Help me out here, should I get this S2K? I want it, but...
I put down a deposit for an S2K (over a Z3 or Thunderbird) based on the Honda name--friends who ALWAYS buy Hondas, and an Accord we bought once with over 110K. They seem to have long legs and maintain their value, based on service records and dependability. Rather than the Z3 I've been wanting for many years, my wife and I decided that the S2K would be unique--we've not seen one on the road to date. We wanted a roadster like the one we had at the beginning of our marriage, to get back that open-air fun. My dilemma is, despite all the accolades about the S2K, I keep reading how I (we) won't drive this car like it was designed to be driven. I DO appreciate speed and performance (x-fighter pilot), but I don't plan on routinely pushing the 9K mark. I haven't "popped a clutch" since 1972 (although I've had 2 Datsun/Nissan Z cars since). I want a fun roadster, that can "move out" quickly once in a while, but will not cost me an arm-and-a-leg to support it. Do you really only get only 15,000 miles on a set of premium tires? Do you really have to replace clutches before 25,000 miles? I'm used to driving a car 30 or 40 thousand miles before replacing tires or brakes are even a thought.
I don't need to street race, or even go real fast on the highway--I've passed within spitting distance of others with over 2500 mph closure (scares the crap out of you). How about it? Can I drive this car sensibly and have things (tires, brakes, clutch) last a little longer? Or should I get a Miada, or an old MG-A (for $6,000)? My S2K should be arriving real soon; why am I having misgivings?

 

sounds like "pre wedding gitters"..

the s2000 will be fine for what your intended purposes are. you will find some of the nicest people on this forum giving you support. So read 'em and I'm sure it will put your mind at ease..

 

the tires are really sticky, and grip well so they dont last that long, if you dont beat on the car you can get like 15k miles out of them. the clutch will last if you dont beat on it also. its a VERY fun car to drive, so i wouldnt pass it up.

chris

 

Pre wedding jitters? Ha! I'd been "engaged" to my wife for almost 4 years when we finally got married. Had no jitters then, but, stereotypically, I guess that's what it might be. I just can't believe tires only last 15,000 miles!

 

I can tell you that at 13K miles my tires have plenty of tread. I have no plans to change any clutches (no need yet).

And I track the darn thing. Although this season I have changed to track tires and track pads. When not on the track I go back to the original tires and stock pads. I am sure those street pads will last forever (at three months those pads are still brand new - now that I am not using them at the track).

If you do not abuse the car, the pads and clutches and tires will last. The tires will show plenty of tread and they will give you sufficient grip if you are driving it conservatively.

That being said, I do not think this car is for everyone.

If your main goal is to cruise at gentle speeds, you will notice a lot more of its quirks like the hard suspension, the silly radio (can't hear the darn thing), the noisy car (when top is up), etc, etc.

As for me, when I get in the car I feel I am on a motorcycle and drive the car fast; I upgraded the radio, but it is rarely on, I rarely drive the car with the top up (for those days I take the sedan), I never feel the suspension, since I am more in tune hearing the engine while practicing heel and toeing on exit ramps

 

At the risk of overvaluing my input by citing to my own previous post, here's a thread I started last month, three weeks after I made the decision you are pondering. If you can't tell, I think the S2000 is the right choice (at least it was for me).

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...hlight=JDRACING

 

Thanks, Jeff, that was well put. Funny how the S is considered "no frills" compared to some of the others. Electric windows and doorlocks, CD player, air conditioning, power top, etc. I'm looking at recapturing a memory, a 68 Datsun 2000, and the S car is defiinitely a move up in creature comforts. I guess that I'm reading too much into some of the threads here. Since I found the S2000, and drove one, and ordered one, I've been captivated by this site and thinking about the car. If you can't do it, read about it (or teach it). Anxiety suppressed. Now, I just hope my car wasn't on that train in California that wrecked last week!

 

Some have described the car below VTEC as a V6 Accord that handles. I used mine as a daily driver all last Spring/Summer/Fall. Add some spirited mountain driving into the equation and my rear tires were about 7/10ths gone at 7400 miles when I traded the car. The front tires looked like they would last at least another 10k.

At this point, you may feel your intentions are to drive the car sensibly, but once you get a taste for the handling and power rush, it will be tough not to take the long way home from work.

Tires-Some have had the rears last more than 15k. Most have not. I am guessing with the warm climate in NM you would be lucky to get 12k out of a set. You could always move to a harder compound for your next set. This may get you 18-20k, but handling will suffer.

Clutch-As others have said, treat it like a normal car and it should be fine. Clutch dumps and stop light racing will severely shorten the life. The differential in the car is a weak link, so Honda made the clutch weaker.

Maintenance-Long-term owners would have more input, but this is one car you must follow the maintenance schedule. You will need to check the oil frequently-as in every fillup during break-in. Every other fillup once consumption seems to level off.

I loved my car and miss it every day, but I also felt like I was wasting it, and money, by not spending enough time "driving" the car like it was designed. Trips to the mountains were a great treat, but I only made it up every couple of months. Sure, I could have driven the car harder around town, but I didn't need a slew of tickets or the associated insurance increase.

That said, I would buy another in a heartbeat. It's an emotional thing. Like a lover that was so right, yet so wrong. You parted ways and moved on, but memories of her grow more golden with age. Good times outshining negative qualities that eventually reveal themselves as excuses to pursue sensible behavior.

 

Buzz-

My roommate in college had a Datsun 2000. I remember that car fondly, like I remember the Sunbeam Alpine another friend had, and some other roadsters that were less popular than the MGs and Triumphs. Believe me, the S2000 is like a $125K Mercedes 600 S-Class compared to those cars in terms of engineering, creature comfort, and fit and finish.

Nevertheless, the car is a bit more on the raw edge ("high strung") than the M Roadster/Z3, although, as you aptly point out, it's hardly a '59 VW in terms of amenities. (It does have a gas gauge, after all ).

As a former fighter pilot, I'd imagine you'd appreciate that extra bit of something in a car which rewards the driver for working a bit harder at wringing it out. In other words, it probably takes more skill to drive it at the limit than other cars (a place I'm nowhere close to yet), but when you do, you find that the car is, in fact, designed for precisely that, even if it's at the expense of heated seats.

I don't think you'll be disappointed.

 

Nick, I just had to comment that your post was very well said. Including, particularly, the last paragraph. There's nothing sensible about the S2000, but after only 7 weeks, I can't imagine life without her (and look at the number of male S2000 drivers who post on this board who name their cars female names--I still smile every time I read the guy's signature who refers to his car as "Ginger.")