S2000 " discussion" on the corvette forum.
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Registered User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis
Build quality?? On a scale of 1-10 10 being the finest build quality how would you rate the s2000? I give it a 6 and if it weren't for the fun factor it would get a 3. Im not saying the Vette is any better but the S2000 isnt exactly trouble free. Here are MY complaints related to build/design quality. This is of course MY opinion. I drive mine daily and quite a lot. I have 14k miles on in four months.
The stereo system in the S2000 is the worst I have ever heard in a late model factory car (Daewoos are better), leather on the seats is crap, paint durability is average but not great, plastic rear window on 00-01s, floor mats are a joke, carpet is cheap, soft top latches rattle, no friggin clock-00-01s, takes 4 years to turn volume up from remote controls, rear end spits metal chunks out when you change the fluid, tranny grind, clutch buzz, clutch strength, oil burning, passenger seat belt rattles if not plugged in, spark plugs were loose, wind screen is worthless, windshield is pitted, and the screw hole plugs on the interior don't fit right and relocate themselves.
This is no doubt a fun car to drive but don't act as if it has superior build/design quality. It is not what I expected from a Honda and in my opinion is overpriced for a Honda when looking at the build quality details. It handles great and has decent power. Does that make up for the problems it has? My $18,000 98 Jeep Wrangler was less trouble and overall more enjoyable to drive daily. The S2000 handles great for a stock car but if that was tops on my list I would have bought an older used Porsche and modded the suspension. I made a $28k mistake and I have five years of payments and dick for torque to remind me. Once again this is MY opinion.
The stereo system in the S2000 is the worst I have ever heard in a late model factory car (Daewoos are better), leather on the seats is crap, paint durability is average but not great, plastic rear window on 00-01s, floor mats are a joke, carpet is cheap, soft top latches rattle, no friggin clock-00-01s, takes 4 years to turn volume up from remote controls, rear end spits metal chunks out when you change the fluid, tranny grind, clutch buzz, clutch strength, oil burning, passenger seat belt rattles if not plugged in, spark plugs were loose, wind screen is worthless, windshield is pitted, and the screw hole plugs on the interior don't fit right and relocate themselves.
This is no doubt a fun car to drive but don't act as if it has superior build/design quality. It is not what I expected from a Honda and in my opinion is overpriced for a Honda when looking at the build quality details. It handles great and has decent power. Does that make up for the problems it has? My $18,000 98 Jeep Wrangler was less trouble and overall more enjoyable to drive daily. The S2000 handles great for a stock car but if that was tops on my list I would have bought an older used Porsche and modded the suspension. I made a $28k mistake and I have five years of payments and dick for torque to remind me. Once again this is MY opinion.
haha.
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Seattle
Radio is pretty good in my 02'...and so is the rear window.
I hate calling Corvettes "Vettes"....it is to me like calling San Francisco " Frisco" .....anyway. I try to keep my thoughts about owners separate from the Automobile. The C5 is a great car. Truth be known, if they made them outside of the U.S. they would be almost Exotic...but the Corvette is such an American car....and that's pretty good thing when you are focused on pure power. I like em....but for what I want I like the S2000 for now. I would not be surprised to see me own one down the road. A visceral experience going 0-100....but you can only do the straight line thing so many times.
Cheers to the Corvette Auto enthusiast.... I like people who like cars.
I hate calling Corvettes "Vettes"....it is to me like calling San Francisco " Frisco" .....anyway. I try to keep my thoughts about owners separate from the Automobile. The C5 is a great car. Truth be known, if they made them outside of the U.S. they would be almost Exotic...but the Corvette is such an American car....and that's pretty good thing when you are focused on pure power. I like em....but for what I want I like the S2000 for now. I would not be surprised to see me own one down the road. A visceral experience going 0-100....but you can only do the straight line thing so many times.
Cheers to the Corvette Auto enthusiast.... I like people who like cars.
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,061
Likes: 363
From: Redondo Beach
Originally posted by Freakaccident
I made a $28k mistake and I have five years of payments and dick for torque to remind me.
I made a $28k mistake and I have five years of payments and dick for torque to remind me.
Seriously, it sounds like you did make a mistake with the choice of this car -- it's certainly not for everyone, and it takes a special viewpoint to overlook its faults. But then, the same can be said of ANY car with "personality", including old 911s and new Corvettes.
I personally think the mechanical problems are minimal (especially considering it's a brand new line), and your quibbles about the interior (clock, radio, etc.) are design issues, not build quality issues.
Plus, I'd bet that if your car basically runs, you can get back most or all of that $28K without hardly trying -- something you'd never be able to say about a Vette.
