Discussion
Hi All.
I'm steadily saving away for weekend/summer toy. Not that far off now thanks to lockdown saving me a bunch of money each month.
The 2 cars I'm looking at are Honda S2000 P1 or an early Toyota GT86. I've not driven any yet just want peoples opinions
Honda Pros:
Engine is solid
Rare car
Convertible
Penty in the aftermarket if I want to do that
Will more than likely go up in value
Honda Cons:
Much older car
Rust issues
Only 2 seats
Can be like Marmite, you either love it or hate it
Toyota Pros:
Newer car
Plenty aftermarket
Solid engine
4 seats (haha)
Easy to have fun in
Toyota Cons:
Not as powerful as the Honda (On paper)
Popular cars
Engine has torque dip that would needs to be addressed
Needs nicer alloys as the standard are not the nicest
I'm steadily saving away for weekend/summer toy. Not that far off now thanks to lockdown saving me a bunch of money each month.
The 2 cars I'm looking at are Honda S2000 P1 or an early Toyota GT86. I've not driven any yet just want peoples opinions
Honda Pros:
Engine is solid
Rare car
Convertible
Penty in the aftermarket if I want to do that
Will more than likely go up in value
Honda Cons:
Much older car
Rust issues
Only 2 seats
Can be like Marmite, you either love it or hate it
Toyota Pros:
Newer car
Plenty aftermarket
Solid engine
4 seats (haha)
Easy to have fun in
Toyota Cons:
Not as powerful as the Honda (On paper)
Popular cars
Engine has torque dip that would needs to be addressed
Needs nicer alloys as the standard are not the nicest
davek_964 said:
Do the S2000s rust? It's a car I've thought about but didn't know that was an issue?
Yeah, as above. It’s rarely structural but it’s expensive to repair. It’s usually pretty obvious though if you know where to look. To the OP, nice choice to have. I’ve never driven a GT86 but I have a S2000. In the S2000 the engine makes the car. In the GT86, from what I’ve read, it let’s it down.
Got to say though, if it’s a daily, GT86.
It won't be a daily and have no plan on it becoming that.
I don't have a garage that I could rely on. My friends place is 40 miles away so getting it to there if there's problems would be costly.
I were thinking the GT86 would be nicer and I don't have to worry about the hood getting damaged.
I will be keeping the car under a cover as I don't have a garage.
Of course the S2000 is the much more special car and obviously has stood the test of time. Plus I like the idea of a convertible for when it is sunny.
I don't have a garage that I could rely on. My friends place is 40 miles away so getting it to there if there's problems would be costly.
I were thinking the GT86 would be nicer and I don't have to worry about the hood getting damaged.
I will be keeping the car under a cover as I don't have a garage.
Of course the S2000 is the much more special car and obviously has stood the test of time. Plus I like the idea of a convertible for when it is sunny.
Ankh87 said:
Hi All.
I'm steadily saving away for weekend/summer toy. Not that far off now thanks to lockdown saving me a bunch of money each month.
The 2 cars I'm looking at are Honda S2000 P1 or an early Toyota GT86. I've not driven any yet just want peoples opinions
Honda Pros:
Engine is solid
Rare car
Convertible
Penty in the aftermarket if I want to do that
Will more than likely go up in value
Honda Cons:
Much older car
Rust issues
Only 2 seats
Can be like Marmite, you either love it or hate it
Toyota Pros:
Newer car
Plenty aftermarket
Solid engine
4 seats (haha)
Easy to have fun in
Toyota Cons:
Not as powerful as the Honda (On paper)
Popular cars
Engine has torque dip that would needs to be addressed
Needs nicer alloys as the standard are not the nicest
Both great cars and you've obviously done some research regarding the pros and cons of each. I'll say that you should go with the car that ticks the most boxes for you, taking into account your personal circumstances. I'm steadily saving away for weekend/summer toy. Not that far off now thanks to lockdown saving me a bunch of money each month.
The 2 cars I'm looking at are Honda S2000 P1 or an early Toyota GT86. I've not driven any yet just want peoples opinions
Honda Pros:
Engine is solid
Rare car
Convertible
Penty in the aftermarket if I want to do that
Will more than likely go up in value
Honda Cons:
Much older car
Rust issues
Only 2 seats
Can be like Marmite, you either love it or hate it
Toyota Pros:
Newer car
Plenty aftermarket
Solid engine
4 seats (haha)
Easy to have fun in
Toyota Cons:
Not as powerful as the Honda (On paper)
Popular cars
Engine has torque dip that would needs to be addressed
Needs nicer alloys as the standard are not the nicest
No one car is perfect and both will have their issues so choose and buy carefully. The buyers guide on Pistonheads are quite useful. I've driven both but prefer and own the S2000 because it's the one I'd always wanted.
The GT86 is still depreciating and the S2000 is holding its value so theoretically, if you bought the S2000 and didn't get on with it say after 6 months to 1yr ownership, you could sell up and potentially not lose any money on it and go and buy the gt86.
However, this much depends on you doing your research properly as stated above and buying wisely.
Think the S2000 would feel more of a special thing. Open air motoring carries its own sense of occasion which you can enjoy even going slowly, too.
Wouldn't presume the engines are utterly bombproof. They still will have needed some sympathetic looking after and they've been around a longish time now.
Wouldn't presume the engines are utterly bombproof. They still will have needed some sympathetic looking after and they've been around a longish time now.
I'd say s2000. Never driven one but it's always been a car I have admired. I imagine it is quite special to own and drive.
I have driven a gt86 a few times. It was some kind of sports one (had a crazy loud exhaust and stiffer springs). Handling was pretty good but ride was awful (not sure what it's like standard) and it felt sooo slow even though I wasnt used to particular quick cars at the time
I have driven a gt86 a few times. It was some kind of sports one (had a crazy loud exhaust and stiffer springs). Handling was pretty good but ride was awful (not sure what it's like standard) and it felt sooo slow even though I wasnt used to particular quick cars at the time
Nearly 7 years in with an S2000 and no plans to get rid - the next longest I've owned a car was a 987.2 boxster for about 3 and a half.. Now I could go on about the engine the stiff X-bone chassis and the gearbox - but everyone does that, so I wont.
Mines a mid 06 car (so higher tax) on just over 80K - and it's a garaged weekend car, and these days SORN'd over winter. I looked at a few when I bought but have spent some money under sealing, having the suspension refurbed , brake calipers refurbed, wheels powder coated and keeping her serviced annually - even though I'm only currently doing about 3K a year in her. I bought from a local Honda dealer who with no quibble threw in a 3 year warranty that I never had to call on.
There are a few stone chips - the bonnet is aluminium so doesn't rust... As with any highly strung engine - service it regularly and take care of the basics and it will last..
This later car has drive by wire and VSA traction control (an option at the time), and the VTEC yo!! transition has been smoothed over earlier cars making it a much easier car to drive. I found one with a blue/black interior (this or the red/black really help lift the interior) and Nurburgring (ladyboy) Blue. Honda had just fitted a new hood (black as there were no blue ones left - but luckily I preferred it) ;-) , but had managed to loose most of the history for the first 50K of it's life. (probably why they threw in the warranty).
Whilst we've used it for long UK/Ireland roadtrips and the boot is decent and there is an ok amount of cabin storage - and you do get a spacesaver hidden in there - if you need to do long distances in poor weather it does come over a little cramped 2 up. One particular run from Stranraer to south cumbria coming back from the west coast or Ireland in the p155ing rain sticks out not the best fun. A similar trip in the boxster and my old XE were much more cossetting. Equally a cross country run from stratford on avon to Bath or numerous trips up here in the lakes in the blazing sunshine stand out for the opposite reasons.
I've had a GT86 on a 48 hour test drive - and I came to the opinion that it needed mild modding (induction/remap) to get it anywhere as drivable as the Honda was stock, but equally its a better place to be than the Honda in bad weather. It's surprising how much more of a spacious feeling you get from a 2+2 coupe than a convertible with the hood up. I wouldn't want the S2K as my only car - but it's the only car I've ever had I wouldn't want to sell..
If you're not going to garage it - I'd not use a full cover as you'll likely damage the paint - but a half cover that protects to softtop roof or buy a GT (with hardtop) if you have somewhere to store it in the summer. Get it properly undersealed .. they rust as the factory underseal is so poor - a well maintained one will have this done already.
Mines a mid 06 car (so higher tax) on just over 80K - and it's a garaged weekend car, and these days SORN'd over winter. I looked at a few when I bought but have spent some money under sealing, having the suspension refurbed , brake calipers refurbed, wheels powder coated and keeping her serviced annually - even though I'm only currently doing about 3K a year in her. I bought from a local Honda dealer who with no quibble threw in a 3 year warranty that I never had to call on.
There are a few stone chips - the bonnet is aluminium so doesn't rust... As with any highly strung engine - service it regularly and take care of the basics and it will last..
This later car has drive by wire and VSA traction control (an option at the time), and the VTEC yo!! transition has been smoothed over earlier cars making it a much easier car to drive. I found one with a blue/black interior (this or the red/black really help lift the interior) and Nurburgring (ladyboy) Blue. Honda had just fitted a new hood (black as there were no blue ones left - but luckily I preferred it) ;-) , but had managed to loose most of the history for the first 50K of it's life. (probably why they threw in the warranty).
Whilst we've used it for long UK/Ireland roadtrips and the boot is decent and there is an ok amount of cabin storage - and you do get a spacesaver hidden in there - if you need to do long distances in poor weather it does come over a little cramped 2 up. One particular run from Stranraer to south cumbria coming back from the west coast or Ireland in the p155ing rain sticks out not the best fun. A similar trip in the boxster and my old XE were much more cossetting. Equally a cross country run from stratford on avon to Bath or numerous trips up here in the lakes in the blazing sunshine stand out for the opposite reasons.
I've had a GT86 on a 48 hour test drive - and I came to the opinion that it needed mild modding (induction/remap) to get it anywhere as drivable as the Honda was stock, but equally its a better place to be than the Honda in bad weather. It's surprising how much more of a spacious feeling you get from a 2+2 coupe than a convertible with the hood up. I wouldn't want the S2K as my only car - but it's the only car I've ever had I wouldn't want to sell..
If you're not going to garage it - I'd not use a full cover as you'll likely damage the paint - but a half cover that protects to softtop roof or buy a GT (with hardtop) if you have somewhere to store it in the summer. Get it properly undersealed .. they rust as the factory underseal is so poor - a well maintained one will have this done already.
Edited by 51mes on Sunday 21st June 22:11
LasseV said:
What do you want from car?
Early S2000 handling can be quite challenging sometimes. GT86 handling is superb overall. GT86 better in road trips and you can DD it, Honda is more special. That engine is a very special, and it is up to you do you like it or not.
Tough choice.
Something sporty haha but that has gone out of the window now. Had some news this weekend so a second car is going on the back burner for the moment.Early S2000 handling can be quite challenging sometimes. GT86 handling is superb overall. GT86 better in road trips and you can DD it, Honda is more special. That engine is a very special, and it is up to you do you like it or not.
Tough choice.
Thanks for all the replies.
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