The S2000 itch...
Discussion
I've been with in a nanosecond of buying one of these things three times now but I've gone down the Civic, STI and R32 route each time. Recently after watching some old Best Motoring on YouTube the old feeling is back and I'd like some owners advice.
The car would be my mine and used for 20k miles a year, all year round, and probably a 70/30 split between motorways and more fun roads. This means that it needs to be pretty civilised most of the time but able to break into bansai mode when I fancy a bit of fun. I've driven them before, albeit on a short test drive, and have had plenty of FR cars too but I'm keen to know how they work as a constant companion. I'm not very good at keeping cars longer than two years but this may need to fill that criteria too. Stuff like MPG is also a good to know, but I'm not expecting anything other than a 30mpg average for what i do. My R32 is showing 29 average so my cars get an easy life most of the time.
The other thing that I don't know is how they age as far as parts and stuff going wrong. I'm only looking at the last couple of years of production and 30k tops.
So, if you've owned one for a few years and have some nice stories to tell please go ahead.
David
The car would be my mine and used for 20k miles a year, all year round, and probably a 70/30 split between motorways and more fun roads. This means that it needs to be pretty civilised most of the time but able to break into bansai mode when I fancy a bit of fun. I've driven them before, albeit on a short test drive, and have had plenty of FR cars too but I'm keen to know how they work as a constant companion. I'm not very good at keeping cars longer than two years but this may need to fill that criteria too. Stuff like MPG is also a good to know, but I'm not expecting anything other than a 30mpg average for what i do. My R32 is showing 29 average so my cars get an easy life most of the time.
The other thing that I don't know is how they age as far as parts and stuff going wrong. I'm only looking at the last couple of years of production and 30k tops.
So, if you've owned one for a few years and have some nice stories to tell please go ahead.
David
Very reliable, cheap to run for what it is. I'd class it as a top down car though - i.e. its noisy on the motorway (especially important if you're doing a lot of motorway mileage). The later ones will be full whack tax (£460 pa?).
Honda dealers generally very good, chain driven - no cambelt to change, although listen for any untoward noises. Major service @ 50k is plugs etc ~ £400, but apart from that nothing major. Watch for worn suspension bushes as the bolts can seize and you end up replacing the whole arm - also you cant adjust the geometry if they're seized, and they're picky if its out. Brake calipers can seize too.
Try and find one where the stereo has been replaced too - stock is p*** poor - I've changed the speakers, added a sub, headrest speakers and a new Alpine HU with ipod.
Beware the very last editions - I have heard of some engine failures due to manufacturing flaw, although dont know how common this is.
Honda dealers generally very good, chain driven - no cambelt to change, although listen for any untoward noises. Major service @ 50k is plugs etc ~ £400, but apart from that nothing major. Watch for worn suspension bushes as the bolts can seize and you end up replacing the whole arm - also you cant adjust the geometry if they're seized, and they're picky if its out. Brake calipers can seize too.
Try and find one where the stereo has been replaced too - stock is p*** poor - I've changed the speakers, added a sub, headrest speakers and a new Alpine HU with ipod.
Beware the very last editions - I have heard of some engine failures due to manufacturing flaw, although dont know how common this is.
Spent 6 months searching for my ideal S2000 (later model, low miles, chassis updates, church going elderly lady owner etc) and for a while it was lovely - honeymoon period and all, but only the engine and gearbox really stood out. The cabin is tiny, smaller than MX5's, it's basic, the seat was set too high and it made me nervous in the wet or at 8+ tenths.
I didn't need to commute in it either and if I imagine sitting in motorway traffic on a wet day, day in day out, I'd have hated it.
It'll be super reliable and fun at 6k+ rpm but how often will that be?
You can do it of course, easily, but enjoyably?
Honestly, there's far better out there for what you need.
I didn't need to commute in it either and if I imagine sitting in motorway traffic on a wet day, day in day out, I'd have hated it.
It'll be super reliable and fun at 6k+ rpm but how often will that be?
You can do it of course, easily, but enjoyably?
Honestly, there's far better out there for what you need.
Fantastic car but you have got to be dedicated to enjoy 20k miles a year in one. They are very civilised with the hard top and quite a cosy cockpit - but I liked that.
Very reliable and great fun on the open road. Also good on track.
I didn't find mine twitchy at all and was rather fun in the wet!
Very reliable and great fun on the open road. Also good on track.
I didn't find mine twitchy at all and was rather fun in the wet!
I've had one from 60k -> 130k and my second 30k -> 66k (so far).
Ultra-reliable, very well built for the price and incredibly tunable. They can catch you out very easily in the wet and require four good quality tyres at all times which will want heat in them before they work.
However.. I've had mine in torrential rain, alpine passes, massive numbers of motorway miles, snow and the very best of Britain's rather lovely sunshine and i'm not in any hurry to move on.
There are rather a lot of untidy ones around and avoid modified examples unless the seller can tell you precisely which changes have been made and the brands of those - most modified examples have low quality parts applied and the original factory items are notoriously robust.
Mine does 280-300 miles per £65 tank of V-Power, consumes 150ml of Castrol Edge about ever 900 miles and eats Goodyear Eagle F1s in around 10k miles, but it's great fun, comfortable enough and you can get a decent weekend 'away' bag/weekly shop for two in the boot.
Smashing bit of kit.
Ultra-reliable, very well built for the price and incredibly tunable. They can catch you out very easily in the wet and require four good quality tyres at all times which will want heat in them before they work.
However.. I've had mine in torrential rain, alpine passes, massive numbers of motorway miles, snow and the very best of Britain's rather lovely sunshine and i'm not in any hurry to move on.
There are rather a lot of untidy ones around and avoid modified examples unless the seller can tell you precisely which changes have been made and the brands of those - most modified examples have low quality parts applied and the original factory items are notoriously robust.
Mine does 280-300 miles per £65 tank of V-Power, consumes 150ml of Castrol Edge about ever 900 miles and eats Goodyear Eagle F1s in around 10k miles, but it's great fun, comfortable enough and you can get a decent weekend 'away' bag/weekly shop for two in the boot.
Smashing bit of kit.
Do it - I loved mine which I had for a few years.
make sure it's tidy and clean and not been messed about - as an already highly tuned NA engine, people do some odd things to try and get any meaningful gains from it which usually end up meaning they go the FI route - avoid.
Anything other than an induction kit or exhaust should be steered clear of.
Also, set up, tyres and even a few psi out can make a big difference to how it handles so make sure the suspension is given a good look at.
make sure it's tidy and clean and not been messed about - as an already highly tuned NA engine, people do some odd things to try and get any meaningful gains from it which usually end up meaning they go the FI route - avoid.
Anything other than an induction kit or exhaust should be steered clear of.
Also, set up, tyres and even a few psi out can make a big difference to how it handles so make sure the suspension is given a good look at.
Ved said:
I've been with in a nanosecond of buying one of these things three times now but I've gone down the Civic, STI and R32 route each time. Recently after watching some old Best Motoring on YouTube the old feeling is back and I'd like some owners advice.
David
Have you seen the video of Gan-san driving one around the nurburgring? It looks fantastic. I cant believe some people call them bad handling after watching that - although im sure they bite like any car if you over do it.David
The Amuse Touge monster as well, what a car!
RobCrezz said:
Ved said:
I've been with in a nanosecond of buying one of these things three times now but I've gone down the Civic, STI and R32 route each time. Recently after watching some old Best Motoring on YouTube the old feeling is back and I'd like some owners advice.
David
Have you seen the video of Gan-san driving one around the nurburgring? It looks fantastic. I cant believe some people call them bad handling after watching that - although im sure they bite like any car if you over do it.David
The Amuse Touge monster as well, what a car!
Asterix said:
make sure it's tidy and clean and not been messed about - as an already highly tuned NA engine, people do some odd things to try and get any meaningful gains from it which usually end up meaning they go the FI route - avoid.
Anything other than an induction kit or exhaust should be steered clear of.
Any reason for this? I've rarely heard of any issues with supercharging that engine, unless the tunings out. Doesn't the Ariel Atom use a supercharged version of this engine in its 300?Anything other than an induction kit or exhaust should be steered clear of.
Trixman said:
Asterix said:
make sure it's tidy and clean and not been messed about - as an already highly tuned NA engine, people do some odd things to try and get any meaningful gains from it which usually end up meaning they go the FI route - avoid.
Anything other than an induction kit or exhaust should be steered clear of.
Any reason for this? I've rarely heard of any issues with supercharging that engine, unless the tunings out. Doesn't the Ariel Atom use a supercharged version of this engine in its 300?Anything other than an induction kit or exhaust should be steered clear of.
Urban Sports said:
RobCrezz said:
Ved said:
I've been with in a nanosecond of buying one of these things three times now but I've gone down the Civic, STI and R32 route each time. Recently after watching some old Best Motoring on YouTube the old feeling is back and I'd like some owners advice.
David
Have you seen the video of Gan-san driving one around the nurburgring? It looks fantastic. I cant believe some people call them bad handling after watching that - although im sure they bite like any car if you over do it.David
The Amuse Touge monster as well, what a car!
C7 JFW said:
incredibly tunable.
Are they? I didn't think anything other than FI would see meaningful gains?Trixman said:
Asterix said:
make sure it's tidy and clean and not been messed about - as an already highly tuned NA engine, people do some odd things to try and get any meaningful gains from it which usually end up meaning they go the FI route - avoid.
Anything other than an induction kit or exhaust should be steered clear of.
Any reason for this? I've rarely heard of any issues with supercharging that engine, unless the tunings out. Doesn't the Ariel Atom use a supercharged version of this engine in its 300?Anything other than an induction kit or exhaust should be steered clear of.
RobCrezz said:
Urban Sports said:
RobCrezz said:
Ved said:
I've been with in a nanosecond of buying one of these things three times now but I've gone down the Civic, STI and R32 route each time. Recently after watching some old Best Motoring on YouTube the old feeling is back and I'd like some owners advice.
David
Have you seen the video of Gan-san driving one around the nurburgring? It looks fantastic. I cant believe some people call them bad handling after watching that - although im sure they bite like any car if you over do it.David
The Amuse Touge monster as well, what a car!
http://www.torque-gt.co.uk/auction_details/?act=pr...
RobCrezz said:
Urban Sports said:
RobCrezz said:
Ved said:
I've been with in a nanosecond of buying one of these things three times now but I've gone down the Civic, STI and R32 route each time. Recently after watching some old Best Motoring on YouTube the old feeling is back and I'd like some owners advice.
David
Have you seen the video of Gan-san driving one around the nurburgring? It looks fantastic. I cant believe some people call them bad handling after watching that - although im sure they bite like any car if you over do it.David
The Amuse Touge monster as well, what a car!
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