Hello, I'm visiting your website to get the answers from the people that Really know about the S2000. I'm attempting to make a choice about which car to buy, as I near retirement, for the purpose of driving excitement AND tour across the country with my wife. I guess my main question to you folks would be is the S2000 suitable for touring across the country, the 'ol route 66 style? I'm interested in the 2004 model. I would appreciate your opinions and I thank you very much for allowing me to visit your web site. jaygeo

 

Yea for retirement!

What a way to celebrate!

You may find that you have to pack somewhat light in order to travel long distances and some people find the cabin a little cramped for very long rides.

I've driven mine the whole day and haven't had any discomforts. Heck, it's my ideal car... so I wouldn't complain!

Take a look at some other threads about the 2004 model changes by doing a search. Or wait a little longer because I am sure someone will offer their opinions.

 

I drove 15 hours in mine when I picked it up from Arizona and then drove it home to Dallas, TX. I can say that it was fun and comfortable up until about 10 hours into it. Then it just got miserable. My back and a$$ were hurting pretty bad. There's not a whole lot of space for lots of luggage if you or your wife are the type to carry lots of bags. You can buy a trailer hitch for it to tow a small trailer for more storage. The cockpit also fits you like a glove, so if you are claustrophobic, you may not want an S2000.

Go test drive one a few times is my best suggestion.

 

My advice is to make sure that the Wife can endure a small car with a choppy ride (short wheelbase), and an unlined 'vert top for a sustained period of time. Otherwise, you will never hear the end of it, and the Joy Ride might become the Highway to Hell.

 

I drove 10+ hours in mine from Maryland to Myrtle Beach, SC. My gf and I fit one dufflebag, one full size soft suitcase, two knapsacks and some other food goodies and stuff in the trunk. We were surprised how much it actually does fit. Not sure if the '04 will have the same type of toolkit, but your best move is to take it out and put the tools in a small bag!

 

I'm 6'3 and about 240, I don't know how big you are, but the driver's seat isn't comfy enough for more than a few hours at a time.

 

I enjoy the car but my wife hates the noise especially with top up in a long drive. make sure she will not mind the noise level otherwise you may want to look into a car with lined top.

 

I took a 12 hour trip and loved every minute of it.

 

I take mine to Houston every other weekend (about 2.5hrs) and it's not too bad, but as everyone has said it's a bit cramped inside and the noise can get to be a bit much if you aren't used to it. All the wind noise does make it a little hard to talk and with the top up you get pretty bad engine noise to compete with. If I was looking for a fun roadster to go cross country in, I'd probably look at an M-Roadster or maybe a Boxter just because they are a little more comfortable and while the S2000 is a great little tight car, you really can't use most of it's benefits on a cross country trip where you're just setting the cruise and kicking back. I'd think some luxuries like better sound-proofing and softer ride as well as a little less engine noise from not having to rev as high on the freeway would be more ideal.

One thing about taking the toolkit out and putting it in a bag though is that if your trunk is full and you get a flat tire, you won't be able to fit the flat tire in the trunk. Not sure if that should really matter to you, but on a long trip I can imagine that possibly being a safety concern.

Have fun though whatever you get!
Nick

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by RiceBurnerTX
I take mine to Houston every other weekend (about 2.5hrs) and it's not too bad, but as everyone has said it's a bit cramped inside and the noise can get to be a bit much if you aren't used to it.