pghdon

I have owned a 1997 (first gen) Miata for ten years and have had a great experience with it, and plan to keep it indefinitely (only 39k on the clock and garage kept.) I have always had the hankering for a high-end roadster and love the idea of an S2000... great quality and engineering, reliability, unique features and styling cues, limited production, and the closest thing there is to a Miata on steroids out there. I envision a 10 year+ ownership experience with it by virtue of Honda reliability and efficiency, just like the Mazda it will join in the stable. Plus, like my Miata, they've been making it for years and have the bugs out.

So, I went and test drove a 2007 S2000 last year and loved it. Before I went back to buy (I had a Mini to sell) I came across a leftover 2006 S2000 and thinking I could purchase it for less than a 2007, took it for a test drive. It felt a lot different than the first car, mostly in the steering. It felt overboosted and unconnected to the road, no feel and nothing like the sublime 2007 and far inferior to my Miata. Felt some body roll, too. I passed and ended up getting a BMW Z4 3.0si instead. I was able to lease one uber-cheap because I was working at a BMW store at the time and they announced a ridiculous special. (Hint- I am leasing a $48,600 Z4 for a Civic lease price with no money down... )

My lease is up next year and being a car guy I am planning my moves ahead, and I find myself drawn to the S2000 again. It looks like the S2000 will be hanging on for one more year so I can buy a new 2009 next spring, or I am sure there will be a leftover 2008 somewhere as there are 2007s now.

What is the deal with the steering? It is my understanding there were no changes from 2006 to 2007 so perhaps the 2006 I drove was a fluke, or just didn't feel right because it had been sitting so long, or maybe it was just production line variations. I've read there are some changes to the 2008 and I am posting to see if anyone can comment on them and if perhaps the 2008 will be more satisfying than the 2006 or 2007 I drove last year.

As for finding one to test drive- #1 they are hard to find on dealer lots and #2 since I worked in the car business, I am sensitive to taking up the time of a salesman when I won't be buying for a while. So, has anyone driven all 3 model years and can comment on why I felt a difference between 2006 and 2007, and if the 2008 is more likely to satisfy?

Zachreligious

Part of it could be alignment, there is a large range of adjustment for caster. Having more or less will affect the way the steering feels.

Also, different tires, even air pressure can affect it.

mlc

^ He makes a good point. I have a MY00. I had it for about 4 months and put the UK spec alignment in it. It makes a big difference in the feeling of the steering. It got much heavier feeling. I am not sure if this is what you talking about but you can change the "feel" of this car with adjustments in alignment, tire pressure etc.
I haven't driven newer MY's put I am sure that it still the case.

mlc

shotiable

i've owned both 06 and 07, theres no significan difference IMO

TubeDriver

AP1 has slightly faster steering ratio compared to AP2. I agree with the the other posters; camber, caster and tire pressure probably account for the different feelings.

spdemon12384

my 07 does feel heavier than my 05

tof

Road conditions can even make a difference.

I have never driven an S that felt overboosted. Steering is generally a bit on the heavy side until you get up to speed. Disconnected, yes. Overboosted? Not to me.

Unfortunately, steering feedback is not one of the S's strong points. It will never equal your miata. But fortunately, this is one of the car's very few weak points.

Good luck on your purchase, and Happy Motoring.

K-Lo

steering on the 07's feel heavier much like a more expensive car. imho

ace123

One thing for you to check out is the CR model. They introduced a steering rack stiffener and reduced the ratio compared to the base model. There are other improvements; overall, it's slightly lighter, has better rubber, and is more rigid than the base models.

It comes with a hardtop and no soft top, so if you value convertible top up-down flexibility for surprise rain and such it's not as good a DD car as a base 08, but it works great for weekends/track days/etc, and it may meet your needs very well.

On feel between years, I can't comment, but try the CR when it comes time.

TRDLiquidSilver

i would think the 06 and 07 would be similar since there were no changes done to the 07 since it was a carryover year but the 08 i can see some differences in steering feel with the suspension mods they did.