My every post to you seems to consist of requests for car comparisons, but I can't help it.
You've owned and driven cars I've so far only dreamed about -- classic Vettes, an NSX --
So, even without having cracked 6000 rpm, how does the S2000 stack up?

 

 

Excellent question!

A little background is in order so you have a perspective for my comments. I have been a motrohead as long as I can remember, racing go-karts when I was 10, reading all the Hot Rod magazines, and working for a guy who raced a TR-3 (not a 3a - uggh!) with a big bore kit I helped install at 12.

At 16, I got my license, and had made some money in a rock band, enough to pay for college pretty much, my grades were outstanding, so my Dad let me buy any car I wanted < $4000. Which was a lot in those days. I bought a Plymouth Road Runner 2-dr sedan, plaid bench seat, Torqueflite on the column, $2800, with one option - the $1200 Hemi engine. 500+ HP with headers in the hands of a 16 year old. I installed a Magneto and cut-outs and went drag racing, breaking into the 12's at a young age. So I liked horsepower, but also liked the British sports cars I had access to - I once owned an Allard in horrible shape hoping to restore it, but never did - how I wish my Mom had let me keep it.

Anyway, I had one of the first BMW's in the US, a 1967 1600 bought from Max Hoffman at his home in NJ, for $2600. I raced around the backroads killing Triumphs and many other cars. Eventually, I went to driver's schools, and got an SCCA racing license Class "C". Then to college, grad schools, and work.

After school, my car interest waned, as my work was interesting and challenging. In 1985, I bought a Z51 Corvette, and began the first of 5 world-class restorations of Vettes. I still preferred sheer power over finesse. I accepted the shoddy build quality and bad dealer treatment.

I started looking at more exotic cars as my sophistication, tastes, and salary improved. There was a 1986 Carrera, which i never fully warmed up to, but I had to say I owned a Porsche. I had the first E36 M3 in Virginia, April 1994. In 1996, I bought an NSX-T. In 1996, I was hit twice and injured in to rear end collisions, the 2nd crushing a vertebra in my neck, which forced me to sell the NSX-T, since I could not sit in it. The howl of the NSX-T at VTEC was a thrill I will never forget.

I bought a ZR-1, one of the last made. That lasted a few years, I saw the market dropping out, and sold it at a big loss.

I always wanted another 400 HP+ car, fully stock, and ordered the SVT Mustang the same month it was announced, April 2002. I got it in July 2002. Built it up to over 438 rwhp. Hardly ever drove it - it stalled repeatedly, which Ford could not, and still cannot, fix on many cars. Decided to sell it, which I recently did.

Now, what else to buy? I've owned many of the great marques, but wanted to return to a light, nimble car, with high build quality, a racing heritage, a roadster, and would never invest (waste) the dollars for a Ferrari Spyder. I had driven a number of S2000's, and liked it.

So I test drove a slightly used one, from a dealer who new I could handle a car, and enjoyed the thrashing I gave it as much as I did.

The MY04's were speculation, but I liked what I saw and heard here, and ordered one in August, 2003. My Berlina turned into a Suzuka and I decided I liked the Silverstone because the Red & Black interior was sharp.

Now, to answer your question (funally!):
The S2000 is everything the Mustang was not - light, agile, superior braking. Build quality eclipses everything i have owned other than the NSX-T. Ride is choppy, of course, since the wheelbase is short and the springs stiff. Very sophisticated suspension, nicely balanced, excellent road feel from the essentially manual "power" steering. Brakes are progressive and pedal firm. The sightlines down the hood give a great view of the road, only the NSX is better. I am 6' or so, 205 lbs, and taller from the middle up, so it is a bit tight, but feels racy. I can find a comfortable driving position even with the limited seat adjustments and fixed steering wheel - I do not know how Honda does it.

I find the cornering at the moderate+ speeds excellent - minimal plow, excellent tire feedback - I am waiting for VTEC and a warm day to explore the limits on a safe road I know.

The car is a delight to look at - the design is certainly one of the best Japanese designs ever - their cars tend to age quickly, other than the Toyota 2000 of many years ago, which was really not a production car for the US market. Perhaps the 1970 Z-car has some enduring class, but there are styling excesses in all Z's that rub me wrong. I love the front view, with the fenders appearing to overwhelm the tires - it is fun to wax and polish the car. The rear quarter view is nearly as good, and I think the 2004 has made it more distinctive and less derivative and Miata-like (Dan Carney's book indicates the rear design went through a number of iterations).

So, that is all until spring comes and I can wail at it - so far, it has more than met my expectations, which in my dotage, are quite high indeed.

 

Nice precie, RR. Why'd you abandon the ragtops in the first place? Man, I figure once a ragtop man, you ain't never goin' back.

Enjoy the breakin, RR. The car will just keep growing on you.

 

Muchas gracias, RR! Hope your neck's not flaring up too much these days.

What a great read. We have a wealth of knowledge on this and (the other) S2K board!

 

Glenn,

I had the same issues. I have 1000 miles now. The 1-2 kink in the shift is only there when the tranny is cold now. The engine really loosens up.....600mi is a great time. Keep driving. Is the web the only place you can get the Mr moly break-in?

-Lee

 

All brands recommend a general 600 mile break-in.

My 98 Cobra saw near redline within the first 100 miles and ran consistent 13.6's. My S2000 saw VTEC in the same duration.

Because I want to be a little shit and drag up the topic again -- I would not recommend following the listed mileage, you are only costing yourself horsepower and lost enjoyment.

 

"costing yourself horsepower"...

What does that mean?

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by steve c