Poor Man's Ferrari
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From: SF Bayarea, Fremont
Originally Posted by Silverstreak HX,Jul 28 2006, 05:53 AM
One day it dawned on me that our little roadster is a poor man's 360 Modena. Exotic,sexy,fast,and people almost come to a complete stare when you are driving it! Especially other Honda owners.
Some people here are starting to lose faith because Honda has not done much updating to the car but for me while other cars may eclipse the cars performance but the majority of those cars either cost a lot more or are a whole lot uglier than our S! Nothing else has even come close . Sure the Saturn sky looks awesome but the car underneath does not live up to the S.
So goes the WRX STI it seems like a poor man's Porsche C4 Turbo . Practical awd performance with turbo at a somewhat affordable price if you can live with the average looks of the car. These two are in a class of their own and have yet to see anything else that strikes me as evenly matched to these without spending lots more money or getting generic car styling.
Some people here are starting to lose faith because Honda has not done much updating to the car but for me while other cars may eclipse the cars performance but the majority of those cars either cost a lot more or are a whole lot uglier than our S! Nothing else has even come close . Sure the Saturn sky looks awesome but the car underneath does not live up to the S.
So goes the WRX STI it seems like a poor man's Porsche C4 Turbo . Practical awd performance with turbo at a somewhat affordable price if you can live with the average looks of the car. These two are in a class of their own and have yet to see anything else that strikes me as evenly matched to these without spending lots more money or getting generic car styling.
I often think S2K is the cheapest 'near exotic' car money can buy while much much more reliable for daily use. Few days ago, at a red light, a mid-age male asked me how I like this car and told me that he's been thinking about this car for last couple years. The only thing I said to him was 'S2K is the cheapest exotic money can buy today'. He nodded his head before light turned green.
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From: Arlington, Texas
Originally Posted by Silverstreak HX,Jul 28 2006, 05:53 AM
. Sure the Saturn sky looks awesome but the car underneath does not live up to the S.
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[QUOTE]
After i was done laughing at that statement... I did a little research. The base model redline, at 177hp with a 5 speed, will be left in the dust by ANY S2K.
However, the Sky Redline 2.0 (a turbo charged sports version) with 260hp @5300rpms and 260 lb-ft of torque @2500 rpms matted to a 5 speed apparently does 0-60 in 5.5 (s2k about 5.8) and 1/4 mile in 13.9 (s2k mid 14's)
I will be interested to see how much of that is marketing hype.
Given the choice between the two, WITHOUT QUESTION, i would buy the S2k again. but i might cry if i am ever out raced by a Saturn.
I dont care what anyone says... my thoughts, Saturn
After i was done laughing at that statement... I did a little research. The base model redline, at 177hp with a 5 speed, will be left in the dust by ANY S2K.
However, the Sky Redline 2.0 (a turbo charged sports version) with 260hp @5300rpms and 260 lb-ft of torque @2500 rpms matted to a 5 speed apparently does 0-60 in 5.5 (s2k about 5.8) and 1/4 mile in 13.9 (s2k mid 14's)
I will be interested to see how much of that is marketing hype.Given the choice between the two, WITHOUT QUESTION, i would buy the S2k again. but i might cry if i am ever out raced by a Saturn.
I dont care what anyone says... my thoughts, Saturn
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From: Bay Area, CA
Returning for just a moment to the OP's point 
, another member here has a link in her sig to this site: http://www.tomorrowland.us/sportscar , a meme which claims to tell you which sportscar you most resemble. Possible outcomes include corvette, 360, viper, s2000, elise, 350z, 911, and several others.
After a few minutes experimenting, I discovered that there are only TWO differences between being a 360 and being an s2000: high-maintenance vs. not, and expensive tastes vs. not. So I guess that makes it official: the s2000 really is a smart driver's 360.
, another member here has a link in her sig to this site: http://www.tomorrowland.us/sportscar , a meme which claims to tell you which sportscar you most resemble. Possible outcomes include corvette, 360, viper, s2000, elise, 350z, 911, and several others.After a few minutes experimenting, I discovered that there are only TWO differences between being a 360 and being an s2000: high-maintenance vs. not, and expensive tastes vs. not. So I guess that makes it official: the s2000 really is a smart driver's 360.
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From: Dry Branch
Originally Posted by DrCloud,Jul 28 2006, 02:58 PM
To be fair, in their day the P1800 and the Corvair (I think the hopped-up one was a "Monza") were really ahead of the pack. (You had to keep the tire pressures just right on the Corvair, though.) Of course, now they're just old and obsolete except for collectors.
And dyhappy's comment about being able to drive our cars without too much worry hits the nail smack on the head. How many Ferrari owners use their cars for daily drivers, including bad weather? HPH
And dyhappy's comment about being able to drive our cars without too much worry hits the nail smack on the head. How many Ferrari owners use their cars for daily drivers, including bad weather? HPH
I do know at least one Ferrari owner who drives his cars (he has several) as if they were disposable. As far as I know though, he does not drive any of them in inclement weather.
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I've driven an F355 for a day (rented it with a friend) on mountain roads in the Alps. And my S2000 reminds me a lot of the Ferrari. Engine characteristics are similar - with the F355 below 4500 RPM any Civic could pass you, but that's part of the fun - keeping the engine in the sweet zone. Engine sound is slightly better with the 355 than the S2K IMO, but not too far off. Didn't like the gated shifter-the time it took from 2-3rd, I can make three shifts in the S2K. And also handling in the 355 was somewhat similar if I remember correctly. If I had the choice between the two, it would be a difficult one - I'd probably take the Ferrari, but mainly for looks, exclusivity, and the prancing horse.... Not much difference in the fun factor between the two.
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From: indianapolis
[QUOTE=csondaatje,Jul 28 2006, 05:14 PM]
After i was done laughing at that statement... I did a little research. The base model redline, at 177hp with a 5 speed, will be left in the dust by ANY S2K.
However, the Sky Redline 2.0 (a turbo charged sports version) with 260hp @5300rpms and 260 lb-ft of torque @2500 rpms matted to a 5 speed apparently does 0-60 in 5.5 (s2k about 5.8) and 1/4 mile in 13.9 (s2k mid 14's) I will be interested to see how much of that is marketing hype.
Given the choice between the two, WITHOUT QUESTION, i would buy the S2k again. but i might cry if i am ever out raced by a Saturn.
I dont care what anyone says... my thoughts, Saturn
It's a chevy for god's sake; and the last good cars they made where in "69". LOL 
After i was done laughing at that statement... I did a little research. The base model redline, at 177hp with a 5 speed, will be left in the dust by ANY S2K.
However, the Sky Redline 2.0 (a turbo charged sports version) with 260hp @5300rpms and 260 lb-ft of torque @2500 rpms matted to a 5 speed apparently does 0-60 in 5.5 (s2k about 5.8) and 1/4 mile in 13.9 (s2k mid 14's)
I will be interested to see how much of that is marketing hype.Given the choice between the two, WITHOUT QUESTION, i would buy the S2k again. but i might cry if i am ever out raced by a Saturn.
I dont care what anyone says... my thoughts, Saturn
It's a chevy for god's sake; and the last good cars they made where in "69". LOL