EVO magazine - Jethro Bovingdons poor review
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 23,244
Likes: 818
From: Nottingham
I woulda liked no power steering but hey ho. Sound was always a thing when I was younger, I wanted louder. I think it still deserves more fruity but I would say that of almost any car
Take a modern hot hatch if you want really shit sound
Never wanted TC, never enjoyed going fast on the road in the rain or I'd have bought an Audi I guess
As I have a combined 30 years in S2s I think overall I like em
Take a modern hot hatch if you want really shit sound
Never wanted TC, never enjoyed going fast on the road in the rain or I'd have bought an Audi I guess
As I have a combined 30 years in S2s I think overall I like em
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,099
Likes: 273
From: In the land of pies and pasties
Aye.. same. .
90 thousand miles driven in all 3 of mine over 20 years. Been a dally for almost 4 years in this stint of ownership.
If it breaks, I'll buy another
I did like some Evo stories : good one about the Clio Trophy 182 smacking the arse of exotica in the mountains. Think it was their eCoty, which the Clio faired well. I believe Harry still has his. Special car those, destined for mega money.
I do though feel a letter going into Evo (I remember they used to publish the best ones) , and will make some points, namely about the cars Geo adjustability. Missing that pretty important feature suggests his research was fairly rushed. Yes, the steering can feel slightly vague (that's where living with one, you develop it's feel) but it's hardly Audi computer game steering.
Point of the car is it's split personality - race car dynamics for the road and track. Mainly track of course - but it's a more civilised version of the brilliant Elise. With a screaming engine.
Let the unique S2000 be respected for what it was - it will never, ever be remembered as a terrible car.
90 thousand miles driven in all 3 of mine over 20 years. Been a dally for almost 4 years in this stint of ownership.
If it breaks, I'll buy another
I did like some Evo stories : good one about the Clio Trophy 182 smacking the arse of exotica in the mountains. Think it was their eCoty, which the Clio faired well. I believe Harry still has his. Special car those, destined for mega money.
I do though feel a letter going into Evo (I remember they used to publish the best ones) , and will make some points, namely about the cars Geo adjustability. Missing that pretty important feature suggests his research was fairly rushed. Yes, the steering can feel slightly vague (that's where living with one, you develop it's feel) but it's hardly Audi computer game steering.
Point of the car is it's split personality - race car dynamics for the road and track. Mainly track of course - but it's a more civilised version of the brilliant Elise. With a screaming engine.
Let the unique S2000 be respected for what it was - it will never, ever be remembered as a terrible car.
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,317
Likes: 64
From: Cheshire
Having owned 3 S2000’s in 10 years they will always be one of my favourite cars however even when I owned them there were plenty of flaws which annoyed me:
Steering feedback and feel - terrible
Chassis was quite numb despite upgrades and geo’s
Seating position not awful even with a lowered seat rail
However the powertrain was sublime, rifle shot gear change was the best I have used, the engine when on the boil was magic, loved the way it looked and the cabin controls were perfectly placed.
The replacement was a 981 Boxster GTS, better in every way however from an age and price point of view they can’t be compared, if the comparison was to be made then it would be with the 987 Boxster which I have driven one and yes it is better than the S2000 in pretty much every way but not as much as you would expect based on reviews.
Would I ever buy another S2000? Nope. Do I ever see one and think I should have kept it. Nope. Do I think that the S2000 is better than a 987 Boxster? Nope. Do I love the S2000? Yes. Without its annoying flaws I would love it even
more.
Steering feedback and feel - terrible
Chassis was quite numb despite upgrades and geo’s
Seating position not awful even with a lowered seat rail
However the powertrain was sublime, rifle shot gear change was the best I have used, the engine when on the boil was magic, loved the way it looked and the cabin controls were perfectly placed.
The replacement was a 981 Boxster GTS, better in every way however from an age and price point of view they can’t be compared, if the comparison was to be made then it would be with the 987 Boxster which I have driven one and yes it is better than the S2000 in pretty much every way but not as much as you would expect based on reviews.
Would I ever buy another S2000? Nope. Do I ever see one and think I should have kept it. Nope. Do I think that the S2000 is better than a 987 Boxster? Nope. Do I love the S2000? Yes. Without its annoying flaws I would love it even
more.
Former Moderator
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 24,769
Likes: 310
From: Stanmore
Having owned 3 S2000’s in 10 years they will always be one of my favourite cars however even when I owned them there were plenty of flaws which annoyed me:
Steering feedback and feel - terrible
Chassis was quite numb despite upgrades and geo’s
Seating position not awful even with a lowered seat rail
However the powertrain was sublime, rifle shot gear change was the best I have used, the engine when on the boil was magic, loved the way it looked and the cabin controls were perfectly placed.
The replacement was a 981 Boxster GTS, better in every way however from an age and price point of view they can’t be compared, if the comparison was to be made then it would be with the 987 Boxster which I have driven one and yes it is better than the S2000 in pretty much every way but not as much as you would expect based on reviews.
Would I ever buy another S2000? Nope. Do I ever see one and think I should have kept it. Nope. Do I think that the S2000 is better than a 987 Boxster? Nope. Do I love the S2000? Yes. Without its annoying flaws I would love it even
more.
Steering feedback and feel - terrible
Chassis was quite numb despite upgrades and geo’s
Seating position not awful even with a lowered seat rail
However the powertrain was sublime, rifle shot gear change was the best I have used, the engine when on the boil was magic, loved the way it looked and the cabin controls were perfectly placed.
The replacement was a 981 Boxster GTS, better in every way however from an age and price point of view they can’t be compared, if the comparison was to be made then it would be with the 987 Boxster which I have driven one and yes it is better than the S2000 in pretty much every way but not as much as you would expect based on reviews.
Would I ever buy another S2000? Nope. Do I ever see one and think I should have kept it. Nope. Do I think that the S2000 is better than a 987 Boxster? Nope. Do I love the S2000? Yes. Without its annoying flaws I would love it even
more.
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 23,244
Likes: 818
From: Nottingham
That's just Robin coming out of the closet.
We should all be kind.
On a serious note everyone is entitled to an opinion, that is all they are. People buy or don't buy Evo based on that just like they buy Fords or Nissans.
The S2000 is a special car to me, to us. Someone else hating it is quite irrelevant.
My neighbour had an M4, he loved it, I thought it was a peice of shit..
He was happy, I was happy (I didn't tell him, that would be me projecting my evoTwat)
We should all be kind.
On a serious note everyone is entitled to an opinion, that is all they are. People buy or don't buy Evo based on that just like they buy Fords or Nissans.
The S2000 is a special car to me, to us. Someone else hating it is quite irrelevant.
My neighbour had an M4, he loved it, I thought it was a peice of shit..
He was happy, I was happy (I didn't tell him, that would be me projecting my evoTwat)
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,099
Likes: 273
From: In the land of pies and pasties
The budget aspect and reliability, adjustability and crazy nature are enough to make it a terrific ownership car - NOT one to jump in and suggest after a day of running it around, it's poor.
Agree that Honda were likely approaching revising the handling attributes to match the outgoing 987's balance (but not it's reliability and costs) but financially at the time, it was pull the plug on the s2000 or Civic. Dwindling numbers from 07 onwards thanks to various reasons from financial market crash, to a changing to green development, find us debating a car that been gone for nearly 15 years now. It does disappoint me the project stopped, it was just getting going. I only hope it does return - it will be a fabulous car if we do see it. I'd hate electric to be involved.
You have to buy more expensive to get better, do you not ? What I expect JB to have said, and admit - is its great value for money and brings something else to the sports car table. I still think the 04 onwards are significantly better than earlier models, not sure if you owned one of those Robin. I'd imagine it's great on track, alas I haven't because mine is my daily and set up for fast road, but it is terrific on the empty B roads in North Yorkshire.
With the 90k I've driven so far , I can assure you, it gets its neck wringed and I have no fear of "feel". I don't disagree , it could be better, but , it isn't. If it was that numb, I wouldn't be sat in one.
Agree that Honda were likely approaching revising the handling attributes to match the outgoing 987's balance (but not it's reliability and costs) but financially at the time, it was pull the plug on the s2000 or Civic. Dwindling numbers from 07 onwards thanks to various reasons from financial market crash, to a changing to green development, find us debating a car that been gone for nearly 15 years now. It does disappoint me the project stopped, it was just getting going. I only hope it does return - it will be a fabulous car if we do see it. I'd hate electric to be involved.
You have to buy more expensive to get better, do you not ? What I expect JB to have said, and admit - is its great value for money and brings something else to the sports car table. I still think the 04 onwards are significantly better than earlier models, not sure if you owned one of those Robin. I'd imagine it's great on track, alas I haven't because mine is my daily and set up for fast road, but it is terrific on the empty B roads in North Yorkshire.
With the 90k I've driven so far , I can assure you, it gets its neck wringed and I have no fear of "feel". I don't disagree , it could be better, but , it isn't. If it was that numb, I wouldn't be sat in one.
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 23,244
Likes: 818
From: Nottingham
Cost to run is a factor
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/15634643
Find a low miles S2 of that vintage for that money which doesnt have 6 different cats and rod knock lol
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/15634643
Find a low miles S2 of that vintage for that money which doesnt have 6 different cats and rod knock lol
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,099
Likes: 273
From: In the land of pies and pasties
On the subject of "feel" , it's seat of your pants with the S2k because of the slightly numb EPS . Clearly it's better on Porsche's but they are also know to blow there power steering pumps on track. A trade off for the sorted Cayman, always that to think of when running one.
How do you find the steering feel of yours Jason? - be interesting to know especially as you have SC and standard, and they are earlier models.
Simon, you also have ran both the earlier on track and now the luxury of a last of the line - do you think it's poor feel ? Both of you very qualified to answer, as several others on here
How do you find the steering feel of yours Jason? - be interesting to know especially as you have SC and standard, and they are earlier models.
Simon, you also have ran both the earlier on track and now the luxury of a last of the line - do you think it's poor feel ? Both of you very qualified to answer, as several others on here
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 23,244
Likes: 818
From: Nottingham
The SC one is lowered. I have zero issues with steering feel on it, it's on the heavy side but I like that and with the geo I have you can slide the back end in control. It's not the same as the M3 where you could be very lairy as it's more mid engined than that car
On bumpy roads the track focussed suspension is not at it's best, you tend to lose some grip where a lighter, softer sprung lotus would have no issues. I remember a passenger ride in an S1 Elise and well piloted it would leave me for dead on a Welsh b road with more craters than tarmac
The standard one has lighter steering but I did do a limits course, where you provoke to spin, and he gave me pointers about being less industrial with the controls, the feel is there but ultimately any power steered car is inferior to none assisted in this
So horses for courses, a boxster is now cheaper to buy but has potential for huge bills. An S2 of the same vintage is probably far less likely to break and is lighter with a stronger motor. An MX5, get the right one it has better feel but the engine is Dogshit. A z4 is for bummers' only and any Merc is dynamically bereft.
On bumpy roads the track focussed suspension is not at it's best, you tend to lose some grip where a lighter, softer sprung lotus would have no issues. I remember a passenger ride in an S1 Elise and well piloted it would leave me for dead on a Welsh b road with more craters than tarmac
The standard one has lighter steering but I did do a limits course, where you provoke to spin, and he gave me pointers about being less industrial with the controls, the feel is there but ultimately any power steered car is inferior to none assisted in this
So horses for courses, a boxster is now cheaper to buy but has potential for huge bills. An S2 of the same vintage is probably far less likely to break and is lighter with a stronger motor. An MX5, get the right one it has better feel but the engine is Dogshit. A z4 is for bummers' only and any Merc is dynamically bereft.