Monday 14th March 2016

Honda S2000: PH Carpool

"The temptation to have two cars that can hit 9,000rpm proved too much to resist" says this PHer - good man!

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Name: Hardeep / topless360
Car: Honda S2000
Owned since: Feb 2015
Previously owned: Ferrari 360 Spider (still own), Mazda MX5 1.8 J-Ltd2, Ford Mondeo ST24, Rover 200Vi, Mazda MX-5 1.6i

What else to replace an MX-5 with?

Why I bought it:
"A few years back I drove an S2000 on a drift day; it struck me as a grown up MX-5 and seemed the natural next step. Since then I've purchased a Ferrari 360 Modena as a weekend toy, but I still needed to replace the MX-5 as my daily driver and the temptation to have two cars that can hit 9,000rpm proved too much to resist.

"My search took me all around the UK to look at 8 different S2000s before I finally found a clean example. It had the highest mileage (currently at 113,000) but drove far better than cars with half that on the clock.

"A large portion of S2000s have had an accident at some point, and this is usually obvious from rusty sills or wayward handling."

What I wish I'd known:
"The PH buying guide and owner forums are fairly comprehensive in what to look out for, but I didn't realise just how uncomfortable the car would be on long journeys. It gives me horrid back pain after just two hours behind the wheel."

Top down and 9,000rpm? Sounds good!

Things I love:
"The 9,000rpm redline is the main reason I put up with the driving position; it sure is a screamer! It's doubtful we will ever see an engine like it again in a world dominated by CO2 figures and turbochargers!

"The gear change is probably the best I have ever experienced, it is so direct and fourth to third is particularly pleasurable.

"Despite what everyone says, the handling is actually predicable and manageable on the limit as long as you don't try and generate large drift angles."

Things I hate:
"The high seating position. Creaks and squeaks of the leather when going over bumps."

Costs:
"Insurance costs me just £380 at age 27 due to it being a modern classic. Servicing is cheap at specialist TGM Sport, around £150 for an annual and £330 for a full on bells and whistles service."

Hardeep's S2000 is certainly well travelled

Where I've been:
"I did the 30 minute taster session at PH Silverstone Sunday Service in 2015 where the car performed faultlessly. I also had a memorable road trip on a sunny weekend to the Brecon Beacons with a couple of friends and a drive across the Yorkshire Dales too."

What next?
"I'm thinking of selling soon as the high driving position is a real bugbear. I now fancy something that complements the Ferrari better, something with more torque and a bit more comfort for motorway driving. A Monaro VXR is high on the agenda..."

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Search for Honda S2000s in the PH classifieds here

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Want to share your car with PHers on Carpool? Email us at [e-mail]!

[Tom1312]

Lovely car, but it does seem more and more of these car pools are turning into extravagant adverts?

[X5TUU]

Some nice pics but the article doesn't really say anything about living with it ... Other than the seating position

I am curious as to why a Monaro better compliments a 360 and why having something complimentary is important... For me the difference between my daily and my 'special' has to be stark and wide otherwise it's a pointless exercise IMHO

[Ex Boy Racer]

X5TUU said:

Some nice pics but the article doesn't really say anything about living with it ... Other than the seating position

I am curious as to why a Monaro better compliments a 360 and why having something complimentary is important... For me the difference between my daily and my 'special' has to be stark and wide otherwise it's a pointless exercise IMHO

I think the answer to this is the stupid situation with Ferraris that it is unacceptable to put miles on them!

I'm sure the OP would prefer to use his Fezza for everything but knows it will be worthless if he does. Consequently, he gets a car that's close to it but that is useable.

It's madness, and one of the reasons I got rid of my 458. When you worry about every mile, and debate every trip before you take it out it loses a lot of the fun!

[keith2.2]

Interesting comment on the seats - I still consider the S2K to be the most comfortable car I've owned - (waft-o-matics included). different strokes and all that.

I think you're right, we'll never see engines of this ilk again. Sadly they seem to have a life expectancy so low mile working ones are going to become an increasingly rare breed.

I loved mine - would I have another? Probably not, there are so many other brilliant cars out there to try. Would I recommend everyone to try one? Absolutely.

Suspension bushes are important - I had mine polybushed and new bolts throughout at a cost of nearly 1.5k. The geo setting I had when that was done turned it into an UTTER HOOLIGAN - I've never felt happier with the way a car drove...until the combination of toe and camber (and my enthusiasm) saw new rear tyres last 2k miles.

I had it softened back a bit when I discovered that...

[scz4]

Got fond memories of my S2000.

Completely agree with the seating position and i'm a short ass, mates that drove it also commented on the same thing. Although I never found the seats uncomfortable. Put a couple of washers under the front rail bolts to give more thigh support.

Also order up a set of Backyard seatrails, they'll transform the driving position and therefore experience - http://www.ihearthonda.co.uk/product/?id=1005391&a...

[R1 Indy]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Best thing to do is get it to "Centre Of Gravity"

Best £600 i spent on mine, went from a unpredictable, oversteer mess, to a very nicely balanced and fun car.

[JMF894]

R1 Indy said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Best thing to do is get it to "Centre Of Gravity"

Best £600 i spent on mine, went from a unpredictable, oversteer mess, to a very nicely balanced and fun car.

Yep I think a lot of people spend on making a car faster but are reluctant to spend on something they see as having no tangible benefit. I have had 4 wheel alignment done on two cars and the difference it made is night and day.

[counterofbeans]

"I'm thinking of selling soon" what a surprise and nice advert courtesy of PH...

[dinkel]

Since when is changing seats / seat position an odd and apparently avoided option?

I like leather but hate the sound it makes. Cloth has my preference.

[daz05]

I have recently purchased a facelift car, drove a little poorly until the alignment was done and made sure all the bolts were removed from the sleeves and greased.

I'm very happy with it now, cracking car that's main purpose is to do make you smile on a sunny day, it isn't ideally suited for daily duties.

The seatbelt rubs on the leather ever so slightly when its in its holder so a apply a little bit of felt tape under the holder to make it jut out a little and the annoying noise goes away.

Edited by daz05 on Monday 14th March 12:44

[forzaminardi]

The later cars with the solid headrest seats had a slightly higher seating position. I felt a wee bit high in mine, if I'd kept it longer (i.e. not crashed it ) I'd maybe have swapped to the older seats which apparently are lower and to my eyes look better anyway.

I loved mine too, it's certainly the 'best' car I've owned - but only on the right roads, in the right circumstances. It is a wee bit too much like hard work as a all-seasons daily. I'd have another if I had money and space for three or four cars.

[Happyjap]

MR Nik, I enjoyed this article and I think you should show more often how Japan is significant in the motoring world to create such great cars.

[throwyourbike]

The Monaro is a very comfortable motorway cruiser. Should do about 28mpg too...

[edoverheels]

Same as everyone else it seems in that I had the suspension done and it transformed the car. However my bolts were seized as is often the case and it was £1000.
Mine is a daily driver and very good at it with roof coming down so easily and not draughty even in very cold with side windows down. My seat leather is rubbish and will need retrimming. Seems really comfy to me but I am short. Love the simplicity and directness and now I have even got completely used to the steering. May not be the most alive but very accurate.
Most important thing to do is buy an air filter for £50 and then take the air box lid off. It transforms the noise from the car. Quiet in town and not at all boy racer but as soon as you hoof it the sound is furious. Best £50 car mod anywhere.
Agree that such a combination of engine and gearbox may not come around again for a while. Just glad I get to use it all the time. All seems pretty reliable as well.

[Black S2K]

Hardeep,

Google Backyard Special (BYS) seat rail.

You'll probably need to space-up the leading edge with body washers to get the correct under-thigh support (depends on your leg length!) but it transforms the driving position. Highly recommended!

EDIT: overlooked scz4's post...

Edited by Black S2K on Monday 14th March 17:21

[DanielSan]

You can get lower seat rails for these OP, I had a set in my old one and they make a huge difference. You sit down nice and low in the car in a way that should be from the factory.

[topless360]

Ex Boy Racer said:

I think the answer to this is the stupid situation with Ferraris that it is unacceptable to put miles on them!

I'm sure the OP would prefer to use his Fezza for everything but knows it will be worthless if he does. Consequently, he gets a car that's close to it but that is useable.

It's madness, and one of the reasons I got rid of my 458. When you worry about every mile, and debate every trip before you take it out it loses a lot of the fun!

This is almost spot on and part of the reason. The other reason is that I currently live 2 hours away from my Ferrari so only get to see/drive it once every couple of weeks.

Whilst the situation is only temporary, I'd like something more exciting (and loud) for daily duties.

The Monaro seems the opposite to the 360 in that it's a low revving torquey monster but that appeals as I will still have the raw 360 for the odd weekends.

With regards to someone's comment about living with the S2000 on a daily basis, it's absolutely fine barring the seating position. It's easy enough to menouver through town, high enough to not ground out over speed bumps and the standard sound system is actually decent and audible below 70mph, after which the wind noise starts to take over.

It's only when you are doing 1+ hours on the motorway that the discomfort starts to kick in (I'm 6ft). The wind noise has gotten a lot better since I replaced the roof but it's obviously still there given the soft top.

[sebhaque]

Hi mate, thought the car looked familiar! Nice write up, be good to go for another run in the near future. The MX-5's new owner is a good friend of mine (Synchromesh) and I'm sure he'd happily join us too.

[WJNB]

An ex-Honda S2000 myself & the only car I have ever bought new, but at a substantial discount. It had been sitting in a south coast Honda main dealer showroom for most of 2006 & with winter approaching & the local populace very old was likely to stay there till the spring.
Having traded in a slightly modified Mk1 1600cc MX-5 the Honda felt gutless until you thrashed the engine, which after a while got tiresome & stupidly expensive on fuel. Long distance motorway driving was a chore as cruise control was never a UK option & yes the drivers seat too high but I never got round to fitting the after-market lowered frame.
The gears were poorly spaced, 1st & 2nd too close & cruising in 6th I was always looking for another gear.
An after market back box & a cat. deletion gave it a earth moving deep burble on tick-over & the most Ferrari V12 wail-like sound on application of full throttle- that's what I miss most!!
In the much sought after combination of solid black with red & black leather interior it looked glorious & best of all they were not as common a sight as the boring Boxster or flash-harry BMW.
Given that Honda were never serious about challenging premium brands of sports cars that are most often purchased because of the delusion that the badges confer respect & street-cred all respect for moving outside the box & being independent. As has been said before we shall not see the likes of the S2000 again & deserves to be a classic.

[Synchromesh]

sebhaque said:

Hi mate, thought the car looked familiar! Nice write up, be good to go for another run in the near future. The MX-5's new owner is a good friend of mine (Synchromesh) and I'm sure he'd happily join us too.

Always up for this kind of thing. Keep me in the loop