Honda S2000 - Would you?
Discussion
TheJimi said:
Forza, that was a superb post, thanks for that 
Thanks. Like any car, there is a lot of bullsh*t said online about the S2000, and experiences get blown out of proportion by either people with negative stories to tell or chips on their shoulder, or by enthusiasts and fanboys. The S2000 seems to attract this in particular in that it is a bit of a love/hate car. Some people bang on and on about this or that characteristic without realising it's just that - a characteristic, not a problem - and fail to realise that just because they don't like it doesn't mean its a useless car or other people might like it. Similarly, nutters go to the opposite extreme and refuse to acknowledge point blank the that that their car isn't absolutely 100% perfect or simply that other people prefer a different car.A timely thread, since I'm considering to either buy a honda S2000 replacing my civic or a new motorbike to go with my current one...
The only things I am aware of in terms of issues are the suspension bushes. Looking about, there are lots of high mile runners (>100k) with lots of service evidence suggesting the engines are not prone to failure.
I want one, I really really want one. I've already talked myself most of the way into it, now its just taking the final step
OP, you jump first, I'll follow!
The only things I am aware of in terms of issues are the suspension bushes. Looking about, there are lots of high mile runners (>100k) with lots of service evidence suggesting the engines are not prone to failure.
I want one, I really really want one. I've already talked myself most of the way into it, now its just taking the final step
OP, you jump first, I'll follow!
GreatGranny said:
Nice one here
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HONDA-S2000-with-LOW-MIL...
Not too far away from me so in the sticks :-)
That and as a matter of fact all the blues (apart from the darkest) and yellow are the colours I wouldn't have.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HONDA-S2000-with-LOW-MIL...
Not too far away from me so in the sticks :-)
forzaminardi said:
First thing to say is the road fund license point. It's unfair that the same car costs more simply because it's newer, and I was a bit obsessed with getting a 05-06 model. I ended up getting a 07 model as I found one that was the right car at the right price. I'm not a millionaire by any means, and I'd rather have the extra £250 in my pocket than the government's but on the other hand it costs what it costs and if that extra cost puts the car into the unaffordable bracket then I'd suggest that you probably shouldn't be looking at running a fairly niche-interest sports car. I don't mean that in a nasty way, simply that the additional cost each year isn't a bank-breaker and you should consider buying the car that seems in best condition for your money rather than one that is in a cheaper RFL category. The overall running costs in my experience are fairly low and the demand for 05-06 cars is such that they (again in my experience) cost more to buy than a 07-08 anyway.
For me it's not being able to afford the extra £200 it's just like you say it's not fair that it is another £200 when it's the same car albeit with parts that are a couple of years newer. The fact that £485 for a year RFL is over £40 a month just grates on me a little bit too much. I think if a later car came up at the right price to justify that for a few years then I probably wouldn't be too concerned.J4CKO said:
Who said the S2000 is underpowered, 240 bhp in a sports car is plenty to go very quickly indeed !
I'd agree with you - but people on here think a 10 year older sports saloon with that performance are slow these days and if you read the Lotus Esprit thread even 60 in under 5 is too slow for a 25 year old sports car!Was it emissions that killed off this engine/car?
s m said:
J4CKO said:
Who said the S2000 is underpowered, 240 bhp in a sports car is plenty to go very quickly indeed !
I'd agree with you - but people on here think a 10 year older sports saloon with that performance are slow these days and if you read the Lotus Esprit thread even 60 in under 5 is too slow for a 25 year old sports car!Was it emissions that killed off this engine/car?
s m said:
I'd agree with you - but people on here think a 10 year older sports saloon with that performance are slow these days and if you read the Lotus Esprit thread even 60 in under 5 is too slow for a 25 year old sports car!
Was it emissions that killed off this engine/car?
Emissions killed VTEC I believe, not sure about the car Was it emissions that killed off this engine/car?
MoelyCrio said:
Viz Top Tip for some on this thread.
Finding your high revving VTEC engine only comes alive after 6k and at licence losing speeds? Try a lower gear for the same effect at more legal speeds.
Years ago I had a Pinto that made a lot of the power from 5-7.5, not high revving by modern VTEC standards but never seemed to be a problem with a gearbox - it didn't do much below 3 Finding your high revving VTEC engine only comes alive after 6k and at licence losing speeds? Try a lower gear for the same effect at more legal speeds.
For me, it seems similar to some old turbo engines - never found lag to be an issue as when you're enjoying the engine - it's spinning above the boost threshold even after a gear change.
Some people just can't get on with them though and prefer a different delivery.
They are marmite cars. The main characteristic that divides opinions is the high revving nature of the engine. Most people, on first driving, change up too early, because they are used to red lining at 6K revs not 9K. If they get over that, and drive the car as it's supposed to be driven (like a sports bike) they'll love it or hate it.
Claims of lack of torque are frankly rubbish. Talk of off-vtec performance is no more valid than claiming a GTR isn't that inspiring at one third throttle openings. The car needs to be driven in the right gear at the right revs to deliver its best performance. It loves high revs, which detractors translate into "it needs to be thrashed all the time". That's a characteristic, not a flaw, and if you are the sort of driver who likes lazy performance, buy something with a big six or eight cylinder, preferably an auto.
The last daft claim is that they are widow makers. What is true is that the earlier the car, the more likely it is that it will catch out someone used to using wot out of corners in their fast fwd hatch. As mentioned earlier, they are also unforgiving of crap tyres, wrong pressures and duff alignment, but that's true of a Cayman as well.
They aren't perfect but they are different and if you get a good one you are very unlikely to have problems with it. Just make sure you understand and like the characteristics before you buy.
Claims of lack of torque are frankly rubbish. Talk of off-vtec performance is no more valid than claiming a GTR isn't that inspiring at one third throttle openings. The car needs to be driven in the right gear at the right revs to deliver its best performance. It loves high revs, which detractors translate into "it needs to be thrashed all the time". That's a characteristic, not a flaw, and if you are the sort of driver who likes lazy performance, buy something with a big six or eight cylinder, preferably an auto.
The last daft claim is that they are widow makers. What is true is that the earlier the car, the more likely it is that it will catch out someone used to using wot out of corners in their fast fwd hatch. As mentioned earlier, they are also unforgiving of crap tyres, wrong pressures and duff alignment, but that's true of a Cayman as well.
They aren't perfect but they are different and if you get a good one you are very unlikely to have problems with it. Just make sure you understand and like the characteristics before you buy.
thatdude said:
A timely thread, since I'm considering to either buy a honda S2000 replacing my civic or a new motorbike to go with my current one...
The only things I am aware of in terms of issues are the suspension bushes. Looking about, there are lots of high mile runners (>100k) with lots of service evidence suggesting the engines are not prone to failure.
I want one, I really really want one. I've already talked myself most of the way into it, now its just taking the final step
OP, you jump first, I'll follow!
Plenty of engine failures after 100k.The only things I am aware of in terms of issues are the suspension bushes. Looking about, there are lots of high mile runners (>100k) with lots of service evidence suggesting the engines are not prone to failure.
I want one, I really really want one. I've already talked myself most of the way into it, now its just taking the final step
OP, you jump first, I'll follow!
samyalson said:
Always seems to be lots of Cat Cs/Ds on Autotrader.........
Aye, there was one in PH last year. I went to view it. He'd re-registered it in Northern Ireland in an attempt to disguise this. Also claimed it had done 58,000 miles but HPI showed main dealer records up to 150,000 miles three years earlier.Riknos said:
Don't buy one over £10k. The best ones to get are the 2004-early 2006, avoiding the higher road tax, and the drive by wire throttle.
The roofs are cheap to replace - £280 all in for a mohair. The roof mechanism is very reliable and I've not read about a single failure - unlike the Z4 - which is all over the forums, and costs circa £1k to replace.
Get out and test drive one and you'll know it's worth it, £7-8k should net you a perfect one.
Early ones have dodgy handling - 2004 onwards are better.
ThisThe roofs are cheap to replace - £280 all in for a mohair. The roof mechanism is very reliable and I've not read about a single failure - unlike the Z4 - which is all over the forums, and costs circa £1k to replace.
Get out and test drive one and you'll know it's worth it, £7-8k should net you a perfect one.
Early ones have dodgy handling - 2004 onwards are better.
I'm on number 5 as a "collectors" car
Decent geo and tyres tames them down
Remember it is a low torque, high reving, award winning engine
This can be tiresome for some on M ways
This is a great resource as well
http://www.s2ki.com/s2000/forum/25-uk-s2000-commun...
simoid said:
s m said:
I'd agree with you - but people on here think a 10 year older sports saloon with that performance are slow these days and if you read the Lotus Esprit thread even 60 in under 5 is too slow for a 25 year old sports car!
Was it emissions that killed off this engine/car?
Emissions killed VTEC I believe, not sure about the car Was it emissions that killed off this engine/car?
The F20C engine was ONLY designed to go in the S2000
The S2000 was ONLY designed for a 10 year run with no evolution at the end
Hence the car an the engine went at the end
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