RE: You Know You Want To: Honda S2000
Discussion
Brilliant cars with the only "negative" I would level at them being that they really do need the right road / right time combo to come alive.
I ran one for about 6 months but rising commuter mileage meant that I had to get rid. I had an MY00 and it wasn't the most relaxing car on the motorway. I don't know whether the newer ones are any better in this regard.
I went from a Civic Type R to the S2000 (and then onto a DC2 Integra) and I will never forget being quite underwhelmed when I drove the car back home for the first time. It was April. It was pretty miserable so I had the roof up. The traffic was busy on roads I didn't know. But heading down a sliproad onto the motorway, I floored it. And let it rev. And rev. And rev.
Wow.
Even coming from a Type R it still gave me goosebumps. The gearshift was cylinderbolt precise; shorter shifting than the Civic. The cam change more pronounced literally and acoustically. It suddenly made the Civic seem rather wooly. It wasn't any quicker than the Civic (this was, ahem, tested) but it was a better driving tool. With the roof down it came alive again and no 4pot has any right to sound as good at full chat.
Don't be too misguided by the handling jibes. At the end of the day they are front-mid engined with a long bonnet, longitudinal mounted engine with rear wheel drive and no driver aids. You drive it thus. The ensuing tankslapper up a sliproad after I tried my first ever oversteer moment cemented my respect for it.
For me though, my best moment, and probably one of my most memorable in any car I have owned was a late night drive home...
It was midsummer. The air had that warm, comforting feeling that was asking for the roof to be dropped, and a stillness to it that you only get at that time of year.
The bright orange and reds of the space invader dashboard ebbed and flowed like an 80s graphic equaliser; BPMs swapped for RPMs.
A canopy of trees bowed over the sticky tarmac like a silent crowd waiting for their fix of sports exhaust not Sunday driver. The stonewall-lined road waiting to smash the decibels back and forth.
The rest is one of those moments you imagine it being like on the graveyard shift around the Nordschlefe or La Sarthe. Alone on the Mulsanne or on the long schlep upto the Caurossel. The milky glow of the headlights against the trees. The smooth, flowing road. That tunnel vision. The one, two, three red flashing bars on the dash. The noise.
Some cars people just don't get. I happen to be someone who really does get a good VTEC engined car. At £4k I can't think of much else that'll give you that goosebump feeling as you're screaming along at 9000rpm.
In fact, I think I want another...
I ran one for about 6 months but rising commuter mileage meant that I had to get rid. I had an MY00 and it wasn't the most relaxing car on the motorway. I don't know whether the newer ones are any better in this regard.
I went from a Civic Type R to the S2000 (and then onto a DC2 Integra) and I will never forget being quite underwhelmed when I drove the car back home for the first time. It was April. It was pretty miserable so I had the roof up. The traffic was busy on roads I didn't know. But heading down a sliproad onto the motorway, I floored it. And let it rev. And rev. And rev.
Wow.
Even coming from a Type R it still gave me goosebumps. The gearshift was cylinderbolt precise; shorter shifting than the Civic. The cam change more pronounced literally and acoustically. It suddenly made the Civic seem rather wooly. It wasn't any quicker than the Civic (this was, ahem, tested) but it was a better driving tool. With the roof down it came alive again and no 4pot has any right to sound as good at full chat.
Don't be too misguided by the handling jibes. At the end of the day they are front-mid engined with a long bonnet, longitudinal mounted engine with rear wheel drive and no driver aids. You drive it thus. The ensuing tankslapper up a sliproad after I tried my first ever oversteer moment cemented my respect for it.
For me though, my best moment, and probably one of my most memorable in any car I have owned was a late night drive home...
It was midsummer. The air had that warm, comforting feeling that was asking for the roof to be dropped, and a stillness to it that you only get at that time of year.
The bright orange and reds of the space invader dashboard ebbed and flowed like an 80s graphic equaliser; BPMs swapped for RPMs.
A canopy of trees bowed over the sticky tarmac like a silent crowd waiting for their fix of sports exhaust not Sunday driver. The stonewall-lined road waiting to smash the decibels back and forth.
The rest is one of those moments you imagine it being like on the graveyard shift around the Nordschlefe or La Sarthe. Alone on the Mulsanne or on the long schlep upto the Caurossel. The milky glow of the headlights against the trees. The smooth, flowing road. That tunnel vision. The one, two, three red flashing bars on the dash. The noise.
Some cars people just don't get. I happen to be someone who really does get a good VTEC engined car. At £4k I can't think of much else that'll give you that goosebump feeling as you're screaming along at 9000rpm.
In fact, I think I want another...
snorkel sucker said:
For me though, my best moment, and probably one of my most memorable in any car I have owned was a late night drive home...
It was midsummer. The air had that warm, comforting feeling that was asking for the roof to be dropped, and a stillness to it that you only get at that time of year.
The bright orange and reds of the space invader dashboard ebbed and flowed like an 80s graphic equaliser; BPMs swapped for RPMs.
A canopy of trees bowed over the sticky tarmac like a silent crowd waiting for their fix of sports exhaust not Sunday driver. The stonewall-lined road waiting to smash the decibels back and forth.
The rest is one of those moments you imagine it being like on the graveyard shift around the Nordschlefe or La Sarthe. Alone on the Mulsanne or on the long schlep upto the Caurossel. The milky glow of the headlights against the trees. The smooth, flowing road. That tunnel vision. The one, two, three red flashing bars on the dash. The noise.
Then Kris Akabusi patted her on the fuel tank and whisperedIt was midsummer. The air had that warm, comforting feeling that was asking for the roof to be dropped, and a stillness to it that you only get at that time of year.
The bright orange and reds of the space invader dashboard ebbed and flowed like an 80s graphic equaliser; BPMs swapped for RPMs.
A canopy of trees bowed over the sticky tarmac like a silent crowd waiting for their fix of sports exhaust not Sunday driver. The stonewall-lined road waiting to smash the decibels back and forth.
The rest is one of those moments you imagine it being like on the graveyard shift around the Nordschlefe or La Sarthe. Alone on the Mulsanne or on the long schlep upto the Caurossel. The milky glow of the headlights against the trees. The smooth, flowing road. That tunnel vision. The one, two, three red flashing bars on the dash. The noise.
"Awooga"
beeblebrox said:
Here's a build thread doing just that: http://www.miataturbo.net/build-threads-57/just-an...
That's my mate's build (hello Owen if you're out there! 
).It's one hell of a project, not straight forward by any means, but a lovely thing and such a great concept. I'm seeing the finished car at the weekend, can't wait!
M@verick said:
NO. they arent.
I completely understand the vitriol with which owners defend the earlier S2000's handling, as I once was one. However to suggest that the on-limit, or wet weather handling is anything other than snappy and unpredictable is Im afraid, tosh. Lets be honest here - the handling has been called out by experienced drivers, testers, car shows, the reaction of insurers and ultimately the manufacturer who attempted to address this with minor suspension revisions on the '02 model and latterly with the introduction of traction control. So this its absolutely not simply *just* over enthusiastic drivers reaching the limit of their abilities - i am sure that is a factor which adds to the problem and therefore this number is contained within all those crash numbers but its simply not the main reason.
Whilst i was a member of S2ki and owned mine I witnessed several accidents, and heard reports of many more. Quite a few involved board members who were regular track day goers, advanced drivers, and one i believe who raced at amateur level.
I had a couple of moments in mine, and i would love to say that I was a legendary wheel man and held it in a mile long perfect drift with a "dab of oppo" but it just isnt that sort of car. Im not a race driver but i have driven my share of interesting metal, of FWD, RWD, and 4WD ilks. When my S2000 broke traction (it was an 02 model on the correct tyres) even at low speeds (circa 30 - 40pmh) it was far from easy to recover, as it broke with little warning and surprising speed - which means you need extremley fast and accurate correction, without any time to prepare it.
On dry days and at driven at 6 10ths or so, it was a great car. However in unclement weather or above 6 10ths it was like trying to have sex with a tiger on wet rocks. The problem being that in my experience this is a car which reaches the end of the envelope quite quickly. In many other cars, I run out of balls before i run out of ability - the early S2000 fostered the opposite situation for many that drove it, myself included. On the S2ki board there were many (myself included) who started off with the "the handling is fine as long as you respect the car" etc comments and then latterly sometimes shortly, other times years subsequently - they had a moment or a crash that "came from nowhere" and reformed their opinion.
Now im not slating the car. It has a simply *brilliant* engine, the gearbox is still by far the best i have yet encountered (including my 911 by quite some margin), and despite what many said - i loved the interior and cockpit feel. Looks wise I think its telling that the car still cuts it today a decade after it was new, and whats not to like about top down VTEC motoring. ..
.. but the "the handling is good, its all these idiot drivers" remarks simply arent true. The handling let the 02 S2000 down im afraid, which is what ultimately killed it off for me - but i had it 4 years before i had had enough
R.
Fantastic post, well done chap. I have driven all apart from the final revision and they all had the same issue, lack of feedback. A good RWD car should be as fun to drive accurately as it's is to hang the back out. The S2K transitions very quickly and on standard settings you would need to be on billiard smooth track to extract the best. My lasting impression is frustration that the rear would not settle mid corner whilst the engine was begging to be pushed hard. I tried the Boxster and Elise in my quest and they were both vastly superior which pissed me off even more as being a huge Honda fan the S2K should sit exactly between them. I would have owned one no doubt at all but even in the dry you can't rely on the car to work with you on a typical UK road. Engine and box are great, let's not forget the exhaust which is a great design for a stock effort. I completely understand the vitriol with which owners defend the earlier S2000's handling, as I once was one. However to suggest that the on-limit, or wet weather handling is anything other than snappy and unpredictable is Im afraid, tosh. Lets be honest here - the handling has been called out by experienced drivers, testers, car shows, the reaction of insurers and ultimately the manufacturer who attempted to address this with minor suspension revisions on the '02 model and latterly with the introduction of traction control. So this its absolutely not simply *just* over enthusiastic drivers reaching the limit of their abilities - i am sure that is a factor which adds to the problem and therefore this number is contained within all those crash numbers but its simply not the main reason.
Whilst i was a member of S2ki and owned mine I witnessed several accidents, and heard reports of many more. Quite a few involved board members who were regular track day goers, advanced drivers, and one i believe who raced at amateur level.
I had a couple of moments in mine, and i would love to say that I was a legendary wheel man and held it in a mile long perfect drift with a "dab of oppo" but it just isnt that sort of car. Im not a race driver but i have driven my share of interesting metal, of FWD, RWD, and 4WD ilks. When my S2000 broke traction (it was an 02 model on the correct tyres) even at low speeds (circa 30 - 40pmh) it was far from easy to recover, as it broke with little warning and surprising speed - which means you need extremley fast and accurate correction, without any time to prepare it.
On dry days and at driven at 6 10ths or so, it was a great car. However in unclement weather or above 6 10ths it was like trying to have sex with a tiger on wet rocks. The problem being that in my experience this is a car which reaches the end of the envelope quite quickly. In many other cars, I run out of balls before i run out of ability - the early S2000 fostered the opposite situation for many that drove it, myself included. On the S2ki board there were many (myself included) who started off with the "the handling is fine as long as you respect the car" etc comments and then latterly sometimes shortly, other times years subsequently - they had a moment or a crash that "came from nowhere" and reformed their opinion.
Now im not slating the car. It has a simply *brilliant* engine, the gearbox is still by far the best i have yet encountered (including my 911 by quite some margin), and despite what many said - i loved the interior and cockpit feel. Looks wise I think its telling that the car still cuts it today a decade after it was new, and whats not to like about top down VTEC motoring. ..
.. but the "the handling is good, its all these idiot drivers" remarks simply arent true. The handling let the 02 S2000 down im afraid, which is what ultimately killed it off for me - but i had it 4 years before i had had enough
R.
When they get down to £3K maybe it'll be worth a punt for a project. Until then I will still scowl at them for being a big missed opportunity as a drivers car for big H.
The handling on these cars is excellent so long as you're not an idiot.
So, if it's wet/greasy, you don't go barrelling into a corner and shift from 3rd to 2nd without heel & toeing.
A 50:50 weight distribution with all the major masses between the wheelbase means the car inherently has a higher rotation rate (Just like when a figure skater retracts their arms to spin faster).
This means handling and direction change is fast and that's good if you drive the car, bad if you are trying to be a hero.
S2000 specific diesel is a combination of wet road, cold tyres, donkey legged right foot, slow reactions, and average wheel input.
Basically it's the difference between a safety razor and cuthroat razor, except no one blames the cuthroat razor when it cuts someone.
The engines are by no means bulletproof and average age of an engine is ~130k before they blow. VTEC mechanisms themselves are fine and shouldn't have to be fiddled with. Rear calipers tend to stick like all Hondas, seat bolster wear and roof catches will have worn.
I can almost guarantee that any older car (<2007) will have seized suspension bushes which will need rectifying.
Overall though, an amazing car that will bring the right person happy times
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIEygtviukA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0vGjGSRYvk
So, if it's wet/greasy, you don't go barrelling into a corner and shift from 3rd to 2nd without heel & toeing.
A 50:50 weight distribution with all the major masses between the wheelbase means the car inherently has a higher rotation rate (Just like when a figure skater retracts their arms to spin faster).
This means handling and direction change is fast and that's good if you drive the car, bad if you are trying to be a hero.
S2000 specific diesel is a combination of wet road, cold tyres, donkey legged right foot, slow reactions, and average wheel input.
Basically it's the difference between a safety razor and cuthroat razor, except no one blames the cuthroat razor when it cuts someone.
The engines are by no means bulletproof and average age of an engine is ~130k before they blow. VTEC mechanisms themselves are fine and shouldn't have to be fiddled with. Rear calipers tend to stick like all Hondas, seat bolster wear and roof catches will have worn.
I can almost guarantee that any older car (<2007) will have seized suspension bushes which will need rectifying.
Overall though, an amazing car that will bring the right person happy times
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIEygtviukA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0vGjGSRYvk
Gorbyrev said:
Somewhere in the back of my memory is a stat that says over 1,000,000 V-TEC engines made and not a single warranty claim. Bit thirsty (what to expect from 9000rpm), high insurance group but great car for the money. Two neighbours have them. One of them has a sobering / fun story about spinning on a roundabout. Perhaps a great 8/10th car? Can't grumble for £4000 as you'll get a lot of that back at sale time. Didn't Vicky BH run one of these?
That only relates to the cam system Google F20C 2009 crank failures
I've had 4 of these including a highly modified 420 BHP one
They are NOT "bullet proof" as the article suggests
The suspension adjustment bolts will seize leaving you with dodgy geo and the main reason they are renowned as hedge finders
This and the reputation of the early ones (like this one) is the reason they are group 20
Timing chain tensoiners go and engines tend not to last past ~£100k miles
They are very sensitive to bad maintenance
Buy one but buy with car
I would recommend a 04-06 car as the pick of the bunch
Kozy said:
The steering is due to a crappy EPS system. It cannot be modified, the only options are to run no PAS (Very heavy steering) or swap the entire system out for an RX7 hyro PAS system (not easy).
Basically, you either put up with it or buy something else AFAIK.
Never had a problem in my four though I did find geo made a big difference on my modded one I raised the rack 20mm to improve the bump steer as wellBasically, you either put up with it or buy something else AFAIK.
CatScan said:
aspen said:
Would love one of these, unfortunately I'm too tall though 
Ditto, had a spin in the drivers seat of a mates - knees were hard against the dash, had to have the roof down, and the (not active) rollover bar came up to my ears. Great looks, great engine, not suitable for lanky people.M@verick said:
NO. they arent.
I completely understand the vitriol with which owners defend the earlier S2000's handling, as I once was one. However to suggest that the on-limit, or wet weather handling is anything other than snappy and unpredictable is Im afraid, tosh. Lets be honest here - the handling has been called out by experienced drivers, testers, car shows, the reaction of insurers and ultimately the manufacturer who attempted to address this with minor suspension revisions on the '02 model and latterly with the introduction of traction control. So this its absolutely not simply *just* over enthusiastic drivers reaching the limit of their abilities - i am sure that is a factor which adds to the problem and therefore this number is contained within all those crash numbers but its simply not the main reason.
Whilst i was a member of S2ki and owned mine I witnessed several accidents, and heard reports of many more. Quite a few involved board members who were regular track day goers, advanced drivers, and one i believe who raced at amateur level.
I had a couple of moments in mine, and i would love to say that I was a legendary wheel man and held it in a mile long perfect drift with a "dab of oppo" but it just isnt that sort of car. Im not a race driver but i have driven my share of interesting metal, of FWD, RWD, and 4WD ilks. When my S2000 broke traction (it was an 02 model on the correct tyres) even at low speeds (circa 30 - 40pmh) it was far from easy to recover, as it broke with little warning and surprising speed - which means you need extremley fast and accurate correction, without any time to prepare it.
On dry days and at driven at 6 10ths or so, it was a great car. However in unclement weather or above 6 10ths it was like trying to have sex with a tiger on wet rocks. The problem being that in my experience this is a car which reaches the end of the envelope quite quickly. In many other cars, I run out of balls before i run out of ability - the early S2000 fostered the opposite situation for many that drove it, myself included. On the S2ki board there were many (myself included) who started off with the "the handling is fine as long as you respect the car" etc comments and then latterly sometimes shortly, other times years subsequently - they had a moment or a crash that "came from nowhere" and reformed their opinion.
Now im not slating the car. It has a simply *brilliant* engine, the gearbox is still by far the best i have yet encountered (including my 911 by quite some margin), and despite what many said - i loved the interior and cockpit feel. Looks wise I think its telling that the car still cuts it today a decade after it was new, and whats not to like about top down VTEC motoring. ..
.. but the "the handling is good, its all these idiot drivers" remarks simply arent true. The handling let the 02 S2000 down im afraid, which is what ultimately killed it off for me - but i had it 4 years before i had had enough
R.
Excellent post - some owners need to take the blinkers off. All this "people who crash are just trying to be heros" is plainly incorrect. I completely understand the vitriol with which owners defend the earlier S2000's handling, as I once was one. However to suggest that the on-limit, or wet weather handling is anything other than snappy and unpredictable is Im afraid, tosh. Lets be honest here - the handling has been called out by experienced drivers, testers, car shows, the reaction of insurers and ultimately the manufacturer who attempted to address this with minor suspension revisions on the '02 model and latterly with the introduction of traction control. So this its absolutely not simply *just* over enthusiastic drivers reaching the limit of their abilities - i am sure that is a factor which adds to the problem and therefore this number is contained within all those crash numbers but its simply not the main reason.
Whilst i was a member of S2ki and owned mine I witnessed several accidents, and heard reports of many more. Quite a few involved board members who were regular track day goers, advanced drivers, and one i believe who raced at amateur level.
I had a couple of moments in mine, and i would love to say that I was a legendary wheel man and held it in a mile long perfect drift with a "dab of oppo" but it just isnt that sort of car. Im not a race driver but i have driven my share of interesting metal, of FWD, RWD, and 4WD ilks. When my S2000 broke traction (it was an 02 model on the correct tyres) even at low speeds (circa 30 - 40pmh) it was far from easy to recover, as it broke with little warning and surprising speed - which means you need extremley fast and accurate correction, without any time to prepare it.
On dry days and at driven at 6 10ths or so, it was a great car. However in unclement weather or above 6 10ths it was like trying to have sex with a tiger on wet rocks. The problem being that in my experience this is a car which reaches the end of the envelope quite quickly. In many other cars, I run out of balls before i run out of ability - the early S2000 fostered the opposite situation for many that drove it, myself included. On the S2ki board there were many (myself included) who started off with the "the handling is fine as long as you respect the car" etc comments and then latterly sometimes shortly, other times years subsequently - they had a moment or a crash that "came from nowhere" and reformed their opinion.
Now im not slating the car. It has a simply *brilliant* engine, the gearbox is still by far the best i have yet encountered (including my 911 by quite some margin), and despite what many said - i loved the interior and cockpit feel. Looks wise I think its telling that the car still cuts it today a decade after it was new, and whats not to like about top down VTEC motoring. ..
.. but the "the handling is good, its all these idiot drivers" remarks simply arent true. The handling let the 02 S2000 down im afraid, which is what ultimately killed it off for me - but i had it 4 years before i had had enough
R.
For me what detracted from the car was the lack of feedback - I just didn't trust it, right from the get go. And I certainly wasn't just believing the hype about it being numb and twitchy, as I drove the car effectively "blind" knowing little about them - I did plenty lots of miles on lovely, dry Welsh B-roads with the top down, and whilst it was a great drive, it didn't make me want one.
Edited by _Neal_ on Thursday 13th September 21:02
Are these engines genuinely fragile above 100k miles? So much for the oft-stated Honda reliability!
On the handling front, I've drifted several cars and witnessed a few people try it with an S2000. The result in the vast majority of cases was the car snapping suddenly into oversteer leaving the car almost pirouetting on the spot. It can be done if you are good enough (and the car is setup correctly), but a progressive and controllable handler it is not.
This lack of decent handling (*not* mechanical grip) and allegedly crappy electronic power steering really has me scratching my head at the car. Having said all that, I do fancy trying one myself in the near future.
On the handling front, I've drifted several cars and witnessed a few people try it with an S2000. The result in the vast majority of cases was the car snapping suddenly into oversteer leaving the car almost pirouetting on the spot. It can be done if you are good enough (and the car is setup correctly), but a progressive and controllable handler it is not.
This lack of decent handling (*not* mechanical grip) and allegedly crappy electronic power steering really has me scratching my head at the car. Having said all that, I do fancy trying one myself in the near future.
Olivera said:
Are these engines genuinely fragile above 100k miles? So much for the oft-stated Honda reliability!
On the handling front, I've drifted several cars and witnessed a few people try it with an S2000. The result in the vast majority of cases was the car snapping suddenly into oversteer leaving the car almost pirouetting on the spot. It can be done if you are good enough (and the car is setup correctly), but a progressive and controllable handler it is not.
This lack of decent handling (*not* mechanical grip) and allegedly crappy electronic power steering really has me scratching my head at the car. Having said all that, I do fancy trying one myself in the near future.
Definitely go and try one - there's no substitute for first hand experience!On the handling front, I've drifted several cars and witnessed a few people try it with an S2000. The result in the vast majority of cases was the car snapping suddenly into oversteer leaving the car almost pirouetting on the spot. It can be done if you are good enough (and the car is setup correctly), but a progressive and controllable handler it is not.
This lack of decent handling (*not* mechanical grip) and allegedly crappy electronic power steering really has me scratching my head at the car. Having said all that, I do fancy trying one myself in the near future.
snorkel sucker said:
Brilliant cars with the only "negative" I would level at them being that they really do need the right road / right time combo to come alive.
I ran one for about 6 months but rising commuter mileage meant that I had to get rid. I had an MY00 and it wasn't the most relaxing car on the motorway. I don't know whether the newer ones are any better in this regard.
I went from a Civic Type R to the S2000 (and then onto a DC2 Integra) and I will never forget being quite underwhelmed when I drove the car back home for the first time. It was April. It was pretty miserable so I had the roof up. The traffic was busy on roads I didn't know. But heading down a sliproad onto the motorway, I floored it. And let it rev. And rev. And rev.
Wow.
Even coming from a Type R it still gave me goosebumps. The gearshift was cylinderbolt precise; shorter shifting than the Civic. The cam change more pronounced literally and acoustically. It suddenly made the Civic seem rather wooly. It wasn't any quicker than the Civic (this was, ahem, tested) but it was a better driving tool. With the roof down it came alive again and no 4pot has any right to sound as good at full chat.
Don't be too misguided by the handling jibes. At the end of the day they are front-mid engined with a long bonnet, longitudinal mounted engine with rear wheel drive and no driver aids. You drive it thus. The ensuing tankslapper up a sliproad after I tried my first ever oversteer moment cemented my respect for it.
For me though, my best moment, and probably one of my most memorable in any car I have owned was a late night drive home...
It was midsummer. The air had that warm, comforting feeling that was asking for the roof to be dropped, and a stillness to it that you only get at that time of year.
The bright orange and reds of the space invader dashboard ebbed and flowed like an 80s graphic equaliser; BPMs swapped for RPMs.
A canopy of trees bowed over the sticky tarmac like a silent crowd waiting for their fix of sports exhaust not Sunday driver. The stonewall-lined road waiting to smash the decibels back and forth.
The rest is one of those moments you imagine it being like on the graveyard shift around the Nordschlefe or La Sarthe. Alone on the Mulsanne or on the long schlep upto the Caurossel. The milky glow of the headlights against the trees. The smooth, flowing road. That tunnel vision. The one, two, three red flashing bars on the dash. The noise.
Some cars people just don't get. I happen to be someone who really does get a good VTEC engined car. At £4k I can't think of much else that'll give you that goosebump feeling as you're screaming along at 9000rpm.
In fact, I think I want another...
You just nailed it. I won' t bother adding my 10 cents. I owned one and feel exactly the same.I ran one for about 6 months but rising commuter mileage meant that I had to get rid. I had an MY00 and it wasn't the most relaxing car on the motorway. I don't know whether the newer ones are any better in this regard.
I went from a Civic Type R to the S2000 (and then onto a DC2 Integra) and I will never forget being quite underwhelmed when I drove the car back home for the first time. It was April. It was pretty miserable so I had the roof up. The traffic was busy on roads I didn't know. But heading down a sliproad onto the motorway, I floored it. And let it rev. And rev. And rev.
Wow.
Even coming from a Type R it still gave me goosebumps. The gearshift was cylinderbolt precise; shorter shifting than the Civic. The cam change more pronounced literally and acoustically. It suddenly made the Civic seem rather wooly. It wasn't any quicker than the Civic (this was, ahem, tested) but it was a better driving tool. With the roof down it came alive again and no 4pot has any right to sound as good at full chat.
Don't be too misguided by the handling jibes. At the end of the day they are front-mid engined with a long bonnet, longitudinal mounted engine with rear wheel drive and no driver aids. You drive it thus. The ensuing tankslapper up a sliproad after I tried my first ever oversteer moment cemented my respect for it.
For me though, my best moment, and probably one of my most memorable in any car I have owned was a late night drive home...
It was midsummer. The air had that warm, comforting feeling that was asking for the roof to be dropped, and a stillness to it that you only get at that time of year.
The bright orange and reds of the space invader dashboard ebbed and flowed like an 80s graphic equaliser; BPMs swapped for RPMs.
A canopy of trees bowed over the sticky tarmac like a silent crowd waiting for their fix of sports exhaust not Sunday driver. The stonewall-lined road waiting to smash the decibels back and forth.
The rest is one of those moments you imagine it being like on the graveyard shift around the Nordschlefe or La Sarthe. Alone on the Mulsanne or on the long schlep upto the Caurossel. The milky glow of the headlights against the trees. The smooth, flowing road. That tunnel vision. The one, two, three red flashing bars on the dash. The noise.
Some cars people just don't get. I happen to be someone who really does get a good VTEC engined car. At £4k I can't think of much else that'll give you that goosebump feeling as you're screaming along at 9000rpm.
In fact, I think I want another...
Had one - loved it when I was in the mood.
Hated the lack of torque below 5500-odd rpm, when VTEC kicked in (yo).
This meant that the only 'fun' gears were second and third, and to stay in VTEC on a twisty B road meant mainly second. Changing gear was a pleasure - but most of my time was spent in 3rd... or 6th.
The Megane 225 is less fun, has even worst steering - but is so much faster across the ground. Good fun at £4k though.
Hated the lack of torque below 5500-odd rpm, when VTEC kicked in (yo).
This meant that the only 'fun' gears were second and third, and to stay in VTEC on a twisty B road meant mainly second. Changing gear was a pleasure - but most of my time was spent in 3rd... or 6th.
The Megane 225 is less fun, has even worst steering - but is so much faster across the ground. Good fun at £4k though.
SamGad said:
Tossing up between one of these and a Alfa GTV V6 at the moment to replace my ageing (read rusting) MR2.
Black with red leather would be my preference! Just can't find any decent ones near by now that I've got the cash, doh.
Having owned both, I'd choose the S2000 again. Black with red leather would be my preference! Just can't find any decent ones near by now that I've got the cash, doh.
keith2.2 said:
"not driving slowly everywhere" needs quantifying.
As a rule of thumb - a constant 65mph motorway cruise will net you early 30's.
Day-to-day driving mid-high 20's.
"spirited" but largely legal A/B road driving will be high teens-low 20's.
Track days? When I visit North Weald I get through nearly half a tank in about 12 miles - so 5mpg.
Mid Teens on a more open track.
I averaged about 26mpg in mine when I used it for daily use. Now it's my weekend car, it's 20 :lol:
This thread has made me so excited - having fitted new suspension and a couple of other bits during it's time off, the geo and mot are being done this weekend..fingers crossed for some nice sunny winter days!!!!!!
Well my best was 37-38 MPG.As a rule of thumb - a constant 65mph motorway cruise will net you early 30's.
Day-to-day driving mid-high 20's.
"spirited" but largely legal A/B road driving will be high teens-low 20's.
Track days? When I visit North Weald I get through nearly half a tank in about 12 miles - so 5mpg.
Mid Teens on a more open track.
I averaged about 26mpg in mine when I used it for daily use. Now it's my weekend car, it's 20 :lol:
This thread has made me so excited - having fitted new suspension and a couple of other bits during it's time off, the geo and mot are being done this weekend..fingers crossed for some nice sunny winter days!!!!!!
Worst on a track day was about 120km to half a tank... Maybe I've got a miracle car..
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff