A month ago I test drove a new 2007 S2000 and really liked it. Engine was strong and smooth, even at low RPMS (not a torque monster, but felt nice) and steering had excellent feel.

Yesterday I found a leftover 2006 on a dealer's lot and went for a test drive with the intent to purchase. Long story short, I didn't even get to the negotiation process. Steering felt overboosted, little feel... and the engine really needed to be prodded to get it over 60mph and it didn't seem happy doing so. I know it's a high revver but the 2007 didn't feel anemic like this one did. Even the 2000 S2000 with 45,000 miles I drove a month ago felt better down low.

I left wondering why I had such a different impression each time. Did they adjust the steering boost for the 2007 model year? Perhaps sitting around the lot for a year means the 2006 needs run hard to clean off the plugs or something? Or perhaps the difference in perceived power and smoothness can be written off to difference in weather conditions and terrain- there was rolling terrain around the dealership with the 2006. Anyway, after this I will definitely test drive the individual sample of S2000 I may end up buying.

 

No Clue here.
2006 and 2007 should be the same.

The magazine said the 2007 are unchanged from 2006. Since you felt something different maybe there is a small change that is not worth mention on paper.

 

It's possible you got a dud. Also if the 06 was cold and the 07 was warmed up you would have felt a differences. Otherwise it's you. There's not enough difference between the 06 and 07, that you'd feel one.

 

Also this reminds me of the Fat salesman thread. If the salesman for the 06 was 300lbs and road with, you might feel the difference.

 

If anything the salesperson was lighter in the 2006!

 

Seems like they change this car on a 2 year interval
MY06==MY07 VSA DBW
MY04==MY05 2.2 and Suspension
MY02==MY03 Glass rear window and ECM
MY00==MY01 Original

So we're due a change in 08

 

Yep, the 06 and 07 should be identical as far as we know.

 

[QUOTE=Elistan,May 11 2007, 10:47 AM]Yep, the 06 and 07 should be identical as far as we know.

 

As far as steering, tire pressure can have a profound impact on feel.

As far as power response, did you happen to have the A/C on?

 

00CivicSi I think you are on too something! I believe I did have the A/C on this time as we started the drive top-up. If the car has been sitting around for weeks or months without being driven, the air pressure probably was a bit low. Those two things could have made the difference in my impression.