I'm just kinda raggin on you. No real harm meant

I think it's a great car and I plan on keeping mine forever.
I've just never seen anyone with a new car trade for an older car even if the older car is somewhat better in some ways.

Needless to say you have to do what works for you.

 

yea.. its fing stupid. I am flipping stupid.

My plan is not to trade it in but to sell it privately. That should help me offset some the ownage I would receive at a dealer.

 

In fact, I wish we could forever strike that word from any future discussion of the S2000.

 

That 2008 looks really nice!! The price may be a little high but its not like they grow on trees like that these days either.

I have never driven an FRS but I have a 2006 S2000 with 43k miles on it. I have only owned it for a few months but I really like it. As for how "raw" the driving experience is, I have mostly owned older cars like a 1975 280z, 1983 280zx turbo, older preludes so I'm used to oldschool cars. I do prefer the road feel and and connected nature of older cars. I would say for the modern era where everything is so refined and numb, the S2000 is quite basic and connected, similar to my 1975 280z, but faster. Man I loved that car!

The consensus from all the video reviews I've seen (and I've seen them all) is that the extra power in the S2000 is what everyone wants the FRS to have and really helps to complete the package. One of the comparison review stated that the S has a little better grip in the corners. I'd say the S2000 is a better starting platform for sure. If its not as hardcore as you want, its still a better starting point for which to add coilovers and maybe a flashpro for a better power curve. Just please don't go hacking it up into a fast and furious car...lol.

 

My understanding is that since the S2000 was designed as a roadster to begin with and not a convertible version of a existing sedan/coupe, there was never any rigidity to "lose". It was designed into the "X-bone" chassis that is the S2000. I'm sure a full roll caged S2000 is probably a little bit stiffer, sure, but I don't think you're "losing" rigidity in the chassis. I'd wager that the GT86/FRS chassis and S2000 chassis are equal, if not in favor of the S2000.


As for the decision, I've seen myself personally in turmoil over selling my S2K and getting a 2016 WRX. It'd be a better everyday car, and even MORE power, but at the end of the day I decided to keep the S2K since I know that I would forever regret the decision. To me, I can get in the S and go for a drive and instantly be in a better mood. I have to work to extract the performance from the car, and I think that few other cars before or since offer that for the dollar value. This is a 2nd car for me, and I have a motorcycle as well. Given a nice day and the choice between the Motorcycle and the S, it's often a hard decision, but the S usually wins. I didn't expect to be a top-down guy before buy, but there are fewer ways to enjoy a nice summer day than a drive with the top down.

Best of luck in your decision, but it seems like you've made up your mind. You can always go buy another FRS. Definitely drive an AP1 & AP2 before you buy. I got an '04 AP2, no driver aids, bigger engine. Will take a lot for me to ever sell.

 

Take this with a grain of salt, and understand that I've only owned an AP1 (purchased new) and have never driven an AP2, but the S2000 makes for a truly awful DD. The torque curve, or lack thereof, coupled with the weight of the car just makes it feel like a Civic below 5K rpm. That very nature of the car caused me to tire of it quickly.

When I purchased the car it was a toy and/or weekend car for the first three years of ownership. Those first few years were a joy. The car felt new each time I took it out. It was driven in anger with much VTEC and I adored it. Then the last year I owned it I sold off my CRX and used the S2000 exclusively. It quickly became a love/hate relationship and I soon sold it. I just couldn't deal with the lack of low end torque in daily conditions. From my understanding the AP2 does a bit to address this issue but it certainly isn't a night and day fix.

This is one of those things you're likely going to have to get out of your system. Find a nice used S with relatively low mileage. Enjoy it for a year or two and if you grow weary of it you will likely still break even when it comes time to resale. THAT is one of the extremely nice benefits of this car at the moment. It has already gone through its depreciation curve. Find the right one with all VIN stickers intact and a solid maintenance history and the only out of pocket cost will likely be fluids and consumables.

 

To each his own. I 3 season dd, about 15k miles per year on my S, and couldn't be happier. Early 50's, and rock top down unless its below 30 degrees, or above 85.

For some, to use as dd its too much sport, and not enough car, for others its just right...

 

hey, i actually own a 2015 wrx as well. Do NOT trade in your s2k for a wrx. the 2015 wrx is basically a powerful sedan. it is a night and day difference in terms of feel between the two cars. When you get in the wrx you feel like your in a honda accord.. until you pedal it.. and maybe take a nice turn.. but it feels huge and clunky in comparison. steering wheel is huge aned not as direct.

of course its great for other reasons such as having a back seat and I take it when my wife and I head up to the mountains in NH for hiking... also the two pitbulls fit in the back seat nicely. hahah

 

ok,

I am in need of this communities help again. Since the last time I was active on this forum I have actually test drove two s2k's!

The 1st was a year 2000. That was 3 weeks ago and just yesterday, I test drove a 2008 with 67k miles on it. Dude is super cool and let me drive the piss out of it. In fact, he let me race him on the highway with my FRS. I wanted to see who was faster.. and even with my headers back exhaust and custom tune he pulled on .. pretty much with ease. I should also mention that he works at a car dealership but this is his personal vehicle and the dealership is helping him sell it.


In any event.. here is why I need your help. I was down right ready to buy this thing until I saw the car fax and what the carfax told me could be a good or bad thing. Thats for you to help me decide. Here goes:

1ST owner leased the vehicle and the carfax reports only 3 oil changes up until 40k miles. No other work done. Then at 40k the "vehicle offered for sale" and was sold with 53k on the tack as reported

At 56k miles the 2nd owner had the following: PCV replaced, transmission fluid changed and SHORT BLOCK replaced! Car had been driven by this 2nd owner up until 65k when the 3rd owner bought it. Since the time of purchase new owner has driven it for only ~3k miles. He told me he wanted a car for the summer that was a convertible. He had big plans for it but his wife told him he has too many cars. To his credit, he doesn't appear to be lying as he showed me pics of his other Hondas. Also,, to note, he drivesa 600 hp RSX.. confirmed with a picture of a dyno and him holding the dyno sheet in his hands like it were a 500lb tuna. A car enthusiast for sure. I believe that part.

During my personal inspection of the car he told me the prior owner did the brakes and rotors recently (rotors looked new with absolutely no scoring) and the clutch was replaced at some point.. however, none of those show in the service record or carfax.

So here is the concern, the elephant in the room, whats up with that new motor? I called the Honda dealership where the engine was replaced for details. He was brief but told me that the owner said it was making a noise. When they cracked open the motor their was "stuff"" inside it. So it had to be replaced. This was at 56k . the car now has 67k on it. 10k miles and a few years later.

Here is what I think? The 1st owner was an enormous dump and did not take care for the car. He did not change the oil enough and that eventually caused the engine to crap. I also read that a pvc valve will sometimes need to be replaced because oil blow by can get trapped in there if its sticky. Sticky oil can happen from a neglect in changing the oil. I think the kid got the car for a steal because of its status and is now trying to up sell it. Fine, I get it. Capitalism at its finest.

My questions for you. Do I dig in more or move on? Technically, the car was serviced at a honda dealership where it received a new or refurbished short block. Therefore, its kind of a new motor. Its been about 10k miles and a year or so since that occurred and I would think if something more was to break, then it would by now.

So many variables at play.

When I asked the current owner about the short block being replaced he said it was a recall??

I want to call the Honda mechanics back with more questions but I am not quite sure what to ask.