S2000 or RX-8

[ywouldi]

I like these two but cannot decide what I would like to buy after Christmas.

Budget between 7-8k, for this I would get a 2000-2001 S2000 with probably about 70k, or a 2004 RX with 40k from a main dealer with warranty etc. The reputed handling issues of the S worry me and the reviews of the earlier cars aren't too hot but the RX-8 gets much better reviews save for fuel. Insurance is less for the Mazda too.

Ideally I need a good run out in both but being younger I don't think that many dealers are going to let that happen!

What would you do?

[marcosgt]

Do you want a coupe or a convertible? Do you need more than 2 seats?

Seems easy to decide between these two, but if you want an out and out sportscar, I suspect the Honda might shade it for you (I bought an RX8 because I needed 4 seats, didn't want a convertible and liked the whole idea of the RX8! )

M.

Edited by marcosgt on Tuesday 1st December 22:35

[Urban Sports]

MSTRBKR said:

Personally I'd have the S2000 RX8. The RX-8 S2000 stories of petrol and oil drinking reaaaallly put me off them.

[marcosgt]

The oil drinking is overstated (although they do use more than most cars, it's not catastrophic the way some suggest), but they're pretty thirsty, it's true.

M.

[ywouldi]

I have a convertible (mx5) now which I do enjoy but it's not a deal breaker, I also don't need 4 seats but it would on occasion be handy.

My main gripe is paying 7k for a ten year old car with all the associated foibles. Plus I'm a big pussy and the scare stories of the S2k put me off.

[mikey P 500]

unless you need 4 seats the s2000 has better perfomance and would be my choice. btw i have a very good s2000 forsale for around your budget hope to have it sold before christmas though.

[tenohfive]

ywouldi said:

I have a convertible (mx5) now which I do enjoy but it's not a deal breaker, I also don't need 4 seats but it would on occasion be handy.

My main gripe is paying 7k for a ten year old car with all the associated foibles. Plus I'm a big pussy and the scare stories of the S2k put me off.

I'd heard the S2K touted as the car for MX-5 owners who want a bit more poke, but same/similar handling qualities.

Out of the two I'd be tempted towards the S2000, but I've owned none of the three named above so can't speak from experience.

[RobM77]

I've driven both and would take the S2000. It's more of a sports car in handling and response and it's better built and higher quality. The RX8 felt a bit soft to me. That's not to say the Mazda is a bad car by any means. The issue of the age of the cars complicates things, and I'm not sure when it comes to that...

[V8A*ndy]

Of the two, S2000. Bit of a future classic to.

[R60EST]

I've had an S2000, it's noisier than I thought it would be , mainly from the drive-train. It does feel well put together but I wouldn't have another , can't really say why , I just wouldn't. I have on a few occasions considered buying an RX8 , the reason I have never actually gone out and got one is because for the mpg they achieve you can run a much faster , more refined car . Insurance issues aside, think E39 M5. I have had one of those and I would , in a heartbeat , have another

[300bhp/ton]

ywouldi said:

I like these two but cannot decide what I would like to buy after Christmas.

Budget between 7-8k, for this I would get a 2000-2001 S2000 with probably about 70k, or a 2004 RX with 40k from a main dealer with warranty etc. The reputed handling issues of the S worry me and the reviews of the earlier cars aren't too hot but the RX-8 gets much better reviews save for fuel. Insurance is less for the Mazda too.

Ideally I need a good run out in both but being younger I don't think that many dealers are going to let that happen!

What would you do?

Id go RX8 however if you want an open air motoring experience it really isn't going to offer it.

[chrisr29]

S2k's aint scarey! Done 10k miles in mine in 6 months and haven't once scared myself......even in all the recent wet weather. You just need to take into consideration that it's a rear wheel drive, 240bhp, no safty aids.....traction control, stability control or what-ever.....dedicated sports car!

Oh, and if you do a lot of motorway miles the noise can get right on your tits! Looking into getting a hard top for mine. Fuel consumption is pretty good as well if you don't thrash it everywhere.

[Syndrome]

I used to have an RX8 and, despite it's thirst, I loved it to bits. I drove an S2000 for a few weeks last year and I really didn't like it. It was too noisy and far too expensive on insurance for what it was. The RX8 would be my choice.

[R60EST]

chrisr29 said:

S2k's aint scarey! Done 10k miles in mine in 6 months and haven't once scared myself......even in all the recent wet weather. You just need to take into consideration that it's a rear wheel drive, 240bhp, no safty aids.....traction control, stability control or what-ever.....dedicated sports car!

Oh, and if you do a lot of motorway miles the noise can get right on your tits! Looking into getting a hard top for mine. Fuel consumption is pretty good as well if you don't thrash it everywhere.

Forgot to mention the fuel consumption , if it matters to you driven carefully the S2000 will do high 30's which is nearly twice as much as the RX8

[sherman]

I heard the s2k had a bit of a problem with its door locks being easy to break into the car. That was the main reason it was a group 20 car.

[smartie]

R60EST said:

chrisr29 said:

S2k's aint scarey! Done 10k miles in mine in 6 months and haven't once scared myself......even in all the recent wet weather. You just need to take into consideration that it's a rear wheel drive, 240bhp, no safty aids.....traction control, stability control or what-ever.....dedicated sports car!

Oh, and if you do a lot of motorway miles the noise can get right on your tits! Looking into getting a hard top for mine. Fuel consumption is pretty good as well if you don't thrash it everywhere.

Forgot to mention the fuel consumption , if it matters to you driven carefully the S2000 will do high 30's which is nearly twice as much as the RX8

ours never did, low 20's generally. In fact, I reckon our Z3M is about as good!

[stigmundfreud]

ywouldi said:

I like these two but cannot decide what I would like to buy after Christmas.

Budget between 7-8k, for this I would get a 2000-2001 S2000 with probably about 70k, or a 2004 RX with 40k from a main dealer with warranty etc. The reputed handling issues of the S worry me and the reviews of the earlier cars aren't too hot but the RX-8 gets much better reviews save for fuel. Insurance is less for the Mazda too.

Ideally I need a good run out in both but being younger I don't think that many dealers are going to let that happen!

What would you do?

7 to 8k should get you a nice low mile UK s2000. I sold mine this year, an 02 model for 8500 with just 24k on the clock.

[thewildblue]

Had a 231 RX8, loved it to bits, averaged about 19mpg overall with a low of 7mpg and a high of 25mpg...over about 30k.

Friend had an s2000 and it drank much the same amount of oil but was slightly better on fuel.

In a straight line drag race there was nothing in it, the only gain would be who got the better launch off the line, then that gap would stay much the same. This was to about 120mph.

I now have an MX5 but wish I had kept the RX8...I regret selling that car.

Wet weather handling the RX8 had it, but in teh dry there wasnt anything in it.

[MrV]

sherman said:

I heard the s2k had a bit of a problem with its door locks being easy to break into the car. That was the main reason it was a group 20 car.

First time I have heard that.

More a case of they are expensive to repair when they get smashed up.

To the OP take them both for an extended test drive and see what suits you better

[anonymous-user]

Go for the S2000, it's much more of an enthusiasts car. I nearly bought an RX8 a while ago but they all have issues with rust, the finish on the wheels peel off, etc I wasn't to impressed by the build quality.