Is it time to say hello to Type R and bye to S2000? Need Help!
 

Hi Everyone,

I am at a crossroads and could use some help. I am currently on my third S2000 and have owned this platform for over 10+ years. I absolutely loved everything about the car. But I am at a point where I am not finding myself getting excited to drive the car anymore. Let alone putting 1000 miles on the car a year anymore.

-I am not sure if its because I have modded it to make it “perfect” and I am done.
-Or because I am a new father and I have even less time for the car. Also due to my kid only being 1 years old I can’t put her in the passenger seat
-Or maybe im just getting older and held onto the platform for too long and have gotten bored.
-Getting nervous about part shortages and dwindling support community

The part that makes me hesitant is if I sell my S2000 and I want to get back into the platform in the future. I know it will be pretty hard/near impossible to get another one in this clean of condition again.

So my question to everyone here is that, did anyone go from a S2000 to a Type R? If so do you regret it? Would you advocate for it? Has anyone been in my situation before? Should I hold onto this car or cut bait and try something new? I am interested in hearing your responses.


Oh yeah what draws me to the FL5

Pros
-Love the looks
-Love the modern tech
-Love the seats
-Able to hold my kid and can take her to car events with me


Cons
-FWD nervous of wheel hop or potentially overdriving the car with added power
-Limited amount of options to mod the car (could get bored early)
-Sound

I have autocrossed my S2k and then jumped in and autocrossed my friends Type R. Meh .... In that regard it is fun and it did surprise me for a FWD with that much power (aka was not as annoying as hell to drive as most high powered FWD's) but I did not walk away wanting one at all. S2k was a billion times more fun. I have not driven one around on the street though.

Now, if you are wanting something for DD duty as well then it may not be a bad choice. Not boring, has good power, etc .I assume on a track they would be more fun than on the autox course, but still felt like a tall heavy beast compared to driving the S2000.

But I have known a lot of people that sold their S2k and every one said they regretted it later. If you can swing keeping it then not a bad idea if you have the space for it and another car.

I have a DD so this is just for a fun weekend car. Due to funds and parking I only have space for one weekend/fun car.

I have not test drove a FL5 due to the fact dealers aren’t allowing it

Oh, I thought the FL5 was going to be your like..."everything" car. Then it makes sense.

However, it doesn't make sense to sell something like a S2000 and buy a CTR as a fun weekend car.

I really like the CTR, and I think it makes a perfect daily driver. Its not something I would think of for a "fun weekend car" to replace my S2000, if I already had another practical car, though.

As far as "new car tech". It's gonna get old in 6 months. Everyone that buys cars for tech is never happy with the car for more than 1yr.

I travel semi often and drive all kind of new cars as rentals. I *hate* all the tech in new cars.

I drive my S2000 as an escape. I don't want bluetooth or apple car play...because I'm not interested in what's happening on my phone while I'm driving it. Otherwise, I'd just take the bus and play on my phone.

I enjoy driving and my S2000 is fun to drive. I drive mine all summer, as much as possible, even for mundane things like going to work or the store.

I have a 20min commute to/from work and I look forward to it every day.

I find that my relationship with my S2000 will become stale if I don't drive it when I get the chance. Why don't you try driving more often this year to see if you actually want to get rid of it? That's free.

If you don't want to drive it anymore, you've answered your question. You're not gonna miss it.

If you do end up bored with the S2000. Is something like a GR Supra or Mustang attainable?

To add...maybe take the FL5 on a test drive or at least sit in one to see how you feel.

I want an FL5 pretty bad. But wouldn't have the heart to drive it in snow/salt. But the non snow/salt time is S2000 time. So if I bought an FL5, it would just sit around.

Agree on the new car tech. none of it impresses me anymore and a lot of it annoys me (the stupidity of electrically actuated parking brakes annoys me a LOT lol). And yeah my issue is that my S2k is my fun summer car. If it is nice out that is what I want to drive and it would be hard to buy something else for the fun weekend car unless I had to get rid of the S2k for some reason. But with a young child, spouse, etc I can see that it would be nice to go on those fun weekend drives and actually be able to take them all with you :) Downside of the S2k is one other front seat and that is it!

And my hard rule is if the dealer wont let me drive it, they can f off :) No drivey, no spendy my money on it.

You'll regret it as others have mentioned.

But,

This looks fun enough if you have to have space for the kiddo and wife

I have both, but a FK8 and I would sell the R if I needed to get rid of one. My thoughts mirrors your concerns of the difficulty of getting into another S2K. They are both weekend drivers for me but the R is used more as it has more space for passengers. However if I was by myself, I find myself grabbing the keys to the S more often then the R. It's a different driving experience and as a plus, it will hopefully continue to appreciate and have a place in my garage.

Can you not keep the S2k? Buy Type R as a daily. Store s2k a year... or just drive it once in a while on weekends?

I have both the AP1 S2k and a DE5 (ITS).

I enjoy driving both, for different reasons. The S2000 is fun, in a frenetic sort of way. You have to work the car, drive it like you stole it (or hate it) to get it to do the "dance". Every input requires thought, and smoothness. Get stupid, jerky, rough in the wrong way, and it'll bite you. It is a totally analog experience. The car feels "alive" both underneath you and in your hands.

The DE5, is capable of speed in a much more "relaxed" way, the midrange of the engine is so strong, even stock and it's limits are much, much higher than the S2K. It is more forgiving.

I'll never sell either of them.

I've driven both versions of the TypeR. The newest version is a great "all arounder". If you can have only one car, the new typeR is a great choice. Not as engaging as the s2000, mind.

darcy

Could you sell your DD and buy the Type R as a DD?

Maybe you've moved on from the S2k. It's possible. When I don't drive mine over winter, I consider if I should sell it. Then I drive it and I'm good. It's not going anywhere. I've driven some other cars too (BRZ, ND, M2, Cayman) in anger and I still love the S2k. Those cars are all good and each has their strengths. None of them make me want to sell my car.

I understand wanting some tech in a DD but I don't get it for a fun car. Would bluetooth connectivity solve your issue? I get not wanting to have a head unit from 2000 and wanting to play media from your phone. A rear view camera would be kinda nice. Nothing else about new car tech appeals to me though. IDGAF about adaptive cruise, blind spot monitors, lane keeping tech, etc. I guess crash safety is a good thing but also comes with weight. The main benefit I see of the CTR vs. your S2k as a fun car, in your scenario, is being able to take others along for the ride safely.

I went from owning an S2000 then taking a long hiatus and then getting into a CTR (FK8) and then now I'm back in an S2000. If you have a DD already then you're probably gonna regret selling the S2000.. I actually have a DD so the CTR just felt like it was doing too many DD things too well and wasn't as raw/special for a weekend car. The only thing I miss about my CTR was the power tbh.. But my wife recently picked up an Integra Type S so I can just drive her car when I need some mo powahhh :D

If you're planning to have kids on the way (as do I) I would sell the DD and just buy something more kid friendly like a model Y/X or a van but keep the S2000 imo.

Speaking as someone who owns both
It is totally not a S2000 replacement

There are high points as you mentioned in terms of value, practicality, feeling of specialness, speed, torque, reliability, new-car-stuff, etc:
But it has a more serious personality and lacks that fun/sportscar experience
The FWD wheelspin is frustrating especially in the rain
No sound makes it pretty boring perhaps intake/exhaust will change that but nothing like NA sound
It is huge and feels its size, especially on back roads

The result is:
It's my daily but stays parked on the weekend, I find myself craving the E46, S2000, or even the Macan by the middle of the week
The S2000 / E46 are a total breath of fresh air the cars wrap around you like a glove, the suspension breathes with the road, and the sounds/driving experience are much more raw
The E46 is surprisingly (or unsurprisingly) still pretty practical
If I need to carry people in comfort and still have fun, I drive the Macan. It's more comfortable than the Type R, handles bumpy backroads better, no lag, less understeer on corner exit. Does everything better.
The FL5 literally does not get driven at all on the weekend
Sorry to burst your bubble. Seems like my experience echos others.

IF you want S2000 replacement:
-interesting question and I have been in the same boat trying to figure out FL5 replacement however mine is for daily use which requirements are different
-if you want new: BRZ, ND, or Porsches are kind of the only new cars that drive like old cars.
-Most new BMWs are boring to drive at normal speeds/street driving
-Golf R DSG / S3 can be interesting as well - they drive smaller than the CTR but not sure about that as wknd car
-BRZ could be interesting since you can stuff kids in the back but otherwise the S2000 is a more raw driving experience
-E90 M3 E39 M5 or E46 M3 (both modded) would be an interesting proposition as a replacement for your S2000 if you're still looking for old school driving vibes + special engines/sounds + space for kids. Have absolutely fallen in love with my E46 and my friends with E9x M3s have had similar story. $$$ to run but worth it.

Curious to see what everyone else thinks for weekend fun cars that can still carry family

Just my opinion but the S2000 is in a class of its own.

I don’t plan on getting rid of mine, it would take something really special for me to let it go.

I understand your position though.

I saw a new R driving in front of me on a mountain road. Blue. It looked stock. Seemed to handle the curves well. Good acceleration out of the tight bends

Having 4-doors is nice. :thumbup:

I have 3 6MT cars I use for fun. None of these are my DD.

G80 M3, FL5, and the S2000.

The FL5 was such an amazing car that I rarely took out the G80.

But if I only had the FL5 or S2000 and one needed to go, i'd probably be the S2000 only because of how limited it's use is. I can drive it several hours, but it beats me up. I also ride motorcycles, so if I wanted an open air experience, I can take the bike too.

funny because I don’t ride motorcycles anymore and the S ticks that open air box for me

The only reasons most people sell the s2000 are:

a) Lack of space for parking
b) Need the funds
c) Can't physically drive anymore
d) Need a car to hold more than 2 people
e) Drive in a 4 season climate


Pretty sure we can all come up with a hundred reasons to to have the car, but that is what makes the s2000 special. In our most recent video we asked a friend what other cars are in his garage and even with a Porsche, he still prefers the s2000. We tend to agree here as we have plenty of cars around the shop but still the s2000 gets the nod many times over....

Best all around car if you want to take your kids around and still have fun is the F80 M3 6-speed. FL5 would be 2nd to that....our 2 cents.


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