Discussion
I've been lurking here for years and posting a bit for a few months now, so time to introduce my car 
Current car is an '00 Honda S2000 with about 93.500km's (just over 60k miles). I'm always very jealous when I see the prices in the classifieds, the UK is so cheap with used cars compared to the rest of europe! As an example, a decent S2000 would start from around 14k euro over here (probably around 5k or so in the uk). Mine was closer to 16k (although with a hardtop), which is quit a bit of money for an 11 yr old car.
Anyway, from outside it's completely standard. From the inside i've made some cosmetic changes (leather centre console, gearknob, radio door, floor mats).
I'm quite impressed with the handling after having the tracking done and with new tyres all around. When I just got it on the old tyres and with a very dodgy setup it was pretty scary at times! Random tail-out action wasn't unusual and it was very hard to catch.
Current plans are to change the brakes (discs and pads) and brake fluid, so I can do a track day at Zandvoort at the end of next month. I hope it's a dry day though, could be interesting in the wet!
Anyway, here are some pics:
Current car is an '00 Honda S2000 with about 93.500km's (just over 60k miles). I'm always very jealous when I see the prices in the classifieds, the UK is so cheap with used cars compared to the rest of europe! As an example, a decent S2000 would start from around 14k euro over here (probably around 5k or so in the uk). Mine was closer to 16k (although with a hardtop), which is quit a bit of money for an 11 yr old car.
Anyway, from outside it's completely standard. From the inside i've made some cosmetic changes (leather centre console, gearknob, radio door, floor mats).
I'm quite impressed with the handling after having the tracking done and with new tyres all around. When I just got it on the old tyres and with a very dodgy setup it was pretty scary at times! Random tail-out action wasn't unusual and it was very hard to catch.
Current plans are to change the brakes (discs and pads) and brake fluid, so I can do a track day at Zandvoort at the end of next month. I hope it's a dry day though, could be interesting in the wet!
Anyway, here are some pics:
Sure, would have been possible to import one. But RHD isn't very practical and would be near impossible to sell over here. Although there are some cars that are very tempting even though they are RHD, like a TVR Cerbera or a Monaro 
So far I quite like the S2000. It's not really a good long distance cruiser though, very noisy on the motorway and the standard radio and speakers are rubbish. And it's cramped inside, very very cramped (you get used to that though).
Before the S2000 I had a Fiat Coupe 20v turbo plus for 7 years and really loved that. I really miss the smooth 5 pot and the great noise. Oh and the Recaro seats and kick in the back. But it didn't handle nearly as well and was quite pricey to keep in top condition. Some days I regret selling it though.... The S2000 feels a lot more clinical compared to the old Fiat.
Some pics of that (sorry if they're a bit large!):
So far I quite like the S2000. It's not really a good long distance cruiser though, very noisy on the motorway and the standard radio and speakers are rubbish. And it's cramped inside, very very cramped (you get used to that though).
Before the S2000 I had a Fiat Coupe 20v turbo plus for 7 years and really loved that. I really miss the smooth 5 pot and the great noise. Oh and the Recaro seats and kick in the back. But it didn't handle nearly as well and was quite pricey to keep in top condition. Some days I regret selling it though.... The S2000 feels a lot more clinical compared to the old Fiat.
Some pics of that (sorry if they're a bit large!):
A quick update on the S2000 Had new brakes fitted all around yesterday (Mtec grooved discs and Ferodo DS2500 pads) with some fresh brake fluid. Brakes already have a lot more bite now, should hopefully be very good once bedded in. And hopefully it will stand up to some abuse next week at Zandvoort :-)
Also had the gearbox fluid replaced and made a big difference!
So far in just 6 months I've replaced:
- All tyres (Bridgestone RE050)
- All discs and pads
- Oil + filter
- Gearbox oil
- Diff oil
- Tracking done to 'Honda UK' settings
Quite expensive so far! But has changed the car a lot! The only bit that's really bothering me now is the clutch buzz. Anyone have an idea how much a new clutch would be at a specialist in the UK. Should be around 1000-1200 euro's over here (fitted). If it's much cheaper over there I might have to visit the UK again soon :-)
Had new brakes fitted all around yesterday (Mtec grooved discs and Ferodo DS2500 pads) with some fresh brake fluid. Brakes already have a lot more bite now, should hopefully be very good once bedded in. And hopefully it will stand up to some abuse next week at Zandvoort :-)Also had the gearbox fluid replaced and made a big difference!
So far in just 6 months I've replaced:
- All tyres (Bridgestone RE050)
- All discs and pads
- Oil + filter
- Gearbox oil
- Diff oil
- Tracking done to 'Honda UK' settings
Quite expensive so far! But has changed the car a lot! The only bit that's really bothering me now is the clutch buzz. Anyone have an idea how much a new clutch would be at a specialist in the UK. Should be around 1000-1200 euro's over here (fitted). If it's much cheaper over there I might have to visit the UK again soon :-)
Did my first trackday with the S2000 last wednesday at Zandvoort. Was a bit unsure as it was pretty wet out there and the S2000 isn't the most forgiving car (at least not the early ones like mine!). But turned out to be great fun. I hadn't driven on Zandvoort before and also hadn't driven the S2k at speed in the wet before, so it's all pretty careful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wGaVLmqwqE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wGaVLmqwqE
Jurgen said:
Anyone have an idea how much a new clutch would be at a specialist in the UK. Should be around 1000-1200 euro's over here (fitted). If it's much cheaper over there I might have to visit the UK again soon :-)
Looking great Jurgen. I got a quote for £700 at my local Honda specialist for a new clutch (fitted), much better than the £1100 I got quoted from a main Honda dealer!
I didn't need one in the end, just a little grease on the fork solved the stiffness.
ImDesigner said:
Lovely S2000 Jurgen, although I prefer the Fiat. 
ImDesigner (a.k.a. GJ88 from FCCUK)
Actually in a way I agree with you. In my opinion the Fiat is nicer to look at and sounds better as well. It's a great GT, reasonable comfort and very smooth and quick. I still miss it, a lot!ImDesigner (a.k.a. GJ88 from FCCUK)
The S2000 is a lot more fun to drive though. Very quick steering (although feels pretty dead), fantastic throttle response and great gearbox. It's also great fun to scream to 9k revs. And it takes a lot more skill to drive fast. The Fiat being FWD is very predictable, the S2k is the opposite! But when the back does go and you catch it, it's very rewarding
It took me some time to get to like the Honda though, it just felt odd when I just got it and quite scary in the wet. After new tyres and decent tracking it's great! It still never seems to understeer though, which makes it difficult to find the limit. It's neutral for a long time and then just seems to snap. Under throttle it's pretty stable, but lift even the tiniest bit in a fast corner and the back comes round. So no wonder people crash these things so often, especially if they haven't sorted the tyres or tracking.
I think it's mainly the 16" wheels that makes it look a bit dated, but I agree the later ones do look a bit better. A 2004 model would have cost over 25k euro over here though, which would have been a bit too much for me!. I think I would have gone for a Z4 coupe for that kind of money :-)
I have driven a 2005 model from a friend who has had it from new. It feels more stable, has an even better gearbox and is much easier to drive at the limit (will understeer when you push it).
I have driven a 2005 model from a friend who has had it from new. It feels more stable, has an even better gearbox and is much easier to drive at the limit (will understeer when you push it).
Slight update on the S2K. I always loved the induction noise when you take off the airbox cover, but the throttle response suffers and loses a bit of power in the midrange.
While I'm usually not convinced by the gains of induction kits, I've now bought and fitted a K&N Fipk kit and it's awesome! Throttle response has increased, feels a little more lively and sounds truly great (better than just taking the lid off). Definately recommended and not just for the noise.
Looks like this (not my pic though):
While I'm usually not convinced by the gains of induction kits, I've now bought and fitted a K&N Fipk kit and it's awesome! Throttle response has increased, feels a little more lively and sounds truly great (better than just taking the lid off). Definately recommended and not just for the noise.
Looks like this (not my pic though):
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