Hi,

Its my first post here so thought id say hi.

I am looking at buying an S2000 in a few weeks, I have one question though.

The saleswoman told me that the newer models handling is slightly different and its harder to spin the wheels?

Whats included on the newer models that help to stop the wheels from spinning so easily and how much different is the overall car between an 03 and 05-06?

I had a test drive in an 06 plate today and loved it, although the saleswoman is going to get me a test drive in an 03 plate so I can see the difference.

Thanks

 

Welcome!

She's probably referring to VSA (a form of traction control) that's optional on the 06.

Prior to the 06, there was no such option. Read the Tech FAQ at the top of the main UK board for more detail on what previous different model years have had by way of changes.

 

Not a lot, the car started getting soft after 02.

Differences are mostly cosmetic with the bigger 17" wheels and factory installed alarm[1] from 04 onwards.




[1] This is important as the pre-04 alarm is a POS.

 

I thought the VTEC transition was smoothed off '04 onward as well to that may be what she is talking about.

Trust me, it's still easy to spin the wheels on all models.

 

The wheel spin will definitely been the optional VSA aka traction control.

But yes, there are various model differences. glass screen from 03+ 17" wheels 04+ various suspension mods 02 then 04. There are other more minor stuff. Personally I think 04+ is the way forward, and I think VSA is a good idea. Because you can always turn it off.

 

02 IIRC

 

Thanks, was looking at an 03+ model. Is the VSA only on 06?

 

Yes, as I said above, VSA was only introduced with the 06.

If she was referring to the 03 you were looking at, she may have been referring to the suspension changes that were introduced with the 02 revisions to make the back end a bit more predictable. It shouldn't make any difference to how easy it is to spin the wheels though

But then, Honda sales reps don't tend to know a lot about the car so I always tended to take anything they told me with a large dose of salt!

 

Thanks, Think im gna push for an 04 - 05. Would you 'feel' any differences when you are actually driving the car as to wether it has VSA or not? Or is that the sort of thing that you notice it when the back end starts to go?

 

I don't know for sure (never having driven one with VSA) but I would guess that it feels no different at all unless you provoke the back end and the VSA has to kick in.

Driving "normally" should feel exactly the same as driving a non-VSA car.

If you're after an 05, have a look at RAB2000's thread in the FS&W forum - he's selling a Moonrock 05 and the price is about as low as you're going to find anyway for that age/mileage. Or try the Pistonheads classifieds. I certainly wouldn't be paying dealer prices if it was me!