RE: Honda S2000 | PH Private Area
Discussion
I've only ever seen one in gold / whatever that colour is called on Wheeler Dealers. I think it's a great colour!
grudas said:
good cars and that one in the ad is especially clean. Brilliant colour too.
I've had mine since 2018, epic car all around.
silly yellow seats are gone.. silly red seats will soon be in
That looks fantastic! I've had mine since 2018, epic car all around.
silly yellow seats are gone.. silly red seats will soon be in
havoc said:
I get that - much the same here.
...but the limits of the car in the dry are so high that I'd suggest you'd need to be really pushing it to lose a properly set up car. And in the wet you treat it with respect (as our ancestors always had to) and ensure the tyres are up to spec.
I think we've all been spoiled by ever-more-advanced stability programmes.
I think that is spot on, and the more advanced stability/traction control systems do molly coddle you/lure you into a false sense of security a bit I reckon. If you've been used to fairly powerful RWD cars previously without any nannies, then provided you drive to the conditions/respect the throttle, then you'll be absolutely fine in something like the S2000 I think. ...but the limits of the car in the dry are so high that I'd suggest you'd need to be really pushing it to lose a properly set up car. And in the wet you treat it with respect (as our ancestors always had to) and ensure the tyres are up to spec.
I think we've all been spoiled by ever-more-advanced stability programmes.
I never had an issue with my lightly modded(250bhp) S14a 200SX wanting to stick me in a ditch(wet or dry) without any nannies(apart from ABS) for example. I had that for 4 years without issue, and then the Cerbera followed that for 6 years too(and that didn't have any nannies on it at all).
The closest I've actually got to totally binning a car is my current F82 M4...and that has every nannie going on it in comparison!
AmyRichardson said:
trails said:
Very happy with the sentence ta, I've had mine for just shy of 9 years and it's been cheap as chips to run. Even with adding shiny stuff like Ohlins...contemporary MX5s are certainly cheaper, (not sure anyone is arguing that) but the S2000 is hardly an Aston or Ferrari in terms of either initial cost or maintenance.
I've no idea why people are so sensitive about the suggestion that an MX-5 is a legitimate alternative, I think it's a cult thing. That said, the 150hp - 240hp (well, 210hp, apparently!) was a meaningful divide in the '00s, so it's easy to understand how the NB was perceived as a less serious proposition. But that doesn't mean one is better or the other unworthy of comparison.Edited by AmyRichardson on Thursday 16th May 12:33
Black S2K said:
You were damned fortunate to have the room to recover it, if you were fighting it.
The best thing to do is let go of the wheel and let the caster angle sort it out. Yes - it takes bravery the first time!
Mine no longer does it - upgraded to the 17" spec wheels & tyres and with chassis braces, one can better detect the car's approaching limits. Actually, on ADR08s it's become a bit boring...
It did it a few times before I noticed the fine mist on the inside of the strut, I thought it was just weird road conditions at first!The best thing to do is let go of the wheel and let the caster angle sort it out. Yes - it takes bravery the first time!
Mine no longer does it - upgraded to the 17" spec wheels & tyres and with chassis braces, one can better detect the car's approaching limits. Actually, on ADR08s it's become a bit boring...
Letting go does take some minerals, but I was quick (and lucky) enough on each occasion to catch it, so not required thankfully
Agree on wheel size, I always ran 16s on track, but than tried my road wheels; I was quicker with less sphincter clenching
Edited by trails on Thursday 16th May 20:52
shuthan_b said:
Let me break it down for you since you struggle to understand why the MX-5 is NOT an alternative to the S2000, simply because they are two different cars for two different purposes and occasions. When released, an MX-5 was compared to the MR2, Fiat Barchetta and other small powered roadsters. The S2000 was compared to the Boxster and Z4, see the difference? They are not in the same league and people who say they can’t see the difference, makes me question if they actually know about cars.
I must say, you come across as a bit of wally...a rude one at that. Here are some photos of my car, maybe that will calm you down. Added Trevor content, as this is PH Edited by shuthan_b on Thursday 16th May 16:25
trails said:
shuthan_b said:
Let me break it down for you since you struggle to understand why the MX-5 is NOT an alternative to the S2000, simply because they are two different cars for two different purposes and occasions. When released, an MX-5 was compared to the MR2, Fiat Barchetta and other small powered roadsters. The S2000 was compared to the Boxster and Z4, see the difference? They are not in the same league and people who say they can’t see the difference, makes me question if they actually know about cars.
I must say, you come across as a bit of wally...a rude one at that. Here are some photos of my car, maybe that will calm you down. Added Trevor content, as this is PH Edited by shuthan_b on Thursday 16th May 16:25
shuthan_b said:
Calling someone names by them just expressing their opinions on a forum, how lovely! If you can’t take my comments, that’s your issue. I will stand by each comment, however I will hold back my comments on your views, being a gentleman and that. Cheers.
Your reply is more ironic than a 90s Canadian pop star. Perhaps read back your posts to yourself out loud and consider your tone before posting, it's unnecessarily condescending and far ruder than being called a wally. Good manners are free, and make this forum a far nicer place for everyone 
s m said:
cerb4.5lee said:
I've always really liked the way these look, but I'd have mine in red though I reckon please.
I can’t imagine you’d get on with the engine at all Lee somehow being a “……yo VTEC is waiting to kick in….” type of delivery You thought your 330i and Z4M were gutless at low revs, but this would take that to another level!
trails said:
shuthan_b said:
Calling someone names by them just expressing their opinions on a forum, how lovely! If you can’t take my comments, that’s your issue. I will stand by each comment, however I will hold back my comments on your views, being a gentleman and that. Cheers.
Your reply is more ironic than a 90s Canadian pop star. Perhaps read back your posts to yourself out loud and consider your tone before posting, it's unnecessarily condescending and far ruder than being called a wally. Good manners are free, and make this forum a far nicer place for everyone As I said before, I will comment how I please, this is a forum, was being totally pleasant. If you don’t like it, you don’t need to read my comments, now there’s an Idea for you, that was free too.
Mr Tidy said:
s m said:
cerb4.5lee said:
I've always really liked the way these look, but I'd have mine in red though I reckon please.
I can’t imagine you’d get on with the engine at all Lee somehow being a “……yo VTEC is waiting to kick in….” type of delivery You thought your 330i and Z4M were gutless at low revs, but this would take that to another level!
Although when these first came out(that is 25 years ago now, and I have more experience with performance cars since then in fairness), I do remember lusting after a red one of these big time for definite though.
As you both know I grumbled like hell about my E92 M3 though, because that was everything high up the revs, and absolutely nothing low down. So in reality, one of these now would drive me absolutely crazy for sure I reckon.
cerb4.5lee said:
So in reality, one of these now would drive me absolutely crazy for sure I reckon.
Yes. Unequivocally so.Power-wise it's essentially an MX5 up to 6,000rpm and then close to a Z4M from there up to 9,000rpm. So you either carry speed (easy to do), cruise (also easy when the roof is down), or drive it like an utter tit everywhere (great fun to do but you may want to wear a paper bag!
).But that's what this engine is about - the old-school VTECs were deliberately Jekyll-and-Hyde, as it meant you didn't get the rattle, clatter and driveline shunt of a proper motorsport-style engine (think 996 GT3), but you still got their top-end fireworks and razor-sharp throttle response, which you'd lose with a turbo or a bigger-cube (& probably heavier) motor.
havoc said:
cerb4.5lee said:
So in reality, one of these now would drive me absolutely crazy for sure I reckon.
Yes. Unequivocally so.Power-wise it's essentially an MX5 up to 6,000rpm and then close to a Z4M from there up to 9,000rpm. So you either carry speed (easy to do), cruise (also easy when the roof is down), or drive it like an utter tit everywhere (great fun to do but you may want to wear a paper bag!
).But that's what this engine is about - the old-school VTECs were deliberately Jekyll-and-Hyde, as it meant you didn't get the rattle, clatter and driveline shunt of a proper motorsport-style engine (think 996 GT3), but you still got their top-end fireworks and razor-sharp throttle response, which you'd lose with a turbo or a bigger-cube (& probably heavier) motor.
They're light which I respect, have an awesome gearchange from what I read, plus obviously the top end fireworks too.
I grabbed the 370Z Roadster by the scruff of the neck the other day on my favourite B road, and I can't say that it was all that happy doing that really. That is more of a cruisy type of car where you enjoy the steering/gear changes/exhaust noise mainly I reckon.
So I think I could do the cruisy bit in one of these, plus if I wanted to grab one of these by the scruff of the neck, I'd imagine them to be miles better at that than the 370 is for sure.
trails said:
Looking as good as ever...have you gone peak JDM and got some red Recaros?
thanks! haha, no, actually trying to fit a wide set of bride zeig 4's in red. Which is proving to be a challenge.. Glenn63 said:
Well that’s just delightful, like my perfect spec of s2000, if the mods are all you well done sir.
thanks! yes, been modified by me over the years I had the car.. will probably end up changing again.havoc said:
That Andrew's (old) NSX in the background?
if his was the one with the carbon bonnet insert then yeah, that's the one! lovely car.LARK F1 GTR said:
That looks fantastic!
thank you
havoc said:
Yes. Unequivocally so.
Power-wise it's essentially an MX5 up to 6,000rpm and then close to a Z4M from there up to 9,000rpm. So you either carry speed (easy to do), cruise (also easy when the roof is down), or drive it like an utter tit everywhere (great fun to do but you may want to wear a paper bag! ).
But that's what this engine is about - the old-school VTECs were deliberately Jekyll-and-Hyde, as it meant you didn't get the rattle, clatter and driveline shunt of a proper motorsport-style engine (think 996 GT3), but you still got their top-end fireworks and razor-sharp throttle response, which you'd lose with a turbo or a bigger-cube (& probably heavier) motor.
Only 2/3 of the torque of a Z4M beyond 6000rpm, so even more frustrating for Lee! You’re absolutely right though, it’s definitely very tame then totally frantic for the last 3k rpm. Power-wise it's essentially an MX5 up to 6,000rpm and then close to a Z4M from there up to 9,000rpm. So you either carry speed (easy to do), cruise (also easy when the roof is down), or drive it like an utter tit everywhere (great fun to do but you may want to wear a paper bag!
).But that's what this engine is about - the old-school VTECs were deliberately Jekyll-and-Hyde, as it meant you didn't get the rattle, clatter and driveline shunt of a proper motorsport-style engine (think 996 GT3), but you still got their top-end fireworks and razor-sharp throttle response, which you'd lose with a turbo or a bigger-cube (& probably heavier) motor.
My S2 Exige is the same, below 6k rpm there’s very little character to the engine but above that it screams like a demented banshee. Keeping it on the higher cam takes a concerted effort and involves always being in a lower gear than you feel you should be (first for tight corners, joining motorways in second gear etc). It also requires a thick skin and ear plugs!
chirurgus said:
Only 2/3 of the torque of a Z4M beyond 6000rpm, so even more frustrating for Lee! You’re absolutely right though, it’s definitely very tame then totally frantic for the last 3k rpm.
My S2 Exige is the same, below 6k rpm there’s very little character to the engine but above that it screams like a demented banshee. Keeping it on the higher cam takes a concerted effort and involves always being in a lower gear than you feel you should be (first for tight corners, joining motorways in second gear etc). It also requires a thick skin and ear plugs!
I've had a z4 coupe, the 3.0 n52 one before my s2k.My S2 Exige is the same, below 6k rpm there’s very little character to the engine but above that it screams like a demented banshee. Keeping it on the higher cam takes a concerted effort and involves always being in a lower gear than you feel you should be (first for tight corners, joining motorways in second gear etc). It also requires a thick skin and ear plugs!
Great car, great engine but not as fun as the s2k.
it has got a more "usable" power band, you can be lazy with it and it pulls alright in most gears.
the S2K has two characters but if you drive it hard, shift at 9k etc it'll stay on cam and it'll make you smile. Below 6k it's quite tame really.
funny enough I've had a mk1 mx5 too and that was a lovely little thing to own.. I miss it still, much more forgiving and as much fun in it's own way. Very much needs to be trashed hard to get anywhere and s2k would leave it in dust.
all in, I think there's two types of people :
those that love the lazier gruntier engines and like the "shove" in all gears
those that love the race car like character of hondas and old school VTEC engines, this needs to be driven to make progress and a lot of people simply do not want that or have the balls to drive it hard enough. It's a car that takes time to master.
on top of it, I've currently got an FD2 Civic Type R as my daily driver but I would say all in, that is much harsher, harder, louder and just all around more mental than the S2K. It's great fun and I wonder how many cars would keep up with me in the corners.
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