[QUOTE]Originally posted by JamesM
[B] If Honda were to bring out a 275 bhp Type R, I assume (from what I'm reading in most of the responses) that you would not be interested

 

Alfa Romeo 146 GTA - 250 BHP - and wrong wheel drive
Golf R32 - 237 BHP - and a lard-arse
Ford Focus - 212 BHP - see Alfa
Mazda RX8 - 237 BHP - AKA S2000 coupe (more weight?)
New Audi TT - 250 BHP - see Golf R32 but think of it in a pretty frock

None of the above would give me the fun I can have in the S2000 - what the Mazda can and can't do is anyones guess at the moment, but a test drive is definitely in order I think.
I think Zero_to60 has said enough about the Beemer so all I'll add is look at the price tag (after you add those essential extras, never look at the base price on a BMW).

It's not how fast you go, but how you go fast. The S2000 was in unfavourable conditions at Hullavington and we still made a very good showing against the assembled exotica - the car is well balanced and controllable, I can't help wondering if a larger engine would ruin the handling which to me is the point of the S2000 - straight line speed is fine on the motorway but a) It's illegal above 70 and I risk getting a fine and losing my licence, and b) I hardly ever manage to get above 60 on the motorway these days because of the amount of traffic, and finally c) We do have sufficient speed for the motorway anyway don't we, an M3 may go from 50-70 slightly quicker, but only as far as the back of the next queue of traffic and it hardly disappears into the distance at that.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by biker1
[B]Its comes down to what you want out of a car,

 

You could always supercharge it.........(although BOOM! springs to mind )

 

I have to admit that I'm rather surprised that I am the only person on this board who thinks that the S2K could do with more power!!

 

I agree - although I rarely use all the power the car has now its unfortunate that the public's perception of how good a car is depends invariably on BHP and 0-60 figures.
The S2000 was way ahead of the competition back in '99 - it would be good to see it remain there.

 

What would you do with more power? Yes you could go slightly faster in a straight line (or out of the corners) in the dry, but as Pete says, it would definitely need some sort of traction control or every time you put your foot down you'd either fry the wheels or spin off into a ditch or barrier or other car or...

 

How do TVR do it????

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by W6DAN
[B]

I agree - although I rarely use all the power the car has now its unfortunate that the public's perception of how good a car is depends invariably on BHP and 0-60 figures.

 

I always have a heated discussion with my mate who is thinking of buying an E46 M3 convertible. Fair enough it has the power but the looks are nowhere close to the S2000.

My argument is that a car enthusiast will love the looks of both the M3 and the S... but...

People who don't know cars that well (grannies, joe public, girls) will never glance twice at an M3 regardless but in the case of the S2 - I have had so many compliments from strangers that I have lost count.

Oh and I do apologise about my generalisations above - Girls and grannies do know a considerable amount about cars!!!!

The crushing point I make to my mate is that his car will cost twice as much as mine but will still only look half as good!