Yellow,
I have a serious dilemma here. I want something better than what I have. My obsession is causing me to lose focus at work. I am at work as I type this. My wife is talking to me and its like I don’t even hear her because all thats passing through my mind is my obsession. Im serious,. Last night she figured out that I wasn’t even listening to her when she spoke and bopped me one.

My obsession started in 2014 when I purchased my very 1st new car. That car was and still is my beloved 2013 Scion FRS. The little, lightweight, rear wheel drive car provides the most satisfying driving feel that is hard to mimic in other cars for the price. The steering wheel, the gear box, the throttle response, the turn in. A true connection. The problem? The power or is it? Over time I learn about modding and decide there is no f’ing way I am going to put an FI kit on this car as I am a true mechanical noob. I have never even changed a cars oil before. So, I have gained 20 hp or so with a full exhaust (header back) and custom tune. It’s an absolute gem of a car and I have panic attacks even now just thinking about replacing her with another. Why? Will that replacement fit my need to have that road connection? I need that road connection.. im serious.. people will caution prospective s2k owners that the ride is very firm and very loud. I say bring it on.. I want that. I need that otherwise im bored. I also have a 2015 wrx.. while its fun., I’d rather drive in my FRS for the pleasure and connection.

Yes,… I am in an s2k forum asking s2k owners their recommendations making it clear that I am making this a biased decision. So why do it? Perhaps I am overlooking something that I may learn from this discussion. Or, perhaps I need that one last “nudge” to be a stupid shit and trade in my brand new car for one with 50k+ miles on it that’s around 10 years old. It will be my DD. I live 2 miles from work. I made my wife buy a 2015 wrx that is used for road trips. I can by snow tires for the s2k. I have a pedal bike with snow tires on it as a last resort. So here goes.

1. I’ve have read and seen a few videos that do the comparison between the two. It always seems that most people vote the s2k over the GT86. Do any of you have this experience and which car is best for you? The s2k has that engine with that extra 40 HP .. it’s a faster car and reving that high seems orgasmic. Is the s2k similar in driving feel to the FRS? Better or worse? Ive read that the steering is numb in the s2k. Is there an ez fix for this or is it even numb to begin with? Both even excellent chassis. Compare the two. People and dealers have been very hesitant to give me at test drive. Dealers refuse.

2. Am I stupid for selling a damn near brand new car for one that has %%$** miles on it and 10 yrs old or so? Honda reliability right? 200k club right? This is all legit stuff. I’m telling myself this is fine and the cars can do it no problem.

3. Do you recommend that I buy an older s2k with fewer miles on the odometer or a newer year with more? I figure the newer year still means newer parts even if more miles. I am a bit partial to the Ap2 due to it being newer and fewer bugs than the AP1 models. Its just,.. there is a good handful of s2k’s on cargurus right now near my zip code of 01751 (check it out). I just don’t know which one to buy. Look at this tasty treat. https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used...ting=147254263 or this https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used...ting=150733894

4. Here is the most impossible question of them all. Brace yourself… If I buy a used s2k and sell my FRS will this car meet my needs to have that true drivers connection to the road plus more. Will that extra power be noticeable? Will I feel every bump through my butt and steering wheel. When I approach any turn will blood begin to flow to my wang in anticipation of flat cornering? Does the dash and controls involve me? Will I miss my FRS for any reason (other than gas mileage) and if so.. why do you think and for what? This has to be an upgrade for the reasons I mentioned.

Thanks and I apologize for this being like a million threads before. Let’s pretend I have never seen those and let’s make me a new member of this club.

 

The car is not fast. You'll need better than stock suspension for what you'll like. The good news is that its a very fun car. Suspension can be had used for easily under a grand unless you want serious track suspension. You'll never be fast without FI in this car, just fyi. But its still super fun

 

Ok, so wow, yeah, you are obsessed. That much is clear.

I think you will find the S driving experience to be very satisfying. It will check all your boxes. There are no reliability worries, if you pay attention to a few details, which you'll learn about if you hang around here. If you do this, since it would be a dd, I would advise to go with the newest S you can afford, even if the miles are higher.

But the question is still, should you do this? If the car you had now wasn't already a true drivers car, this would be an easy choice. So what would you gain, what would you lose?

You would lose a family, and gain a family. You would lose newness and familiarity, and gain performance, and a bit more raw drivers car essence.

Some of that sounds nice, but I wouldn't think that alone would be a compelling enough argument to switch.

The one thing that imo makes or breaks this deal, is the roof. If you would love a convertible, if your wife would enjoy fun rides topless on a warm summer night, or on a weekend going topless as you run your errands. If it would make a difference in your day doing a 2 mile commute with the top down (which is not at all an inconvenience, since top goes down in 6 seconds, its no big deal to put it back up 2 miles later when you park at the office).

If a convertible is not your thing, I would say stay where you are. There are certainly some nice pros that you would enjoy if you switched, but your current car is a solid choice for your needs. But just know, if you haven't owned a convertible before, it may be worth it just to check that off your car bucket list, owned a convertible sports car. It may turn out you unexpectedly discover you love driving topless. That is what happened to me...

Sent from my SM-G920P using IB AutoGroup

 

Sounds like an AP1 would be better suited for you with looking for "the experience". Pocket the cash you'll save over an 06+ and buy a set of AP2 wheels and really good tires. Then maybe add a hardtop if you find a nice deal on here for those days you're looking for the FRS feeling.

 

I always say get the newest,lowest mileage car in your price range.

Are you crazy to sell a newer car for a 10 year old car? I'd say yes.
If you wanted to add a S2000 to your garage I'd say go for it. But I don't know about selling a great car for an older greater car.
My 2 Cents.

 

The s2k is better then the FRS in every way, engine power, character and longevity, transmission, chassis, convertible etc. Everything you like about the FRS is magnified in the s2k, and the aftermarket support for further performance improvements is second to none. The s2k will keep you engaged for many years. Ive had mine for 12 and don't ever plan on selling it. They don't make cars like this anymore and never will with all the current car trends. The s2k is truly the last modern era of "analog" sports cars with the strong emphasis on 00-05 years fitting that description. 06+ DBW started getting watered down, but still retain the spirit of the original, and some added refinements were made which some people find a positive, but that's where you have to research and find out what your looking for. From the sounds of it, the Pre 06 DBW model is what would offer you the most of what your looking for, and the 00-03 ap1 being the most raw.

To note about the "numb" steering feel, which is electronic, its not something I ever felt stood out as a big weak point on this car personally. I will say that adding a wider footprint up front ie 245 or 255 tire significantly improves the road feel ability and grip feedback along with the right caster/camber alignment. I have no issues feeling my grip levels/feedback and turn in on this car with a 255 and the ap1/CR steering rack with the addition of the slightly smaller 330mm aftermarket steering wheel, which just further enhances the incredible turn in this car has. With the factory 205 or 215(depending on era) there is less contact with the road, so road feedback isn't as easy to perceive, plus the resistance/feedback with that narrow of a tire is limited no matter what, so feeling grip and slip feedback can be more vague and can also vary depending on tire brand/construction. Always stick to Extreme summers on this car as a general baseline to maintain the handling integrity of this car, as its very sensitive to a proper/firm sidewall construction. There are a few Max summers which will offer good sidewall construction for precise/solid handling such as the factory Bridgstones, but these days you get more tire/grip for less money in an extreme summer. If your going to drive this car year around, invest in another set of rims with all season tires. Don't bother buying this car if your going to run all seasons year around on it, it will be a wasted effort owning this car. Again, its extremely sensitive to tire choice. More then any other car ive owned or driven.

 

First of all go drive a 00-03 car and then go drive a 04-05 car and if you want traction control go drive a 06-08 car. After driving these cars you will know if this car is the right choice for you, period. No amount of asking others or thinking about it will make the difference. You know it is a reliable honda with a spirit of a sports car, designed for fun, and in the sun as well. It's a roadster, and the best one you can get this side of a miata, it fits between that car and the boxster S imho.

The money won't work, you will take a bath on the car you have to get rid of it, but in the end perhaps you will find happiness and satisfaction that you don't have now.
It's an acquired taste, just like the two cars you have now. You will no doubt feel you paid too much for a used car, however at this time...it's appreciating, yes it is, so if you buy one it will only be worth more when you sell, depending on condition. That also is not a reason to buy it....so the money won't work perfectly...but what will matter....

when i bought mine new I took a bath on the car I traded in, a 3 year old miata with 27,000 miles and all I got was about 56% of the new cost. I was not satisfied with my purchase( i truely got a lemon Miata), and by chance, and only chance i was able to drive a 00 car...i was sold, then the rumor was that the ap2 was coming out, i drove a new 03 ap1 and thought....will the newer revised one be better...for me it is/was. I have no regrets....

Are you happy with your purchase? life is short, perhaps you work hard and can make this choice at this time...if you can do it , do it!!!

 

Have you driven an S2000? I don't consider the S2k a fast car. After I drove my brother's BR-Z for a few days the S2K felt like a rocket ship at first.

I recall it being easier to break the rear end loose on the BR-Z. Overall i got the feeling it would be a little easier to drive the BR-Z fast (compared to my AP1. I've never driven an AP2). I haven't driven the BR-Z in quite a while. My brother modded the exhaust to be very loud and obnoxious, which I find embarrassing. He started modding after he lost a drag race to my stock ecoboost F-150

The S2k is not better in every way. For lots of highway driving I'd rather be in the BRZ. BRZ gets better mileage and is quieter. I believe all four wheels/tires are the same so you can rotate.

My brother beats on the BRZ hard at track days. He's added cooling and bigger brakes up front. Only issues he's really had is several coils failing (presumably due to heat)

For around town driving I'd take the S2k any day. I see both cars in the driveway every day I never think to myself I'd rather take the BRZ today. I think this also depends on where you live. In illinois I would not have an s2k as my only car. Mine spends winters in the garage.

 

I'm going to pop in real quick and add my $0.02. I've driven both back to back and yes the brz has better road feel but that's about all it does better. To me, the brz is plain boring compared to my s2k but I'm also running tein coilovers and a few degrees of camber all around so the car is super flat through the corners. The s2000's shifter was sent from the gods, too, and I couldn't imagine myself driving anything else after experiencing the pure joy I get every time I sit behind the wheel. I've been through 9 "sports cars" in the last 3 years and driven everything from a gtr, to my pair of vr4's, to a porsche 911 (turbo and non turbo) and even when I'm driving the gtr or trade porsche I wish I was driving my s2k.

 

Honda s2000
Zero to 60 mph: 5.4 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 15.0 sec
Street start, 5-60 mph: 6.9 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 14.1 sec @97mph
Top speed (drag limited): 149 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 166 f

GT86
Zero to 60 mph: 7.1 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 17.6 sec
Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 7.7 sec
Top gear, 30-50 mph: 12.0 sec
Top gear, 50-70 mph: 9.5 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 15.4 sec @ 93 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 177 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.86 g

I have also read from many peoples that the s2k is "not fast" , I guess speed is all relative to what you consider fast. I would never make the change to the s2k if it were not faster. I found these stats above. I can live with those stats if they are true. Although, you do lose power the more aged your car becomes.

thanks for your input