Help needed in deciding on a S2000
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,548
Likes: 7
From: Newcastle Upon Tyne
Originally posted by NoEscape
Its nice to speak to some guys that know what there on about. Your tempting me to one already, any ideas what the insurance would be like for me, a 23year old with 2years ncb
The one i looked at isn't the one i'd have, but it was an X reg (2000) and had corrosion on the wheels. Is that something that would still be covered on warrenty?
Its nice to speak to some guys that know what there on about. Your tempting me to one already, any ideas what the insurance would be like for me, a 23year old with 2years ncb
The one i looked at isn't the one i'd have, but it was an X reg (2000) and had corrosion on the wheels. Is that something that would still be covered on warrenty?
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 604
Likes: 0
From: Near Sandwich,
Hi NoEscape,
We had no experience of a RWD car when we bought our S and I certainly wasn't used to anything as powerful. In the two years and 15 days we have had the car I have had two incidents in which I lost the back end - both of them my fault. My wife hasn;t had any but then again she is a more cautious driver.
As long as you treat the car with the respect it deserves and be alert when driving at speed it will gives you hours and hours and hours and hours........................of fun.
I can't think of any other car I would have in terms of looks and performance.
We had no experience of a RWD car when we bought our S and I certainly wasn't used to anything as powerful. In the two years and 15 days we have had the car I have had two incidents in which I lost the back end - both of them my fault. My wife hasn;t had any but then again she is a more cautious driver.
As long as you treat the car with the respect it deserves and be alert when driving at speed it will gives you hours and hours and hours and hours........................of fun.
I can't think of any other car I would have in terms of looks and performance.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Cheshire
Cheers guys, i've received tons of PM's helping out too which is great, even appreciate the ones from guys in the US that i can't understand most of what they are on about 
Going from a FWD to a RWD will take some getting use to, i just thought the problems with handling were a bit more than just that, but if its not true, then i may have to seriously consider one.
Your right tho, if there was problems with the wheels but not been sorted already, then chances are the car hasn't been looked after in the way it should have anyway, maybe one to steer clear of.
Bank holiday weekend coming up, good opportunity to have a look around i reckon, can't wait
Going from a FWD to a RWD will take some getting use to, i just thought the problems with handling were a bit more than just that, but if its not true, then i may have to seriously consider one.
Your right tho, if there was problems with the wheels but not been sorted already, then chances are the car hasn't been looked after in the way it should have anyway, maybe one to steer clear of.
Bank holiday weekend coming up, good opportunity to have a look around i reckon, can't wait
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 742
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From: West Lancashire
Two mills is a good place to start (wirral). They usually have a few and had a demo last time I was there and no problem on 1 hour unaccompanied test drives.
Lots of margin in their prices though so be sure to take your hardest nose with you if you think you might be tempted there and then.
PM me if you want any more info.
Dave.
Lots of margin in their prices though so be sure to take your hardest nose with you if you think you might be tempted there and then.
PM me if you want any more info.
Dave.
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,497
Likes: 1
From: Stockton Heath, Cheshire
Noescape, just get one you'll love it! I got the S just over a year ago and it is the first RWD car I've own'd.
*I've nearly killed myself 5 times now
its great fun
,
But on a serious note if you get one drive it like an old woman at first then when you get the hang of it drive it like you stole it
I find myself using any excuse to go for a drive, like instead of going to the shop round the corner! go to one 20 miles away!!
"I'm thinking of having window wipers fitted to my side windows" as I spend most of my time that way
Andy
*I've nearly killed myself 5 times now
its great fun, But on a serious note if you get one drive it like an old woman at first then when you get the hang of it drive it like you stole it
I find myself using any excuse to go for a drive, like instead of going to the shop round the corner! go to one 20 miles away!! "I'm thinking of having window wipers fitted to my side windows" as I spend most of my time that way
Andy
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Cheshire
Right, my list of things to do is:
Phone around insurance companies (atleast 5) for quotes
If the prices are reasonable (although i have to be realistic about this) i'll pop down to Two Mills, a place on the Wirral after someones recommendation to me for a looksey, and maybe an un attended test drive.
Then i'll count some money and make some decisions.
Will let you know the outcome, i just hope i can be joining the S2000 owners soon
Phone around insurance companies (atleast 5) for quotes
If the prices are reasonable (although i have to be realistic about this) i'll pop down to Two Mills, a place on the Wirral after someones recommendation to me for a looksey, and maybe an un attended test drive.
Then i'll count some money and make some decisions.
Will let you know the outcome, i just hope i can be joining the S2000 owners soon
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,979
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From: North Yorks
If you're used to a westy then the handling of the S will not be unfamiliar to you.
I race a Locost and I find that what I learn in either can be transferred to the other quite easily.
When I could afford to do trackdays it would always be a difficult descision which car to take, the S2000 is an excellent track car as it is well balanced, more so than the Locost which is more rear-biased but easier to catch on soft springs.
The S2000 on the road has to be given a healthy dose of respect, but then so does any car with 240bhp going through the rear wheels (I think because of the price, people buy it beleiving it is a short step up from their FWD hatch, like a TT would be) - you wouldn't buy TVR and expect it to handle like a Golf, but people seem to think that the S2000 should for some reason.
I race a Locost and I find that what I learn in either can be transferred to the other quite easily.
When I could afford to do trackdays it would always be a difficult descision which car to take, the S2000 is an excellent track car as it is well balanced, more so than the Locost which is more rear-biased but easier to catch on soft springs.
The S2000 on the road has to be given a healthy dose of respect, but then so does any car with 240bhp going through the rear wheels (I think because of the price, people buy it beleiving it is a short step up from their FWD hatch, like a TT would be) - you wouldn't buy TVR and expect it to handle like a Golf, but people seem to think that the S2000 should for some reason.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 621
Likes: 0
From: Leatherhead, Surrey
Hi NoEscape 
If you're gonna but second hand from a honda dealer, get them to change the wheels under warranty first.
Also, if you want, they can adjust the car's geometry to the post-2002 settings, which will remove some of that rear-end twitchiness you seem worried about.
While we're talking about warranties, check with the dealer that the recall works have been done (i.e. #4 cylinder oil bolt replacement, spark plug replacement).
You mentioned that the handling was slated in reviews you had read - the S2000 is a real driver's car with few of the electronic driving aids that you'll find on many other performance cars.
When a motor-journalist gets behind the wheel of, say, a Porker Boxster - they'll have all the stability control, traction control, automatic tea and toast makers etc. activated.
This can flatter a very mediocre driver into thinking they're Michael Schumacher. When they get into the S, they don't realise that they're the ones that actually have to do the driving!! They then report that the cars "handles funny"....hmmmm.
Since you drive a Westy on the track, it sounds like you're already well familiar with the principles of RWD handling anyway. Plenty of respect for the car, smooth input of controls and a little sprinkling of caution in the wet will see you through years of trouble-free and FANTASTIC performance car driving.
Good luck in your search and purchase.
If you're gonna but second hand from a honda dealer, get them to change the wheels under warranty first.
Also, if you want, they can adjust the car's geometry to the post-2002 settings, which will remove some of that rear-end twitchiness you seem worried about.
While we're talking about warranties, check with the dealer that the recall works have been done (i.e. #4 cylinder oil bolt replacement, spark plug replacement).
You mentioned that the handling was slated in reviews you had read - the S2000 is a real driver's car with few of the electronic driving aids that you'll find on many other performance cars.
When a motor-journalist gets behind the wheel of, say, a Porker Boxster - they'll have all the stability control, traction control, automatic tea and toast makers etc. activated.
This can flatter a very mediocre driver into thinking they're Michael Schumacher. When they get into the S, they don't realise that they're the ones that actually have to do the driving!! They then report that the cars "handles funny"....hmmmm.
Since you drive a Westy on the track, it sounds like you're already well familiar with the principles of RWD handling anyway. Plenty of respect for the car, smooth input of controls and a little sprinkling of caution in the wet will see you through years of trouble-free and FANTASTIC performance car driving.
Good luck in your search and purchase.
