Pre and post 2004 S2000 handlingsi

[GreenArrow]

..so continuing my research into possible Honda S2000 ownership (or 350z, or RX-8, as evidenced by all my posts on PH recently!) I am interested in feedback on how the earlier smaller wheeled S2000 handles compared with the one on 17 inch wheels which I think arrived in 2004. Is the later car less twitchy and less likely to spit you off the road?

I really fancy an S2000, always have, but the reputation for taking no prisoners puts me off a bit. I understand the later cars had suspension revisions but wondered how successful these were in making a friendlier car. Coming from an MX-5, which is pretty friendly in the wet and allows a fair amount of liberties, I don't want something which will put me in a ditch on my first keen drive on wet roads!!

[GreenArrow]

havoc said:

I bought a 2003 car when it was 2y.o. I bought on condition and owner, not handling, as the one I looked at felt a bit leaden* compared to the '02 and the '04 I'd driven...but having read up i wasn't that worried...

...and a few months in, I took it to CentreGravity for a full geometry set-up - Chris spent ~4hrs with me and the car, and it genuinely transformed the way it drove - minimum caster improved steering feel and removed the gloopiness (together with toe changes), reduced rear camber and rear toe made it more throttle-adjustable and less snappy...properly different animal.

So...try and find one without seized adjusters and you can tweak it to your tastes. Comments above about tyres and the 'evolution' in handling are all accurate and equally valid, but you CAN make an '02 car dance if you set it up right...





* all relative - it was still electric vs the 350Z, 968 Sport and other options I'd looked at.

Interesting, so it could be say that buying on set up foremost, condition second is the way to go (within reason) ?!