Can a few of you owners please give the pro's and con's of owning a Honda S2000. Would you do it again or is there something else that you would purchase if you had it to do again. Is Honda a good product / dealer service? break downs - is there a weak link in the car if so what is it??

Just looking for honest feed back on the S2000.

Sparks

 

I just bought mine in April (delivered end of May) so I haven't found any "cons" yet, nor experienced dependability/dealer service or break downs. I wanted a rag-top two-seater. Around 35K was the max I would feel comfortable spending, so I saw my options as a bottom-line BMW Z3, Toyota MR2, Mazda Miata, or the S2000. For my needs, the cheapest Miata would've been fine (I don't race, just wanted a fun car.) After reading reviews about comparisons with other sports cars, the S2000 was comparable to high-end BMWs, Porsches, etc, where as the Mazda and Toyota were somewhere left in the dust. Likewise, the Suzuka blue was THE color I wanted and the Miata (top-of-the-line) didn't offer light blue, nor did Toyota. I looked at dependability (I've had one each Honda (Accord), Toyota (Corolla), and Mazda (Turbo 323)) and I felt the Honda and Toyota were about a toss-up--but the BMW was somewhere behind with the Mazda. In the end, the S2000 had the options and the color I wanted, and seemed the best dollar value. Additionally, Miatas are everywhere, and Z3s are fairly common too. I'd never seen an S2000 on the road (of course I live in a desert near the end of the Earth). The S2K has a little more leg room than the Z3, IMO, as I can work the clutch in the Honda without interference from the steering wheel, which I couldn't in the BMW. The MR2 has a bit more leg room and a "clutchless" tranny but absolutely NO storage space, whereas the Honda's trunk is bigger than I'd expected. AND, after visiting s2ki.com, the people that drive S2Ks that "live" here clinched my decision. If $$ hadn't been a factor, I may have chosen differently, but the S2K is everything I wanted and MORE. Do it again, same circumstances--no question!

 

I've only had mine a few weeks, too, but I did extensive research & test-driving before I purchased. Seriously considered Boxster & Boxster-S, M Roadster, & Corvette, but all the reviews by all mags raved about the Honda in every respect, & I have to agree. Price wasn't my foremost consideration, but add the cost savings in with Honda reliability & low cost of maintenance, awesome looks, exclusivity, amazing engine & the tightest, lightest handling of the bunch. Even with the 350Z and BMW Z4s coming out, I can't think of a car I'd rather have, even for 20k more! Cons? Compared to what? Somewhat stiff fwy ride is honestly all I can think of!

 

Pros:
Unique cars. I see less than one other S2000 per week and I still get stares while out driving
Combines a beautiful boulevard cruiser with a great track car / canyon carver
Extremely reliable
The owner community is the best that I have found -- Cthree gets kudos for that
The car provides precise handling and excellent feedback
Inexpensive compared to its competition (Z3 with upgraded engine, Boxster S, etc.)
Nearly perfect from the factory...there isn't a whole lot that needs to be done (no short-shifter kits, etc.)

Cons:
If you want to go get groceries or do much shopping, you had better clear out the trunk before you go.
The passenger side is cramped
Windshield gets cracked easily
It uses up tires quickly, especially with any hard usage
Aftermarket parts are often ridiculously expensive, even if compared to other low production cars (the MR2 Spyder has a multitude of turbos for as little as $3000, for example)

 

Pros: It's the roadster I've always wanted. It's got the power and handling of a race car (but I don't race). It's rare around here.
Cons: None.
I've had mine since May 19th of 2001 and am still loving it.

 

Pros:

It's probably the best VALUE. But if you are stupid rich then you may consider something more expensive (NSX?)

It's damn sexy.

Chicks dig it.

Very nice in stock trim - if you want a car you don't have to mod much, this is your car. Ofcourse, you could always mod it...

Have you felt the shifter?

Cons:

Not much trunk space (even compared to my 91 MR2 Turbo, and that was mid-engine!)

Radio REQUIRES upgrade as it completely BLOWS (I have the 2002 and it still blows)

Driving top up has a horrible blind spot. I find it hard to drive with confidence with the top up. I get claustrophoic now....

I am very very tanned on my arms/face/neck and very very blinding white on the rest of my body. Don't wear sunglasses/glasses too often.

Power top is starting to give me a few problems. I got my 02 in January. My friend's 02 that he got in december is having different problems but also with his top. His won't go down all the way on the first try, mine won't go up all the way on the first try..

Would I do it again? MAYBE. I only say that because of my financial position (bought car before I bought a home, maybe should have done it the other way around..) But in the end it IS a great VALUE. Another new car that I think is a great VALUE is the Impreza WRX. My friend just picked one up for $23k.

 

Pros:
chicks magnet (it's a cute car, not to mention the color )
the engine is everything that I expected
the handling is like a go kart on steroid
stick is amazing to shift make you want to downshift and then upshift again just for the sake of shifting

Cons:
it's a bit too noisy at time. Having owned a Prelude I would have love it more if it's just as quiet during normal driving
aftermarket parts cost an arm and a leg

if I have to do it again I'll buy another one...maybe in Monte Carlo Blue, Suzuka Blue M-F Monte Carlo Blue Saturday and Sunday

 

Having owned one for about a year. I'd have to say that Honda really dropped the ball on the S2k as far as reliability. My car was in the shop for almost a month for a transmission replacement (3kmi) and some problem with the power top and the fit of the hood. The other problem is the stability of the car when driving in the rain, thr rear just would not stay planted. Other than that the S2k is a fun car for the money.

 

I want to address the "con" i hear about in reviews again and again that: No cargo space.

Here's my take on that...

It's a sports car. I wouldn't expect it to be able to carry that much. BUT. I can get either 2 sets of golf clubs and golf shoes OR my guitar in case and all my songbooks, Harmonicas and microphones in the trunk. Either while I have my normal cleaning stuff, spare hats a blanket and a 6pack CD changer. Inside the cockpit the glovebox and "secret" compartment hold 6 more CDs, sunscreen, sun glasses and 3 bottles of water.

What more space would I want?

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by s2knomore
[B] The other problem is the stability of the car when driving in the rain, thr rear just would not stay planted.