hey,
i am 20 years old currently and am considering purchasing an s2000 in the future, prolly in 1-2 yrs, around when i graduate and have a job... but i'm tryin' to prepare now (in the event that i miraculously come into a large sum of money in the near future, so i can be prepared). I want ur opinion, as owners, esp from the everyday drivers of this car. how do u feel about it? any regrets? i have read in the past that the ride is not so smooth, but would like to hear the drivers' say in this matter. But i'd like to find out not just about that, but pretty much ANYTHING u have to say about it (positive or negative, both would be most helpful to me, so i can learn as much as i can about it). Pretty much anything u feel about ur car would be helpful, what u like/dislike about the aesthetics, size, console-friendliness, comfort, anything u can think of, let me know!

-brian

 

There is nothing I don't like about the car. once in the seat, I feel like I a part of the car. The ride may be rough for some, but since this is the closest thing to a race car, I wouldn't expect a cushy ride. To me, it handles like it's on rails and has great response as far as acceleration goes.

 

As someone who is in a similar position (love the S2000, might get one someday) I have found that the best resource on this site is the search feature. I have seen your specific question asked and answered dozens of times.

My policy as a non-owner guest on this board is to take the time to go back through the archives, and not to make everyone retype stuff.

Good luck,

-Nick

 

GTI,

Appreciate your perspective, and your concern about saving valuable resources such as webpage space (and my fingers) , but I'm happy to answer specific questions tailored to a specific person, such as LilBri.

LilBri,

You should read the forums, as GTI instructs, but MarioD sums up pretty well. To add to his perspective: I ride motorcycles (not very well, but I ride them). This car rides like a four-wheel version of my CBR. I drove the bike there to check it out, and could not resist this car, so I bought it as an impulse buy. But let's be clear, this is a rocket, not a Mercedes sedan, and you will absolutely feel the road, and all the air around you. I wouldn't own it as my only vehicle, for many reasons.

 

This site is perfect for all the information you need. I drive my S daily and no problem. My only recent complaint is that I upgraded the stereo and with a rag top, I have to lock my face plate when I leave and lock the car.

Do some budgeting first like you said, and make sure you're aware you're paying for a $30,000 car. I paid off every debt I had before I purchased my S, that way it's easier to make those payments.

You need to check insurance also. When I turned 25, my insurance didn't drop a dime.

 

Same here, it is my daily driver. Yes, it is true, it's not the smoothest ride, you feel every nick and cranny in the road. For some reason, I like the feel. The car is just plain fun to drive.

If you don't seek attention, be wary, cuz this car gets looks like you wouldn't believe. Honks from luxury cars and what seems to be mature car owners is something you can expect too. It seems like no matter how your body is built, the seats will fit you like a glove.

The noise level of the car is a little on the loud side, I find myself upshifting quite a bit when I just want to cruise without the loud sound. Being a drop top...that's something that you just gotta experience.

Storage space...um, about non-existant, but if you are looking at this car, I'm assuming you already knew that. Bottom line, I think if you already had your eye on the car, you will love it even more when you can walk in the garage and it's sitting there, asking you, "wanna go somewhere? anywhere?" you were just going to take out the garbage, but decide to please the car by taking her out...she's so demanding, hahaha

 

everything sounds good to me, yes GTI i will do a search, sorry for not doing one b4, my excuse is that i don't get a lotta computer usage time at where i work and i just moved into an apartment and have no net connection YET, not even a phone line (we've been lazy). but i will do a search once i have more time to do so.

s-cbr, ur s2k was an impulse buy?!?! u r a BEAST!!
well i drive a 99 accord coupe and so my original plan was to sell the accord to provide $ for the s2k but now i'm thinking i should keep the accord as the daily driver car and have s2k as weekend car? just from ppl saying not to only have the s2k as the main car...hmm...*pondering*...but man that'd steal from my money supply tho....=

 

I would add that the S2K does not make the best commuter car, not because there is anything bad about the car but because this car is so good!

For instance, when I drive my wife's Accord I don't care about being in stop and go traffic, I don't care about jerks revving on me, I don't care about noisy Harley's and trucks in my ear, etc. But the S2000 is the ultimate race horse, it begs to be driven hard, it begs to run and stretch its legs. Thus you and the car get frustrated under the wrong conditions.

So if the S2000 will be your only car I would avoid commuting in it. On the other hand if you drive in a relatively traffic free area the S2000 is a dream come true, you will look for excuses to drive it just to listen to the engine scream, the wind in your hair, and the perfect balance/grip of the chassis/tires.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by LiLBri
[B]s-cbr, ur s2k was an impulse buy?!?! u r a BEAST!!
well i drive a 99 accord coupe and so my original plan was to sell the accord to provide $ for the s2k but now i'm thinking i should keep the accord as the daily driver car and have s2k as weekend car?

 

I kept my 94 civic in case I needed the room. I suggest you do the same. The 3rd day I had my car, I went shopping and bought an ironing board. You can't fit that in an S2000. So if it is your only car, and you don't have anything now, get something with a bigger trunk, or at least a micro back seat.

As far as likes, everyone on this board who knows me knows that I wish that the car had more torque. The car feels weighed down if you have stuff in the trunk and someone riding with you.

The car seats are pretty good. You can't recline back much, so if you like to slouch when you drive, you can't do it with this car.

The steering is stiff, but sometimes too stiff at higher speeds. Honda realized this and developed the V-Type S2000 which is only being sold in Japan at this point. The V-Type softens the steering of the S2000 at higher speeds so abrupt turns aren't so abrupt when you are doing 130mph.

The paint of the car is average. Honda isn't the best for their paint quality and the type of cars that the S2000 is compared to like the Boxter, Z3/ Z4, and SLK have superior paint jobs. But the S2000 isn't bad by far.

The interior has much to be desired for an everyday driver. No time piece (not even on the radio), cheap radio (with no bass). Other then that, the interior quality is rather uninspiring. If you look at a Z3/Z4, SLK, or Boxter, the S2000 has the worst interior of the bunch. But still not bad for a car of this price.

The exterior curves are beautiful. I think that this car looks better than almost any other car under $45,000. The boxter only looks as good with an aero kit on it. The Z4 will give it some comp, but the exteror looks great.

Trunk space sucks.

Tires wear out after about 15,000 miles... and will cost you about $700 for new ones.

Honda reliability is a 10 out of 10.

Alot of people complain about 2nd gear grind when you foot is off the gas and you are coasting to a stop.

At high speeds, there is alot of wind noise.

The roof can leak if it rains too hard for too long. (Only small drips)

Chicks dig it

guys with fast cars, or who think that they have fast cars will almost always challenge you, which gets old after a while.

You will feel every bump in the road.

But there is nothing like owning an S. I love mine and will never sell it. I say do it if you have another car as a backup.