If my budget allows for a 911 turbo convertible then I would not be struggling with the decision between S2000 and Corvette coupe. Spring is around the corner, and I have to make up my mind soon. I plan to keep the car hopefully forever. I worry that in a few yrs, S2000, without a lengthy history, will go the way of 300ZX tubo, RX7 and all the other great Japanese sports cars. I see them as great cars for their time. Unfortunately they do not look as appealing now. I am aware that S2000 is a very special car, with the convertible top and it's engineering philosophy. The Corvette on the other hand has a long history (some of which not very glorious), and M5 beating power. It also has a more attractive shape in my eyes.
I do not race with other drivers, and enjoys driving simply for the sensation I get from the car. I also follow a Corvette forum, and find myself hanging out here alot more than there.
I apologize for posing a question with no correct answer, and would appreciate any input.

 

Well its been said many times. The S2K and the Corvette don't really compare other then that fact that they are both sports cars. Having had the opprotunity to drive the Z06 A beautifull car in itself. I find if I had to choose which car I would have for life it would be the Honda. Personal opinion ofcourse, but everything I look for in a sports car I get with the S2K. I don't think I need to list its attributes against other cars as they are purely subjective. so my answer to your question is just that...No answer. if you have the opprotunity spend some time with both cars. Which one feels right to you? Either way, they are 2 great cars. Some people dream about owning either one.
Good luck!

P.S. rumour has it S2K guys are nicer
Mike

 

whoo...
so you're saying you're not a fan of the late model RX7s? those are seriously sweet cars in many people's opinions, a lot of whom are probably on this board. and if you're worried about a car becoming dated, let's talk about '80s 'vettes for a second.

but seriously - first of all, i think the S2000 is and will remain a classic. of course, i'm biased as i own one. secondly, if you like it you like it - who cares what the rest of the world says.

-c

 

If you like the S2000 and are truly thrilled with driving the car, it's hard for me to imagine going wrong with purchasing it. Think if you had an old Datsun roadster in fresh condition or an MG in showroom condition, I think you'd get many a gawking stare and admiring smile. Likely same with the S2000 way "down the road". imo.

 

some of that comes from that generation being carried on for so long, but to those who have driven a C5, the wait was well worth it for what the Corvette gained in refinement.

I often wondered what made people want a C4 when you could get a F-Body with similar performance. Granted the Vette was about prestige, but overall the build quality wasnt that much better than the F-Body...

In response to the original question, I'll add my 2 cents worth...

I owned a 99 C5 coupe for about 15 months before I wanted to get a convertible AND go back to college... thats what got me into the S2000. You really cant compare the 2 cars, as the Vette is "more". More of everything just about. I do find the S2000 to be a bit more PURE of a driver's car, and thats not to take ANYTHING away from the Vette. The Vette was very comfortable for long drives, had generous cargo space, great ride quality and decent gas mileage on the highway. It was also pretty capable in the turns (more than most people needed anyways). I would describe the handling as FORGIVING... the S2000 is more fun because it transmits more of the driving experience to the driver. You are aware of all the imperfections in the road that the Vette seemed to isolate you from. Most of the time I drove the Vette, it was on the highway in relaxed cruise mode... Sometimes I had to pinch myself to know I was driving a Corvette.

With the S2000, I (and this is not to brag by any means) always know I am in a neat little sports car that you dont see too many of...

So, anyways, its really a tough call for someone between the Vette and the S2000. Certainly the price shows that you get what you pay for.

The targa top on the Vette was a lot of fun... for a while. Then it became a bit of a pain to take it off and put it on for short trips... The Vette, like the S2000, was my only car and thus a daily driver. I live about 2 miles from the heart of the town. I often would put the top in the trunk of the Vette and leave it off for the duration of my shopping, etc. But I was always a bit apprehensive about that... Also, the turbulence with the targa top made the joys of open air motoring fade quickly.

Then I got the S2000 and understood the response to the question "Why would you want a convertible when you can have a targa top" -- the answer is "if you have to ask, you will never understand".

The real convertible makes top down motoring MUCH more fun (no turbulence). And if its too cold, you just hit the button. With the targa top, it meant getting out and struggling to put the top back on...

Sorry for the long post, but I guess in summary... the cars are different, so you really have to figure out what you want more of.

Certainly, the Vette is a technological powerhouse with all kinds of electronics to play with. In my opinion, a very well designed vehicle...

The S2000 is also a well designed vehicle, albeit a different one. But it sure is FUN!

 

As a former C5 convertible owner, and current S200 owner I'll offer up the following insight.

The Vette was more comfortable, roomy, and practical as an only car. It struck me as more of a GT car than sports car. More gadgets and widgets. Fast w/plenty of grunt. Rear end tended to hop around on rough pavement (under throttle or not). The top down ride was too isolated for a roadster in my opinion. Problem is, once Craprolet has your money, you become invisible to them. I was treated like dirt at more than one Chevy dealer. The car was a constant source of problems: windows rolled themselves up and down on their own, top leaked, parts blew off at speed, interior lights burned out, top creaked and squeaked when down, seatbelts quit working, etc. It felt like a $8,000 car wrapped around a $36,000 engine and transmission. Every one of these problems took the dealer at least 3 attempts to fix, and were never completely remedied. The 800 customer service number was a joke.

Hence, the S2000. Much more of a sports car. Delivers a kind of driver car connection the Vette cannot match. Handles better but less forgivingly. Is fast, but not in C5 range. Rides rough, and makes lots of whirring mechanical noise that can get maddening w/the top up. More fun and rewarding to drive. Top down ride has just the right balance of wind noises and scenery. Makes a lousy only car. My Honda dealer treats me like a king every time I visit. Service has been good.

Drive them both, two very different cars. Kind of rare to find someone who likes them both, unless they are really into cars.

P.S. recently got an M5, and from what I can tell, my old Vette would have a hard time beating it .

[Edited by Silver S2K on 01-16-2001 at 09:23 PM]

 

I'll agree with most of what silver S2k said.

As for dealerships, I feel its all a matter of who you get, having nothing to do with the brand.

the Chevy dealer I serviced the car at was EXCELLENT (I didnt have ANY problems with mine). But the first time I went for an oil change, I told the service manager what I expected and that if he couldnt deliver, I'd go elsewhere...

it was great.

The Honda dealer I go to does a pretty decent job of working with me too, but not as good as the Chevy dealer...

again, its not the brand, its the dealership themselves. The Acura dealer here was really nice to us, but the one in Austin TX left a LOT to be desired...

I think only a few brands have GREAT service at all their dealers... I've yet to hear anything bad about Lexus or BMW as to their dealerships...

 

S2K_CLS, is right to an extent. If you know of a good local Chevy dealer, then you would probably be OK. The thing I didn't like was the 800 number. They were totally spineless and did nothing to stand up to a bad dearer and protect me.

P.S. BMW service is the most consistently good service I've seen. However, I did once spend over $1000 on a 30K mile M3 tune up, only to have the dealer leave parts off the engine. The service manager had the nerve to tell me they didn't need to touch those parts to do the service so it couldn't be their fault. The look on his face when I went to my car and got the service manual out and showed him he indeed needed to remove the parts was priceless

 

My girlfriend just bought a 2001 325i sedan. Nice that the first 3 years of maintainance is paid by the dealer...

they seem to be pretty friendly so far... but most sales departments usually are. I can honestly say that the local Chevy sales departments were scumbags, which is why I got my Vette from out of state

 

I'll second that from personal experience as I have a '69 2000 roadster that always draws attention. It's often a curious 'what is that?' sort of reaction due to the scarcity of the vehicle. Many predict the S2000 will always be scarce as well due to the low original manufacturing numbers (unlike corvettes, miatas, etc.).