they should make an RX-8 with proper 2 seat, 2 door configuration and turbo that rotary

 

The RX-8 and the S2000 are very different cars. I drive an S2000; my wife drives an RX-8, so I have a bit of experience with both. In answer to a question on the RX-8 board as to which I like better, I answered:

It's a good question, which is really a matter of emotions when comparing two very fine cars. I prefer the S2000, hands down, for the vast majority of my needs; my wife prefers the RX-8 for the vast majority of hers.

That's not in any way intended to be a slap at the RX-8, which I find to be a very, very neat car. In many ways, the two are very similar--the power and torque are almost identical, and the RX-8 with the add-ons we got is only about 10% heavier than the S2k. But there's something just gut-level that gets me a bit excited when I am about to drive my S2k, while the contemplation of driving the RX-8 merely gives me some pleasure. The S2k is a _lot_ less refined than the RX-8--much noisier; much harsher ride, and far fewer creature comforts. But the S2k seems to me to be a bit more nimble, and I actually like the sensory feedback I get with the S2k (the first time I drove the RX-8, I found myself going 80, thinking I was only going 60, because I wasn't getting any of the noise feedback telling me I was going fast!). I also happen to love convertibles, even here in Seattle. I'll never take the RX-8 on the track, since I don't fit with a helmet, but I strongly suspect that the S2000 is a bit better on the track, and there's nothing like blasting down the front straight at 130mph with the top down.

All that said, I really do like the RX-8 very much, and it certainly will be the car we take when going on a long drive without kids, unless it's a nice day and we're on back roads. The S2k really wears you down a bit on anything but very smooth roads, because of the harsh ride and the extreme noise. Heck, I put something on the radio in my S2k so that it automatically increases the volume with the speed of the car, since it's so noisy. Also, of course, I can't fit four people, or a lot of stuff, in the S2000, so the RX-8 has a great deal more real-world utility than the S2000. These, plus things like the fanny warmer, the navigation system, the electric seats, the good stereo, and the roomier feeling when inside the car, are why my wife would be just as happy never driving the S2000.


So, you really are comparing cars which emphasize different things, and, as with all of these threads, only you can say whether real-world utility and comfort is not as useful as gut-level thrill.

My S2000 gets much better gas mileage than the RX-8.

 

I got bored of the RX8, got rid of it after 3 months or so. It was fun but it's more of a cruiser IMO, it's very quiet. I like the loudness of the S2k it "talks" to you more. But that's up to the individual. The S "feels" faster because of the sounds it makes, it isn't A LOT faster, but the wind blowing around etc makes it feel MUCH faster. The S is more fun no doubt, the RX8 is nice but didn't inspire me to drive hard.

 

I took my friends Rx-8 for about a week and he took my S2000...Things I notice where...Its nice and roomy and handles pretty well for an everyday driver its not a bad but its also fairly quick in the strates...

The S2000 is for a real drive one who likes speed/Turns/Shifting Etc...
Handling is no compareson (The S2K had it all day over the Rx-8) Some say the S2000 is too stiff and unforgiving compared to the Rx-8 but I like the stiffness because I drive fast wherever I go and the suspension lets me feel the road better but thats just me...In straightline the S has that hands down I raced a RSX Type S with an AEM Cold Air Intake on it with my friends stock Rx-8 and got smoked..I have also raced this car in the S2 and I smoked the RSX...Bottom line the only way I would ever by an Rx-8 over an S2k would be if I had a family because it is more pratical. But then again if you have a second car I would buy the S2K... Hope that helps

 

the only thing that drives me nuts about the rx8 is the bad gas mileage..... it's so practical in all these other ways and then it gets crap for mileage. It gets the kind of mileage that makes it hard to justify as a sensible daily driver, if that makes any sense.

at least from what i've heard from everyone i've talked to. I drove one and it was a blast but i'm not sure I could pick one and settle paying those kinds of gas prices with gas skyrocketing as it is lately.

 

I have a 8 and am looking at the S as another possibility. I won't get rid of the 8. I absolutely love the car. As far as gas, its true, the gas mileage is not compareable but I was amazed at the difference in insurance costs. I think in the long run the 8 annually is going to be cheaper then the S overall.

 

salvage titles are a nono! if you want to find a good s2000 from So.Cal dealership, PM pierceman (matt piercey) from Honda World in Westminster and he can hook you up on an awesome deal! tell him Rhino sent you and he'll take care of ya all of us So.Cal guys can vouch for him

 

i would take the s2k..

 

what is the difference in insurance costs, per-cent wise? How much more expensive is the s2000?