Drove the 04 today...
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 145
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From: Portland, OR
Drove the 04 today...
Hey there, I hate to give my opinions on the new car as I'm not much of an authority but here goes...
First, I have an 02 S2000 and love it! I took it to Gingerman Raceway last weekend, a group drive this weekend on Saturday, and to an autocross the following day, which was yesterday. So I feel somewhat capable of giving MY opinions on the new one.
I really like the styling... blah..blah... but all of the detail stuff has been discuss on other threads...here's what it was like to drive.
The very first thing I noticed was the steering. On paper it's marginally slower, but I can tell you it was painfully slow in comparison to the 00-03s. Of course this was done mostly, for high speed stability, you no longer have to worry about changing lanes when you sneeze.. Although I am aware honda claims it was to compensate for the faster reaction of the lowpro tires. if that was the case the two cars should feel relatively similar.
Next is the suspension. If you put a lot of miles on your S, but don't track it much, you will LOVE the new suspension. The ride was way better than ours. I did however notice a considerable increase in body roll, however.
But enough of that, you all want to know about the engine I'm sure. Well before I say anything, know that this car had 26miles on it, so it wasn't close to being broken in. That said, it does pull a bit stronger from idle to about 3500rpm. Also it pulls a little harder in the higher gears at low engine speeds. But both of these increases were minimal, I was expecting quite a bit more. However once the engine picked up, it has definetely lost a good deal a pull at high engine speeds, that lack of revs is much more significant than it seems on paper. Not surprising since the VTEC range is shorter.
My final thought is about the wheels, they look great, but a could really feel the difference in rotating mass under breaking, but not acceleration, b/c of shorter gearing+a bit more torque.
Bottom line, this car will make a lot of people very happy, ride is improved, it pulls better on the highway and was more comfortable all around, much less noise. My favorite thing about this car was the rigidity, it feels much stiffer. If you put a lot of miles on your car especially commuting this car will fit you much better. But for someone like me, this is my second car, and I don't mind making some noise to make it go, I'll be keeping my 02.
Again, these are just my opinions, what do I know?
First, I have an 02 S2000 and love it! I took it to Gingerman Raceway last weekend, a group drive this weekend on Saturday, and to an autocross the following day, which was yesterday. So I feel somewhat capable of giving MY opinions on the new one.
I really like the styling... blah..blah... but all of the detail stuff has been discuss on other threads...here's what it was like to drive.
The very first thing I noticed was the steering. On paper it's marginally slower, but I can tell you it was painfully slow in comparison to the 00-03s. Of course this was done mostly, for high speed stability, you no longer have to worry about changing lanes when you sneeze.. Although I am aware honda claims it was to compensate for the faster reaction of the lowpro tires. if that was the case the two cars should feel relatively similar.
Next is the suspension. If you put a lot of miles on your S, but don't track it much, you will LOVE the new suspension. The ride was way better than ours. I did however notice a considerable increase in body roll, however.
But enough of that, you all want to know about the engine I'm sure. Well before I say anything, know that this car had 26miles on it, so it wasn't close to being broken in. That said, it does pull a bit stronger from idle to about 3500rpm. Also it pulls a little harder in the higher gears at low engine speeds. But both of these increases were minimal, I was expecting quite a bit more. However once the engine picked up, it has definetely lost a good deal a pull at high engine speeds, that lack of revs is much more significant than it seems on paper. Not surprising since the VTEC range is shorter.
My final thought is about the wheels, they look great, but a could really feel the difference in rotating mass under breaking, but not acceleration, b/c of shorter gearing+a bit more torque.
Bottom line, this car will make a lot of people very happy, ride is improved, it pulls better on the highway and was more comfortable all around, much less noise. My favorite thing about this car was the rigidity, it feels much stiffer. If you put a lot of miles on your car especially commuting this car will fit you much better. But for someone like me, this is my second car, and I don't mind making some noise to make it go, I'll be keeping my 02.
Again, these are just my opinions, what do I know?
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Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Prescott
yikes, i don't want to hear that about the steering. i LOVE how tight my 92 miata steers.....
this is one reason i don't want a wrx over an evo, every article i read says the steering is sloppy.
i think steering is one of the most important things on a car, just me.....
thanks for the info, i still think the 04 is awesome!
this is one reason i don't want a wrx over an evo, every article i read says the steering is sloppy.
i think steering is one of the most important things on a car, just me.....
thanks for the info, i still think the 04 is awesome!
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,536
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That is great review. Simple to the facts.
I think new one looks awesome. It should be a great car.
When you said it felt more rigid, can you elaborate on it? I can only imagine. Because coming from VW, MY03 is super rigid. But man, 04 is more rigid?
Anyway thanks for the good review.
I think new one looks awesome. It should be a great car.
When you said it felt more rigid, can you elaborate on it? I can only imagine. Because coming from VW, MY03 is super rigid. But man, 04 is more rigid?
Anyway thanks for the good review.