It all depends on your definition of "weak link". This car is not a drag car, and some of our members have found this out the hard way. If you choose to try to emulate the test times of mid 5 second 0-60 and low 14 second 1/4 mile times often you'll probably have problems. This car is designed to be fast on a road course or in the canyons, and despite the fact that it CAN do fast 1/4 mile times the drivetrain is not designed to perform that way consistently.

 

Jstyle, there is no problems like you listed about your SS. Theres been little bugs here and there but trust me change the oil and you'll be ok. I consider the S a very very reilable car and does not need a lot of maintaince besides oil changes air filter ect... just the basics unless you start to beat it like others have mentioned. Trust me the interior will not fall apart just lexol the leather and just take care of the car and it will last a very long time.

As for the performance i had a 400-450 TT supra i knew the S was never gonna feel like that and i got a little pissed that i sold my TT but as i owned the S now for almost 4 months i love it and forgot about my supra already.

go for it

 

When you talk about drive trains being weak, do you mean eating up gears or clutches???

Sam

 

Clutches, axles/CVs, and (less often) diffs. The gears have their own special issues that are unrelated to launching.

Jstyle: Sounds like you're open-minded enough to enjoy the S on its own merits. However, I HIGHLY suggest that you develop a new hobby -- road racing (i.e. on a real racetrack, not street racing). You will be AMAZED at what this car can do. And, I guaran-damn-tee you that Summit Point Raceway is one place where you'll be able to put the spank down on most American iron.

 

I traded my C5 Corvette Convertible for the S2K and don't miss it a bit.

Better handling, better control, better road feel, PERFECT shifter, power top, and that 9000 RPM redline ... too much fun !

Go for it !

 

If you don't mind me asking what year was the c5????

 

99 Convertible with a Vortex cold air intake.

 

Jstyle, I too traded in my camaro for my s2000, though I did not own the ss I did have a v8 in the z28. Ask me if I miss my camaro and without hesitation or even a thought I will say definetly no. And I didnt even experience any of the repair/quality issues that you have. The reasons that I dont miss my camaro is that after 2 years my camaro was sqeaking and rattling and my s2000 is as solid as the day I bought it. Do I wish that my s2000 is faster? Yeah, but it was the same with the camaro too. The other most significant reason that I traded my camaro for the s is that to get a 3,400+ lb. car to handle would take alot of money and time, and have a heavy penalty with ride quality issues. So I bought a car that would handle go pretty good and I have a reliable conv. to boot. Plus there is the issue of resale value, you will lose your ass on the camaro, the honda will hold up better. The gas mileage, though you dont buy a car like this for gas mileage, is phenominal. On a trip from the Bay Area to San Diego I got ~30 miles to the gallon with the a/c on and the car loaded and doing 80-90 mph, my camaro would never have done that. The biggest questions that you have to address are, can you live without the torque? Keep in mind that I think the s is faster than the z28 once it gets going over 40mph, I have played with many z28 on the freeway, much to the amazement of the owners, and there smileing girlfriends. And I wouldnt recomend this car if it will be your daily driver. So do like I did, Trade in your camaro, buy the s2000 and then buy a used bmw m3.

Good luck on your decision, -Matt

 

I agree ... I have an RX-7 convertible as a beater .. soon to be sold and replaced with an older Lexus SC400

 

Jstyle

Just ignore the ignorant remarks on your post. I get them all the time. I made a comment about more torque and they wanted to hang me around here. I think that the people who make the anti-torque post are just suffering from the fact that the S has a lack there of. Furthermore, the S is not a perfect car, but it is extremely fun. But if you have the funds, I would suggest that you check out the Boxter S. 252 hp and much more torque than the S. Also, check out a 2001 M3 Convertible. You can pick one up for about 50 now. My budget was 30, so I bought a used S. But out of the three cars that I named, I would probably get the M3. You have the 333 hp, the back seat, the trunk space, and the BMW handling. Plus you get the exotic experience of owning a BMW. You get the looks from the S2000 because most people never seen one before, but then they ask you what type of car it is and when you tell them "Honda" they are like... "hunh????" Sometimes it's like they don't think that Honda can make a nice sports car. I guess it's because the NSX was never really marketed that heavily for the past 10 years and the Acura line basically sucks as far as looks. So since most people aren't into the performance of cars and only into their looks and the prestige of the name, Honda is overlooked quite often.