Honda S2000 for daily driving - good idea?
Discussion
We will soon be buying a new roadster, which in general my other half will use most of the time, for commuting to work and general pottering around.
She's owned a 330ci for last 3 years, so is used to rear wheel drive, albeit helped/hindered by the DSC. I've had a mk1 Eunos (also a newage Impreza) for last 3-4 years and we've decided to buy something newer & more comfy to replace that, and the 330.
She's always liked S2k's, but after a test drive of an MX5 NC, she was pretty much set on one of those, but the S2k itch has came back to her, and she was searching on AT last night!
I wanted to go down the 986 Boxster route, but she wasn't keen. The mk3 MX5 was actually a lot better than I thought it would be (after my mk1), handled nicely, felt fun, nice inside but lacking a bit of straight line oomph. Tbh, ideal of her to use as a daily and for me to tweak a little for more fun!
The trouble I have with the S2k, is whether it would be a bit of a handful for her. As I say, she's used to rwd, but just moans that occasionally a little light on the dash starts flashing!!
Neither of us have driven one yet, but comments on the early ones is that they are very snappy on the limit. Is that true for one that's not having it kneck wrung?? At what year did the suspension improve?
I'd like to think that off Vtec there's not really enough power to get you too far out of shape, but after getting caught out myself the other day in the lowly Eunos, I know it can happen (far too much enthusiasm on just rained roads!).
So really, would like to hear from a few owners on whether the widow maker stories are reality or the usual rwd scare mongery!!??
She's owned a 330ci for last 3 years, so is used to rear wheel drive, albeit helped/hindered by the DSC. I've had a mk1 Eunos (also a newage Impreza) for last 3-4 years and we've decided to buy something newer & more comfy to replace that, and the 330.
She's always liked S2k's, but after a test drive of an MX5 NC, she was pretty much set on one of those, but the S2k itch has came back to her, and she was searching on AT last night!
I wanted to go down the 986 Boxster route, but she wasn't keen. The mk3 MX5 was actually a lot better than I thought it would be (after my mk1), handled nicely, felt fun, nice inside but lacking a bit of straight line oomph. Tbh, ideal of her to use as a daily and for me to tweak a little for more fun!
The trouble I have with the S2k, is whether it would be a bit of a handful for her. As I say, she's used to rwd, but just moans that occasionally a little light on the dash starts flashing!!
Neither of us have driven one yet, but comments on the early ones is that they are very snappy on the limit. Is that true for one that's not having it kneck wrung?? At what year did the suspension improve?
I'd like to think that off Vtec there's not really enough power to get you too far out of shape, but after getting caught out myself the other day in the lowly Eunos, I know it can happen (far too much enthusiasm on just rained roads!).
So really, would like to hear from a few owners on whether the widow maker stories are reality or the usual rwd scare mongery!!??
They are closer to a track based race car than they are to a road car.
The back end pops out all the time - and on older ones there is no flashy dash to stop it.
On older models the flip from normal to vtec is very pronounced, it less harsh on newer models.
I used to drive mine in 2nd and 3rd vtec in the nsl's, then pup up to 4th and out of vtec for the villages and towns.
It's a very draining car to drive - but it's worth it.
Personally, I wouldn't want one as my only car.
It's awesome to play in, but sometimes you want the quiet comfort of an Audi instead of the in-your-face visceral awesomeness of the s2000.
It is very susceptible to bad handling from suspension moving out of whack as it ages.
If you get one check if the suspension alignment bolts are suck, and if it's ever had a full geo at a specialist.
Also, take it to a training day somewhere and get it on a track and skidpan. Even an hour will help you handle the little slips when you are back on the road.
The back end pops out all the time - and on older ones there is no flashy dash to stop it.
On older models the flip from normal to vtec is very pronounced, it less harsh on newer models.
I used to drive mine in 2nd and 3rd vtec in the nsl's, then pup up to 4th and out of vtec for the villages and towns.
It's a very draining car to drive - but it's worth it.
Personally, I wouldn't want one as my only car.
It's awesome to play in, but sometimes you want the quiet comfort of an Audi instead of the in-your-face visceral awesomeness of the s2000.
It is very susceptible to bad handling from suspension moving out of whack as it ages.
If you get one check if the suspension alignment bolts are suck, and if it's ever had a full geo at a specialist.
Also, take it to a training day somewhere and get it on a track and skidpan. Even an hour will help you handle the little slips when you are back on the road.
My Mrs drives one daily, we bought it from a good friends Mum who owned it for the last 8 years.
Neither of them are The Stig, and it's been driven year round all its life. If you boot it mid corner on a roundabout, when it's wet, in a low gear, then you'll get bitten. Later models (post 04??) have got traction control I believe.
Set of winter tyres, suspension alignment, and some heated seats = all blessed.
We're pottering around Wales this weekend and off to France a week after, whilst it's not a true GT car in my opinion, it does fairly well on the motorway.
Pete
Neither of them are The Stig, and it's been driven year round all its life. If you boot it mid corner on a roundabout, when it's wet, in a low gear, then you'll get bitten. Later models (post 04??) have got traction control I believe.
Set of winter tyres, suspension alignment, and some heated seats = all blessed.
We're pottering around Wales this weekend and off to France a week after, whilst it's not a true GT car in my opinion, it does fairly well on the motorway.
Pete
At the risk of this turning into a "What Car" thread, I found much better value in a Z4 after having test driven both cars. There's also a few more engine options to choose from if you don't want something so... Banzai.
The Z4 and I have covered 9500 miles together as my daily drive since February and it's spot on. Quiet and comfortable on normal days to work (Ditch the RFT's though), and a bit more serious when you depress the loud pedal.
Personally I could probably live with the S2000 as a daily driver, but God knows how it would perform in Winter. The boot space was a problem for me too, hence I ended up with the Z4 Coupe.
The Z4 and I have covered 9500 miles together as my daily drive since February and it's spot on. Quiet and comfortable on normal days to work (Ditch the RFT's though), and a bit more serious when you depress the loud pedal.
Personally I could probably live with the S2000 as a daily driver, but God knows how it would perform in Winter. The boot space was a problem for me too, hence I ended up with the Z4 Coupe.
On my second and always used as a daily driver. Great fun and can just as easily cruise with the roof down as blasting about at 9k rpm. Compared to a 330i it will be noisy, with a tight cabin and a feeling of looseness at the rear (rear wheel steer makes it move around a bit on bumpy roads and you have to watch lifting off mid corner) but I've had no issues driving in Scottish winters. Just have to be a lot more careful with the throttle but a mechanical differential will give it more traction than the bwm, just won't have the flashing light to tell you the wheels are slipping so need to avoid doing it unless you are deliberate and expecting it. No harder to live with than a mx5.
- good set of tyres is what I'd advise...the widowmaker stories are nonsense if you are simply using it for a "daily drive". I honsestly don't get these kind of silly myths that grow up around cars. If you really want to stick an s2000 in a hedge then you need to be going at full f
king tilt in 2nd or 3rd and throwing it insanely hard into a bend, or be acting the tt in the wet. Is your wife really going to be doing that?
king tilt in 2nd or 3rd and throwing it insanely hard into a bend, or be acting the tt in the wet. Is your wife really going to be doing that? Edited by krunchkin on Thursday 4th July 12:57
krunchkin said:
the widowmaker stories are nonsense if you are simply using it for a "daily drive". I honsestly don't get these kind of silly myths that grow up around cars. If you really want to stick an s2000 in a hedge then you need to be going at full fking tilt in 2nd or 3rd and throwing it insanely hard into a bend, or be acting the twar in the wet. Is your wife really going to be doing that?
Torque sensing diff can throw the back end out in a straight line; if one wheel has less grip than the other (on a patch of oil, white line, metal drain cover) it will send power to the othe side which can cause that one to spin up. Just have to be carefull and read the road a bit more than you might in something like a bmw with all the aids switched on. king tilt in 2nd or 3rd and throwing it insanely hard into a bend, or be acting the twar in the wet. Is your wife really going to be doing that? 
Crusoe said:
krunchkin said:
the widowmaker stories are nonsense if you are simply using it for a "daily drive". I honsestly don't get these kind of silly myths that grow up around cars. If you really want to stick an s2000 in a hedge then you need to be going at full fking tilt in 2nd or 3rd and throwing it insanely hard into a bend, or be acting the twar in the wet. Is your wife really going to be doing that?
Torque sensing diff can throw the back end out in a straight line; if one wheel has less grip than the other (on a patch of oil, white line, metal drain cover) it will send power to the othe side which can cause that one to spin up. Just have to be carefull and read the road a bit more than you might in something like a bmw with all the aids switched on. king tilt in 2nd or 3rd and throwing it insanely hard into a bend, or be acting the twar in the wet. Is your wife really going to be doing that? king nail it into the post 5000s Things people driving newer cars don't always remember when there is no safety net to catch you like being sensible for the first 50-100 miles if you get new tires (very slippery), watch out for pulling out of junctions if your tires are cold/wet (was worse on the 16in original Bridgestones, 17in wheels and tires give better initial traction) etc.
Show your wife how to turn off the traction and stability control in her bmw and see if she feels happy driving it like that.
Show your wife how to turn off the traction and stability control in her bmw and see if she feels happy driving it like that.
krunchkin said:
the widowmaker stories are nonsense if you are simply using it for a "daily drive". I honsestly don't get these kind of silly myths that grow up around cars. If you really want to stick an s2000 in a hedge then you need to be going at full fking tilt in 2nd or 3rd and throwing it insanely hard into a bend, or be acting the tt in the wet. Is your wife really going to be doing that?
They're not myths! It's why insurance on the S2K is ridiculous. Plenty of people have said that they're perfectly fine and then been caught out, mainly in the wet. Its not a forgiving car and IME of driving them the chassis isn't the greatest at letting you know what's going on. I am sure it would be fine for a daily car apart from the cramped cabin. Nice looking cars but no love from me.king tilt in 2nd or 3rd and throwing it insanely hard into a bend, or be acting the tt in the wet. Is your wife really going to be doing that? Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 4th July 12:57
krunchkin said:
Crusoe said:
krunchkin said:
the widowmaker stories are nonsense if you are simply using it for a "daily drive". I honsestly don't get these kind of silly myths that grow up around cars. If you really want to stick an s2000 in a hedge then you need to be going at full fking tilt in 2nd or 3rd and throwing it insanely hard into a bend, or be acting the twar in the wet. Is your wife really going to be doing that?
Torque sensing diff can throw the back end out in a straight line; if one wheel has less grip than the other (on a patch of oil, white line, metal drain cover) it will send power to the othe side which can cause that one to spin up. Just have to be carefull and read the road a bit more than you might in something like a bmw with all the aids switched on. king tilt in 2nd or 3rd and throwing it insanely hard into a bend, or be acting the twar in the wet. Is your wife really going to be doing that? king nail it into the post 5000s yonex said:
krunchkin said:
the widowmaker stories are nonsense if you are simply using it for a "daily drive". I honsestly don't get these kind of silly myths that grow up around cars. If you really want to stick an s2000 in a hedge then you need to be going at full fking tilt in 2nd or 3rd and throwing it insanely hard into a bend, or be acting the tt in the wet. Is your wife really going to be doing that?
They're not myths! It's why insurance on the S2K is ridiculous. Plenty of people have said that they're perfectly fine and then been caught out, mainly in the wet. Its not a forgiving car and IME of driving them the chassis isn't the greatest at letting you know what's going on. I am sure it would be fine for a daily car apart from the cramped cabin. Nice looking cars but no love from me.king tilt in 2nd or 3rd and throwing it insanely hard into a bend, or be acting the tt in the wet. Is your wife really going to be doing that? Edited by krunchkin on Thursday 4th July 12:57
king beans, or a really awful driver, to activate hedgefinding modeEdited by krunchkin on Thursday 4th July 13:23
Easy - fit some P6000s of varying tread depth (other dodgy tyres are available), add some old dampers and bushes, a starter rwd entry price and some badly maintained roads you have a recipe for plenty of scenery interactions.
A well maintained s2000 with recent geometry checks and the recommended tyres is a much more stable car that should only bite when provoked though the limits can be quite low on cold damp days.
A well maintained s2000 with recent geometry checks and the recommended tyres is a much more stable car that should only bite when provoked though the limits can be quite low on cold damp days.
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