Test Drove S2000, Disappointed??
Discussion
I think e46 M3s have a similar issue and people think its heatsoak too. A minor change to the cooling pipe sorts it for some.
I would go and test another example and do not worry too much about the mileage. Just get one that is in great condition and feels right.
Plus the one you saw sounds over priced by about £2k.
I would go and test another example and do not worry too much about the mileage. Just get one that is in great condition and feels right.
Plus the one you saw sounds over priced by about £2k.
I just test drove one today. I have a FN2 and always loved the look and thought of an s2000. I got out the car after the test drive feeling pretty gutted about the lack of vtec kick. I was expecting it to feel 40bhp faster than my civic but it felt slower if anything!
I'm pretty gutted as I was really set on a s2000. Starting to look at integras now!
I'm pretty gutted as I was really set on a s2000. Starting to look at integras now!
Janosh said:
To go back to the OP's other gripe: Didn't feel fast.
You do have to really drive it for it to come alive. If you short shift into second or third and plant your foot, it'll feel like a slow car.
I defy you to come out of a sweeping corner at 6k+ rpm and say it feels slow
S2000's only produce around 125 RWHP just before the 6000rpm change point and almost 200 RWHP at (depending on fuel/ambient temp etc) 8500 rpm.You do have to really drive it for it to come alive. If you short shift into second or third and plant your foot, it'll feel like a slow car.
I defy you to come out of a sweeping corner at 6k+ rpm and say it feels slow
I always found mine to be 'fairly quick' below 6000rpm, very quick above 6000, and because of the high rev commotion it felt quicker than it really was.
Ever tried outrunning a DSG equipped Golf GTI/Scirocco etc, there's nothing in it.
I think it's the lack of torque that is confusing the OP into feeling that the car is slow.
And I wonder if the one you drove was running low octane 'dealer fuel'.
ToMBoMB said:
I just test drove one today. I have a FN2 and always loved the look and thought of an s2000. I got out the car after the test drive feeling pretty gutted about the lack of vtec kick. I was expecting it to feel 40bhp faster than my civic but it felt slower if anything!
I'm pretty gutted as I was really set on a s2000. Starting to look at integras now!
The s2000 has longer gearing than the FN2 that may explain some of your feeling, but in fact that feeling is nothing more than an illusion. There's no question the S2000 is quicker, look at the 0-100 times.I'm pretty gutted as I was really set on a s2000. Starting to look at integras now!
The FN2 has LESS of a kick than the s2000 also as it has the same ivtec engine the ep3 had.
I've got an S2000 and Accord type-r. Despite the figures there doesn't feel like there is much in it speed-wise. If anything the Accord seems more punchy, but it has a much more aggresive vtec crossover whereas the S is very progressive up to the redline so may not feel quick due to this.
The S2000 didnt do much for me when I got one a while back
After having turbos (petrol/diesel) for 20 years the S2000 was a bit of a let down at first but after a few weeks owning one it grew on me, massively.
I did sell it to get another turbo (prodrive impreza) but I soon got rid and went back to the S2000.
Best car for the money IMO
Get one, gets used to it and drive close to 5k rpm and the power is there if needed
Much more fun than any car of the same value
and 9.5k is 3k too much for anyone
After having turbos (petrol/diesel) for 20 years the S2000 was a bit of a let down at first but after a few weeks owning one it grew on me, massively.
I did sell it to get another turbo (prodrive impreza) but I soon got rid and went back to the S2000.
Best car for the money IMO
Get one, gets used to it and drive close to 5k rpm and the power is there if needed
Much more fun than any car of the same value
and 9.5k is 3k too much for anyone
I'd also say performance isnt night and day between a civic type r and S2k. However the S2k is deceptively quick, as has been said look at road tests and performance figures. The EP3 type R does 0-100mph around 16.5 sec, the S2k 14.3 secs. The thing people 'feel' is the VTEC kick, on the S2k F20 engine its subtle and a continous surge in power. The K20 mapping is sneaky it actually drops power/torque prior to VTEC engagement then 'steps' into VTEC so actually its a bit of a trick. I always felt the FN2 GT needed another 20hp as in reality with all the kit on it they weighed 1350kg or c.120kg more than the EP3. For me the the S2k is superb (genuinely don't know what i'd replace it with if I buy another 2 convertible) but not everyone gets the linear power delivery.
I had an s2000 whilst a friend had an EP3. On the road there was hardly any difference at all once moving.
You could get off the line quicker in the S2000 and the S2000 does pull harder from 70 up. But it was not day and night, the S2000 would merely creep ahead.
S2000 was much more rewarding to drive, however most people would get places quicker in the EP3 as you can chuck it about easier.
Integras are raw, but don't expect it to be faster as it isn't.
You could get off the line quicker in the S2000 and the S2000 does pull harder from 70 up. But it was not day and night, the S2000 would merely creep ahead.
S2000 was much more rewarding to drive, however most people would get places quicker in the EP3 as you can chuck it about easier.
Integras are raw, but don't expect it to be faster as it isn't.
russy01 said:
I had an s2000 whilst a friend had an EP3. On the road there was hardly any difference at all once moving.
You could get off the line quicker in the S2000 and the S2000 does pull harder from 70 up. But it was not day and night, the S2000 would merely creep ahead.
S2000 was much more rewarding to drive, however most people would get places quicker in the EP3 as you can chuck it about easier.
Integras are raw, but don't expect it to be faster as it isn't.
This is my experience when comparing the EP3 to the S2K - above 70/80 s2k was pulling ahead but before then it was pretty even. S2K brakes are much, much better.You could get off the line quicker in the S2000 and the S2000 does pull harder from 70 up. But it was not day and night, the S2000 would merely creep ahead.
S2000 was much more rewarding to drive, however most people would get places quicker in the EP3 as you can chuck it about easier.
Integras are raw, but don't expect it to be faster as it isn't.
OP - I can't believe the dealer is trying to pawn that off for £9k? I'd say £2000+ overpriced.
Mine doesn't kangeroo, or suffer from heatsoak. If you take the lid off the air box on a hot day however, that's another matter...
I love my s2000 plenty of tourque under 6k easy to overtake and when it gets into vtec
I find it very quick. Definitely a all out sports car capable of 150
Its not a supercar but was never intended to be especially with a 2 litre engine.
Thats the amazing thing about this car is it a small na engine that goes very well
And when people try and compare it to big engine cars and turbos
Thats being stupid and defeats the object of the car.
I think its great how it has 2 personalities and I find the pace of the car very good
I have had 350z and supra tt and this car is the funnest most addictive car I have had and find the only problem is getting rid off it as everytine I drive it and look at it I want to keep it.
Also when people say you have to shift to lowet gear to get it going fast
Thats the like of most cars the 350z with its big engine you still had to downshift if you wanted
To go Alot faster all of a sudden you couldnt jusr put your foot down in 5th or 6th and it would flie
I find it very quick. Definitely a all out sports car capable of 150
Its not a supercar but was never intended to be especially with a 2 litre engine.
Thats the amazing thing about this car is it a small na engine that goes very well
And when people try and compare it to big engine cars and turbos
Thats being stupid and defeats the object of the car.
I think its great how it has 2 personalities and I find the pace of the car very good
I have had 350z and supra tt and this car is the funnest most addictive car I have had and find the only problem is getting rid off it as everytine I drive it and look at it I want to keep it.
Also when people say you have to shift to lowet gear to get it going fast
Thats the like of most cars the 350z with its big engine you still had to downshift if you wanted
To go Alot faster all of a sudden you couldnt jusr put your foot down in 5th or 6th and it would flie
I wonder if the OP bought one in the end?
When I first had mine it felt amazingly fast, but then I had been driving a 80bhp classic mini before, which was no slouch but nothing like the s2. After a while like any car the power becomes normal, I think the slow feeling is because the switch over isn't as vicious as say an Itr and the fact they are quite quiet with the standard exhaust doesn't help the feeling of speed.
9k rpm even with the standard airbox still sounds great even after a couple of years!
I can think of loads of cars I would love to replace it with (GTR's etc) but there is no way I could afford to run any of them
When I first had mine it felt amazingly fast, but then I had been driving a 80bhp classic mini before, which was no slouch but nothing like the s2. After a while like any car the power becomes normal, I think the slow feeling is because the switch over isn't as vicious as say an Itr and the fact they are quite quiet with the standard exhaust doesn't help the feeling of speed.
9k rpm even with the standard airbox still sounds great even after a couple of years!
I can think of loads of cars I would love to replace it with (GTR's etc) but there is no way I could afford to run any of them
From what the OP describes it sounds to me like heat soak (which can be easily cured by fitting a "snorkel" - not needed if you don't drive much in heavy traffic) and poor quality/old fuel dropping the power down a bit (this engine does like high octane fuel and high revs). Fuel might well have degraded from being stored for a period letting the ethanol content evaporate dropping the octane. BP Ultimate is best to avoid this issue (no ethanol in this fuel AFAIK). Assuming the fuel is good then keeping the rev's between 6,000 and 9,000 is what you need to do to get the S2000 to "go". And it does...
Thought a long time if I should answer, but here I am:
Over the last years I have owned or at least driven all kind of British machinery, especially nearly every TVR model from 1996 onwards. That means Griffith 500, Cerbera SpeedSix (2 of them), Chimaera 450, Tamora (including 4,5 SuperSports), T350 (2 of them again), Sagaris (only driven, but for 400 miles), Lotus Elise 111R...(just check my profile) so basiacally all the machinery you guys owned or have driven as well. A few weeks ago I bought a Honda S2000. A 2006 model. Low mileage. Very good condition (Thanks to Jonathan and Mark at Parkway Specialist Cars who advertise here on Pistonheads).
Initially I did feel that the car seemed a little bit dull, out of power and out of torque and thought about not buying it. But it was on "THE LIST" for ages, so I did give it a go.
The gist: Learn to drive it. It needs a totally different approach to all the cars you knew. Usually you shift at at least 6.000 rpm, here 200rpm later Vtech shifts in. You must be prepared to torture the machine, because it simply needs it. Once on the fly, I think only few cars come close (OK OK, a few more, but within a budget...). Beautifully balanced (close to 50:50), bloody good noise when Vtech hits, nice speed and from my point of view a look to get on my knees.
Do not get me wrong, the best car I owned is still a very special TVR T350c I should never have sold, but at the end of the day Honda is Honda. And that guarantees for a build quality you would need four rings to match.
I fell in love. I might not keep it forever, but I will never regret having owned that S2000, because it is and will ever be so special.
All the best,
Björn.
Over the last years I have owned or at least driven all kind of British machinery, especially nearly every TVR model from 1996 onwards. That means Griffith 500, Cerbera SpeedSix (2 of them), Chimaera 450, Tamora (including 4,5 SuperSports), T350 (2 of them again), Sagaris (only driven, but for 400 miles), Lotus Elise 111R...(just check my profile) so basiacally all the machinery you guys owned or have driven as well. A few weeks ago I bought a Honda S2000. A 2006 model. Low mileage. Very good condition (Thanks to Jonathan and Mark at Parkway Specialist Cars who advertise here on Pistonheads).
Initially I did feel that the car seemed a little bit dull, out of power and out of torque and thought about not buying it. But it was on "THE LIST" for ages, so I did give it a go.
The gist: Learn to drive it. It needs a totally different approach to all the cars you knew. Usually you shift at at least 6.000 rpm, here 200rpm later Vtech shifts in. You must be prepared to torture the machine, because it simply needs it. Once on the fly, I think only few cars come close (OK OK, a few more, but within a budget...). Beautifully balanced (close to 50:50), bloody good noise when Vtech hits, nice speed and from my point of view a look to get on my knees.
Do not get me wrong, the best car I owned is still a very special TVR T350c I should never have sold, but at the end of the day Honda is Honda. And that guarantees for a build quality you would need four rings to match.
I fell in love. I might not keep it forever, but I will never regret having owned that S2000, because it is and will ever be so special.
All the best,
Björn.
Thats another problem the only car to upgrade if you going nearer like wise is a a new gtr and for us middle low paid class its just still too expensive to buy and run with pretrol prices 
and a mortgage.
So for me As a all round car I would like a 330d coupe but they your average common car and that bores me ? Its a hard life
Petrol prices is a killer on the wallet not the mpg
and a mortgage.So for me As a all round car I would like a 330d coupe but they your average common car and that bores me ? Its a hard life
Petrol prices is a killer on the wallet not the mpg
Thats another problem the only car to upgrade if you going nearer like wise is a a new gtr and for us middle low paid class its just still too expensive to buy and run with pretrol prices and a mortgage.
So for me As a all round car I would like a 330d coupe but they your average common car and that bores me ? Its a hard life
Petrol prices is a killer on the wallet not the mpg
and a mortgage.So for me As a all round car I would like a 330d coupe but they your average common car and that bores me ? Its a hard life
Petrol prices is a killer on the wallet not the mpg
Gassing Station | Honda | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff