Honda S2000's?

[TommyBuoy]

Council Baby said:

Great cars, can be twitchy in the wet but not if you drive sensibly, the lact of traction control is a bonus. I didn't find a downside to ownership. Reliable, good customer service (from my dealer anyway), calm when you want and fun when you want.

There's great owner support and a loyal following with S2ki so I'd get on there and ask as many question as you want then go and buy one

Edit - as above, change the soundsystem. The other slightly chavvy thing to do is remove the cover from the air filter and get a load more engine noise, skip the exhaust upgrade

Gratuitous photo opportunity:

Council Baby - Have you removed your air box cover? I tried it the other week and it does make a ridiculously load noise, just interested in how many people run with it off?

Also, need to get myself over to S2Ki, there is a serious amount of knowledge over there!

[powwerr]

All i know is you cant fit in them if your over 6ft.

I went to look at one last week and looked like yogi bear in a panda.

[slipstream 1985]

Council Baby said:

Great cars, can be twitchy in the wet but not if you drive sensibly, the lact of traction control is a bonus. I didn't find a downside to ownership. Reliable, good customer service (from my dealer anyway), calm when you want and fun when you want.

There's great owner support and a loyal following with S2ki so I'd get on there and ask as many question as you want then go and buy one

Edit - as above, change the soundsystem. The other slightly chavvy thing to do is remove the cover from the air filter and get a load more engine noise, skip the exhaust upgrade

Gratuitous photo opportunity:

potentially stupid question does the spoiler aid rear end grip at all??

[Council Baby]

TommyBuoy said:

Council Baby - Have you removed your air box cover? I tried it the other week and it does make a ridiculously load noise, just interested in how many people run with it off?

Also, need to get myself over to S2Ki, there is a serious amount of knowledge over there!

I did a few times but got bored of it after a while, apparently you lose a few horses taking it off, not that you'd notice TBH. U

nfortunately mine was written off in Jan 2009 after a nasty spin and 1/2 roll into a wall due to some fktard in a transit taking me off the road. I believe another PHer bought it and had it fixed in Manchester. He got in touch and I sent him all the service history/spares etc, can't remember his user name for the life of me though.

In terms of the spoiler, it was meant to, it was factory fit from Honda along with the front spoiler, no side skirts though. Having never hooned one without the spoiler it would be unfair of me to judge, I can't imagine it's a massive difference.

That car was built as a demo car, I bought it off Chiswick Honda at 6 months old, in terms of spec it was somewhat unique, which was part of the attraction to be honest.

[Noger]

TommyBuoy said:

Also, need to get myself over to S2Ki, there is a serious amount of knowledge over there!

And a level of fundamentalism that make the Taliban look like a bunch of liberal hippies

[Council Baby]

Noger said:

And a level of fundamentalism that make the Taliban look like a bunch of liberal hippies

Beware the serious fans, very helpful but as with a lot of owners sites ^^^ that

[TommyBuoy]

Noger said:

And a level of fundamentalism that make the Taliban look like a bunch of liberal hippies

In regards to running with the lid off, it definately affects throttle response and the intake temps are higher.

So, to sum up for the OP, current (and past) owners that have responded can't fault the car other than the sound system and perhaps a bit twitchy in the wet, oh and if you're fortunate enough to be 6ft or over a trial fit is recommended

[anonymous-user]

Noger said:

And a level of fundamentalism that make the Taliban look like a bunch of liberal hippies

[kelk]

The Sis a great all rounder as a sports car. Betwene th ewife and I, we've had 3.

As for not fitting in them if u are over 6' - laughable. I'm 6'1 and mostly legs with it and I never found a problem.

S2ki is a great source of info but the comments about fundamentalism are pretty fair (even if I have been on there for about 8 years).

Just don't....

...go in all guns blazing abbout how awesome you are
...how awesome your previous cars were
...suggets any car made in the past present, or still at concept stage is better than an S.

Other than that you'll be fine

[JFReturns]

Go for it, great cars.

People mention the lack of steering feel, high insurance and lack of torque. The lack of torque is crap IMO, it is plenty quick enough from low revs. The insurance may be a problem, and I agree that the steering feel isn't great especially compared to my MK1 '5.

For me it feels like a much more grown up '5 and so far I love it.

[em177]

I think the S2000 vs is Supercharged MX5 is somewhat one mainly resolved by budget tbh.

My Supercharged '5 would cost £3-4k to buy, then £1k to insure.

An S2k would be £6k+ and around £2k to insure (for me at 20 at least!)

My mate test drove an S2k and said it wasnt as fast or involving as my, or his dads supercharged Mk1 5's, but then an s2k is newer, nicer build quality, refinement etc, so its mainly what YOU want from the car.

I think either would make you very happy

[Dracoro]

powwerr said:

All i know is you cant fit in them if your over 6ft.

Which, if you've been reading the thread, you would know that there are plenty of owners over 6 foot (well over in my case). It about whether you are normal or instead have long legs or long torso

[Jurgen]

First post from me, so hi all (have been lurking here for a long time though )

Anyway, I bought an S2000 about 6 weeks ago. It's an early model, a '00 with about 55k miles and with a hardtop. In the lovely silver with red leather combination.

Previously I've had a Fiat Coupe 20vt plus for about 7 years, so this car takes a while to get used to. It really is very different in every way! The usual 'it's got no torque' comments are a bit unfounded, when just driving along it's actually pretty quick in the lower revs. It's got great throttle response and easily keeps up with traffic. It's just when you're really going for it, you'll find yourself waiting for the 6k revs vtec point and it does sometimes feel a bit slow. In most cases that means you've been lazy and should've shifted down a (few) gears. Generally it feels quite a bit slower than the (mildly tuned) Fiat did, but in reality probably isn't.

It is very cramped though, I'm about 6'1 and I fit ok. It took a while to find a nice driving position though. But it's also kinda snug and makes the car feel smaller than it is. The thing I really need to get used to is the noise at motorway speeds. The Fiat was quite comfy and quiet and was a great long distance cruiser, the S2000 is pretty comfy but the noise is pretty bad! I suppose an mx-5 won't be any better though and it's just something you'll have to get used to.

[alock]

Noger said:

Er, the road ? The tyres ? And the available grip ? Or rather that last 10th of communication you get from an Elise or a Cayman or (in terms of available grip) the MX5. Perhaps the last 5 100ths if the front geometry is tweaked. Not that it is bad, it is very good, but others are better. Never feel that the wheel is "alive" in your hands and telling you every last detail of what is happening, as happens with a Porsche or Lotus. Yes, it feels a little odd to start with having the thing squirm in your hand, but once you have had it you always want it

My point is still that no one has explained the physics of what is missing. An example: How does a 1-dimensional input mechanism give you feedback on multiple things? If it is loaded within a corner, it either gets lighter, stays the same or gets heavier. Again we'll keep it simple, what does getting lighter mean?

I'm not trying to be argumentative, just trying to get an understanding of how you distinguish between all of this information through a 1-d mechanism?

[Daniel1]

alock said:

My point is still that no one has explained the physics of what is missing. An example: How does a 1-dimensional input mechanism give you feedback on multiple things? If it is loaded within a corner, it either gets lighter, stays the same or gets heavier. Again we'll keep it simple, what does getting lighter mean?

I'm not trying to be argumentative, just trying to get an understanding of how you distinguish between all of this information through a 1-d mechanism?

maybe a different thread is required for that tbh, get a much better exposure too.

I love S2000's, but im 6 foot with fat short dumpling legs and the steering wheel rests on them. I've heard that you can buy 1" lower seat rails but i would confirm that on s2ki first. A trial fit is definitely required.

[WeirdNeville]

alock said:

Noger said:

Er, the road ? The tyres ? And the available grip ? Or rather that last 10th of communication you get from an Elise or a Cayman or (in terms of available grip) the MX5. Perhaps the last 5 100ths if the front geometry is tweaked. Not that it is bad, it is very good, but others are better. Never feel that the wheel is "alive" in your hands and telling you every last detail of what is happening, as happens with a Porsche or Lotus. Yes, it feels a little odd to start with having the thing squirm in your hand, but once you have had it you always want it

My point is still that no one has explained the physics of what is missing. An example: How does a 1-dimensional input mechanism give you feedback on multiple things? If it is loaded within a corner, it either gets lighter, stays the same or gets heavier. Again we'll keep it simple, what does getting lighter mean?

I'm not trying to be argumentative, just trying to get an understanding of how you distinguish between all of this information through a 1-d mechanism?

How many cars have you driven, and how hard do you "listen" to whats going on under your fingertips?

Get some track time in some interesting (and dull!) cars and some advanced driving tuition in any car and you'll begin to understand a bit more.

Edit: that comes across as really patronising and that's not how I meant it. You've got an S200, you've owned MR2's and senators... think back to how those cars behaved on/near the limit, or over changes in camber or road surface through a bend. Even on turn-in and through a loaded up bend at moderate pace.

Some cars (audis typically) give you NO feedback about what the front end is doing. Others let you feel the texture of the road, the loading through wishbones, the grip, the squish of your sidewalls and the flex of your dampers through a bend. One would typically have "dead" steering feel, the other "alive". a lot of it is how you hold the steering wheel, hamfisted, gripped to death or between thumb and forefinger...

Try really "reading" the steering feelback like braile next time you're out for a spirited drive and you might understand better.

Edited by WeirdNeville on Monday 9th May 17:26

[RobboC]

I had an S2000 for a year, was a good car.

I'm 6'4" and fitted in fine, just a bit of a mare getting in/out but then most sports cars are.

Having come from an Elise, I of course noticed the feel/handling was very different, but not as bad as some would have you beleive. A lot of comments about steering feel etc are derived from what people read in a magazine (not suggesting any here are!). It's all about personal preference, it isn't very feel some, but it's not totally disconnected.

Watch out for the plastic rear screen on earlier cars, it fades, scratches and cracks easily, the later cars have a much better glass screen. Also the hood wears on the joints, so check carefully, new hoods are £700+.

Look out for gearbox vibration when backing off the throttle, a lot suffer from this problem that have older clutches, a spring in the clutch goes causing the noise. Apparently it doesn't do any damage, but it's a bit annoying. Clutches are £500+ fitting.

Handling is good, if a little wallowy for my liking, they do bite in the wet though, so check for rear suspension damage as a lot have been wacked into kurbs!
Engines are excellent and bullet proof if looked after, look up cam chain tensioners on the forums as these can go.

[Grovsie26]

SteveS Cup said:

I've done a quote, it's fine.

I had a 200bhp Ibiza Cupra at 18, 270bhp TT at 19 - 20, 280+bhp 20vt converted polo gti at 22 so I've had experience of fast cars. I also had a 325 e36 with a 328 sport LSD so have a bit of experience with rwd not that I'm looking for a drift car! Just something a bit more composed. I'm bored with the front wheels struggling for grip and getting understeer as soon as you try to put some power down round corners.

I'm not going to get an S2000 and have it in vtec round every tight corner in the wet near lamp posts! If anything I drive like a complete girl now!

Ok, just checking, it can be a nightmare for some to insure them at a good price. Id go for it.

Oh and for the record the only reason you struggled for grip and got understeer going round corners is because the cars you listed are cack.

[Noger]

alock said:

Noger said:

Er, the road ? The tyres ? And the available grip ? Or rather that last 10th of communication you get from an Elise or a Cayman or (in terms of available grip) the MX5. Perhaps the last 5 100ths if the front geometry is tweaked. Not that it is bad, it is very good, but others are better. Never feel that the wheel is "alive" in your hands and telling you every last detail of what is happening, as happens with a Porsche or Lotus. Yes, it feels a little odd to start with having the thing squirm in your hand, but once you have had it you always want it

My point is still that no one has explained the physics of what is missing. An example: How does a 1-dimensional input mechanism give you feedback on multiple things? If it is loaded within a corner, it either gets lighter, stays the same or gets heavier. Again we'll keep it simple, what does getting lighter mean?

I'm not trying to be argumentative, just trying to get an understanding of how you distinguish between all of this information through a 1-d mechanism?

Another thread is probably better. However, it isn't really "one dimensional" i.e. just position. There is force, velocity, acceleration, rate of change of acceleration etc. That is before we consider that a tyre is resonant, so can provide higher frequency feedback.

The simple "back and forward" motion of a loudspeaker ... how does that allow you tell Beethoven from Bob Dylan ?

Did you never have a Forcefeed back wheel on your SNES ?

[cardigankid]

I have had one, and though it has many good points, it is not a car I would go for again if I was looking for a no-frills fun sports car. This is because the handling is genuinely unpredictable and one day it will catch you out.