Why did EVO magazine rate the S2000 so low (3 out of 5 stars) in the performance summary section towards the rear of the magazine? On the plus side, they said it looks good on paper. On the negative side, they stated something like the driveability wasn't so hot. I appreciate any feedback, because otherwise I think EVO is a pretty cool read as are some other mags written in the "mother tongue".

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by S2KALI
[B]Why did EVO magazine rate the S2000 so low (3 out of 5 stars) in the performance summary section towards the rear of the magazine? On the plus side, they said it looks good on paper. On the negative side, they stated something like

 

BMW build Quality? Theres absolutley nothing wrong with Japanese build quality if you ask me. A Honda is also more reliable than any of the German Manufacturers according to the JD Power surveys, in fact I think 5 of the top 6 are japanese manufacturers with Mitsubishi being number 1.

As for Autocar while they slated the car in the road tests, in the track tests the results were very different, they said it was the biggest surprise of the day and in one part of the track only a Porsche 911 managed a better performance. Its available on the German website that David M gave out in an earlier post.

Car magazine slated the S2 for its snappy handling on rough roads and gave the verdict to the TT, however thats missing the point of this car. Throughout the design stage of this car Honda referred constantly to Formula 1 technologies so its not surprise to find that the car is excellent on the track whilst not so great over pot holes and the like, it was designed to be a sports car not an off-roader!. Also remember that this chassis and suspension were designed with racing in mind, this is not a tarted up Golf or 3 series compact both of which are designed for a softer more comfortable ride.

In the Top Gear review (the original one) they took the cars on the track and hence its no surprise it came up trumps. Car and Evo love Scooby's and Evo's but they are a different breed of animal and should not be used in comparison the S2.

At the end of the day its one persons view, for me I love the pin point accuracy of this car and on a good road surface the performance and handling never fail to bring a smile to my face and that for me is why I bought the car.

 

Evo Magazine is a pretty good read, however I was a little disappointed
at what they had to say about the S2k too. From what I remember of the
review (t'was a while ago) they said that it was a great car to drive
as 8/10ths-9/10ths but if you were out of VTEC the car seems oddly
"normal..Boring". Also I think they where saying that the feedback
though the steering was not great.

I think in defence of the car and the magazine:

1: There are a LOT of tactile handling, fast small cars available on
the British market. (Sports cars - Lotus Elise/Exige/340R, Caterhams,
TVRs, Vauxhall(!) VX220. Hot hatches - Peugeot 106/06/306 GTi Renault
Clio 172/3.0 V6 to name a few). All of which were cheaper than the 2000
at the time of it's review. So the magazines tend to come down
pretty hard on a car that does not at least match the feedback of
these sorts of cars. Whereas in America, there are far fewer great
handling little and CHEAP cars to compare the S2K against.

2: The price of the S2K here has come down by about $5000 since it's
initial review, so it was a lot closer to rivals from TVR etc when
first released. These cars have masses of torque (old Buick/Range Rover
lump - 5.0 litres!) So bad comparisons with the low end performance
are probable.

Autocar (as mentioned) also gave the car a fairly low mark (but the review
didn't read like that). But a number of other magazines really like
it. Top gear, Car, Auto express, have said really nice things about it.

I think the person reviewing has a lot to do with it. Pushing an S2000
at 100% down a country lane is a drive fraught with danger (backend snap!)
and the lack of (!) low end power (compared to the enormous amount
of high end poke) will no doubt turn some people off, those who think
a redline is fixed at 6.5k. A "hot hatch" can be thrashed to the limit
with much less danger and normally the power delivery is more linear, although
nowhere near as much. Some people prefer it like that. But not me!


Gary.

 

JUST repeating MAG reviews Jason

Trouble with the UK is the fact not many 'back roads' AKA those without GATSOS are free of Potholes / ridges / humps, I have a favourite 4 mile stretch of such road, easier to tackle and quicker in my old TypeR Integra.

I remember that Autocar test of the cars on the racetrack, most frustating part was they didn't give times!!

I remember it was the'BEST' around one tricky set of curves!

 

I was under the impression that the roads were better maintained across the pond. Anyway, sounds like they could make due with a Spoon X-brace or are running the tires with too much PSI. Your cogent responses have placed their comments in perspective.

Cheers,
S2KALI

 

Yes, I too love CAR and EVO. Two great magazines. I was very disappointed in their writeups of the S2000, so was wondering why they didn't like the car. I guess it is because it isn't set up for their roads. Apparently, they are not well maintained, whereas I believe the roads in say California and Japan are smoother, thus catering more to a very firm suspension.

It is hard to say, but going up against a Lotus Elise on the one hand and a TVR Griffith on the other is VERY stiff competition, indeed. Perhaps they thought that the S2000 wasn't as sharp as the Lotus nor as powerful as the TVR, as some others have suggested on this thread.