I'm new to the board and thinking of getting an s2000. But from what I have read here, seems that the clutch transmission and rear ends of these car are a constant problem. Is that true? I mean, I drove the hell out of a E36 M3 and never touched the driveline in 70k. I definately dont want to hassle with new parts every 15k..

Thank for your opinions in advance...

 

I just bought a new 2002 myself, knowing that there might be some issues. But as I see it, a lot of these problems are caused by abuse such as clutch drops and drag racing type starts. I use the car for spirited mountain driving and will do some track days (roadracing) too.

If you want to drag race and such, get a Mustang or something similar.

I don't think any other Sports car (Porsche, Ferrari etc) would hold up to such abuse either.

George

 

OnlineAlias,

On the other side of gfacter's view...I belive a roadster is a roadster, and should be able to perform decent 0-60 mph numbers. The s2000 is a great road course vehicle, but you are risking rear end damage if you are going to try to get good 0-60 or 1/4 mile times. Because the power is all in the high end of the power band...you have to drop the clutch at 6-7k rpm's to get the car moving. I love doing this...but it is really bad for the car. If I had known this weakness...I probably would not have bought the car. The 350z is in the same price range...handles decently and is pretty fast. Nissan's make great drive trains and well designed v6 engines...if you like the way the 350z looks...go see if you can get a test drive.

 

Thanks for your candid responses. It does indeed appear that this may be a problem. I don't really do all that much hard launching, and I heal and toe even on the street.

I guess my concern is, can the clutch and tranny last even when driven rather easily? Does ANYONE have 40k on their clutch?

BTW, Unicron, what wheels are on your signature car? They look great!

 

OnlineAlias,

I have 60k on the car...30k on my newer factory clutch.
Clutch and tranny are holding up great so far, 2 road course events so far, a couple autox events...and I drive faily aggresive on a daily basis.

Thanks...these are my daily driver volk TE37 18's.
18x7.5 +48mm, 225/40/18 Toyo t1-s
18x8.5 +50mm, 255/35/18 yoko es100

Here is a bigger pic.
http://urbansniper.150m.com/pix/phantom/Garage005.JPG

Dry weather performance is alot better with the stock wheels/tires, but these wheels are for wet weather and logevity.

 

Thanks! I absolutely love the way your car looks with those wheels. I think I'm a buyer. (and the volks!)

I prolly won't be Xing or anything, just enthusiastic road work. I'll just figure in a new clutch at 30k for the overall cost.

Outside of a glass rear skylight, are there any other advantages to buying a 2002+? There are lots of really really low milage 2000 and 2001's out there driven buy chicks as a play toy when they weren't in their Expeditions.

 

Compare the interiors of an 02 and an 00/01 model and see which one you like more. I personally like the carpet center console and monochrome look of the older cars a little better, but some don't want the carpet and like the silver accents in the 02/03s. The shift knob is a little different too, with a strip of perforated leather around it.
Also the stereo got a nice upgrade (tweets in the doors, etc)in '02 but it's still not as good as most aftermarket systems.
The brake lights got some chrome trim in '02 and the third brake light grew slightly.

I'd say get what you can afford and upgrade the car to suit you. The only MAJOR change would be the top. If you want the glass window get the '02 and save yourself the grief of changing the top.

By the way, I have about 34k on my original clutch with no problems.

 

Thank You all for your input, you have helped me A LOT.

I'm getting rid of my g35 sedan for one of these (I have a beater, also). I absolutely hate that thing!

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by OnlineAlias
[B]Outside of a glass rear skylight, are there any other advantages to buying a 2002+?

 

I bought the car knowing the driveline doesn't like repeated hard launches. No biggie, I got that immature stuff out of my system a long time ago.