Flaws? No flaws per se. I just feel that part of what has made this car so unique has been the awesome HP/L rating and the insanely high redline. It's just part of the car. If you take that away, even if you put back something that is in some ways "better" I still think you have lost some of the character.

The best analogy I can come up with would be: What if they stopped using fiberglass on 'vettes. Mabey some new steel alloy is lighter and cheaper with better impact resistance and holds paint better? Well, it's not really a 'vette anymore though is it?

I know things change, tastes, designs, external factors, etc. It would have been nice to have them retain the "character of the car." If they had put an F20C in the '04 for the states, I would have been a little bit dissapointed with myself for not waiting. Not a LOT dissapointed, but some. As it turned out, if I HAD waited for the '04 I would have been dissapointed. Mabey not enough to not buy the car, but at least a little.

It's hard enough to describe what it is about THIS car that makes me soooo fanatical to my Small-Block Chevy friends. To go through the things that make this car so unique and spectacular, and then try to describe why I got the one with the lower redline... It would have been a drag. At the end I bought the car for me. I wanted to own something special. The first car I ever heard of that went to 9k!

I am very glad I got mine when I did.

 

2.0L

9k rpm is one of the reason why i buy this car

 

I still get the good stuff, and it comes sooner in the rev range. 2.2 please.

 

I think that both models are awesome. There is an underlying theme around the forum of some pre-2004 owners bashing the new model to make themselves feel that they are better off without it. They are trying to justify that their cars are better so that they dont have to be jealous of the new model.

Honestly, if given the choice between 9k and 8k redline, everyone would choose 9k, but when you add to the equation a lot of the refinement and improvements made to the 04, the choice becomes a matter of personal preference. Not a choice of better or worse.

 

the redline is cool, but not that big of deal in my opinion.

i think after driving an 02 and and 04, i would take the new motor.

yes, you don't notice v-tec kick in as much, but i think some of the reason is there is more power down low, it is easy to notice.

for me it depends on price, whatever i can get a better deal on, new 03, or new 04, i'm happy!!!!!

 

2.0 All day, every day! The way I see it, everything addressed as "improved" did not need improving. Once the wheels are slipping, you have enough torque, 17" wheels would be welcome if there were bigger brakes in there, I have enough elbow room, and I don't need two cupholders.

IMO, the improvements I'd like to see are bigger brakes, wider 16" rims, and a lined top.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by nastinupe1
Who would actually perfer a 2.0 over a 2.2 if they were both offered here.

 

I prefer 2.1 L

 

Having never driven an 04, I must say that I am happy I got an 03. I would have felt cheated if I never got to hit 9k Rpm. of course thats just me, I would have been just as happy with an 04. I dont think its any better or any worse, certain things are going to be an improvement on the 04, thats a given but what some folks have said, part of the S2K is that sick 9K redline. Doesnt matter, an S2k ANY year is impressive in my book. Im sure that as the 04's get broken in, we'll start hearing better things about them anyway. Remember that a brand new S2k is going to be less punchy than one that has miles on it regardless of the year. Just a choice, not better or worse.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Tugz_S2K:

I prefer 2.1 L