RE: Honda S2000 | Spotted
Discussion
I'm going to be biased I'm afraid but...
Bought one in 2011 after having tubos, felt unimpressed by the s2000 after a couple of weeks ownership.
I gradually learned how it's best driven and grew on me.
After a while the pull of a getting another turbo was too much so sold and bought a prodive (PPP) Impreza SL WRX.
Only had it 6 months and sold it, it didn't do much for me, went back to the S2000. On my third now, a 2007. It's my affordable albeit slower 'supercar' and completely reliable.
They really are well screwed together and amazing to own.
Bought one in 2011 after having tubos, felt unimpressed by the s2000 after a couple of weeks ownership.
I gradually learned how it's best driven and grew on me.
After a while the pull of a getting another turbo was too much so sold and bought a prodive (PPP) Impreza SL WRX.
Only had it 6 months and sold it, it didn't do much for me, went back to the S2000. On my third now, a 2007. It's my affordable albeit slower 'supercar' and completely reliable.
They really are well screwed together and amazing to own.
Owned one for 4 months then swapped it for a TVR Chimaera that I drove for 6 years. I now regret not running the S2000 for longer. I still think it looks great, the gearbox has the most tactile action I've ever used and I found the all-or-nothing power delivery addictive. I found my Mk3 MR2 and VX220 much more bitey in the wet. The Toyota in particular gave me several Code Browns on the road although it was always adjustable and catchable on-track. I remember the S2000 had quite an aggressive LSD though.
Interesting to read the S2000/RX8 comparisons above. I've had an RX8 231 as a daily for years and agree that the chassis and steering are better than the Honda, but the S2000 pips it for performance, noise and sense of occasion. That said, the Mazda only set me back £2300 and if the engine let go I'd get it rebuilt rather than scrap it.
Interesting to read the S2000/RX8 comparisons above. I've had an RX8 231 as a daily for years and agree that the chassis and steering are better than the Honda, but the S2000 pips it for performance, noise and sense of occasion. That said, the Mazda only set me back £2300 and if the engine let go I'd get it rebuilt rather than scrap it.
As a proud former owner, all I can say is mirror previous comments. It's a marmite car (which enhances it's 'classic' status in my opinion) but if you're into it, you love it. The engine, the gearbox, the experience. A car with some pretty bad flaws, but so much character and appeal.
I bought mine intending to sell on after 3 years and make some money - and it looks like (for once) one of my financial speculations may have been succesful, judging by how values have risen. Unfortunately I suffered the S2000 curse of running out of talent in a snap oversteer situation and managed to write it off against a stone wall in West Yorkshire. But still I got considerably more from the insurance company than I had paid to buy the car in the first place.
I bought mine intending to sell on after 3 years and make some money - and it looks like (for once) one of my financial speculations may have been succesful, judging by how values have risen. Unfortunately I suffered the S2000 curse of running out of talent in a snap oversteer situation and managed to write it off against a stone wall in West Yorkshire. But still I got considerably more from the insurance company than I had paid to buy the car in the first place.
I loved the shape of these when they first came out and I really lusted after them. I still like the shape and I remember having some fun with one at the traffic light grand prix in my 200sx, I expected it to be quicker than it was but I pulled away from it with ease(low torque/high revving NA vs tuned turbo equals one outcome I suppose).
My brother in law drove one and he didn't like it at all and he thought it was very underwhelming. I'd like a go in one though because I read great things about the gearbox, and the only thing I don't like is the digital dash(I've never liked them in any car though and I didn't like the one in the Astra GTE either).
My brother in law drove one and he didn't like it at all and he thought it was very underwhelming. I'd like a go in one though because I read great things about the gearbox, and the only thing I don't like is the digital dash(I've never liked them in any car though and I didn't like the one in the Astra GTE either).
ruprechtmonkeyboy said:
Similar story for me. I looked at one years ago as a possible replacement for a TVR Chimaera I had but was quite unimpressed by the car tbh.
'interestingly' I went the other way - when the engine on my S2000 let go at 120k I ended up going for a Chimaera as a replacement. A 310bhp version with a 'built' 4.6L.With the exception of the idling sound and the rarity value, I thought the S was better in absolutely every way.
It's really the only car I've ever had that I actually miss and would consider having again. With the caveat to that being that I wouldn't because I'd have a 911 now instead.
keith2.2 said:
ruprechtmonkeyboy said:
Similar story for me. I looked at one years ago as a possible replacement for a TVR Chimaera I had but was quite unimpressed by the car tbh.
'interestingly' I went the other way - when the engine on my S2000 let go at 120k I ended up going for a Chimaera as a replacement. A 310bhp version with a 'built' 4.6L.With the exception of the idling sound and the rarity value, I thought the S was better in absolutely every way.
It's really the only car I've ever had that I actually miss and would consider having again. With the caveat to that being that I wouldn't because I'd have a 911 now instead.
Arguably one of Honda's last greats, the amount of engineering that went into this car and its engine was astonishing back in 1999. Especially for a car that would not be sold in high numbers.
Always wanted one ever since they came out back in 1999, and in early 2018 I finally got an opportunity to own one.
Due to budget constraints I had to get abit of a project, but my gosh what a machine.
My little project thread is here if anyone is interested:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
That high revving 9k rpm limit coupled with that super short throw gearbox is a joy to use every time it is driven.
I have done a couple of track days and a trip to the Nurburgring and haven't regretted owning it.
They have aged extremely well, and even my completely stock example still manages to turn a few heads even now that it has turned 20 years old.
Being a Honda fan, the prices are getting pretty steep now. Are they worth 25k?? Perhaps. If you are a super s2000 fan, that example is probably the closest you would get in buying one if they were being sold new today.
There's not going to be a car like this ever again, I say to enjoy them and own one for as long as you can.
Always wanted one ever since they came out back in 1999, and in early 2018 I finally got an opportunity to own one.
Due to budget constraints I had to get abit of a project, but my gosh what a machine.
My little project thread is here if anyone is interested:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
That high revving 9k rpm limit coupled with that super short throw gearbox is a joy to use every time it is driven.
I have done a couple of track days and a trip to the Nurburgring and haven't regretted owning it.
They have aged extremely well, and even my completely stock example still manages to turn a few heads even now that it has turned 20 years old.
Being a Honda fan, the prices are getting pretty steep now. Are they worth 25k?? Perhaps. If you are a super s2000 fan, that example is probably the closest you would get in buying one if they were being sold new today.
There's not going to be a car like this ever again, I say to enjoy them and own one for as long as you can.
samoht said:
NorthernSky said:
I wouldn't say 'well under' 10k. A few years ago, possibly. If you searched hard enough and for months, then yeah, perhaps one may, just may, come available under 10k.
29 cars found:https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?sort=price...
So I'd say that it'd be fairly realistic to go out and look for one with a £10k budget.
Apart from that I agree with the rest of what you say - not really 'well under £10k' any more, and I do expect them to trail the NSX upwards in value in future.
Probably most... maybe there's a nice forum member car under 10k in there though. Will need sifting to locate it.
I’ve had mine for almost 2 years now, and I’ve become very fond of it.
I love the Jekyl and Hyde character of the wonderful engine - you can potter about quietly when required, but the thrill of 9k rpm is always there when the road permits. The soundtrack is intoxicating.
Coming from an Elise the S2000 is so much more usable, and of course it isn’t as sharp in the twisties, but the car feels special with that masterpiece of an engine, and a superb gear change.
I looked long and hard specifically for a late 2005 face-lift, pre-drive by wire, S2000 which for me is the sweet spot. I was lucky enough to find a great one, in the right colour (for me):
It’s only just done 23k miles, and I need to use it more - Route Napoleon next spring is in the plan.
Brilliant build quality, still looks great 20 years after its introduction, and the F20C is utterly fabulous.
Looking at perhaps changing for a 4C, but I’ve been saying that for a year now...
Wonderful cars.
I love the Jekyl and Hyde character of the wonderful engine - you can potter about quietly when required, but the thrill of 9k rpm is always there when the road permits. The soundtrack is intoxicating.
Coming from an Elise the S2000 is so much more usable, and of course it isn’t as sharp in the twisties, but the car feels special with that masterpiece of an engine, and a superb gear change.
I looked long and hard specifically for a late 2005 face-lift, pre-drive by wire, S2000 which for me is the sweet spot. I was lucky enough to find a great one, in the right colour (for me):
It’s only just done 23k miles, and I need to use it more - Route Napoleon next spring is in the plan.
Brilliant build quality, still looks great 20 years after its introduction, and the F20C is utterly fabulous.
Looking at perhaps changing for a 4C, but I’ve been saying that for a year now...
Wonderful cars.
Picked out a 2005 GT (facelift, low tax, pre drive by wire) in Light Blue in 2017. Was shopping for 2004/5 in the 9-12 bracket trying to find a clean one. Wasn't easy - they went quickly or dealers were holding out for a couple more. If I did it again I would fuss less, buy slightly cheaper and use the difference on the mid-life age related maintenance stuff or fuss a bit more and look for one where the mid-life stuff is recently done.
It's been a great weekend car these past couple of summers but you need to be a bit of a masochist as a daily driver - especially if concrete motorways feature in your life - Birmingham, South M25. Ribbed Concrete + Speed + S2000 + Older tires + Turn the stereo up = Disagreeable bordering on hearing damage. Fine if you can slow down. Not therefore an intercontinental motorway tourer unless you plan the journey in short interesting back road lumps.
It has generally lived up to reputation. Reliable. Childish high revving RWD NA fun at safe and legal road speeds. The gearbox !
Was not super keen at first on the slight tire slip on painted lines skittishness. Rather better with less life expired rubber.
How it feels and drives are tire sidewall stiffness sensitive - tire choice and accurate pressures matter.
When itchy feet happens it always comes back to a couple of alternatives: Boxster S 2010- or lightly used MX5 ND and a trip to BBR. Nothing else really hits the spot. Z4, TT etc. And these require a bigger toy budget.
If you find a used MX5 a bit insipid there isn't much else that delivers the same fun/£ in this format.
Roll on the used 10k electric roadster !
It's been a great weekend car these past couple of summers but you need to be a bit of a masochist as a daily driver - especially if concrete motorways feature in your life - Birmingham, South M25. Ribbed Concrete + Speed + S2000 + Older tires + Turn the stereo up = Disagreeable bordering on hearing damage. Fine if you can slow down. Not therefore an intercontinental motorway tourer unless you plan the journey in short interesting back road lumps.
It has generally lived up to reputation. Reliable. Childish high revving RWD NA fun at safe and legal road speeds. The gearbox !
Was not super keen at first on the slight tire slip on painted lines skittishness. Rather better with less life expired rubber.
How it feels and drives are tire sidewall stiffness sensitive - tire choice and accurate pressures matter.
When itchy feet happens it always comes back to a couple of alternatives: Boxster S 2010- or lightly used MX5 ND and a trip to BBR. Nothing else really hits the spot. Z4, TT etc. And these require a bigger toy budget.
If you find a used MX5 a bit insipid there isn't much else that delivers the same fun/£ in this format.
Roll on the used 10k electric roadster !
I owned one of these until recently,I’m sold it in July for £8.5k...it was a tidy car but nearly 100k Miles which limited its market I feel.
Overall though this thread reminds me how much I miss it, like everyone else says, it is flawed and at times it felt gutless, unrefined and No fun if you were not in the mood. But on a B road when you wanted a proper drive it was a very involving, exciting car that brought a smile to my face.
I took it on a trip around the NC500 and the Isle of Skye and it was brilliant, even if it was a bit tiring on the way back to the midlands on the motorways.
Oh, in case Boone has mentioned, the engine and gearbox are incredible,
Overall though this thread reminds me how much I miss it, like everyone else says, it is flawed and at times it felt gutless, unrefined and No fun if you were not in the mood. But on a B road when you wanted a proper drive it was a very involving, exciting car that brought a smile to my face.
I took it on a trip around the NC500 and the Isle of Skye and it was brilliant, even if it was a bit tiring on the way back to the midlands on the motorways.
Oh, in case Boone has mentioned, the engine and gearbox are incredible,
I owned a ‘99 in ‘09 and loved it. As many have said, they have great styling. The engine is superb and rewarding to wring our, which is something that is rare in modern cars. I found it very engaging to drive and it provided a proper sports car experience. I didn’t find the handling too tricky and, provided the adjustment points weren’t seized, I would’ve thought it could be aligned to be more predictable.
Took it on a Euro road trip to include the Black Forest, Grossglockner and round the Nurburgring a few times.
Have thought they were under-valued for years and represent a really usable modern classic that provides lots of thrills unique to the time it was built. Cheap to own and run so now make lots of sense. They’re certainly not building engines like that anymore.
Took it on a Euro road trip to include the Black Forest, Grossglockner and round the Nurburgring a few times.
Have thought they were under-valued for years and represent a really usable modern classic that provides lots of thrills unique to the time it was built. Cheap to own and run so now make lots of sense. They’re certainly not building engines like that anymore.
I'm onto my second.
The first one died on the Kemmel Straight at Spa at 144,000 miles.
This was taken the day before it went bang but it shows an S2000 is faster than a GT3
:
https://youtu.be/rqYbX9U1cq8
The second is an '09 currently at 22,000 miles, and a summer only car so will hopefully last a long time.
The first one died on the Kemmel Straight at Spa at 144,000 miles.
This was taken the day before it went bang but it shows an S2000 is faster than a GT3
:https://youtu.be/rqYbX9U1cq8
The second is an '09 currently at 22,000 miles, and a summer only car so will hopefully last a long time.
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