Seriously, how long is the throw in the S2Ks that you guys are driving? On my old A4 the throw was so long (with the engagement point near the end of the clutch's travel) that to engage or disengage your left foot couldn't be anywhere near the floor. The clutch on my S2k engages somewhere before the halfway point but the throw is so short by comparison that my left foot feels like it's hardly doing anything down there. I'd never even tried heel 'n toe shifting before this car and found it became a smooth process within a few attempts.

 

a bad or beat up S2000 is no fun to drive. The car sounds like it had an aftermarket intake, the oem intake makes very little sound. keep looking for a better version, I thought the price sounded great, too bad it was beat up.

 

Just an update... I drove another tonight and my first experience was definitely tainted by the poor car. I drove a 2002 AP1 with 19k miles in mint condition. It was pretty damn amazing. Handling was tight, although I didn't push it due to wet/cold roads. 9k redline is just silly fun. The ride was also pleasantly better than I thought it would be. Firm, but not harsh... At least not what I anticipated based on what I read.

Question. For those that don't daily drive, do you get used to the size or the car? I get it's a small car, but it definitely feels tight. I don't know if it's just the big contrast from just getting out of my TLX and into the S2000. Do you get used to the size after a while? It probably felt tighter because the top was up (not really top down weather in the northeast right now).

 

Yes, its tight plus it depends on your size. I am 6'2" 230 and I feel like a sardine sometimes. I wouldn't want to be any bigger. While I'm driving the S2000, I fantasize about being like 5'6" 140....lol. I am trying to get down to 210 for the summer and I think even that 20 lbs will make me fit better.

 

Yeah, I'm about the same size as you - 1" shorter but wide shoulders. It used to drive an RSX which wasn't really much wider, but the seats are close to the doors in the S2000, which makes it a touch tighter on the left side. Also, the AP1 is tighter than the AP2 (slightly more shoulder room), so I plan to compare the feeling in the AP2.

Of course, top-down probably reduces the affect significantly...

 

It is definitely tight and the seat being so close to the door is something you'll have to get used to but it is all part of the sacrifice you make for S2000. If you are trying out AP2 again make sure it is a 2006+ model year as they have different seats and a taller headrest (on the 2008+). I find them more comfortable.

 

My Input, I came from a 09 SI(still have it) but now my daily is the S, yes at first you feel really tight (I am 5'7" 190 hoping to lose 20-30 pounds before the summer lol) and I am pretty sure other drivers feel tighter but you get used to pretty quick. Now I enjoy it. IT'S FUNNNNN!!!

 

You may as well add the $350 or so for BYS seat rails onto the total price of the S2000 you end up purchasing. Its pretty much mandatory for someone our size.

 

I've owned an '07 for years and have also owned an '04 all OEM 20K miles, an '00 sad sack with 200K and an '02 nicely tricked out with 92K. I absolutely have loved the car, shifter, handling, responsiveness from my very first drive.

1) The car is very small. I'm 6' and 200 but I like it, then again, my top is down like 99% of the time, parked in garage, tonneau on all summer long. I do not like the car with the top up, it is noisy, claustrophobic, poor visability so I think it is all about top up or top down. I'm shocked how many people want to put hard tops on these cars. Be aware the car also has a 400 pound total limit. So for me and wife there really isn't much left to load for a trip, keep this in mind, gotta pack light, hauling booze doesn't work. My wife has claustrophobia and also has some ciadica issues. She has very mixed feelings on the car. For a calm cruise on a summer day for lunch or ice cream, happy. She tried to do a very long trip with me, first part raining so top up and she was crippled within 5 hours and had to go home, so beware. The seats are good but the position is (of course) very low with legs out not angled and very little room to move/adjust position.

2) The OEM AP2 first drive with 20K on it was VERY disappointing since I was coming from my '06+ AP2 with the most important upgrade you MUST do with an AP2, lightweight flywheel, ACT PP and OEM disc/throwout. The heavy flywheel in the AP2 sucks. I guess an attempt to make it easier to drive since it won't choke off so easy getting off the line but the "hang" and slowness on shifts was atrocious. I literally hated it. AP1's have a lighter flywheel and are better. I'm an F1 fan and of course as you go up the performance ladder the revs increase, idle revs increase and flywheel weight plummets leading to ultra-responsive feeling. If you have an AP2 and haven't gotten a Toda (what I have) or AP1 flywheel, you are really missing out.

3) Sound has a lot to do with intake and exhaust. I personally think the engine sound is sublime and even on OEM airbox if you take off the top you get a fantastic loud sucking when you nail it. Aftermarket intakes can be very loud. Stock header/exhaust is very nice, low flow, quiet and good performance but it weighs a ton (hence the quiet). Aftermarket headers are just obnoxious. I have them and basically a straight pipe on my track car (the '02 AP1) and it is a glorious sound, for a while, but is just too insane so I'm really considering going back to the heavy OEM header and a quieter exhaust system, damn the weight.

4) Wheels and tires make a HUGE difference on this car. The wheel steps are massive from AP1 OEM 16's to AP2 17's or good aftermarket 17's. Superlight flagship 17's like Volks CE-28n in 8" or 8.5" and 9" or more are insanely better on this car. 18" wheels look great but are too heavy at launch, too many clearance issues, have to go to 35/40 so little room for error (potholes) and increase your unsprung weight, terrible for this car. Of course, if you go FI and have 370+ hp, then 18's might make sense depending on how much super twisty driving you do (or don't do). Tires can completely change everything you think about this car on the track or driving at or near the limit. Generic all-season tires (all of them) just suck on this car if you like spirited driving. The BS S-04 or RE-71 and Mich PSS are highly recommended for the ultimate S2000 experience road or track.

Ultimately, there are a lot of people who would hate this car (or a Miata, or a Z3/Z4, or perhaps even a Boxter/Cayman/911) but they aren't car people and don't want to drive a giant go-cart. There isn't a much better platform for very twisty roads and low to moderate speeds. The "connected" feeling with the road, supurb steering, turn-in is completely addictive to "car people" so if you like to drive and be "one with the car" then an S2000 is pretty much as good as you can get on a reasonable budget.
Stuart

 

I'll contribute it to the car. The first time I drove an S2000 I bought it. In fact I bought it before I even drove it! Test drive sealed the smile on my face. That S2000 got totaled. I bought another one!