S2000 getting "long in the tooth"
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Scatterbrainia
I don't understand the "other cars getting better makes my car worse" argument.
Let me ask you this: Why did you buy your car? I bought mine because it's a kick-ass roadster that puts a smile on my face every time I press the little red button. I bought mine because it's more fun than a barrel of monkeys. I bought mine because I feel like I'm driving a giant go-kart and the whole world is my racetrack, minus the fancy red and white curbs.
So why did you buy yours?
Did you buy it because you wanted the fastest thing out there? HA! If you thought a 2.0 would be the fastest thing out there, you were delusional.
Did you buy it because you wanted the coolest car out there? Well if that's the case, you should be used to buying something new every 4 years.
Did you buy it because you wanted a great value? If so, it still is. Other great values have come along too, but the S is still compared with Z4's and Boxsters.
Times may change, cars get faster, blah blah blah.... but a classic remains a classic. And fun is timeless. I love my S2000, I'm sorry some of you guys don't feel the same. If you want something faster, quit complaining already and go buy it already, nobody here is going to lose sleep over it.
Let me ask you this: Why did you buy your car? I bought mine because it's a kick-ass roadster that puts a smile on my face every time I press the little red button. I bought mine because it's more fun than a barrel of monkeys. I bought mine because I feel like I'm driving a giant go-kart and the whole world is my racetrack, minus the fancy red and white curbs.
So why did you buy yours?
Did you buy it because you wanted the fastest thing out there? HA! If you thought a 2.0 would be the fastest thing out there, you were delusional.
Did you buy it because you wanted the coolest car out there? Well if that's the case, you should be used to buying something new every 4 years.
Did you buy it because you wanted a great value? If so, it still is. Other great values have come along too, but the S is still compared with Z4's and Boxsters.
Times may change, cars get faster, blah blah blah.... but a classic remains a classic. And fun is timeless. I love my S2000, I'm sorry some of you guys don't feel the same. If you want something faster, quit complaining already and go buy it already, nobody here is going to lose sleep over it.
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Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Jacksonville, FL
Originally Posted by WynnS123,Aug 21 2007, 03:46 PM
^^ Stock for stock, I think a new Corvette will outperform a new S2000 on most any track. In an autocross the Vette has no chance imo.
Another car that might be an interesting replacement is the next Z4, which is likely to have the twin turbo 6 from the 335i. The Z4 will weigh about 400lb less than the 335i.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Santa Monica-SoCal
human nature loves the relative relationship. i agree that it does not feel good when another car can pass you, but i always almost know im having WAAY more fun than they are. in that category, new cars are moving away from fun to drive and more towards driver isolation.
just talk to a couple of guys who have sold their cars and see how you feel after listening to their regrets.
also, when do you ever get to use more power than the S offers? american autobaun?
just talk to a couple of guys who have sold their cars and see how you feel after listening to their regrets.
also, when do you ever get to use more power than the S offers? american autobaun?
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Fredericksburg, VA
Originally Posted by Silver9k,Aug 21 2007, 04:24 PM
I for one agree with the fact that this car is slow.
Is it a good car for the twisty's, sure it is...but other cheaper cars are very much so catching up and or beating it. Forget comparing to the Vette, an 07 Vette is definitly faster then an S2000 in everything except for the more technical courses, and now with the improved 08 Vettes...well there even better.
How about comparing the S2k to an Evo, STi, Z, and not the current models either. Evo X, new STi, and the 370Z...all the other companies are improving on their already great vehicles. The S2k is basically unchanged. The F22 was not much of an improvement at all. And well the suspension changes have overall made the car softer, and not really more capable. But instead an easier limit to push.
Lets look at cars like the Civic Si which is now a bargain. 200hp, 6sp, LSD...really a great car for the money, and no its not a whole lot slower then the S. Or the new GTi, another great car, the Mazdaspeed 3. Seriously even cheaper cars are "catching up" to the S2k.
The car was once an icon, an icon of technology. It WAS a pretty quick car, it did out handle everything up to cars over double its price. But not today...today the S2000 needs badly to be rejuvenated. 9000rpm was a big deal one day, and now the F22 is only 8000, however the new M3 has a 4.0 V8 reving to 8400. To me thats far more impressive the any 4 cyl at 9k.
The magic number today is 300. For a sports car to really compete, they need something close to or beyond 300hp. Personally I think the S2k would be perfect doing what I did to mine. Bump the displacement up to 2.5L and now you have around the 290bhp number and a car that will keep up with the others. You also haven't added any weight, and can still rev out to 8k+.
Anyway, enough of my ranting but IMO the S really really needs to get some new technology stuffed into it.
Is it a good car for the twisty's, sure it is...but other cheaper cars are very much so catching up and or beating it. Forget comparing to the Vette, an 07 Vette is definitly faster then an S2000 in everything except for the more technical courses, and now with the improved 08 Vettes...well there even better.
How about comparing the S2k to an Evo, STi, Z, and not the current models either. Evo X, new STi, and the 370Z...all the other companies are improving on their already great vehicles. The S2k is basically unchanged. The F22 was not much of an improvement at all. And well the suspension changes have overall made the car softer, and not really more capable. But instead an easier limit to push.
Lets look at cars like the Civic Si which is now a bargain. 200hp, 6sp, LSD...really a great car for the money, and no its not a whole lot slower then the S. Or the new GTi, another great car, the Mazdaspeed 3. Seriously even cheaper cars are "catching up" to the S2k.
The car was once an icon, an icon of technology. It WAS a pretty quick car, it did out handle everything up to cars over double its price. But not today...today the S2000 needs badly to be rejuvenated. 9000rpm was a big deal one day, and now the F22 is only 8000, however the new M3 has a 4.0 V8 reving to 8400. To me thats far more impressive the any 4 cyl at 9k.
The magic number today is 300. For a sports car to really compete, they need something close to or beyond 300hp. Personally I think the S2k would be perfect doing what I did to mine. Bump the displacement up to 2.5L and now you have around the 290bhp number and a car that will keep up with the others. You also haven't added any weight, and can still rev out to 8k+.
Anyway, enough of my ranting but IMO the S really really needs to get some new technology stuffed into it.
100%. This is why I have been debating selling mine.
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,403
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From: DFW, TX
Originally Posted by i_heart_my_DB8,Aug 21 2007, 05:00 PM
I don't understand the "other cars getting better makes my car worse" argument.
Times may change, cars get faster, blah blah blah.... but a classic remains a classic. And fun is timeless. I love my S2000, I'm sorry some of you guys don't feel the same. If you want something faster, quit complaining already and go buy it already, nobody here is going to lose sleep over it.
Times may change, cars get faster, blah blah blah.... but a classic remains a classic. And fun is timeless. I love my S2000, I'm sorry some of you guys don't feel the same. If you want something faster, quit complaining already and go buy it already, nobody here is going to lose sleep over it.
The problem is that Honda has done nothing but sit on its butt with the S. There has been no major improvements in NINE years. Sure for quite a while there was no need to improve the car becuase it WAS great. But times have changed and Honda is doing nothing to keep the car great. The old S is still great, most definitly a fun car and great car to own. The new S is the same car, but the problem is other manufacturers are now making their cars better than it in every way, and Honda is doing nothing to keep up.
Joined: Nov 2006
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The only thing that could really make this car any better from the factory would be an ultra light weight 6 cylinder. At the margin some use of exotic materials in the front could cut weight down to keep the balance of the car with the heavier motor. Some slightly wider tires from the factory as well.
But that's a very serious change for a car even 4 years in let alone 8 and it would dramatically increase the cost of the car. It would likely only find a market in the US. I think the S has fit a nice niche for the last couple of years and it has been worth it for Honda to continue building the car. I would guess they never planned on making it for this long. I would also guess that this car never made a lot of money for Honda and makes very little today.
They are developing new sports cars and we'll have to wait for those to really judge if they have been asleep at the switch.
But that's a very serious change for a car even 4 years in let alone 8 and it would dramatically increase the cost of the car. It would likely only find a market in the US. I think the S has fit a nice niche for the last couple of years and it has been worth it for Honda to continue building the car. I would guess they never planned on making it for this long. I would also guess that this car never made a lot of money for Honda and makes very little today.
They are developing new sports cars and we'll have to wait for those to really judge if they have been asleep at the switch.
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Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Lebanon, TN
For the money the S is hard to beat even after 8 years of the same basic design. Everyone is talking about Vette's and BMW's But I can't afford those. I just wanted a fun 2 seat convertible that is a blast to drive, gets good gas mileage and is not a Miata. 