When I bought the S2000, I bought it for one reason - it's the ultimate sportcar. I was after handling, power and driver involvment ... I'd say neither of these things the TT has to offer. Well, maybe that's harsh - it's got plenty of those things if you're not comparing it against Boxster (2.7 and S), Elise and RX7. Even though Audi TT is a 4WD, it drives like a front wheel drive and handles like one too (it's really a VW Golf with a new body) - maybe a really nice front wheel drive but front wheel drive has zero interest to me. To me the TT is not a 'sports' car - which is exactly what I'm after ... practicality and smooth ride are not my priorities.

 

Loved the comparo.
What do folks think of this comment:
The wheels are relatively small by
modern sports car standards

is it true? Does it matter?

Don

 

The wheels on the car should only be big enough to clear the brakes and wide enough to provide a stable base for the tires. Anything larger is simply excess weight in the worst possible place.

Check out F1 cars some time, or even CART cars. The wheel size is mandated, but it seems to me that if they can run that fast with 13" rims (F1 if memory serves) then S2000s can do just fine with 16" rims. 17" rims would be nice to clear 13" rotors though.

UL

 

Just a side note - S2000 has 12" (300mm) rotors, not 13". And that is at the front. Tha back ones are about 1/2 an inch smaller (292mm if memory serves me right).

Though, for 17" wheels the rotor slotution is simple - make them bigger :-)

btw, to me 16" wheels look the 'right' size on the S2000 .. . they don't look small. 17" would proably look better though.

 

Yes David, that was my point, you can't fit anything larger than 12" rotors (11.8" stock) with the 16" wheels. I'd like something bigger. I had my car at Stillen for an experimental brake fitting. They put some wonderful 13.5" rotors on from their IS300 kit (perfect offset and bolt pattern BTW). Looked awesome with an 18" wheel surrounding them, but it's impossible to upgrade the rotor size with the stock wheel.

Since finding brake rotors and relocating calipers is pretty simple, I'd do a front brake upgrade if the room was there, but I won't be replacing wheels just to get a little more fade resistance. My driving style and track time just don't demand it.

UL

 

IMO,

interior styling... TT wins.

That fact removed, there is no comparison. S2000 simply kicks butt in every other category.

 

Heh, check the standings from last years' Solo II nationals...an S2000 takes A-Stock, while the Audi TT is running in *G-Stock* at 4-5 seconds slower on ~50 second lap. 'Nuff said [whoops, need to make a clarification: I checked the SCCA class regs, and the TT w/ 225HP and dual intercoolers does run A-Stock. The 180HP TT w/ single intercooler runs G-Stock.]

http://www.scca.org/amateur/solo2/2000nati...ults/stock.html

And as for the comparison article, I just love this sentence: "Venture into the magical land of VTEC, however, and you are in for the most insane auditory and sensory experience the production car world has to offer."
Dang I love my car.

[Edited by Tedow on 02-14-2001 at 01:07 PM]

 

Great article - it's good to see a "rival" publication giving such a fair and honest opinion.