Hi all! I don't need to go into the details of what attracts me to the S2000 and why that will most likely be my next car. What I wanted to do is first say hello and also to ask you a few questions about the experience of driving such a car. You see, I am a car enthusiast but unlike many of you, I have never owned a Japanese car before. No offense but I never saw any excitement in regular Japanese cars like the Accord, Civic, or Integras so I generally stayed away from them...I do however have a special place in my heart for Japanese sport cars like the Supra TT, Skyline, NSX, 350Z, RX-7 and 8, and last but not least, the S2000. I am an average weekend track racer. Even before I got my license, I have been tinkering with cars but have only grown up working with European cars. My first car was a 1990 VW Jetta GLI 16v that I modded for track use. I currently auto-x an Audi A4 Quattro and occasionally take my uncle's E36 M3 out for a spin. My other car is a VW GTI VR6.

I am interested in the S2000 because I am a firm believer that a real car demands that the driver drive it hard and that is what I see the S2000 as. The S2000 takes skill to drive correctly and because it doesn't have much low end torque, it requires that the driver know the car very well in order to drive it efficiently. I have been told, and witness for myself, that it is a wonderful track car but can also be fun for daily driving. The reason why I am posting for advice is because as you can see, I have grown up playing mainly with European cars which are known for their great bottom end torque, perfect for all around daily driving and for casual track racing. I was wondering how strange of a shift from a torquey European engine over to that of the S2000 would be? Any one here own a European or American car prior to owning an S2000 and how difficult was it to change your driving style to adapt to the demands of the car? I am used to the low-end torque grunt that is found on most Euro cars and I don't know if I will be able to stand the lack of that feeling in the S2000 in the long run.

Do any of your guys have any problems with around town driving? Is the car THAT considerably slow below the VTEC kick-in point? tell your stories and experiences...anything you provide will be greatly apprecaited. Thanks!

 

My belief has always been that a good driver adapts to whatever he has to drive. I've experience both V-8 power and low torque 4 cylinder power. It's different, but both are enjoyable. The thing I enjoy about the S is the race car feel it has and the high revving engine sound. When I get in it, I feel like I am part of the car and it will do whatever I ask of it (within reason). I believe you will enjoy it for the same reasons. I don't find it that bad as a city street driver. I just roll with the punches.

 

First off, welcome from one (relative) newbie to another. It sounds like you and I appreciate the S2000 in much the same way -- for its excellent driver-focused track abilities, and its daily driving comfort as well.

I can't offer direct experience going from a European car to the S2000, because I've owned neither (although I have driven an S2000 on a road course at full tilt). However, I used to own a muscle car and replaced that with a 1.6L Japanese sports car, so some experience can be shared. My muscle car, a '71 Cuda with the 383, had an automatic transmission while my Japanese sports car, an '87 Toyota MR2, has a 5speed. This was a whole new experience in itself (it was my first manual transmission). I too had fears that I would miss the torque and effortless acceleration of the big V8. In all honesty I didn't miss it much. The MR2 was leagues beyond the Cuda in terms of handling, braking (scary brakes on the Cuda... I almost rear ended a Porsche once), and sheer fun-to-drive factor. The driver involvement was much greater in the MR2, with its direct, manual steering and manual transmission. Like the S2000, the NA MR2 has all its power in the upper echelons of its RPM range.

In order to accelerate rapidly with an engine like this requires a fair bit of shifting to keep the engine in its sweet spot. Fortunately, this is more of a joy than an inconvenience in the S2000. Its gearbox is so silky smooth, its clutch so light and easy, it has to be experienced to be believed.

I don't know if you're looking for a 00-03 or an '04. The '02 I drove did feel a bit ordinary below 5000 RPMs or so. I only spent a few seconds in that zone though, when I pulled out of pit lane and onto the track. From there on out I kept the engine on the boil and smiled every darn minute. The '04 has shorter gearing in the first 4 gears and more low end grunt, so I would expect it to be a bit less of a drastic change for you.

When you're just tootling around town, how fast do you really need to be accelerating most of the time anyway? For those few times when you need the extra goods, downshift a gear or two and let the engine free.

 

on paper, the s2000 only shows that it makes 153 pd/ft torque. but when driving, it feels much better. the short gearing and lightweight makes it feel more than 153 pd/ft torque. you really need to test drive one to get a feel for it. torque gets multiplied through the drivetrain.

plus the s2000 has a high redline, which allows you take advantage of the GEARING. therefore,making it a pretty damn fast car. since the car isonly a 2.0 liter, while accelerating it dooesn't feel like you're going that fast,but if you take a look at your speedometer, you'll crap your pants.

good luck, you won't be sorry with this car.


Torque makes you feel fast.
HP makes you fast.

 

Hey thanks for the input guys...I thought about picking up an S2000 a while back but I needed 4-doors at the time and held back for a while, picked up my Audi A4 and was satisfied with it for what it is. It's a solid car but in a totally different class...I'm ready to move over to 2 seater roadsters... I want to push something other than heavy German 4-door sedans around a tight race track. Plus almost everyone has a BMW, Benz, and Audi these days yet I rarely ever see an S2000. I was glad to see the bump in displacement with the MY04 S2000 but was slightly dissapointed because the 9000rpm redline is no longer there...that was what made the S2000 unique. I like the '03< dahsboard more too. I know that considering a car for the sheer fact of its ability to rev really high is not wise but it's nice to know that you COULD rev to 9000 if you wanted to. Now you can't...the RX-8 has the '04 S2000 beat in that category haha! Anyway, the overall design of the car is awesome and I think I'll look into test driving one in a week or so. In the mean time, keep sharing what you guys have to share...thanks in advance!

 

I've owned everything from small 4cyl's to old V8 Mustangs, a Supra, Prelude...I could go on, but why. Point being, I have been around a while and owned about 30 different cars. My friend originally bought the car I now own and he sold it to me to get his dream car, an NSX.

I will tell you now that you will be hard pressed to find a car that is more fun to drive. It puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. As far as being hard to drive, don't buy that. Maybe it's because I've been driving manuals since I was 16, but I find it very easy to drive. I've never stalled it and find that because of its light weight and low gearing it still seems pretty peppy without Vtecing(although I love doing that too)

If you do buy this car, expect to turn heads. Not a day goes by when I'm driving it that someone in another car, or walking doesn't turn and stare. And at least 50% of the time that I'm getting in or out of the car in public someone makes a comment about it.

If you're really worried about the torque difference between it and the european cars, I suggest you look into an 04, or at least test drive one first. good luck on your decision.

 

I own an RSX-S (not an S2k), but I've previously owned a '65 Mustang and '91 Eclipse GSX (195hp/205tq). After coming from those two, the high-revving Honda engines seem so light and glad to be up in the 6k+ range. The RSX-S feels like the slowest of the 3, but it's actually the fastest, and can catch you off-guard if you aren't watching your speed. Even though it revs high, the K20A2 engine (not sure about the F20C) gives 80% of it's torque from 2000 rpms on up- the lack of torque is only apparent in the top two gears (which are overdrives BTW), due to the gearing. If there's a moderate amount of time, I'll pass cars on the freeway in 6th gear. One thing to remember is that these motors need to be revved a bit to get what you want out of them- if you do that, it's doubtful you'd be disappointed. My 2

 

Dude, Id rather rev low and actually get somewhere, as opposed to revving my rotary wonder to the moon, and burning the tires off with a stunning 7 second 0-60.

Please.

And having said that, my 01 DOES rev to 9k and I dont think theyve made an RX8 that will take me in a straight line YET.

/End foolish bragging. I think I need some coffee.

 

you're wasting your time.

just drive and enjoy

 

There are no words to descide the feeling of drving the S2000 like it was just stolen on a slightly curvy road on a summer night with the top down.

When you push this car, you are rewarded for it. If you don't treat it like you hate it, you'll never love it.