Another new owner of the '03 Suzuka Blue
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 221
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From: Redondo Beach
Another new owner of the '03 Suzuka Blue
After 6 months of researching and then test driving each of the competing convertibles: TT, SLK, and Z4, I finally came to a conclusion that S2000 was the best car for me. So, after visiting couple of the local dealers, I am now the proud owner of a new S2000 as of 12/12/2002.
Because it's been raining off and on for the last several days here, I've only been able to put 120 miles on my new baby. So far, I've driven her on the city streets, freeway(91), and short but nice drive up and down the PCH and PV(very nice winding roads).
Here are couple of things I've noticed during these drives:
Positives:
1) S2K handles beautifully! (Immediate feedback, tight and precise steering, solid chassis, excellent grip)
2) Decent power between 4K-6K RPM (No, I haven't yet felt the VTEC. Gotta wait another 480 miles)
3) Very comfy(Not in the Lexus sense) seats and cozy cabin
4) Beautiful styling, Perfect fit and finish
Negatives:
1) Noisy at freeway speed: The engine noise at cruising speed in combination with wind/road noise make for a very noisy cabin where normal conversation is difficult and the radio barely audible. (Would larger windblocker help? Does Lucid's back panel speaker really make a big difference?)
2) Ride is bit too harsh on the freeway: Perhaps this is due to the surface condition of the particular freeway(91) I was on, but I could not rest my head on the headrest(if you can call it that) because the car was bouncing up and down constantly. My wife seem even more irritated by this motion. She is used to the ride on her Accord. I am an ex-RX7 driver and realize that you have to give up some ride quality for handling, however this seemed bit more than I expected. (and yes, I've checked for the spring spacers)
Overall, despite the negatives, I am very satisfied with my new S2K.
I'd also like to express my appreciation to all those who post on this board. Information provided by this board was invaluable.
Because it's been raining off and on for the last several days here, I've only been able to put 120 miles on my new baby. So far, I've driven her on the city streets, freeway(91), and short but nice drive up and down the PCH and PV(very nice winding roads).
Here are couple of things I've noticed during these drives:
Positives:
1) S2K handles beautifully! (Immediate feedback, tight and precise steering, solid chassis, excellent grip)
2) Decent power between 4K-6K RPM (No, I haven't yet felt the VTEC. Gotta wait another 480 miles)
3) Very comfy(Not in the Lexus sense) seats and cozy cabin
4) Beautiful styling, Perfect fit and finish
Negatives:
1) Noisy at freeway speed: The engine noise at cruising speed in combination with wind/road noise make for a very noisy cabin where normal conversation is difficult and the radio barely audible. (Would larger windblocker help? Does Lucid's back panel speaker really make a big difference?)
2) Ride is bit too harsh on the freeway: Perhaps this is due to the surface condition of the particular freeway(91) I was on, but I could not rest my head on the headrest(if you can call it that) because the car was bouncing up and down constantly. My wife seem even more irritated by this motion. She is used to the ride on her Accord. I am an ex-RX7 driver and realize that you have to give up some ride quality for handling, however this seemed bit more than I expected. (and yes, I've checked for the spring spacers)
Overall, despite the negatives, I am very satisfied with my new S2K.
I'd also like to express my appreciation to all those who post on this board. Information provided by this board was invaluable.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,601
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From: Los Angeles, CA
Congratulations sir, and welcome! You've got a point as far as the two negatives you listed, but I must say as another new owner that the ride stiffness didn't surprise me. After the test drive and everything I've read about the car, I was expecting, even hoping the suspension would feel as stiff as it does. I just love it this way. It's true, the 91 is a lousy freeway, but there are others in LA that are worse. 
I'm sure you're aware of that! In other words, I guess we will have to get used to it. Enjoy the new ride!
I'm sure you're aware of that! In other words, I guess we will have to get used to it. Enjoy the new ride!
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 560
Likes: 12
From: San Rafael
welcome aboard, blue is one of the 2 rarest color's maybe the rarest! Get yourself an after market stereo as the oem does suck versus the noisy s2k. there are many threads in the electronics section on muzak makeovers
oh yeah its not the road the car is a stiffy
oh yeah its not the road the car is a stiffy
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta
Welcome to the wonderful world of the S2000. What I wouldn't give to have a bit of the PCH within driving distance, but we do have some nice routes through the north Georgia mountains nearby.
Congratulations and enjoy!
Congratulations and enjoy!
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Registered User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 490
Likes: 0
From: Nashville, TN
Congrats on the new car!
I love the blue exterior - it is a real nice color.
When I first got my car - the first little trip with with my wife, the car seemed to bounce over every little bump. With a few more miles on it and driving by myself I did not notice it as much. Did I get used to it? Did not having my wife along make it better? Did having a few more miles make it better? Don't know.
With the top up, I thought the stereo sound was pretty bad - for sure on the tuner. The CD changer sounded best of all, the in dash CD was OK. Driving around at speed with the top down it actually sounded better! All the car noise, road noise, and wind noise masks some of the flaws in the system. I am going to get some better drop-in speakers for the doors - not sure about the rear panel speakers.
If you can't hear your stereo, then for sure the cheapest and easiest way to get more volume is to put in rear speakers. You can buy the speakers yourself and cut the holes and hack into the wiring (the cheap way) or kit a kit from Lucid with the pre-cut panels and harness - and even the speakers. The head unit has 2 unused channels just sitting there waiting to be tapped. Just about everyone I have talked or read about that TRIES the rear speaker set up loves it. Good stereo "image" normally dictate you only have fron speakers, but if you can't HEAR the stereo then there is no image to "ruin" by having the rear speakers.
I agree about the build quality and the car being "tight" - I have owned a Miata and a 'vette convertible. The S2000 is by far the best built, almost 0 cowl shake and flex.
Dennis
I love the blue exterior - it is a real nice color.
When I first got my car - the first little trip with with my wife, the car seemed to bounce over every little bump. With a few more miles on it and driving by myself I did not notice it as much. Did I get used to it? Did not having my wife along make it better? Did having a few more miles make it better? Don't know.
With the top up, I thought the stereo sound was pretty bad - for sure on the tuner. The CD changer sounded best of all, the in dash CD was OK. Driving around at speed with the top down it actually sounded better! All the car noise, road noise, and wind noise masks some of the flaws in the system. I am going to get some better drop-in speakers for the doors - not sure about the rear panel speakers.
If you can't hear your stereo, then for sure the cheapest and easiest way to get more volume is to put in rear speakers. You can buy the speakers yourself and cut the holes and hack into the wiring (the cheap way) or kit a kit from Lucid with the pre-cut panels and harness - and even the speakers. The head unit has 2 unused channels just sitting there waiting to be tapped. Just about everyone I have talked or read about that TRIES the rear speaker set up loves it. Good stereo "image" normally dictate you only have fron speakers, but if you can't HEAR the stereo then there is no image to "ruin" by having the rear speakers.
I agree about the build quality and the car being "tight" - I have owned a Miata and a 'vette convertible. The S2000 is by far the best built, almost 0 cowl shake and flex.
Dennis
