.. 8 vs 4.. what makes it even worse is its nearly 3x the displacement
Hence why its comparitively cheap to make 500hp out of a c5.. Josh
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