Test drove a '05
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by dav9515,Jan 13 2005, 08:57 AM
Wow I am really sick of responses like this!
First of all, the 04'-05' S2k's are basically very similar to older versions. There are slight characteristic changes for both on the positive and Negative sides. If you own a pre 04' model and you expect a whole different driving experience from an 04'+ you should have your head examined. If you drove a boxster s or a Z4 then you should expect a different feeling, otherwise IT'S THE SAME CAR.
And this jackass above talking about the demise of the S2000 is just absolutely ridiculous. They made these changes, i bought an 04' because i liked the way it drove better, and it had more shoulder room and an overall better appearance to me. At the limits this car is still a friggin all out sports car, just like earlier models.
We have seen the comparison on a track and on a dyno, i could see if the pre 04's were lapping the new cars, that would be a different story. But for the most part they are pretty even and the new ones might even be a little faster (driver dependant) than the old cars. So i guess the "demise" of the S2000 is a pretty damn good improvement. I hope they continue the demise with a 3.2 litre 6 cylinder Vtec....Than we'll really swear off the best performance car in its class.
First of all, the 04'-05' S2k's are basically very similar to older versions. There are slight characteristic changes for both on the positive and Negative sides. If you own a pre 04' model and you expect a whole different driving experience from an 04'+ you should have your head examined. If you drove a boxster s or a Z4 then you should expect a different feeling, otherwise IT'S THE SAME CAR.
And this jackass above talking about the demise of the S2000 is just absolutely ridiculous. They made these changes, i bought an 04' because i liked the way it drove better, and it had more shoulder room and an overall better appearance to me. At the limits this car is still a friggin all out sports car, just like earlier models.
We have seen the comparison on a track and on a dyno, i could see if the pre 04's were lapping the new cars, that would be a different story. But for the most part they are pretty even and the new ones might even be a little faster (driver dependant) than the old cars. So i guess the "demise" of the S2000 is a pretty damn good improvement. I hope they continue the demise with a 3.2 litre 6 cylinder Vtec....Than we'll really swear off the best performance car in its class.
I'd love to buy an '05 with the 'old' engine. The suspension can always be stiffened.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 0
From: Canton
In my opinion all S2000s are great but I prefer the 02-03 models because to me they were PERFECT in every way. Honda made the 04-05 front and rear bumpers too ricer or boy racer which slightly spoils the lines of the car especially in the front . Those front bumper side contours do not look as clean as the original design and the wheels look kinda generic to me. As far as the motor goes I think the original appeal of the car was the 9000 rpm redline. If the 2.2 would have had around 300 horsepower then I think I could have lived with the lower redline.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
From: Tampa, Florida
To each his own. I prefer and bought an 04 because of all the changes. People can debate the styling cues, but to me the wheels alone are worth the price of admission. The 04-05 wheels completely changed the looks and took the car to the next level.
Don't shoot me, I am just an excited new owner.
Don't shoot me, I am just an excited new owner.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Des Moines
Anyone else out there think that with the closing of the S2000/ NSX plant, and the moving of the assembly of these two hand built semi exotic vehicles to the other two Honda plants that churn out civics, might be a subtle hint as to the future of the S2000? 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 26,653
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area and Sactown
To each their own... Everyone has their preference.
If you like the 04+ models but like the 9K redline then swap the engine and related parts to the newer chassis... At least for us Cali folks we got 4 years before we have to swap the engine back for SMOG reasons. And don't tell me it's too expensive... If you play you have to pay.
I bought mine because I like the screaming 9k redline... I knew that the dealership wasn't going to let me beat on it so I just happened to see one at a CARMAX... I BEAT THAT SHIET UP and fell in love with the car instantly. Homie was even cool with the way I drove even though I saw some sweat on his brow when I was done test driving...
The reason why "some people" are unhappy with the pre 04's (aka Zenki) is that the car doesn't have enough street for it to prance around... Also I noticed that the Kouki's models have a more dead steering feeling unlike the zenki's (jerky jumpy steering). That was probably addressed because many S2000 drivers didn't know how to drive correctly and crashed. I'm not the best driver but I know more than the general masses... OH shiet its RWD!
Last time I checked the S2000's were "Sport Cars" for the lack of a better term. It means that not everybody will like the car due to the performance mindedness of the engineers... "Nice car but suspension is too stiff." Dude buy a Luxury roadster. "Fun car but gas mileage sucks" Don't buy a sports car. If Im not mistaken the first gen ITR's didn't have AC or a radio... Perfomance baby... Why need a radio when you can hear your engine sing to you all the time.
Zenki's (00-03) are less street friendly than Kouki's but then again aren't Honda's known as the "torqueless wonders?"
And PS everyone is entitled to an opinion... Hehehe
Hold on let me put my NOMEX suit on... Okay Flame ON!
If you like the 04+ models but like the 9K redline then swap the engine and related parts to the newer chassis... At least for us Cali folks we got 4 years before we have to swap the engine back for SMOG reasons. And don't tell me it's too expensive... If you play you have to pay.
I bought mine because I like the screaming 9k redline... I knew that the dealership wasn't going to let me beat on it so I just happened to see one at a CARMAX... I BEAT THAT SHIET UP and fell in love with the car instantly. Homie was even cool with the way I drove even though I saw some sweat on his brow when I was done test driving...
The reason why "some people" are unhappy with the pre 04's (aka Zenki) is that the car doesn't have enough street for it to prance around... Also I noticed that the Kouki's models have a more dead steering feeling unlike the zenki's (jerky jumpy steering). That was probably addressed because many S2000 drivers didn't know how to drive correctly and crashed. I'm not the best driver but I know more than the general masses... OH shiet its RWD!
Last time I checked the S2000's were "Sport Cars" for the lack of a better term. It means that not everybody will like the car due to the performance mindedness of the engineers... "Nice car but suspension is too stiff." Dude buy a Luxury roadster. "Fun car but gas mileage sucks" Don't buy a sports car. If Im not mistaken the first gen ITR's didn't have AC or a radio... Perfomance baby... Why need a radio when you can hear your engine sing to you all the time.
Zenki's (00-03) are less street friendly than Kouki's but then again aren't Honda's known as the "torqueless wonders?"
And PS everyone is entitled to an opinion... Hehehe
Hold on let me put my NOMEX suit on... Okay Flame ON!
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,319
Likes: 14
You guys are starting to sound like a bunch of Trekkies bitching about who is better, Picard or Kirk. They're the same freakin' car. Neither is faster than the other, the lack of 1k doesn't do anything to hurt performance b/c it's made up in other ways. It would be stupid for Honda to market an engine above a 2.0l to any country other than america b/c of severe taxes on larger engine sizes. Maybe the pre 04 guys are just sore b/c they don't have a new car and maybe the 04+ guys are sore b/c they don't have 9k, either way it's a stupid argument that pops up ever month on these boards.
Also, you're talking about the "soul" of the car like they put a lift kit on it and made it an automatic. Everything in the 04+ is an improvement. Honda does not move backwards. That doens't necessarily mean the the old ones are inferior either. It's just been tweaked closer to perfect by a hair.
..btw, Picard rules!
Also, you're talking about the "soul" of the car like they put a lift kit on it and made it an automatic. Everything in the 04+ is an improvement. Honda does not move backwards. That doens't necessarily mean the the old ones are inferior either. It's just been tweaked closer to perfect by a hair.
..btw, Picard rules!
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: fairfield county
I'm just stating my opinion, and I think your response is one of the more immature ones I've seen on this board. I don't like the '04-'05, and no amount of being called a 'jackass' is about to change that.
HeHeHe buddy, wow 65 days on the board and you think my response is one of the more immature, your in for a big surprise. Just wait for some of the bickering that you will read on here.
I'm just extremely tired of all the posts i read about how Honda "ruined" the S2000, and it is just completely ridiculous. By most car companies account 8,200 is till a pretty damn high redline, and the car performs better (albeit slightly) than the earlier cars.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: Morganfield
It does seem that no opportunity to denigrate the AP2 is wasted (could be sour grapes
). That's ok I suppose, but it somewhat ignores the fact that anyone buying an 04-05 at some point made the active decision to do so when they could have had an older model for less money. My reason for buying the 04 remained the same as when I bought an '01. I merely found what I felt to be enough improvements in the new model to trump my disappointment with the lower redline.