How do you drive your S2000
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 147
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From: lynnwood wa
my old berlina black S i drove it VTEC every shift... hard.. i really enjoyed it..
my current one, i baby it... ive had it for 4 months and i shift at 3-4k everytime.. i prolly hit the vtec twice
i havent passed 7k rpm.
my current one, i baby it... ive had it for 4 months and i shift at 3-4k everytime.. i prolly hit the vtec twice
i havent passed 7k rpm. 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,629
Likes: 42
From: Windsor, CA
This is a common topic, and I always get sucked in because it boggles my mind the way some of you people drive. 
In traffic, I'll shift at 2K. Yes, you read that right. If I need more squirt, I might run it to 3.5K-4K. In the AP2, there is absolutely no need to ever rev it higher except for the sole purpose of having fun. If you're not on an open road, anything past 2-3K and you're just wasting gas for no reason. The car will pull from 1500 RPM in sixth, so why do you think you need 5000 RPM to get to the next stoplight?
Obviously if I'm on a backroad doing some "spirited" driving, the revs will rarely drop below 5K or so. But I've got an open road ahead of me, I'm having a blast, and I have a specific reason for choosing to rev that high.
But you guys driving around town shifting at 5K, please post your VINs so I know which cars not to buy if I ever need another S. There's just no reason to wind it out that far when there's plenty of power for in-town driving at less than 1/3 the RPMs.
In traffic, I'll shift at 2K. Yes, you read that right. If I need more squirt, I might run it to 3.5K-4K. In the AP2, there is absolutely no need to ever rev it higher except for the sole purpose of having fun. If you're not on an open road, anything past 2-3K and you're just wasting gas for no reason. The car will pull from 1500 RPM in sixth, so why do you think you need 5000 RPM to get to the next stoplight?
Obviously if I'm on a backroad doing some "spirited" driving, the revs will rarely drop below 5K or so. But I've got an open road ahead of me, I'm having a blast, and I have a specific reason for choosing to rev that high.
But you guys driving around town shifting at 5K, please post your VINs so I know which cars not to buy if I ever need another S. There's just no reason to wind it out that far when there's plenty of power for in-town driving at less than 1/3 the RPMs.
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 29,896
Likes: 5,435
From: Ontario Canada
I drive my car pretty slow, always in the right lane (slow driving lane), not much above the speed limit. I don't rev it all that high between shifts unless I really need some motivation such as a freeway on ramp or things like that. I think it is cool driving this car on the slow side, I actually find it more enjoyable. Driving a fast car slow is cool.
I also own an 08 Dodge Caliber making about 350 hp, that thing gets me into trouble as it can get you up to 100 mph with total ease. I also hate all of the goofs trying to race you all the time with my Caliber due to it's aggressive stance. I'm bound to get into some serious trouble one of these days in that car, so it is going back on lease next spring. I prefer driving the S2000 on the slow side rather than burning the pavement with a more powerful car. This may not make sense to everyone, but driving in a more relaxed manner is preferrable to me. You'll get less wear and better fuel economy as well.
I also own an 08 Dodge Caliber making about 350 hp, that thing gets me into trouble as it can get you up to 100 mph with total ease. I also hate all of the goofs trying to race you all the time with my Caliber due to it's aggressive stance. I'm bound to get into some serious trouble one of these days in that car, so it is going back on lease next spring. I prefer driving the S2000 on the slow side rather than burning the pavement with a more powerful car. This may not make sense to everyone, but driving in a more relaxed manner is preferrable to me. You'll get less wear and better fuel economy as well.
Banned
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 11
From: Raleigh, NC
i generally beat the crap out of the S, I hate how it feels at low rpms, its almost always above 3500 rpms.
when i first got it i tried pussyfooting around to save gas, it didnt work, i got the same regardless of how i drove.
when i first got it i tried pussyfooting around to save gas, it didnt work, i got the same regardless of how i drove.
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 29,896
Likes: 5,435
From: Ontario Canada
My Caliber SRT4 beats the S2000 as a daily driver by miles. Much quieter, more comfortable, interior is just fine for me, easy shifting cable actuated shifter but it's impossible to mess up, engine is silky smooth, almost no need to downshift, perfect clutch, little to no road noise. No engine or clutch buzziness. No creaks or rattles. Brakes are impressive (big rotors, double piston made by PVR from Australia), comfy supportive seats with lots of adjustment, which are much better than the S2000. The car gets over 36 mpgs on the highway with ease. My Caliber SRT4 and Neon SRT4 have been more reliable than the past 8 Hondas that I've owned in terms of factory defects and maintenance issues. I've owned several Civics, several Accords, an Acura Integra, and a CRV. Can't say anything bad about the Dodges, though the Honda crowd doesn't want to hear such things.
I love the S2000 but for different reasons than the SRT4's, totally different setups, I have different driving uses for them, and I like them equally. I prefer to drive the Caliber 5 days a week for as many miles as I need it as a daily driver. I enjoy driving the S2000 on weekends and short trips, it's a throwback to some roadracing days I had in the past. It's a garage queen for me.
I love the S2000 but for different reasons than the SRT4's, totally different setups, I have different driving uses for them, and I like them equally. I prefer to drive the Caliber 5 days a week for as many miles as I need it as a daily driver. I enjoy driving the S2000 on weekends and short trips, it's a throwback to some roadracing days I had in the past. It's a garage queen for me.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
Originally Posted by thomsbrain,Nov 9 2009, 04:25 PM
This is a common topic, and I always get sucked in because it boggles my mind the way some of you people drive.
In traffic, I'll shift at 2K. Yes, you read that right. If I need more squirt, I might run it to 3.5K-4K. In the AP2, there is absolutely no need to ever rev it higher except for the sole purpose of having fun. If you're not on an open road, anything past 2-3K and you're just wasting gas for no reason. The car will pull from 1500 RPM in sixth, so why do you think you need 5000 RPM to get to the next stoplight?
Obviously if I'm on a backroad doing some "spirited" driving, the revs will rarely drop below 5K or so. But I've got an open road ahead of me, I'm having a blast, and I have a specific reason for choosing to rev that high.
But you guys driving around town shifting at 5K, please post your VINs so I know which cars not to buy if I ever need another S. There's just no reason to wind it out that far when there's plenty of power for in-town driving at less than 1/3 the RPMs.
In traffic, I'll shift at 2K. Yes, you read that right. If I need more squirt, I might run it to 3.5K-4K. In the AP2, there is absolutely no need to ever rev it higher except for the sole purpose of having fun. If you're not on an open road, anything past 2-3K and you're just wasting gas for no reason. The car will pull from 1500 RPM in sixth, so why do you think you need 5000 RPM to get to the next stoplight?
Obviously if I'm on a backroad doing some "spirited" driving, the revs will rarely drop below 5K or so. But I've got an open road ahead of me, I'm having a blast, and I have a specific reason for choosing to rev that high.
But you guys driving around town shifting at 5K, please post your VINs so I know which cars not to buy if I ever need another S. There's just no reason to wind it out that far when there's plenty of power for in-town driving at less than 1/3 the RPMs.
