I will be in the market for a new car this coming spring and the S2000 is one of the cars I'm considering. I currently lease a 2001 Mustang Cobra and lean toward V8 powered cars, but I am curiously drawn to the S2000. I know the Honda is not a boulevard brawler like my Cobra, but I was wondering what kind of "real world" performance numbers it produced. I've read the recent comparison in Car & Driver, but have always been skeptical of their road tests. Car & Driver seems more interested in trunk space and cup holders, than true performance attributes. Also, has anyone else taken the road I'm considering (V8 to 4 cylinder)? Anyone have any regrets?

 

Is there a website (or book) that has the S2000 broken down in detail (ie. valve diameter, cam ratios, clutch composition...).

 

I grew up in the '70s when big block V8s ruled. My first car was a 5.0 Mercury Capri with a 5speed and factory Holley 4. I kept that car for 11 years. I was also concerned about whether I would enjoy the sound and feel of a high revving 4 cylinder. Then I drove one . . . and never looked back. The most difficult part of this car I have found is re-training your ear to take the car all the way to 9000 before you shift. I found myself glancing at the tach in the early days because I kept wanting to shift around 6000, which in this car is where the real fun begins. And cornering; no comparison to any other car I've driven, including a 944 and a few Corvettes I have owned over the years. It can feel a bit cramped at first (I'm 6'2''), but you get used to it and then you begin to 'wear' the car. My Legend feels like a luxo-barge now after driving the S2K for a few days.

Go drive one . . . and you will probably have to change your ID here

 

I traded in my 95' TransAm for the S2000. I am glad that I did. They offer completely different driving experiences. The S could not keep up with the TransAm from the stop light but put them on a curvy road and the TransAm would only see dust from the S.

Hope this helps

 

the only thing you will miss is a back seat!

 

I went from a '96 GT convertible to a '00 S2000. The GT wasn't as quick as your Cobra, but it's similar enough to give me an idea where you're coming from. The Mustangs are much easier to launch and acceleration is easy to feel in any gear. The Honda has turbine-like acceleration, it doesn't push you back hard, but it keeps on pushing all the way to redline. The GT ran out of breath in the top end, but I think the Cobra is better in that regard. My GT had a solid rear axle while your Cobra has IRS, so it will not hop around like my car did, but I still think the handling edge goes to the S2000. They are very different cars and only you can decide if it's right for you.

 

Snake,

I'd try to find an owner on this board in your area, and maybe meet up to get a better feel for the car than you can get in a short test drive. Most S2000 owners are a pretty friendly group and are usually happy to share their enthusiam with others.

I noticed that you lease, I suppose it's likely that you will also lease the Honda. In that case, the worst that could happen is that you find out later that it's not quite for you and in three years you go back to the V-8 fold.

 

I went from a 97 Ragtop GT, it was my 8th Mustang. I have no regrets! In fact we kept the Mustang for over a year after I bought the S2000 and I never drove the Mustang again, except to move it.

I had a Pantera about 10 years ago and the S2000 reminds me of it a lot! True it doesn't have the torque, but then you can have fun with the S2000 on the street. Where as the Pantera (with a built 351C) could down right get you in jail without even trying

Dave

 

I went from a '99 Z28 (pretty close power-wise to your Cobra) to my S2000. Both cars have a completely different feeling. The Z28 was a monster in a straight line, but it felt too large and disconnected to the road when cornering. The S2000 is more of an overall performer, and is extremely fun to drive. Sometimes I miss having all that torque. In fact, last night I drove my friend's '95 Supra TT (BPU+ pulling about 415hp/412ft-lb to the wheels) and it made me miss the torque even more. However, I want to get into autocrossing/road racing, and I think the S2000 is better suited for that kind of racing. Like others said, go out and test drive an S2000, you'll be able to make a decision afterwards. I fell in love right when I test drove mine. As for a book, go to your local Barnes & Noble or Borders and pick up a copy of "Honda S2000" by Daniel F. Carney. It's a great book with plenty of detail about the S2000. Good luck!

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by S2Thizzle
[B]