RE: Honda S2000 | PH Private Area
Discussion
robinandcamera said:
This isn't a 2009 as the article says, it is a 20 year old pre update 2003.
Why people are paying this for them is crazy! I had an S2000, supercharged it etc etc. It was great. Then I got a standard one after having to sell the first to get a house. They are good, but not great. They never make 240, more like 210 (confirmed at an s2000 rolling road day where my charged one made 410 and na ones were all about 210).
I went off down the wondrful lotus rabit hole, inlcuding a honda s1 elise, exige v6.
But I now have a modern s2000... 200kg lighter, it has mid range (unlike any s2000, you need a K20 with iVTEC for a bit of midrange, not the old F20C with basic VTEC) and it has a genuine 220bhp thanks to the BBR super 220 na tuning kit. It absolutelty screams along at just under 8000 rpm.
If you want a car that beats the S2000 and is also much much newer, then get one of these instead.
Don’t ever compare an S2000 to any MX-5, standard or modified/charged. An S2000 is a totally different animal in each way, the values talk for themselves. Also not up to you to wonder why people are paying the money they command, it’s up to them and they see something unique and one off. An MX-5 has been around for many generations but there is only one S2000, all that has to be said. Why people are paying this for them is crazy! I had an S2000, supercharged it etc etc. It was great. Then I got a standard one after having to sell the first to get a house. They are good, but not great. They never make 240, more like 210 (confirmed at an s2000 rolling road day where my charged one made 410 and na ones were all about 210).
I went off down the wondrful lotus rabit hole, inlcuding a honda s1 elise, exige v6.
But I now have a modern s2000... 200kg lighter, it has mid range (unlike any s2000, you need a K20 with iVTEC for a bit of midrange, not the old F20C with basic VTEC) and it has a genuine 220bhp thanks to the BBR super 220 na tuning kit. It absolutelty screams along at just under 8000 rpm.
If you want a car that beats the S2000 and is also much much newer, then get one of these instead.
Edited by robinandcamera on Wednesday 15th May 16:20
shuthan_b said:
Don’t ever compare an S2000 to any MX-5, standard or modified/charged. An S2000 is a totally different animal in each way, the values talk for themselves. Also not up to you to wonder why people are paying the money they command, it’s up to them and they see something unique and one off. An MX-5 has been around for many generations but there is only one S2000, all that has to be said.
MX5s always raise a friendly smile at track days, but it's always the Hondas bonnet people want to look under 
shuthan_b said:
Don’t ever compare an S2000 to any MX-5, standard or modified/charged. An S2000 is a totally different animal in each way, the values talk for themselves. Also not up to you to wonder why people are paying the money they command, it’s up to them and they see something unique and one off. An MX-5 has been around for many generations but there is only one S2000, all that has to be said.
Not really. I've had both, the bbr mx5 is the better drivers car. Values have no relevance to the driving experience. That's not to say the S2000 is a bad car though. trails said:
shuthan_b said:
Don’t ever compare an S2000 to any MX-5, standard or modified/charged. An S2000 is a totally different animal in each way, the values talk for themselves. Also not up to you to wonder why people are paying the money they command, it’s up to them and they see something unique and one off. An MX-5 has been around for many generations but there is only one S2000, all that has to be said.
MX5s always raise a friendly smile at track days, but it's always the Hondas bonnet people want to look under Edited by shuthan_b on Wednesday 15th May 23:27
Jonstar said:
shuthan_b said:
Don’t ever compare an S2000 to any MX-5, standard or modified/charged. An S2000 is a totally different animal in each way, the values talk for themselves. Also not up to you to wonder why people are paying the money they command, it’s up to them and they see something unique and one off. An MX-5 has been around for many generations but there is only one S2000, all that has to be said.
Not really. I've had both, the bbr mx5 is the better drivers car. Values have no relevance to the driving experience. That's not to say the S2000 is a bad car though. Jonstar said:
Not really. I've had both, the bbr mx5 is the better drivers car. Values have no relevance to the driving experience. That's not to say the S2000 is a bad car though.
MX5s are certainly easier to skid, and yours sounds like it has a cracking spec...do you think if you chucked the same cash in chassis mods at your charged Honda you would have got on with it more?shuthan_b said:
MX-5s are cheap so they can be used on track days. The Mazdas are budget roadsters and they do the job well but to me, not in the same league as an S2000.
The S2000 is still a budget roadster really, the drive train is special though...hence my comment Edited by shuthan_b on Wednesday 15th May 23:27
trails said:
MX5s are certainly easier to skid, and yours sounds like it has a cracking spec...do you think if you chucked the same cash in chassis mods at your charged Honda you would have got on with it more?
The mx5 didn't need much, just minor bbr upgrades which was full exhaust including manifold, remap and eibach lowering springs. The main issue with the S2k was the gloopy feel free steering and odd driving position. The former of which just can't be solved. Engine and gearbox were an absolute peach though, just needed lotus to finish it off.
trails said:
shuthan_b said:
MX-5s are cheap so they can be used on track days. The Mazdas are budget roadsters and they do the job well but to me, not in the same league as an S2000.
The S2000 is still a budget roadster really, the drive train is special though...hence my comment Edited by shuthan_b on Wednesday 15th May 23:27
Edited by shuthan_b on Thursday 16th May 01:12
Edited by shuthan_b on Thursday 16th May 01:13
trails said:
MX5s are certainly easier to skid, and yours sounds like it has a cracking spec...do you think if you chucked the same cash in chassis mods at your charged Honda you would have got on with it more?
I had an 06 face-lift S2k in Bermuda blue for 10 years, brilliant car, but after 20+ years of NA Honda Vtecs DC2/5 VTi's I needed a change, they're all much of a muchness in performance give or take the odd second here or there and though performance is decent the F20C is now 20 years old and mid range grunt a bit lacking.I thought long and hard re a supercharger conversion, the HKS seemed more of a safe 380 ish bhp, rather than more big power TTS but even then the car needed lots of supporting mods, Ohlins, brakes, clutch etc if you wanted to do it properly, it was minimum 10k all in, and would take the car far away from what is was meant to be. and still likely break at some point.
In the end sold it, and went for an Exiige V6, which i don't regret, but will always love the S2k, and though the Exige is in a different league, the gearshift will never be as sweet!
It has also aged so well imo, the one in the ad looks a little under wheeled (but in period) and I do prefer the facelifts, but only imo.
Jonstar said:
The mx5 didn't need much, just minor bbr upgrades which was full exhaust including manifold, remap and eibach lowering springs.
The main issue with the S2k was the gloopy feel free steering and odd driving position. The former of which just can't be solved. Engine and gearbox were an absolute peach though, just needed lotus to finish it off.
I got the impression from your garage you had done a lot more to it!The main issue with the S2k was the gloopy feel free steering and odd driving position. The former of which just can't be solved. Engine and gearbox were an absolute peach though, just needed lotus to finish it off.
Yeah, steering is not the best...more feedback through your bum that the wheel. Lotus ateering would really elevate it. At a lanky 5 8 the cabin is a perfect fit me me though.
Edited by trails on Thursday 16th May 03:17
shuthan_b said:
trails said:
shuthan_b said:
MX-5s are cheap so they can be used on track days. The Mazdas are budget roadsters and they do the job well but to me, not in the same league as an S2000.
The S2000 is still a budget roadster really, the drive train is special though...hence my comment Edited by shuthan_b on Wednesday 15th May 23:27
Edited by shuthan_b on Thursday 16th May 01:12
Edited by shuthan_b on Thursday 16th May 01:13
Retro.74 said:
I had an 06 face-lift S2k in Bermuda blue for 10 years, brilliant car, but after 20+ years of NA Honda Vtecs DC2/5 VTi's I needed a change, they're all much of a muchness in performance give or take the odd second here or there and though performance is decent the F20C is now 20 years old and mid range grunt a bit lacking.
I thought long and hard re a supercharger conversion, the HKS seemed more of a safe 380 ish bhp, rather than more big power TTS but even then the car needed lots of supporting mods, Ohlins, brakes, clutch etc if you wanted to do it properly, it was minimum 10k all in, and would take the car far away from what is was meant to be. and still likely break at some point.
In the end sold it, and went for an Exiige V6, which i don't regret, but will always love the S2k, and though the Exige is in a different league, the gearshift will never be as sweet!
It has also aged so well imo, the one in the ad looks a little under wheeled (but in period) and I do prefer the facelifts, but only imo.
Very nice, my old firm used to deliver Lotus's IT so I've been very lucky and drivn quite a few derivatives and the steering feel is second to none, even if the shift isn't as good I thought long and hard re a supercharger conversion, the HKS seemed more of a safe 380 ish bhp, rather than more big power TTS but even then the car needed lots of supporting mods, Ohlins, brakes, clutch etc if you wanted to do it properly, it was minimum 10k all in, and would take the car far away from what is was meant to be. and still likely break at some point.
In the end sold it, and went for an Exiige V6, which i don't regret, but will always love the S2k, and though the Exige is in a different league, the gearshift will never be as sweet!
It has also aged so well imo, the one in the ad looks a little under wheeled (but in period) and I do prefer the facelifts, but only imo.
J4CKO said:
simundo777 said:
Worth it for the gear change alone, how is it only Honda can make a decent gear change. Enhances a car so much.
Other companies can do it, best gear change I had was a Rover 200 BRM.Don’t get Honda pricing, I looked at one in Macclesfield some time ago and ended up with a 350Z, it’s just mad that a 350Z is like four grand and an S2000 is 18 ! They were comparable price wise back then.
As for the pricing Jacko, I’d say it was similar to Porsche/Ford/etc “fan tax” as people on here term it ….. some car marques/models attract a lot of interest which becomes a spiralling value climb which is difficult for ‘outsiders’ to comprehend or ‘get their head around’
shuthan_b said:
Jonstar said:
shuthan_b said:
Don’t ever compare an S2000 to any MX-5, standard or modified/charged. An S2000 is a totally different animal in each way, the values talk for themselves. Also not up to you to wonder why people are paying the money they command, it’s up to them and they see something unique and one off. An MX-5 has been around for many generations but there is only one S2000, all that has to be said.
Not really. I've had both, the bbr mx5 is the better drivers car. Values have no relevance to the driving experience. That's not to say the S2000 is a bad car though. I take it for granted the engine is a masterpiece.
Asking as I missed the boat on these being affordable but still have a hankering. In the meantime have had MK1 & MK4 mx5s, TF160, Z4 coupe and an old TVR. All of which have had their pros and cons but only the MK4 mx5 wasn't a complete money pit as 20 year old suspension components reach end of life.
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