I am currently the owner of a 92 Toyota MR2 which in my country, New Zealand, is worth about $7000. I am looking at putting down a whole lot more on my next car which at this point in time will be a Honda S2000. These retail new for $NZ69K which isnt too bad compared with Australia $NZ79K approx or the USA at $90 in NZ dollars. I am looking at second hand for about $52K. That is still a lot more dough than what my MR2 is worth. So my question to you S2K owners is how does the positive compare with the negative. From my own research the negatives are as follows
1. Not European, hence less prestige compared to Porsche, BMW or Merc
2. Not a lot of low down torque
3. You need to rev the beejeesus out of it to get power
4. Not much space for carrying more than your wallet.
5. Difficulty in fitting cover over convertible top?

On the other side.
1. Half the price of a Boxster or similar Euro roadster
2. Nice looking car
3. Less common compared to the many MR2s. Miatas, MG-Fs
4. Excellent handling

So lets hear it from the enthusiasts. I might point out the negatives have not put me off. I am still saving like mad to get the dollars together. I just need some moral support :-)

 

You know what!? I was exactly you about a year ago. I would compare and contrast the shit out of any car i would slightly have been interested in. I would spend my weekends (lol, yes weekENDS) at carreview.com seeing what ALL people had to say. And let me tell you, the day that i was going to get my S2K. I STILL WASN'T SURE, if it was the best for the money, if i should have bought used, if if if if if if. I bought it, and i can't be happier with it. It is a truely a privilege to own such an amazing car. All that bullshit you hear that gives you second thoughts, Since i got the car, i have never ever given it a second thought. If you have enough $$$, the s2000 is the best for the bang, no doubt.

 

I haven't bought mine and I'm on the same boat too. If suddenly ran into some money would I go and buy a Boxster S instead? Right now I'm still leaning towards the S2K cause I'm been wanting it for so long. I'm saving up for one right now.

I hope no one tells you that you don't deserve to be the owner of an S2K just cause you're having so many doubts about the car. Someone told me that and it was definately not something nice to say and honestly I didn't feel like I should post here before I got my S2K. But most people here are nice and although biased I'm sure will give you honest opinions.

My advice is to test drive all the cars, wait till you get enough money, test drive again (maybe they'll be something new by that time) to determine which you like the best. If prestige is the most important thing to you, you might be better off getting something more expensive. But either way people can find a way to look down upon you. And since you don't exactly have the money right now I would just buy the S2000 unless something more expensive is your dream car. It's just not worth straining yourself to buy a MB or Porsche when you can't afford it. Better off getting the best valued car.

 

Just do it. You're not going to regret it.This low end torque thing is the most commonly trotted out criticism we hear. It's the first and often the only thing the 'knockers' home in on.

Try this :- Get a test drive or otherwise beg borrow or acquire an S2000. Find a nice quietish straight piece of road or track. From a standing start accelerate as quickly as possible to exactly 6000 revs(The onset of V-tec). change to 2nd. Do exactly the same thing in each gear till you are in 6th gear at 6000 revs. Make a note of the speed you have attained!!!This not a slow car without V-tec)

Now do the test over again from a standing start but this time make each of your gear changes as the rev limiter cuts in or preferably just before! Youy'll probably never make 6th gear but you'll know why this car is so different from anything else and why we're all utterly beguiiled by it. Make a note of how long it is before your goose bumps go down