Hi there I'm thinking bout getting an S2000. I keep reading of people loosing their back end and crashing the car and that scares me. Is that becasue they're coming from a FWD car? Is there any kind of stability program on the car? I'm driving a modified C43 so I know about RWD and having lots of otrque. Also how reliable are the cars? What maintanence cost? It'll be my daily driver so I need something reliable.

My current car is a 1998 C43 that has been converted to a euro spec C55. I swapped in an E55 motor in my car and recently my tranny blew out so I'm swapping in a E55 tranny as well. Car is producing 349 hp and 391 lb ft of torque. Lets just say the car rips. however, Its been in the shop for more then half the year, and I think its time to move on. I'm tired of paying $1200 or so every time I have o bring the car in. And this time the bill ran up to $15k with a new tranny and vairous other problems with the car.

my car is on the left (the black one)

 

Dont think about it, JUST BUY IT!!

The cars are great the only stories you hear are the same as you hear of any other RWD, if your that worried the new 06 has traction control or else if your looking for an older one you can buy after market traction control. But to be truthful its all to do with you as to wether you lose the back end or not, If it does catch you out you should have the experience to know what to do, its the same as any other car once you tame the beast you use the tail to your advantage, buy one you'll not regret it!!

 

you ask about the S2000 reliability....are you serious? Better than that Benz, and I still can't believe someone would buy a performance can without knowing a little bit about it...unless you've got stupid money....

 

Conner he's obviously here researching the car prior to purchase, are you 17?


I posted all the Consumer reports ratings in the library, you can check them out, verrry reliable.

I owned a Mercedes, sweet car but ALWAYS in the shop. Run .. dont walk to the S2000. You will never look back ...except when you need more room

 

well I haven't bought one yet, and thats why I'm on this forum reading more about them, just like I did when I bought my benz. But now its just getting to the point where things are going to start failing and thought its time for me to move on. I'm trying to find out if this car is a good fit for me. How do you guys feel about build quality, and materials used in it? I also have a CR-V and know that the leather seats don't feel as high quality as my benz. Is there some creature comforts in the s2000 or is it just pretty raw raodster (tho not as raw as an elise ) Right now I'm also thinking bout G35 coupes, but are much more and would rather own a car outright then make payments.

 

Don't buy the S2000 if your looking for creature comforts, though the materials are high quality by Honda standards, they are not Benz-like.

On the other hand, no Benz will hold up like this Honda, that I know of ...
not even the legendary deisel Benzes ...

So it depends on how you define quality

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Take 2 or 3 on test drives...

Also, the G35 has none of the handling "feel" that makes this car so awesome. the S2000 is more along the lines of Porsche or BMW...

 

Going from a C55 to a S2000 will be like night and day. Not to say the MB is a bad car, but it's a lot different.

The S2000 can fit 2 people snugly. There's not a lot of room in the S2000. The car fits me like a glove. Sometimes this is good sometimes it's too tight. Like in the winter, wearing a coat is a problem (yes it's that tight).

You won't be able to carry a lot of people or stuff, you won't have a lot of TQ to motor out of whatever gear. In the S2000 you may have to shift gears often, but that's not all bad b/c the shifter is one of the best in the world.

The S2000 can be a very trouble free car. I've had one issue in 3 years and it wasn't too much of an issue at that.

The good thing about the S2000 is that it's fine as is. You can drive a Stock S2000 and keep up with 90% of the cars on the road. However if you need to be faster, it can take a SC or Turbo. I'm not the best person to ask, but it seems as tho you can get close to +100 hp from a SC and still have a fair degree of reliability.

I've had it for 3 years now and aside from interior room, there is not much about the S2000 I'd don't like.

 

just go to open parking lot or something and practice on drift. u should actually try to drift and learn about rwd. then u should be fine. just don't be stupid and try that on wet road.

 

The 06 S2000 is the first S2000 with dynamic stability control. Few hear really like it. If you are used to having it on your benz it would be advised you might want to wait and get it. The car is very fun but little in options. If you track the car then you definately want to consider the S but if your looking for something just to cruise in with heated seats and everything else check out some other cars. Boxter S, Z4, SLK350, SL500 (depends on your budget)

They all have good performance but also great GT cars. I would advise anyone comming from a Benz and thinking of an S to drive those cars even if you really don't like the way they look or think you want more performance. You will find they all have good performance but also good daily cruisers as well. You are probably used to torque and the S will not deliver that torque. The cars above will. That being said the S will put a smile on your face when the weather is right and the top is down on a twisty road. The others will even when the weather is not so good.

 

After lurking here for a couple of months i finally registered so i can ask a few questions.

I currently have a rear drive car (03 Miata), decent power and handles very good.

However, i am now looking into getting an S2000 for higher fun factor. I do have a concern,

from what i gather reading thru the info here, the S2000 is a very hard car to drive.

Anyway, my question is, will the 06 be any easier to drive with the addition of a few stuff?

Regardless, i am planning on getting driving lessons specifically to somewhat drive it at a

high rate of its capabilities. No street racing, just spririted driving in the backroads on the

weekends.

Thanks