What made you switch to an s2000?
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Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Brit in Athens, Greece
I've been driving hot hatches all my life up to now, mostly German of course (mk2 Golf Gtis were the car of choice for a long time), and I finally decided I wanted a proper car. So I set myself some criteria and began looking for the right car for me... It turns out that the S2000 is just about the only car on the market that fits this criteria perfectly...here they are... and when you look at it like this, you can't help wondering why there aren't more on the road.
1) RWD or AWD
2) 2000cc or less
3) At least 150hp per ton and at least 200 overall)
4) Something that doesn't drink like a brooklyn hobo
5) Reliable
6) Minimal depreciation
2 other cars fit the criteria and were also examined closely before the decision was reached... The Audi S3, and the Subaru Impreza WRX (not STI). Well I didn't want another hatchback, so the Audi was out. The Subaru drinks pretty deeply and is a large car (for Athens).
The S2000 fit everything perfectly, and I'm really glad it's what I chose, as I honestly believe it's about the most involving drive (barring silly things like the Atom and the Caterham) for the money. You have to go over $50000 to find something more exciting to drive, and even then, it won't be the 'complete' package that the AP1 S2k is (think Elise, which is about as practical as a chocolate teapot). The S is a DD.
I won't be looking at any other cars until the day comes when I can afford something special, like a gallardo or a scuderia. Til then... 9krpm ftw!
When I want to go faster, there's always comptech.
1) RWD or AWD
2) 2000cc or less
3) At least 150hp per ton and at least 200 overall)
4) Something that doesn't drink like a brooklyn hobo
5) Reliable
6) Minimal depreciation
2 other cars fit the criteria and were also examined closely before the decision was reached... The Audi S3, and the Subaru Impreza WRX (not STI). Well I didn't want another hatchback, so the Audi was out. The Subaru drinks pretty deeply and is a large car (for Athens).
The S2000 fit everything perfectly, and I'm really glad it's what I chose, as I honestly believe it's about the most involving drive (barring silly things like the Atom and the Caterham) for the money. You have to go over $50000 to find something more exciting to drive, and even then, it won't be the 'complete' package that the AP1 S2k is (think Elise, which is about as practical as a chocolate teapot). The S is a DD.
I won't be looking at any other cars until the day comes when I can afford something special, like a gallardo or a scuderia. Til then... 9krpm ftw!
When I want to go faster, there's always comptech.
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,063
Likes: 4
From: Durango, Colorado
Please don't say "Camero" to me! I had an '82 when it was new and it was the biggest piece of crap you could imagine. Paint was falling off. Carb on the 305 V8 was bad and couldn't be fixed. the rear end made funny sounds nobody could fix. After 26K miles, the dealer bought it back as a result of a lawsuit. Enough with Cameros. 
Before the S2k, we had an Eagle Talon turbo and a Miata. The Eagle was fast (for its day) but crude. The Miata was refined (for its day) but slow! I drove a friend's S2k back in '01 and thought "now, here we go -- the best of both worlds plus some!" So I ordered one, and am still driving it.
These days, I've got a few other cars too. But when I want to drive a "street legal, high powered go cart" I take the S2k.
Before the S2k, we had an Eagle Talon turbo and a Miata. The Eagle was fast (for its day) but crude. The Miata was refined (for its day) but slow! I drove a friend's S2k back in '01 and thought "now, here we go -- the best of both worlds plus some!" So I ordered one, and am still driving it.
These days, I've got a few other cars too. But when I want to drive a "street legal, high powered go cart" I take the S2k.
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 933
Likes: 74
This summer, we had many sunny nice days, perfect for outdoor activities. Half of my friends play sports as their outdoor enjoyment activities, the other half are indoor geeks, and I don't enjoy either of those. I love the outdoors, I love a great drive, and I have a down payment saved up for something like maybe a house. I usually drive from small city to small city around here every day, so some extra open-air driving pleasure would be a quick fix. This year was the end of the motorcycle craze for my group of friends, so that was out. That and I didn't want to die.
For my requirements of price range, safety, and reliability, only an S2000 met them. I test drive two before I chose one, both of the owners were not really driving enthusiasts. I was satisfied with my quality car at a reasonable price.
Until I finalized everything and really had the keys in my hands. Then I realized I had no idea what the real thrill of driving was, but I had now found it. I had stumbled upon one of the best purchases of my life. Long live S2k.
For my requirements of price range, safety, and reliability, only an S2000 met them. I test drive two before I chose one, both of the owners were not really driving enthusiasts. I was satisfied with my quality car at a reasonable price.
Until I finalized everything and really had the keys in my hands. Then I realized I had no idea what the real thrill of driving was, but I had now found it. I had stumbled upon one of the best purchases of my life. Long live S2k.
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Joined: Oct 2007
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it was my dream car and I had the $ to buy one used. Also, the CAD $ vs. US $ was in my favor (bought it @ 1.02 CAD to the greenback). Couldn't pass up on such a deal.
I was totally kidding one day with friends that I wanted an S, started looking online, and in a month, I owned one. Still pretty surreal.
I've always wanted a convertible.
I was totally kidding one day with friends that I wanted an S, started looking online, and in a month, I owned one. Still pretty surreal.
I've always wanted a convertible.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,485
Likes: 21
In 2003 I was looking for my first nice car out of college. Wanted a S2000 but wasn't sure if it was practical enough, bought an E36 M3. After the M3 got sold I test drove a few 04 S2000's, almost pulled the trigger (even put down a deposit).
A few days before picking up the S (Sebring on red/black) I started looking around and discovered the RX-8 was being heavily discounted. Called around and found a Winning Blue new 05 RX-8 sitting on a lot in San Antonio for 10K off sticker which happened to be less than the used 04 S2000 I was looking at. Paired with the warranty, new car factor, 4 seats and great handling I picked it up.
After I sold the RX-8 I wanted to get back into a 2 seater roadster and my heart was set on the Elise. My GF bought a local member's well maintained GPW/red MY 2000 S2K the same time I had the M3 and was getting sick of it a few years later. We both autocrossed it a lot in the 3 years she owned it. She sold the S2K to me and now it's my daily driver and retired from autocross. It's getting a new toy pretty soon to make it a bit more interesting for a daily street car though.
The end.
A few days before picking up the S (Sebring on red/black) I started looking around and discovered the RX-8 was being heavily discounted. Called around and found a Winning Blue new 05 RX-8 sitting on a lot in San Antonio for 10K off sticker which happened to be less than the used 04 S2000 I was looking at. Paired with the warranty, new car factor, 4 seats and great handling I picked it up.
After I sold the RX-8 I wanted to get back into a 2 seater roadster and my heart was set on the Elise. My GF bought a local member's well maintained GPW/red MY 2000 S2K the same time I had the M3 and was getting sick of it a few years later. We both autocrossed it a lot in the 3 years she owned it. She sold the S2K to me and now it's my daily driver and retired from autocross. It's getting a new toy pretty soon to make it a bit more interesting for a daily street car though.
The end.
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 36,017
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From: Queen City, NC
It was 2003, a drunk driver had destroyed my RX-7, and there were no good used sports cars on the market as the 300ZX had been discontinued in 1997 and they were too old for me to consider purchasing (I buy 1-3 yrs old).
I finally settled on trying a convertible and I drove everything out there and the S2000 last as I didn't like the looks. This included Porsche Boxsters, Z3s and Z4s, the 350Z, RX-8, you name it. Then I saw the new 2004 S2000 and drove one. Then I spent a month driving AP1s and AP2s, and finally settled on a 2004 S2000. Next to the RX-7 its my favorite sports car to date and a hell of a lot more reliable!
In the end, the S was as fun to drive as a lot of other cars, but less expensive and faster. It was a lot like the Boxster and my RX-7, which is why I chose it.
I finally settled on trying a convertible and I drove everything out there and the S2000 last as I didn't like the looks. This included Porsche Boxsters, Z3s and Z4s, the 350Z, RX-8, you name it. Then I saw the new 2004 S2000 and drove one. Then I spent a month driving AP1s and AP2s, and finally settled on a 2004 S2000. Next to the RX-7 its my favorite sports car to date and a hell of a lot more reliable!
In the end, the S was as fun to drive as a lot of other cars, but less expensive and faster. It was a lot like the Boxster and my RX-7, which is why I chose it.
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,268
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From: San Diego
Originally Posted by ThuG LyFe,Dec 1 2008, 11:51 PM
still driving my first car 240sx and 100% set on getting the S as my next car. (whenever that will be, hopefully soon with prices dropping)...the 240sx, i'm sure it handles nice just like the S can and with just a simple T25 turbo set up it can probably keep up with a stock S easily. but it's not the power that i'm looking for (a stock S would be enough for me). i feel like i'm growing out of having a tuner car type, while i love the fact that my car is rare and clean its still old as hell. i love new cars and no matter how well you tear down an old car and rebuild it, it'll still be dated. and i rather have a stock car with a punch than a modded up cheap car since i can't work on my own car it will be an inconvinience for me if the modded car keeps breaking down or something.
what attracted me...hmm i can't say for sure...i will admit i never "loved it from the first time i saw it"...i thought it was just a convertible that looked decent but i wanted a 350z more b/c i guess i was more of a nissan guy back then. one day i went to a dealership just browsing cars and noticed a 07 bb sitting in the middle so i asked for the keys and sat in it. it just "felt" like the car was made for me. i fell in love with it even before i drove it. then i sat in a 350z they had...granted it was a little older it just felt like crap. the interior was crappy and had way too much going on and just didnt' "feel right". i took the S for a test drive and man i was blown away since then. it was such an adrenaline rush taking it to the redline and hearing the engine sing. and since then i am dead set on getting the car.
i'm envious of everyone here everyday i go on to s2ki.com...but hope to join ya'll soon. until then i'll just be a dreamer lol.
what attracted me...hmm i can't say for sure...i will admit i never "loved it from the first time i saw it"...i thought it was just a convertible that looked decent but i wanted a 350z more b/c i guess i was more of a nissan guy back then. one day i went to a dealership just browsing cars and noticed a 07 bb sitting in the middle so i asked for the keys and sat in it. it just "felt" like the car was made for me. i fell in love with it even before i drove it. then i sat in a 350z they had...granted it was a little older it just felt like crap. the interior was crappy and had way too much going on and just didnt' "feel right". i took the S for a test drive and man i was blown away since then. it was such an adrenaline rush taking it to the redline and hearing the engine sing. and since then i am dead set on getting the car.
i'm envious of everyone here everyday i go on to s2ki.com...but hope to join ya'll soon. until then i'll just be a dreamer lol.
U remind me so much of myself...Except I came from a sentra Spec V. I used to dream about owning an S2k for 4 years before I could afford one(Since '03). I even tried to get out of the tuning scene altogether w/ an '03 accord(even after putting a $10k stereo system in it, it was still incredibly boring to drive)...but couldn't do it. I guess I'm a sports car or die typed of person. I remember when I used to go on canyon runs w/ the Spec V and how it put a smile on my face every time...The S2k was the only other car that could replicate that feeling. This car is like my nirvana...
Believe it or not at one time I thought the S14 1/2 and S15 Silvia's were the holy grail. I had it all planned out...I would get and '98 S14 1/2(the one w/ the more aggressive front end) and build from that into a full fledged Silvia w/ about 300 hp. Problem was all the decent used S14's were auto's and the manuals were modded out. Wasn't interested on the modded ones already because I wanted do my own build on it so it showed my personality and style through it.