S2000...right choice?
Discussion
So I'm in the fortunate position to be buying my first home. Its one which is stretching me...so unfortunately I let my pride and joy go - e92 m3....and time to look for a replacement for the next 9months or so until I get myself into another 'beast'.
I commute from south london to central london everyday (~10 miles either way) - empty roads = reasonably pleasurable drive (hence the m3) so I want to factor this into my next car.
Had my mind dead set on an Edition 30/Pirelli Edition mk5 GTI...but I just can't get round to pulling the trigger as its just so BORING and not to mention common as muck! (no offence to any golf owners!).
Instead I randomly landed at the conclusion that the S2000 is the right choice, because:
- its v cheap (looking at maybe £10k for a decent one)
- reliable (jap-effect)
- not slow (not fast either, but better than mk5 golf gti)
- cheap to run (vs m3 anyway)
- great for the summer
- real drivers car - i love high revving engines - both my previous cars, 350z and e92 m3's were rev-hungry too!
So here are my questions for you wise folk:
1) Is it suitable to use as a daily drive? (assuming im not fussed about it being a two-seater (have other cars) nor worried about fuel etc)
2) I need/want bluetooth (also for media streaming) at the very minimum, sat nav would be ideal too. I understand that the single DIN is right near the gear knob, and the trim sticks out on top. I was planning on installing some sort of motorised touch screen unit - kenwood, clarian or pioneer. Has any body done this? Is it feasible?
3) Anything else I should look out for?
Thanks!
I commute from south london to central london everyday (~10 miles either way) - empty roads = reasonably pleasurable drive (hence the m3) so I want to factor this into my next car.
Had my mind dead set on an Edition 30/Pirelli Edition mk5 GTI...but I just can't get round to pulling the trigger as its just so BORING and not to mention common as muck! (no offence to any golf owners!).
Instead I randomly landed at the conclusion that the S2000 is the right choice, because:
- its v cheap (looking at maybe £10k for a decent one)
- reliable (jap-effect)
- not slow (not fast either, but better than mk5 golf gti)
- cheap to run (vs m3 anyway)
- great for the summer
- real drivers car - i love high revving engines - both my previous cars, 350z and e92 m3's were rev-hungry too!
So here are my questions for you wise folk:
1) Is it suitable to use as a daily drive? (assuming im not fussed about it being a two-seater (have other cars) nor worried about fuel etc)
2) I need/want bluetooth (also for media streaming) at the very minimum, sat nav would be ideal too. I understand that the single DIN is right near the gear knob, and the trim sticks out on top. I was planning on installing some sort of motorised touch screen unit - kenwood, clarian or pioneer. Has any body done this? Is it feasible?
3) Anything else I should look out for?
Thanks!
Daily driver =yes
They are quicker than you think. And the revs will amaze you. Fab drivers car, a little tail happy when vtec kicks in.
The best fitting car, felt built around me.
You may struggle to fit a flip screen as the stereo is set back and has a front pull down cover over it. Better off thinking about a separate parrot type Bluetooth connection or a separate sat nag.
Bargain car at the moment
They are quicker than you think. And the revs will amaze you. Fab drivers car, a little tail happy when vtec kicks in.
The best fitting car, felt built around me.
You may struggle to fit a flip screen as the stereo is set back and has a front pull down cover over it. Better off thinking about a separate parrot type Bluetooth connection or a separate sat nag.
Bargain car at the moment
Don't spend £10k. Spend less and get a 2004/2005 year car, the best of the lot.
Can get after market stereos with bluetooth, that's what I'm doing. Or fit one of those parrot thingies instead.
You wont be getting a motorised screen coming out of the factory stereo location - JDM cars had a sat nav built into the middle of the dash - could try and find one of those / one of those interiors if you wished to mount a screen?
Can get after market stereos with bluetooth, that's what I'm doing. Or fit one of those parrot thingies instead.
You wont be getting a motorised screen coming out of the factory stereo location - JDM cars had a sat nav built into the middle of the dash - could try and find one of those / one of those interiors if you wished to mount a screen?
Thank you guys - really appreciate the responses - good to see I wasn't losing my mind when I thought it would be a fun commuting car!
As for the screen - not a fan of the JDM sat nav versions...there are some motorised ones which you can adjust so they factor in the dash sticking out.
However...it does sound like they're more hassle than its worth..I might just get a single din unit which has bluetooth capabilities in it like you suggest.
Thanks once again for your reponses guys!
Riknos said:
Don't spend £10k. Spend less and get a 2004/2005 year car, the best of the lot.
Can get after market stereos with bluetooth, that's what I'm doing. Or fit one of those parrot thingies instead.
You wont be getting a motorised screen coming out of the factory stereo location - JDM cars had a sat nav built into the middle of the dash - could try and find one of those / one of those interiors if you wished to mount a screen?
Riknos - tbh, I was only going to go for the 06/07 models as I was told they're the facelift models and may also be "less twitchy". Being newer than the 04-05 models also means the mileage on them tends to be lower - I've been looking at some with 30-50k on the clock around the 9k mark...also means less things likely to go wrong and as its a daily commute car I need it to be reliable...Do you *really* think its not worth paying more for them?Can get after market stereos with bluetooth, that's what I'm doing. Or fit one of those parrot thingies instead.
You wont be getting a motorised screen coming out of the factory stereo location - JDM cars had a sat nav built into the middle of the dash - could try and find one of those / one of those interiors if you wished to mount a screen?
As for the screen - not a fan of the JDM sat nav versions...there are some motorised ones which you can adjust so they factor in the dash sticking out.
However...it does sound like they're more hassle than its worth..I might just get a single din unit which has bluetooth capabilities in it like you suggest.
Thanks once again for your reponses guys!
Agree on an 04-05 car. And yes, far more interesting than a Mk5 GTi (wife's got one), but I would say the Golf gets better the quicker you drive it, while a stock S2000 is an "8/10ths car". But then, 8/10ths on most roads is still licence-losing, so unless you have to drive a car on the limit, don't worry.
Replacement HU shouldn't be a big deal, but I'd forget about double-DIN (won't fit) or motorised screen (it's in the wrong place to easily look at). It's a cosy cockpit, so before you make any decisions, sit in one, see where works in terms of placing a TomTom or trying to fit something less portable (I'm doubtful on the latter).
I'd also look at an older Boxster-S with that budget - cost a little more to run, and will be slightly older, but it's also a better car.
Replacement HU shouldn't be a big deal, but I'd forget about double-DIN (won't fit) or motorised screen (it's in the wrong place to easily look at). It's a cosy cockpit, so before you make any decisions, sit in one, see where works in terms of placing a TomTom or trying to fit something less portable (I'm doubtful on the latter).
I'd also look at an older Boxster-S with that budget - cost a little more to run, and will be slightly older, but it's also a better car.
I owned a S2000 for 3 years from new. Sold it in 2011.
The car is fun around town and B roads. On motorways and A-roads its a pain. There is not enough power, the torque is lame and it's noisy too... very noisy. I am glad to be honest to be rid of it. The car was always on edge... its a harsh car to use on a daily basis. I preferred the TT coupe and even the Z4 3.0i. Maybe I am too soft
I know there is a lot of passion for the S2000. Its awesome through tunnel and it looks fab... nice long bonnet. Excellent. I am not a fan to be straight. Each to their own. Glad I owned it, ticked the boxes when I was younger and kidless.
On a £10k budget it is worth consideration, so is the Z4 and the boxster. Both less fun at times however better in other areas.
Best way to know is take a loooong test drive.
Best of luck.
The car is fun around town and B roads. On motorways and A-roads its a pain. There is not enough power, the torque is lame and it's noisy too... very noisy. I am glad to be honest to be rid of it. The car was always on edge... its a harsh car to use on a daily basis. I preferred the TT coupe and even the Z4 3.0i. Maybe I am too soft
I know there is a lot of passion for the S2000. Its awesome through tunnel and it looks fab... nice long bonnet. Excellent. I am not a fan to be straight. Each to their own. Glad I owned it, ticked the boxes when I was younger and kidless.
On a £10k budget it is worth consideration, so is the Z4 and the boxster. Both less fun at times however better in other areas.
Best way to know is take a loooong test drive.
Best of luck.
What he said above (kind of). But I do love the S2000. I owned 2 of them from new.
1. They are very mechanical sounding cars. LOTS (and I mean lots) of drivetrain noise from the 'box and diff. Refined it is not. Engine noise is nice though.
2. They are buzzy at motorway speeds.
3. No rake/reach for steering wheel. Make sure you fit.
4. Watch out for 09 cars. There are many engine failures (and failures of replacement engines).
5. Handling is not, in my opinion, twitchy. They can snap away quite quickly if provoked so you need to be awake if pressing on but they are a powerful RWD car and many do not have electronic aids (traction control, etc). Once you get to know the car they handle very well.
6. Gearbox is sublime. Like a rifle bolt but you may find yourself working the box more than in other cars with more torque.
7. Engine was the most powerful normally aspirated 2.0 in the world in its day but it does need to be worked hard to get the most from the car. Very different to an M3.
8. You'll either love an S2000 or hate it. I loved both of mine.
1. They are very mechanical sounding cars. LOTS (and I mean lots) of drivetrain noise from the 'box and diff. Refined it is not. Engine noise is nice though.
2. They are buzzy at motorway speeds.
3. No rake/reach for steering wheel. Make sure you fit.
4. Watch out for 09 cars. There are many engine failures (and failures of replacement engines).
5. Handling is not, in my opinion, twitchy. They can snap away quite quickly if provoked so you need to be awake if pressing on but they are a powerful RWD car and many do not have electronic aids (traction control, etc). Once you get to know the car they handle very well.
6. Gearbox is sublime. Like a rifle bolt but you may find yourself working the box more than in other cars with more torque.
7. Engine was the most powerful normally aspirated 2.0 in the world in its day but it does need to be worked hard to get the most from the car. Very different to an M3.
8. You'll either love an S2000 or hate it. I loved both of mine.
I agree on the points above. Its a love it or hate it car...
However I did not love it.. or hate it... It was good at times and bad at other times.
I would have sold it earlier however I had a plan to stick to so could not fund another car. I am glad I owned it, glad I revved the s
t out of it and glad I sold it too. I only lost £5k in depreciation in 3 years on a brand new car! That was the plan!
However I did not love it.. or hate it... It was good at times and bad at other times.
I would have sold it earlier however I had a plan to stick to so could not fund another car. I am glad I owned it, glad I revved the s
t out of it and glad I sold it too. I only lost £5k in depreciation in 3 years on a brand new car! That was the plan! Thanks for all the reply and guidance and advice guys - appreciate it very much!
I picked up a 2007 S2000 (Navy blue, sub 40k miles, xenons etc etc for less than £9k) on the weekend. I know some of you said I should go for an older one, but I didn't want too old a car as I drive daily, and wanted one which was a bit more 'reliable'.
Won't keep it too long - purely a bit of fun in the sun and to keep costs low whilst house purchase goes through!
Thanks once again for your advice - now I've just got to stop myself from spending money modifying it!!
(One thing that *must* be done is to change that headunit though - its terrible!)
I picked up a 2007 S2000 (Navy blue, sub 40k miles, xenons etc etc for less than £9k) on the weekend. I know some of you said I should go for an older one, but I didn't want too old a car as I drive daily, and wanted one which was a bit more 'reliable'.
Won't keep it too long - purely a bit of fun in the sun and to keep costs low whilst house purchase goes through!
Thanks once again for your advice - now I've just got to stop myself from spending money modifying it!!
(One thing that *must* be done is to change that headunit though - its terrible!)
b16a2_VTi said:
I'm considering getting one as a daily driver, however the fuel/ insurance is a tad high.
I currently do around 350 miles on average a week and cliam back about 150 back a month @ 33p a mile.
Eitherway i may still go for it.
Fuel isn't too bad if you do a lot of motorway miles! Obviously once you come off the M-way and start spanking it in VTEC it will rinse through the fuel, but you don't HAVE to do that... You'll just want to I currently do around 350 miles on average a week and cliam back about 150 back a month @ 33p a mile.
Eitherway i may still go for it.
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