Honda S2000

Author
Discussion

fvert

49 posts

146 months

Wednesday 6th September 2017
quotequote all
mikey k said:
Yep went 4.7 sport pack Vantage roadster after the sced S2k, it was OK, a bit slow and wallowing
Speced from new a 4.7S Vantage Roadster with light weight seats to replace it, that was a lot better, BUT bloody unreliable frown
Vowed not to get another Aston so the logical route was a McLaren wink
The thing is just mental, grips like hell, flat round corners and punches you in to the seat.
It's great for chasing sports bikes laugh
Putting a few too many miles on so I've been looking for something similar with low depreciation to sit next to it scratchchin
I Love my s2000, BUT.... I love my ITR even more!!!!
And I never drive my V8V. Too demanding... I really wish I had shorter gear ratio in the s2000 to be able to play with the vtec like with the ITR smile

TaylotS2K

1,964 posts

206 months

Wednesday 27th September 2017
quotequote all
Composite Guru said:
I've had 2 S2000 but now own an Elise. SC version is quick and you won't lose a lot of money on it as they have now been regarded as one of the slowest depreciating cars.

You need one of these and you won't be disappointed.
Obviously an older one of you are planning a cheaper budget.

What's the quality like on an Elise these days? I purchased an S2000 in 2004 (04 plate) and my brother in law got an Elise at the same time. Whilst I had no problems with my S2000 his Sports Tourer was always in the garage. Faulty coil pack, window's constantly coming off the runners, bubbling paintwork on the doors, some gearbox issue, rubber seals on the headlights coming off. It was virtually new too. Had 2,500 miles on the clock.

Composite Guru

2,205 posts

202 months

Wednesday 27th September 2017
quotequote all
TaylotS2K said:
Composite Guru said:
I've had 2 S2000 but now own an Elise. SC version is quick and you won't lose a lot of money on it as they have now been regarded as one of the slowest depreciating cars.

You need one of these and you won't be disappointed.
Obviously an older one of you are planning a cheaper budget.

What's the quality like on an Elise these days? I purchased an S2000 in 2004 (04 plate) and my brother in law got an Elise at the same time. Whilst I had no problems with my S2000 his Sports Tourer was always in the garage. Faulty coil pack, window's constantly coming off the runners, bubbling paintwork on the doors, some gearbox issue, rubber seals on the headlights coming off. It was virtually new too. Had 2,500 miles on the clock.
Mine is fine, yes some areas can be a bit flaky but overall the build quality is pretty good.

They are hand built sportscars like TVR etc so don't really ever go through the R&D like most large manufacturers so can suffer silly faults.

I like it because its one of those cars that you can actually work on in your own garage without too many specialist tools.

Pablo35

7 posts

138 months

Sunday 8th October 2017
quotequote all
Hey folks,

So I’ve been tempted by the theory of a facelift S2k instead of another mk4 TT supra -this is mainly due to the fact that since I owned a supra the prices have gone skyward and are almost out of reach. My budget is around 13-14k at the moment, although if I wait until spring I’ll hopefuly have a bigger budget if a bonus appears from work,

My issue is that I’m not sure I’d be “happy” with sub-250 bhp, and throwing money at an SC or something just looks like it’ll devalue the S2k as well. A Supra would easily be 400 after BPU upgrade, so a significant power difference.

Can any of you persuade me that an S2000 is the way forward? I wouldn’t want to be paying the full budget for an S2000, but 11-12k should get me a very nice example, right?

Cheers!

havoc

29,917 posts

234 months

Sunday 8th October 2017
quotequote all
Power delivery on them is VERY different from the Supra, and the chassis feels a lot lighter/more immediate. (That said, it's not necessarily any easier to control on-throttle, depending on the geometry set-up...)

So if you want a Supra, I'd suggest you'll be disappointed if you don't get one. Not wanting to put you off an S2000 (I had one, really enjoyed it), but I suspect you'll be a lot happier with a Supra...

Can you get a bridging loan until next year from somewhere, and will that be enough to get you a decent manual Mk4 TT?


I'd also suggest that, Supras being a lot rarer and with THAT engine, they will be a safer place to put your money than an S2000, should you want to sell in future.


NorthernSky

981 posts

116 months

Monday 9th October 2017
quotequote all
Sharing some Autumnal S2000 goodness:




MikeGoodwin

3,323 posts

116 months

Tuesday 10th October 2017
quotequote all
Got a really bad itch for an S2k that wont go away. Please convince me not to go buy one?

Own a Megane RS 275 and the wife just bought a 1.5 MX5 RF, its brilliant and its made me think an S2K would be an even better car, just because I rekon it might be great fun at 5/10ths like the MX5 is and then brilliant when pressing on right up to 10/10ths when I want to. The megane on the other hand is irritating to live with and only really fun when going 10/10ths which I dont always want to do.

Only thing is they seem a bit spartan, no cruise control, no sat nav, not sure if they even have bluetooth.

It would be my daily drive doing 10k a year and we would have two x 2 seater cars on the drive.


dannyDC2

7,543 posts

167 months

Tuesday 10th October 2017
quotequote all
MikeGoodwin said:
The megane on the other hand is irritating to live with and only really fun when going 10/10ths which I dont always want to do.
If you find a modern Megane annoying to live with then I don't think the S2k is up your street for a daily driver.

havoc

29,917 posts

234 months

Tuesday 10th October 2017
quotequote all
S2000, for me, is a lovely 8/10ths car which then runs out of answers as you approach the (usually high but not in the wet) limits.

Additional bracing and a good geometry set-up* fix a chunk of it, but AIUI you need good aftermarket dampers to make it a proper 10/10ths car.


As a daily it'll be a quicker, torquier, grippier version of the MX5 but with no toys whatsoever (well, a/c and elec windows...)



* Beware seized adjuster bushes and the £££ fix per corner...

MikeGoodwin

3,323 posts

116 months

Tuesday 10th October 2017
quotequote all
Thanks, ive read a few things of note when it comes to buying. Why would I find it worse to live with than a Megane? other than lack of creature comforts (small gripe really) and two seats. The problem with the Meg is its FWD with an LSD (can be a little tricky to drive at times) and its not really that fun when you're doing anything other than pressing on, at which point its exceptional but almost fool proof and youre into stupid speeds. Mx5 is fun when doing just about any speed but lacks the power to make straight line progress. Still its able to string together a twisty backroad at more than enough speed and it felt good doing it. I do think the S2000 is a handsome car as well.

havoc

29,917 posts

234 months

Tuesday 10th October 2017
quotequote all
vs Meg, I doubt you will except for the significant increase in NVH and noise. Ride will probably be slightly better, mid-range torque is enough, seat is pretty good but no Recaro.

How tall are you, BTW?

MikeGoodwin

3,323 posts

116 months

Wednesday 11th October 2017
quotequote all
Im 6ft, got long legs and a short torso. When Im in the MX5 RF Ive plenty of head room but I can only operate 3/4 of the steering wheel at any time due to my knees getting in the way.

I think im going to try have a look round one at some point just to get a feel for them.

havoc

29,917 posts

234 months

Wednesday 11th October 2017
quotequote all
You may find the cockpit a bit snug then, legroom-wise. See how you get on...

russy01

Original Poster:

4,693 posts

180 months

Wednesday 11th October 2017
quotequote all
havoc said:
You may find the cockpit a bit snug then, legroom-wise. See how you get on...
Depends how short your torso is too, but you might find yourself feeling like you are sat ON the S2000, as opposed to in it! If I were to get another one Id invest in some lower seat rails - as its really noticeable getting back in an S2000 when you've been in other sports cars.

Pablo35

7 posts

138 months

Wednesday 11th October 2017
quotequote all
havoc said:
Power delivery on them is VERY different from the Supra, and the chassis feels a lot lighter/more immediate. (That said, it's not necessarily any easier to control on-throttle, depending on the geometry set-up...)

So if you want a Supra, I'd suggest you'll be disappointed if you don't get one. Not wanting to put you off an S2000 (I had one, really enjoyed it), but I suspect you'll be a lot happier with a Supra...

Can you get a bridging loan until next year from somewhere, and will that be enough to get you a decent manual Mk4 TT?


I'd also suggest that, Supras being a lot rarer and with THAT engine, they will be a safer place to put your money than an S2000, should you want to sell in future.
Do you think the S2000 values and prices will drop then? I thought they’d stabilised and were increasing as they become rarer now?


doogle83

758 posts

146 months

Wednesday 11th October 2017
quotequote all
MikeGoodwin said:
The problem with the Meg is ...its not really that fun when you're doing anything other than pressing on,
That was actually one of the reasons I sold my S2000. Maxing out 2nd gear will put you above NSL on your favourite back roads which doesn't leave much fun in the other gears.

In terms of values... I had mine 2 years and didn't really lose anything on it. I'd say they were going up if anything.

You definitely need to sit in one as well. I'm 5ft 8 and felt the seat was too high and got annoyed by the lack of steering wheel adjustment. ...I'm a huge Honda fan, just never really bonded with the S2000, sadly.

havoc

29,917 posts

234 months

Wednesday 11th October 2017
quotequote all
Pablo35 said:
Do you think the S2000 values and prices will drop then? I thought they’d stabilised and were increasing as they become rarer now?
Nah - S2000's are a pretty safe place for money, but there's quite a few around so they won't appreciate like the true JDM heroes, of which the Mk4 Supra is definitely one.

Same story with Mk7/8 Evos and v.7/8 STi's - too many on the roads, not enough competition heritage vs their older siblings. They'll get pulled-up by the association, but they'll always lag well behind the TME's, P1s and 22B's. Likewise the S2000 will always be in the NSX's shadow* and will never have the 'pure blood' cachet of the DC2/EK9.

* For some good reasons and some bad.

MikeGoodwin

3,323 posts

116 months

Friday 13th October 2017
quotequote all
I think Id have to pay £15k+ for a decent one, else Im looking at 100k+ milers or ones which will need a bit of love, theres one not far from me for £13k but its got crap ditch finder tyres and the seat bolster appears to have collapsed, plus the badge is wonky. I dont think the s2k is worth that given ill be putting 10k miles a year on one, using it all year round etc.

Derek Chevalier

3,942 posts

172 months

Thursday 30th November 2017
quotequote all
MikeGoodwin said:
Got a really bad itch for an S2k that wont go away. Please convince me not to go buy one?

Own a Megane RS 275 and the wife just bought a 1.5 MX5 RF, its brilliant and its made me think an S2K would be an even better car, just because I rekon it might be great fun at 5/10ths like the MX5 is and then brilliant when pressing on right up to 10/10ths when I want to. The megane on the other hand is irritating to live with and only really fun when going 10/10ths which I dont always want to do.

Only thing is they seem a bit spartan, no cruise control, no sat nav, not sure if they even have bluetooth.

It would be my daily drive doing 10k a year and we would have two x 2 seater cars on the drive.

Think we have similar taste in cars. I'm looking at the Megane, S2000, Fiesta ST and new Civic as something a bit quicker than my 182 (was at Silverstone at the weekend and felt like a moving roadblock!!). Discounted the MX-5 as probably going to be too slow for track (but no doubt great fun on the roads!). How much do you think your 275 is worth now?

scz4

2,497 posts

240 months

Thursday 30th November 2017
quotequote all
MikeGoodwin said:
I think Id have to pay £15k+ for a decent one, else Im looking at 100k+ milers or ones which will need a bit of love, theres one not far from me for £13k but its got crap ditch finder tyres and the seat bolster appears to have collapsed, plus the badge is wonky. I dont think the s2k is worth that given ill be putting 10k miles a year on one, using it all year round etc.
I'l sell you mine for £15k with 53k miles smilesmile

Honestly, no need to pay anywhere near that I would say, just be patient.