I was certainly taking it easy on the car most of the time, but was also expecting a VTEC surge when passing on through the 7K range at full throttle. I get one out of our TSX (at lower RPM obviously) and my Prelude went nuts when VTEC kicked in. In both of these case, my experience is that it's RPM dependent more than throttle dependent (but both have impact). Regardless, I didn't feel anything in the S2K, it really felt limp. I also didn't feel the AC clutch disengage or the associated change/sound in the HVAC (all things I am familiar with on other Hondas and my WRX).

I'm going to test drive another S2K tomorrow, just to get another data point.

Craig

 

If your nursing a new car and touching high RPM's every now and then, your not going to feel $hit as far as the car's potential. Gradual and steady climbs to Vtec will also dampen the performance...

The best test drives I got were from used S2000's. I recommend you find a used 04 and drive it hard.....then you will know what your getting in an 05 model.

If you still don't want it..... then move on..

Tim

 

Um, thanks for the clarification. Despite previously owning a lowly and apparently unworthy WRX, I have also spent a lot of seat time in an 05 Vette at auto-X and I'm pretty sure that gives me at least a passing appreciation for sports cars (to cite one example). And honestly, people can buy a crappy Neon SRT-4 and smoke/outhandle all of these cars if driven properly. Driving skills are more important than the car, regardless if it's an S2K or not.

 

I'm not questioning the quality of the WRX, or your driving skills. I'm sorry if it seemed as such.

My point was that your post made it seem as if you wanted a car that would be a thrill when driven mildly from light-to-light. Roadsters like the S2000 are great fun, but you do have to toss them around a bit. If you thought having low-end torque for daily driving was fun (you cite a wrx and corvette...), then you're just not going to enjoy the S2000.

I've driven both a WRX and Sti. I'll admit, it's fun to mash the pedal and be thrown back into the seat right away. There are people who would never trade their GTO in for an Elise... some people just think different types of driving experiences are for them.

In short, yes the car lacks torque, almost by design. You get the same amount of intensity out of the car as you put in, which is why I enjoy it.

 

In the S2000, it's rpm AND WOT dependent. Like I said, more throttle at the time of VTEC cross-over, the more kick. You won't feel the A/C declutch on this car. When you get into VTEC with WOT, there is so much noise and stuff going on, that a momentary A/C pulley declutch will not be apparent. You will certainly not detect anything in the HVAC system during those few seconds that you're at WOT.

 

since I've owned a 97 prelude and now an 05 S my I'll give my opinion.
Pre Vtec fells more torquey in the S to me, weight plays a factor I'm sure
I remember the Vtec kick being much more pronounced in the Prelude.
Handling, well hands down S.
I'm 6'1" and I fit better in the S, roof used to toutch my head in the Prelude.

 

I felt the exact same way when I first test drove the car. I think I was a little too anxious about the miraculous "vtec" and I came away loving everything about the car, but thinking it was too slow. Then I read more online, and thought a second drive was a good idea. The second time around it was like a different car - I had a grin from ear to ear. Can't tell you why, but I think very HOT New Orleans temperatures on my first drive had something to do with it.

I've only had my S for 2 weeks, but when I want to feel the Vtec kick, I definately have the pedal planted. It is definately not a torque monster, so if you like blipping the throttle and sliding out the ass, this may not be for you.

As a comparison of speed I can say only this: my close friend drives my benchmark for serious sporting street cars, an E36 M3 - full Dinan with H&R coils. He was dogging me about my S, saying it was pretty but slow... then we went for a drive and at about 5K in second gear I planted the throttle. He had his jaw gaping open all the way to 100mph.

Test drive it again.

 

Like others have said...test drive a used 04 so you can "drive it like you stole it" a bit more. This car is the closest thing to a street legal go-cart you can get. It's light weight and agility more than make up for its low torque. If you want a winding canyon carver...go S, if you want something with more low end grunt look into a GTO or equivalent. But if you give this car a chance...it will grab you and not let go...I'm on my second (blk 05)

 

Maybe there was something wrong with the test car? I can see someone using a butt-dyno and coming away feeling as if a WRX is faster, due to its torqueir nature, but a Prelude? Or even a TSX? I've driven a mate's modified Accord Euro base (TSX) and it was nice, fun to drive...but I wouldn't say that it felt quicker than the S2K. I've also driven my friends JDM 96 Prelude Si-VTEC plenty of times, and its never even remotely felt like it was within my S's league of acceleration. I wouldn't even say the VTEC engagement is more pronounced. FYI I rode in my friends MY02 WRX as he went WOT the other day, and it didn't feel quicker than the S either, although I wasn't driving it so I guess a comparison can't really be made.

 

Something must have been wrong with the car! Suzuka is the fastest!