Greetings,

First and foremost, this forum has been a wonderful and informative place, as I've researched this site for about 2 months before making my final purchase.

So I just picked up an 03 S2000 with 14,500 miles (silverstone) from a dealer yesterday. Clean carfax, exterior/interior. Today I did a good amount of driving in it (~150 miles) to get to know her a bit better. These are my humble impressions (comparative speaking from a 3rd gen RX7... aka FD) BTW... I know a few guys that have sold their FDs for S2Ks. I'm not suprised, now that I see why.

I was expecting a significant lack of torque (from what other people have said)... but I was suprised. The engine is responsive even at low rpms. Perhaps because I'm use to turbo lag. I was even considering going 04 for the 2.2L for more torque. I'm kinda glad I didn't. Its quite thrilling taking the 2.0L engine up to 9K. The engine also makes a lot more noise than I'm use to, not that its a bad thing. Oh yah, and shifting is fun in this car. at 60 you have a choice of 4 gears, not use to that.

Handling is a bit "twitchier" and more responsive than the FD. Feels like it wants to oversteer more than the FD as well. I now understand how this car has a tendency to "snap-oversteer" when pushed too hard, or taking a corner incorrectly. Yes... "go kart-like" is a pretty good description.

I am overall very pleased with the car. Its a damn fun car... and that's what I was looking for. Fun to me isn't pure speed, but rather just how the car drives in many aspects. I realize that others define a "fun car" purely based on speed/acceleration. My other choice was a 350Z... but I drove one and although its a bit more of a comfortable cruiser (not as high strung), the S2k, for me at least, was a better choice. And in comparison to the FD, no more watching the coolant temps every minute, carrying bottles of water, and worrying about knocking out an apex seal. Sure, I'll miss the boost and the rarity of owning/driving such an automobile... but I think the S2K is a much more reliable car and just as fun to drive. Hell, its a decade newer as well. The S2k is the ADHD kid of the automotive world. Just my $.02

 

Cool man..Congrats on your new s2000...I'm sure it will become a part of you just as much as it has everyone else on this site...I look forward to reading some Auto X write ups in the near future

 

good job!

 

my sentiments exactly.

 

Hey I glad you like the S. I am too in your shoe. I sold my FD about 2 weeks ago and waiting for the 06 S to buy. I know EXACTLY how you feel about the reliablility issues with the FD. That's one of the reason I sold the FD..kindna miss it...but I will get over it once I pick uo the new S.

 

Welcome to the family. If you plan to drive the car aggressively I suggest looking into a larger adjustable front sway bar. These are about $600-700 but will help to dial out some of that oversteer.

 

congrats we all know that silverstone is the fastest color