I'm considering getting a S (only boils down to financial situation as to whether I'll get one or not), so I called up a local dealer and scheduled an appointment. The salesman was polite and helpful and scheduled one quickly. When I got there, it was a yellow S with a soft top on. The salesman hopped onto the driver's seat as it's the dealer's policy to let him warm up the car around the block before letting a customer driving it. He cranked up the engine and pulled off from the lot. He was kinda riding on the clutch a bit and then pulled out onto the road. The suspension first seemed excessively stiff as I just got out of sedan not long ago and felt a little uneasy with the bumpiness out of the lot. The interior also felt a little tight, reminds me of my friend's '92 MR2. After a minute or so I got off the passenger seat and went to the driver's side. We drove around a couple more blocks before hitting a highway, where he gave me a "go" signal to do whatever I want with the car.

So on the first on ramp, I started going a little aggressive but not nuts, since I wasn't not too familiar with everything. Man I was impressed. It felt like the car is on rails. It just grips and grips and asks for more. Then getting onto the freeway, I completely, and I do mean completely, forgot about caring about the ride's bumpiness. The engine sound resembled the ITR a little (though the engine felt so much smoother as it revs up beyond 7k rpm). I couldn't care less whether the suspension was hard as a rock or not, all the focus was just on the road, engine, and transmission. The car just kept going and going as I pound through the gears. I went up to redline for the first three gears and little aggressive on the 4th. Didn't want to go further as there was some light traffic and was really afraid of getting busted. Nevertheless, we went through a few more off and on-ramps. Every time I go through corners, it felt like the car is telling me it can do more (and I'm sure it can), and really, the car feels like it can have an 8th gear!!

The S was simply so smooth. The true 50/50 weight distribution (from what I would call a front mid-engine layout) really makes me feel like a pro, the car was just so well balanced that it was amazing. Everything's just at the right height. The crammed interior was not an issue at all after I sat in the driver's seat. Of course, this car isn't the fastest car on earth, but driving it definitely gives me a sense of accomplishment. Pedals was just the right distance and height and depth for rev match (maybe the clutch could be a little heavier). But otherwise, the transmission was just so smooth ... the engine ... the handling's so tight, the frame's so rigid, that all I need to do is to focus on the road rather than on the mechanics of the machine. I've driven quite a number of cars, WRXs, Porches (both 993 and 996), MR2, M3 (E46s), A4s (old and new), SL500, C32, etc ... none of them gave me that sense of confidence and accomplishment (well, I must admit the 996 was fun, the 993 I drove was kinda rough). It just felt like the S2000 was so easy to drive when every thing is falling into place ... of course, I was probably extracting only 50 to 60% of the car's potential and there is still lots to explorer ... So we drove back to the parking lot of the dealership and jumpped back onto a little C230 ...

With all that said, I'm sure most of you already know how great the S is since you own one! It almost feels like the S was built with a mindset to eliminate every single unncessary nut and bolt and pound of steel, but has everything that it needs for its class. Anyways, if the S is so fun, I wonder what it's like to drive the NSX????

anyway ... the S is definitely not overrated ... it's amazing

 

And no matter how stiff you think its suspension was, just remember that the earlier the model, the stiffer the suspension gets haha.

My 2000 s2k is stiff as steel girder.

 

And forgot to add ... if the AP2 was already so fun to drive as a stock car, i also wonder what it felt like to drive an AP1!

well, was in a rush to catch a flight back home, otherwise I would have asked the dealer to let me test drive the 01 that they have in the lot as well ...

 

Was it a new or used car? Those are the types of test drives that everyone fears when purchasing a new car since they really shouldn't be pushed that hard until properly broken in.

 

I love my AP1, but I'd like a even stiffer ride yet...I'll get to that one day

 

My very first test drive was in an AP1 with nobody riding with me...

My DUMB ASS learned real quick about snap oversteer on a freeway on-ramp hitting vtec.... I came about 5 mph short of losing the car...

Coming from a world of FWD cars this was an experience for me none the less.

It's easy to drive alright if your going from point A to B. I've improved my driving technique an unGodly amount since owning the S.

The simple fact that it demands my respect is one of the contributing factors I was able to quit smoking. (never smoked inside the S)....

It's the learning curve that has made this car so enjoyable to drive...

 

It's a new car ... but ya ... that's actually scary ...

 

Feel you on that one, my gf put the foot down on smoking in the S

 

It's really designed around the driver, not the passenger as you've found out and as the dashboard layout suggests. It is a submersive experience designed to focus you on the driving; it's all about the drive and little else. The S2000 is a driver's car not a passenger car and that's what makes it special and unique apart from anything in it's class and price range.

It's not the "best" car but what it does it does extremely well and at a price which most middle class people who crave the sportscar driving experience can afford. You seem to fall into a narrow segment of the population who can appreciate what it offers.

I don't blame you for being put off by the passenger side. I hate riding shotgun in the S2000, It's not comfortable unless you're small and I'm not. But like I said and you discovered. It's a one seat car with a milk crate for a willing victim passenger. It suits those it suits and no one else. The S2000 is a highly subjective choice in automobiles.

It's small. It doesn't carry much luggage. It doesn't have a great sound system. It's loud. It's stiff and hard on the ass after a couple of hours. Most of all it's fantastic!

 

I quit right before I got the S also...If it wasn't for not wanting to smoke in the S I don't think I could have made it.