Honda S2000: PH Carpool
'Want that one' said Marc when he saw this S2000 and now it's his!
Car: Honda S2000 GT, Nurburgring Blue (2007 model with hard-top)
Owned since: Spring 2012
Previously owned: "Austin A99 Westminster, Mk2 Cortina, R4, R16, company cars such as Mk2 Escort, Triumph Acclaim, several Cavaliers, 309 GTI, Mk3 Prelude, Alfa 146ti, Mk1 Leon Cupra.... then E46 330Ci, E46 330Cd, GT86. Currently also have 2014 Civic 1.8 VTEC SE-Plus as the sensible winter car. Which is beautifully put together, comfortable and well equipped - it's just far from sporty."
Not a bad suggestion from a friend!
"When the E46 330Cd was my usual car (and superb it was too), was thinking of getting a Caterham or Elise. Then a friend suggested that I get something a little bit more practical and comfortable 'like the Mazda or the Honda, so somebody might actually go in it with you!' MX-5 was not considered as there are so many about, apart from any hairdresser factor, but when I looked at pics of the S2000, I realised how gorgeous they are."
What I wish I'd known:
"I probably didn't get the best deal on it. I went to a place near Alton in Hants called S2k4u (!) that has now closed down... They had several, but because I wanted the GT with the hard top and liked Nurburgring Blue I did an Andy Pipkin and said 'want that one.' It had a knocking rear damper which they knew about and said they would replace. But I didn't want to replace it without the other side, so we paid for one each. They cost a kit as were only made for the S2000 and in-house at Honda I think. They exhaust was a bit rusty and battered too (but not blowing) so I bought a Powerflow stainless steel one, which does look rather nice."
"Hello sir, shall we go for a drive?"
"Lots! Revving it to 9K with that VTEC howl, the gorgeous looks (purposeful and sporty, but not overly macho), the starts-on-the-button mechanical reliability, the snickety gearshift, the fun but predictable handling - the later models don't bite, unlike earlier ones.
"Compared to the GT86, which I only had for a year, it has a much more comfortable ride primarily. I just could not get on with the bone-hard brittle ride in the GT86, along with really bad road noise. At least the S2000 (as a much older design of course) does not pretend to be a comfortable tourer (and it isn't), but the GT86 with its lovely seating position and nearly all mod-cons (apart from auto-wipers) looks like it could be a mini-DB9 or similar. But Swansea seemed a very long way in that, let alone Marseilles."
Things I hate:
"Nothing really, no real surprises with it - it has all the usual compromises of a two-seat convertible. That's half the fun. Oh yes, the factory-fit stereo is rubbish - there is a surprise. The GT86's was pretty rubbish too, so I had a bass-booster put in the boot - which conveniently transferred to a pit in the S2000 boot. It's still a rubbish stereo though!"
Plenty of miles covered by Marc in three years
"The expensive second damper (about £250!), the stainless exhaust (£600), a problem with the passenger window lift (not expensive). High insurance ....and top-end tax due to being in the 'sour spot' of age and CO2 emissions. I've not measured the mpg, but I reckon about 20 - which is to be expected."
Where I've been:
"I really should go out on some owners' club days, but I haven't. From my London base - among other trips - I have been to Goodwood for an open-top Sunday, up to the PH Sunday Service at Zenos Cars, up to friends in Yorkshire to see the Tour de France and several trips to Isfield in East Sussex to repaint the K6 phone-box next to the station on the Lavender Line!"
What next?
"No plans or upgrade work apart from maybe update the stereo itself. I was going to drive it through last winter as an everyday car, and clipped the hard-top on to do that. But with the top on, it just became cramped, noisy thirsty and rather hard work. Then I was offered a pre-reg deal on the Civic [see 'Previously owned' - Ed.] in November, so took that up."
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I had an older shape civic (dash mount gearshift) and loved it even though it was a 1.6 sport and not the full fat Type R. When it came time to trade it in we looked at the Type R (could not afford 28K for the new S2000) but ended up in an Impreza.
The S2000 just looks like a lot of fun RWD over 200bhp so 5 an a bit to 60 150mph top end (kind of bench mark numbers for a car tot be deemed fast etc). Hard an soft top options, its a Honda so it should run forever. The only thing I did not like was the rear end I always felt it needed something like a spoiler or a spliter or something but all the ones I have seen look rubbish.
Still I suspect I could live with that now just need to finish house an persuade the wife a 3rd car is a good idea even if we have 2 kids and they can;t use it.
I bought one as a third car back in April and have loved every minute of its ownership so far. Have wanted one since a close friend had one back in 2003 but they were out of my price range.
Honda reliability, subtle looks and great fun to drive. On top of that secondhand prices seemed to have firmed up so its a fairly sensible choice as a weekend toy with minimal depreciation.
I always thought this was a car you'd buy because it's quite good and just ignore the bland looks.
Big expenses over the years: New rear brake callipers. New catalytic converter. Roof now has two large holes in it so planning on a new one before next winter.
Still haven't seen anything I want to change it for. Elise's, Catherhams etc... are too hard core for the daily commute. A Boxter is too fast, over tyred and over geared to be fun at normal speeds. A 4C looks appealing but is outside my budget. The new MX5 seems the closest, I just wish it had a bit more power.
Big expenses over the years: New rear brake callipers. New catalytic converter. Roof now has two large holes in it so planning on a new one before next winter.
Still haven't seen anything I want to change it for. Elise's, Catherhams etc... are too hard core for the daily commute. A Boxter is too fast, over tyred and over geared to be fun at normal speeds. A 4C looks appealing but is outside my budget. The new MX5 seems the closest, I just wish it had a bit more power.
as an aside when we went to upgrade and test drove the later Civic we had to wait for a sales person over 30 as a delivery guy had binned an s2000 while deliveriung new car to customer on wet round about. my guess was he was enjoying the car too much rather than the car was rubbish etc
Mine was Silverstone with the black / red interior, which was the best colour combo I think, also liked the darker Moonrock colour too. Completely agree regarding them being a very good looking car, especially when you get up close and see how flared the front arches are and how aggressive it looks!
Enjoy the car - if you look after it, then it's a sound investment too.
On my second, a 2006 in the rather loud yellow colour with black interior I spent a few quid and upgraded the audio with some decent speakers, subtle amp (in boot) and a small sub under the passenger seat.
One thing to do is get the speed sensitive 'mod' which allows the roof to go and up and down without stopping.
Other standard stuff include finding the secret compartment and removing the airbox cover for some crazy noise, but a lack of performance.
I averaged 23-25mpg, easily getting 35 on long runs, but mostly low 20's due to a heavy right foot.
Totally reliable and I though the running costs were VERY low compared to the Porsche Boxster (main competitor back then) and the Z4 3.0.
The car is very tyre and and alignment sensitive and I would advise getting a laser alignment every year. Run stickier rubber too and be aware of rain.
I will have another one.
Euro Trips
Towing capability
Winter grip
(Ok, last few statements/piccies maybe not entirely accurate.)
Best and cheapest mod for the S2K is taking off the airbox filter cover. Wow..!
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