RE: You Know You Want To: Honda S2000
Discussion
Had two, a '99 and an '04.
Of the two I preferred the feel of the earlier car, although the performance is supposed to be the same, the earlier motor had quite a step in the power delivery which I quite liked.
Wet handling can be tricky, weight up front, wide tyres and less weight at the back means they are very happy to swap ends, particularly entertaining exiting greasy, wet roundabouts. Dry handling up there with the best road cars.
Build quality excellent, it is a Honda after all, though as other posters have noted, complicated suspension geometry should be checked carefully.
Anybody that likes driving should at least try if not own one, I was smitten after a passenger ride with a pro at a Ferrari track day.
Of the two I preferred the feel of the earlier car, although the performance is supposed to be the same, the earlier motor had quite a step in the power delivery which I quite liked.
Wet handling can be tricky, weight up front, wide tyres and less weight at the back means they are very happy to swap ends, particularly entertaining exiting greasy, wet roundabouts. Dry handling up there with the best road cars.
Build quality excellent, it is a Honda after all, though as other posters have noted, complicated suspension geometry should be checked carefully.
Anybody that likes driving should at least try if not own one, I was smitten after a passenger ride with a pro at a Ferrari track day.
Currently running a 2006. Put 12k on it in the last year, very enjoyable to drive. Steering is a little numb, but like anything it depends what you have come from. Come from an elise and it feels numb, come from a Auris and it feels great.
Insurance isnt cheap, but people need to shop around more. I had just turned 23 when I purchased mine and I paid £800 for my first year which is little more than a hot hatch, now pushing 25 im paying £650. However on my last renewal there were companies quoting £1200+.
F20c engine is incredible, just keeps revving, very addictive. Gearbox is sublime.
Is an absolute ball to drive with the top down - all these people crashing are generally plain idiots who don't know when to stop pushing and then cant deliver the goods when the back does step out at 60+. I drive mine quickly but I know my limits, I dont push it in the wet and I dont skimp on tyres - stick to that and you wont crash one.
Here she is - Thats the back of a pistonheads sticker between the seats!!
Insurance isnt cheap, but people need to shop around more. I had just turned 23 when I purchased mine and I paid £800 for my first year which is little more than a hot hatch, now pushing 25 im paying £650. However on my last renewal there were companies quoting £1200+.
F20c engine is incredible, just keeps revving, very addictive. Gearbox is sublime.
Is an absolute ball to drive with the top down - all these people crashing are generally plain idiots who don't know when to stop pushing and then cant deliver the goods when the back does step out at 60+. I drive mine quickly but I know my limits, I dont push it in the wet and I dont skimp on tyres - stick to that and you wont crash one.
Here she is - Thats the back of a pistonheads sticker between the seats!!
VladD said:
src1971 said:
havoc said:
IMHO the ideal roadster would be a hybrid MX-5 and S2000 - the aggression and powertrain of the S2000 with the poise, feedback and 'entry-level rwd' handling of the Mk1/2 MX-5.
I agree. I have a MX5 for the track and my mate has an S2000 for the track. A hybrid would be awesome.I have one, which I have modified slightly with exhaust, air intake, polybush engine mounts, remap and front suspension bracing. This makes the car much better to drive IMO, the remap and the bracing especially, just tightens the whole car up.
In saying that, the stock car is far from boring, I just wanted more noise and a car that was tighter. The Innovative engine mounts went a long way to improving the feel of the transmission as well as it stopped the 'slop' when cornering hard.
They are not cheap to modify though!
Insurance wise, they are not that bad, £700 from Sky Insurance for this modified example. 2002 Black with Red interior.
I would say go for the 2002 and above as they came with the heated glass windscreen and some suspension changes which I prefer. But as always, if you are interested in buying one, drive the 1999, 2002 and 2004 for the revisions on the suspension.
Also head over to the UK section of S2ki for buyers guides and the like.
I love mine and all the owners in this thread have said the same. Even the prat Clarkson likes them for what its worth. VBH and Jenson Button had one as well...
They are at least worth a test drive.
Graham
In saying that, the stock car is far from boring, I just wanted more noise and a car that was tighter. The Innovative engine mounts went a long way to improving the feel of the transmission as well as it stopped the 'slop' when cornering hard.
They are not cheap to modify though!
Insurance wise, they are not that bad, £700 from Sky Insurance for this modified example. 2002 Black with Red interior.
I would say go for the 2002 and above as they came with the heated glass windscreen and some suspension changes which I prefer. But as always, if you are interested in buying one, drive the 1999, 2002 and 2004 for the revisions on the suspension.
Also head over to the UK section of S2ki for buyers guides and the like.
I love mine and all the owners in this thread have said the same. Even the prat Clarkson likes them for what its worth. VBH and Jenson Button had one as well...
They are at least worth a test drive.
Graham
Not sure if its been mentioned but the suspension on any S2K that you look at should be thoroughly checked. You will probably want to set the geo up anyway and if everything is seized you are in for a major PITA. Not a fan of how the car drives but it is a classic design and its a shame Honda haven't got anything remotely interesting in their current line up in the UK.
Ten Four said:
Oh and I might add, to get 20MPG - don't know how.. I average 30-35 easily and that's not driving slowly everywhere...
"not driving slowly everywhere" needs quantifying.As a rule of thumb - a constant 65mph motorway cruise will net you early 30's.
Day-to-day driving mid-high 20's.
"spirited" but largely legal A/B road driving will be high teens-low 20's.
Track days? When I visit North Weald I get through nearly half a tank in about 12 miles - so 5mpg.
Mid Teens on a more open track.
I averaged about 26mpg in mine when I used it for daily use. Now it's my weekend car, it's 20 :lol:
This thread has made me so excited - having fitted new suspension and a couple of other bits during it's time off, the geo and mot are being done this weekend..fingers crossed for some nice sunny winter days!!!!!!
I had one just just over a year. Best car I have ever owed... and I currently drive a 330d (mapped) and a mk1 MX5 so I feel like some sort of pistonheads stereotype sometimes...
Swapped out of the s2000 due to fuel costs and a long commute with the new job (hence the diesel) but needed open top motoring in my life (hence the mx5).
Insurance - 1500 first year. 700 second year, with the same company. They said that the first year premium is loaded due to crashing but if you haven't in the first year the chances drop a lot and quotes respect that.
Positives - engine, gearbox, looks
Negatives - fear factor in rain, geo worries as mentioned previously. Parts cost a lot relative to the value of the car, being embarressed off the lights by modern hot hatches with WAY more power than me
I would have another but probably make it a second car and be very track focused.
Swapped out of the s2000 due to fuel costs and a long commute with the new job (hence the diesel) but needed open top motoring in my life (hence the mx5).
Insurance - 1500 first year. 700 second year, with the same company. They said that the first year premium is loaded due to crashing but if you haven't in the first year the chances drop a lot and quotes respect that.
Positives - engine, gearbox, looks
Negatives - fear factor in rain, geo worries as mentioned previously. Parts cost a lot relative to the value of the car, being embarressed off the lights by modern hot hatches with WAY more power than me
I would have another but probably make it a second car and be very track focused.
Edited by drchris on Thursday 13th September 15:55
The same article was written last year, but £5k 
-
http://pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=23...
I've had mine for 3 months now and love it. I can't think of anything which offers better value for money, with low-ish running costs and fantastic reliability. My insurance is only £360 a year and I'm 32. It's a 2005 and I have no problems with the handling, can throw it around just as well as my previous cars, can still drive it easily at 9.5/10ths. That said, it's a weekend car and only used in the dry. Alignment check was the first thing I did.
S2000 definitely makes sense as a focused weekend car for topless fun, but it'd get tired of it very quickly as a daily.
Few pics
- http://pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=23...
I've had mine for 3 months now and love it. I can't think of anything which offers better value for money, with low-ish running costs and fantastic reliability. My insurance is only £360 a year and I'm 32. It's a 2005 and I have no problems with the handling, can throw it around just as well as my previous cars, can still drive it easily at 9.5/10ths. That said, it's a weekend car and only used in the dry. Alignment check was the first thing I did.
S2000 definitely makes sense as a focused weekend car for topless fun, but it'd get tired of it very quickly as a daily.
Few pics
Edited by scz4 on Thursday 13th September 15:58
scz4 said:
The same article was written last year, but £5k -
http://pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=23...
i might have had something to do with that....they did get a few things wrong in the article though! - http://pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=23...
Edited by scz4 on Thursday 13th September 15:58
Also
Someone earlier made the comment about the US car having the 2.2 ltr engine, indeed it did and that is the AP2, we only the AP1 in the UK.
I bought one of the first in the UK, I waited 18 months for it - one of the best cars I ever did own. All this nonsense of twitchy handling, It never stepped out on me if i didn't want it too. I think it's more a generation or front wheel drive pilots... I drove mine all over western europe and even squeezed some snow chains (and it was a squeeze, top tip, take a bottle jack with you )on it and drove up to Meribel then Courchevel 1850 in several feet of fresh snow. The car is amazing. My drive from Bordeaux to Bilbo in just over two hrs to meet my wife at the airport (enjoyed lunch far too long) remains the finest driving experience i ever can remember. GT4 in real time.
Don't hesitate - if you can, buy one and head for the hills....
Don't hesitate - if you can, buy one and head for the hills....
I have had mine since Nov 08. Drive it all year, 12k miles per annum. Insurance has gone from £540 originally, to £420 last year, to £302 last week with protected NCD. Had a new gear box and clutch under warranty (both making unusual noises so Honda changed them to be safe). Have always made sure I don't go below 3mm tread all round and have had no issues, rain or shine. Correct geometry and tyres need to be maintained as you will know if something is wrong. Waited until they put TC on them before I bought one. Still take mine to the Honda dealer as prices are pretty reasonable, and my one does have an enthusiastic mechanic who went on every S2000 (and NSX) training course available. Had new discs all round at 40k so definitely keeping mine for a few more years now. Honda have nothing newer that interests me in the slighest (love borrowing their Jazz for the day then climbing back in the S2000). So the GT hard-top will be going back on soon, which I think looks great, and I am looking at trying some Winter tyres as I have a spare set of wheels to put them on. It will be a very sad day when it's time for her to go; the B-road commute to work is still an event. Before this car I couldn't stand having a window or sun-roof open; open-top motoring is a completely different experience. I shall continue to love and enjoy my S2000 for as long as I can.
I have always fancied an S2000, they are a damn good looking car, was wondering if I go from a 944 cab to an S2000, how different would it be, the 944 is very torquey in comparison, does anyone go to one and miss on the low down grunt, does the top end Vtec rush make up for it ? as a drive I wonder what I would prefer, always difficult and it is bad if you miss your old car, would a Chimaera be a better bet ?
I pay £260 a year on a classic policy for the 944, how long before the S2000 goes classic I wonder ?
Other option being a Boxster S, there isn't that much much price wise between them.
I pay £260 a year on a classic policy for the 944, how long before the S2000 goes classic I wonder ?
Other option being a Boxster S, there isn't that much much price wise between them.
ks up engine wise.
crispyshark said:
If i had a £ for every time someone on a forum posts that they are twitchy etc etc then i'd be rich pistonhead!
I've got to be frank, know your abilities before you drive the car and don't drive like a wally!
Love the S2000 but some years ago at a damp Bedford Autodrome driving a variety of motors it was the only one I managed to lose. It snapped so fast I was off backwards before I could catch it, and that was with an instructor in the LH seat telling me to give it the beans.I've got to be frank, know your abilities before you drive the car and don't drive like a wally!
El Guapo said:
crispyshark said:
If i had a £ for every time someone on a forum posts that they are twitchy etc etc then i'd be rich pistonhead!
I've got to be frank, know your abilities before you drive the car and don't drive like a wally!
Love the S2000 but some years ago at a damp Bedford Autodrome driving a variety of motors it was the only one I managed to lose. It snapped so fast I was off backwards before I could catch it, and that was with an instructor in the LH seat telling me to give it the beans.I've got to be frank, know your abilities before you drive the car and don't drive like a wally!
'In the wet don't hoon them about!'
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