Hey guys, my first post on the board, don't flame me too much!

So basically a couple days ago I went out and drove an MY04 S2000 for the first time (I did a back to back testdrive with the 350Z). The dealership I went to had a demo car that they were letting everyone drive. It had about 3k miles on it, so it was nicely (or not so nicely) broken in. Either way, the salesman told me to wail on it all I like. The best part was that he took me out on a 50 mile drive.

All I can say is WOW. This is the most faptastic car I've ever driven.

From the very get-go, I felt no problems with torque. I know the 04's have the 2.2L, but I can't imagine all the complaints of the 2.0's being horrible city/daily drivers are warranted. I drive an 03 SE-R Spec-V (which has more TQ than HP), so I think that means something. I also own a 93 Civic Si Hatch, and my little D16Z6 cannot EVEN begin to compare to this 2.2L.

The interior is fantastic. The seats are extremely comfortable. The controls are all perfectly aligned. The shift knob feels great. The steering wheel has great comfort. The digital display - which I was very worried about (I've seen older corvette ones) looked GREAT. I almost prefer that display to an analog now!

There is almost nothing I would change about the powerplant. When that VTEC changeover happens, you get a nice little kick and you never want to slow down. I was worried about the shorter gearing - but it feels fine - especially compared to my current car (extremely short gearing - low rev limit).

Handling is superb. You point, it follows. Throttled through the apex of a few bends and it stuck. Nothing I would change.

If I could do ONE thing to the car, I would just throw a limited amount of tilt adjustability on the steering wheel. It was almost grazing my leg, I would have liked it a little bit higher (1").

In terms of comparison to the 350Z and RX8, there really is none. The 350Z (driven it multiple times now) feels heavy, slow, just doesn't put a smile on my face. It doesn't do anything BAD, it just doesn't feel GREAT. I have more fun driving my bolted up Spec-V than I do the Z. I'm not saying my Spec is a better car, I just enjoy driving it more. The RX8 handles and brakes great, the power is good too, but it's not as fun. I think maybe the fact that the S2000 is a roadster is biasing my opinion.

If I could afford this car, I would snap one up right now. $33k is just out of my price range right now. I'm paying $285/mo on my Spec-V, and there's no way I could walk into an S2000 without MAJOR cash down.

I just wanted to toss my opinion out and tell you guys how impressed I was with the car. I walked in thinking I was going to dislike it (based on what I've read) - and I left with a huge grin (ear to ear), daydreaming about when I will finally be able to purchase one.

 

I know what you mean. I recently drove all those cars as well, and I agree on your opinion except it was on an 03 S2k.

 

Buy a used one. You can get a great deal on an 02' and only have your payments somewhat higher. Or, get an 01' and pay even less!

 

I got a used 00' with only 16K miles on it and it cost the same when I bought my first car in 2001...a new 01' Accord! So the payment is almost the same but the fun factor is 100x better

 

sgtiger,

Thank you for your enthusiastic comments.
I was hooked on S2000 since its introduction to U.S. in 1999.

Great car!!! I have no complaints! I feel so lucky to own one!

 

sgtiger,

I have been looking around San Diego and it seems like there isn't one dealer that has one off the show room floor available for test drive... Would you mind letting me know which dealer have you visited?

Thanks.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by dky1e
sgtiger,

I have been looking around San Diego and it seems like there isn't one dealer that has one off the show room floor available for test drive...

 

Thanks!

 

i drove an s2000 for the 1000th time. STILL amazing...


...i'm just playing with ya...

 

Exact feelings I had with all 3 cars!

I'm not sure what the complaint about torque is, heck a civic doesn't have more torque, nor does most of the compact cars out there, and the S is lighter than or close to weight of most of these cars that are used as daily drivers.