You need to think of it more like a 600 cc sportbike. They're not slow either but they'll feel like it unless you keep the engine on boil. 0-60 in a tick under 6 seconds isn't slow, nor is the high-13's quarter mile. But there are plenty of choices out there that are faster or feel more relaxed around town or on the highway.

From what you describe I suggest you look for larger displacement cars, like typical V8's. They'll have plenty of grunt with no effort and loaf along on the highway. As others mentioned, you did not note any of the other ways the S2000 is special, for example go-kart handling feel and rifle-bolt shifter.

 

It has been said many times in this thread. The S isn't slow. If you think it is you either have a torque fetish, don't know how to drive it or have some other problem. It's not the S. Find a 3 cylinder econobox if you want to truly see what slow means.

Precisely. Consider Honda's origins as well as that of the original S cars and the S2000 will make more sense to you. If it was built to be like an American muscle car they wouldn't have made it an S.

It's generally true but assuming that the S's fuel consumption sucks because it cruises on the highway at 4K shows a lack of understanding of the car. If one is trying to make it fit into one's assumption of what the car "should" be then maybe it's time to look at other cars that better fit the driver (another recurring theme in this thread).

 

Its a four cylinder roadster. What did you expect? My previous car was a 68 mustang with a 351c, which had a ton of power. When I bought the s2k I want a car that would HANDLE not a torque machine. It is now boosted, still not as fat as the mustang but the handling aspect of the car out weighs the "lack" of power heavily. Get a ride in a boosted S2k, its a completly different car.

 

About the sixth gear, on a S2k I find it to be a true sixth gear and not a "fuel economy" gear like the one found on a t56.

 

S2000 transmission is not designed to provide relaxed RPM's for highway speeds, like in most cars. It is a "short throw" gearbox, designed to give you a couple of RPM choices given your speed.

This is taken to the extreme in sport bikes. While doing 50mph, you can be in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th; each will give you various horsepower, response, fuel economy and handling characteristics... You choose what you want to do.

 

Dude - Buy it . . . you'll love it!

I'm on my 2nd one. I sold my 2001 to get a Viper, which I still have. Then after a few years I really missed the uniqueness of this great little car, so I got another.

When I want to get pinned against my seat anywhere below 60 mph I drive the Viper.

When I want to experience a top down, yet surprisingly fast handler, I drive the S.

When I want to remind myself that I grew up driving a muscle car in high school, I drive the Camaro.

It's all in what you want. Don't get caught up in trying to compare the S to something not of the same purpose. If you want a strong comparo, look at the Lotus Elise. Yes it costs more, but it is of the same go-cart mindset.

 

Where did you take the test drive, and did you redline the car? A lot of people that are not familiar with Honda's will not run the car as high redline wise. Like everyone stated it wont be the fastest car, but it still is the best!

John

 

In other markets that still got SW20s after '95, further updates to it included more HP. He could very well have gotten a later model in the UK.

 

Also MR2 turbo's loss less power to the wheels since it is a mid mounted engine. They also weigh considerably less than an s2000 I beleive. Plus being turbo it does not take much to increase the power.
If you can get a 24 hour test drive or something that would help out a lot. It really felt super slow to me the first couple times I test drove it. Torque gives the "feel" but hp can still make it fast. Granted the s2000 is not the fastest car out there, but it is definitely still quick and the handling will make it a winner on the track.

 

MR2 stock (any year) vs S2000 stock ... S2k rapes mr2... so I am not too sure what you mean by "lack" of power delivery. Bolt a turbo onto an S2000 and ull get a kick in the balls you never felt before from ur mr2... and what the hell is a rev2 S2000? Must be like super JDM or something