S2000 Talk Discussions related to the S2000, its ownership and enthusiasm for it.

A few observations from a newbie owner

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Old Apr 18, 2012 | 09:08 AM
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Default A few observations from a newbie owner

I should start by explaining that my new (to me) 2005 was purchased in exchange for a promise to my wife to get rid of both my '86 CRX Si and my Suzuki SV650. (Which I haven't quite managed to do just yet )

My S came with an after-market, ball-type shifter which IMO made it far too easy to miss shifts (at least that's my excuse). This was very disconcerting, especially when trying to grab a downshift on one of the sharp uphill left-handers featured in my favorite "twisties". I was having severe misgivings about the proposition of getting rid of my bike after missing several such shifts.

Fortunately, after I replaced the ball with an OEM-type shifter knob my shifting was completely transformed. I will gladly swap a little shifter length for more positive "feel".

Otherwise, this car has greatly exceeded my expectations. No, since it (hopefully) doesn't lean, it does not provide the same experience as my bike, but it comes far closer than I expected. The very best part is that I don't have to "gear-up" every time I want to go for a ride!

The engine is wonderful. It is by far the most motorcycle-like aspect of the S. It makes for wonderful "throttle therapy" as my brother-in-law puts it. But I was most surprised by how tractable it is. I really didn't expect it to feel so "torquey" at low rpm. It is very similar to my SV in that respect.

I am also surprised by how much I enjoy driving with the top down. I've owned two cars with sun roofs - including the CRX - and I never really cared to drive with them open, at least for more than a few minutes. But I really, really enjoy driving the S with the top down. The top is up only when it is parked or raining. Since I always wear a full-face helmet on my bike, the open-air experience is even better than my motorcycle. Visibility with the top down is fantastic. I really feel safer than with it down instead of up. (Wouldn't mind having some ear phones for the radio though.)

Bottom line, I LOVE this car!!

I used to laugh at old farts driving around in sport cars, now I ARE one!
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Old Apr 18, 2012 | 09:14 AM
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Welcome and congrats

To help prevent mis-shifts, you could try something like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ald7V5aKnLI

I didn't have a problem with mis-shifts yet, other than getting 4th instead of 6th when I first got the car, but I've started shifting similar to that guy just to be safe, especially after getting a ball type of knob.
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Old Apr 18, 2012 | 09:34 AM
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Originally Posted by obsess2k'ed
Welcome and congrats

I didn't have a problem with mis-shifts yet, other than getting 4th instead of 6th when I first got the car, but I've started shifting similar to that guy just to be safe, especially after getting a ball type of knob.
Thanks, I'll experiment a little. It's funny but I have never missed a shift with a 5 speed. I think I just need a little more experience.

(BTW, I envy your white S. White has always been my preferred car color. I settled on silver because of the opportunity and it looks pretty good - even classy - but white is still my favorite both functionally and aesthetically.)
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Old Apr 18, 2012 | 09:46 AM
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welcome and congrats bro!

I remember when I first got the S I would miss shift once awhile but once you get familiar with the car you wont have a problem with it.
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Old Apr 18, 2012 | 10:12 AM
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I learned the hard way never to pistol grip on the 3->4 shift. Blew up my Celica doing that sh*t

P.S. I gpw too
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Old Apr 18, 2012 | 10:41 AM
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Welcome aboard, I will gladly share that I have mis-shifted, result? I'll get to that in a second. I haven't really mis-shifted any other cars before once in my DSM, I am on car #36 now, a few automatics in there but barley any. I actually learned my lesson, I sort of, (no I did ) run away from the cops, I was cursing no a back road, going about 90ish and he stopped and turned around on me, I downshifted took off, I was at 130ish MPH and down shifted into 3rd, why did I? I was not paying attention or something along that line. Anyhow here are the results promised. I have no shame, i blew my motor up, I learned from it, and I drive the speed limit now.

Motor pulled.



Motor:


Before I took it out I found that that retainers had been snapped in half and a valve dropped, I upgraded them to AP2 retainer, keepers as well.

head coming off.









I decided Ap2 motor and shave tuck then.
















--------
Sorry for basically posting my entire build thread rofl, but uhm, yeah you get the idea of the damage, but the end result was nice. I sold that car, now Have a stock '00 BB S2k.
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Old Apr 18, 2012 | 11:10 AM
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Thats strange, my CR has a stock ball type shifter and I don't find myself missing my shifts?

I'm glad you like the car tho, I imagine its difficult finding a car that can still give you the thrill of a bike, but I would put money on the S2000
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Old Apr 18, 2012 | 11:40 AM
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I have the ball type shifter from the C/R in mine and have no issues with miss shifts. I always let the shifter center itself going to 4th gear, and I try not to shift too fast
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Old Apr 18, 2012 | 12:52 PM
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Where are you located OP, I'm looking for an '86 CRX Si. If you still have it and are close, maybe you have found a good home for it
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Old Apr 18, 2012 | 01:29 PM
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Originally Posted by homersapiens
I should start by explaining that my new (to me) 2005 was purchased in exchange for a promise to my wife to get rid of both my '86 CRX Si and my Suzuki SV650. (Which I haven't quite managed to do just yet )

My S came with a after-market ball-type shifter which IMO made it far too easy to miss shifts (at least that's my excuse). This was very disconcerting, especially when trying to grab a downshift on a one of the uphill left-handers featured on one of my favorite "twisties". I was having severe misgivings about the proposition of getting rid of my bike after missing several such shifts.

Fortunately, after I replaced the ball with an OEM-type shifter knob my shifting was completely transformed. I will gladly swap a little shifter length for more positive "feel".

Otherwise, this car has greatly exceeded my expectations. No, since it (hopefully) doesn't lean, it does not provide the same experience as my bike, but it comes far closer than I expected. The very best part is that I don't have to "gear-up" every time I want to go for a ride.

The engine is wonderful. It is by far the most motorcycle-like aspect of the S. It makes for wonderful "throttle therapy" as my brother-in-law puts it. But I was most surprised by how tractable it is. I really didn't expect it to feel so "torquey" at low rpm. It is very similar to my SV in that respect.

I was also surprised by how much I enjoy driving with the top down. I have owned two cars with sun roofs - including the CRX - and I never really cared to drive with them open, at least for more than a few minutes. But I have found that I really, really enjoy driving the S with the top down and only put the top up when it is raining or parked. Since I always wear a full-face helmet on my bike, the open air driving experience is even better than my motorcycle. Visibility with the top down is fantastic. It really makes me feel safer than with the top up. (Wouldn't mind having some ear phones for the radio though.)

Bottom line, I LOVE this car.

I used to laugh at old farts driving around in sport cars, now I ARE one!
Welcome! I think we ended up with an s2k for a lot of the same reasons. I love bikes... I went from an 04 GS500F to an 02 SV650S to an 09 FZ1. I got tired of spending so much time gearing up before every ride and sweating in the heat because I refuse to ride with anything less than full gear and most of all it just gets old having to be on high alert dodging inattentive drivers all day to avoid a crippling accident. I sold the FZ1 but I still desired the open air driving experience so I bought my 2005 s2000. It isn't quite as thrilling as the extreme acceleration or leaning of the FZ1, but it is nice not having to wear a helmet and being able to put the top up if it starts raining. I have had several convertibles because it's the next best thing to a bike, but I like the s2000 the most of any convertible I've had. The high-revving engine, open air driving and gauge cluster of the s2000 are all similar traits to bikes
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