Honda S2000 - Thoughts?

[Badgerboy]

Evening chaps,

I tend to be one of those people who tends to hold onto specific cars for quite a while, hence why I've had my daily drive for going on 6 years (FTO), and the one before that for 8. I've been reviewing my car fund, and I've got appropriately 7K rattling around. I'm in two minds to simply bank it with my savings, or get myself an S2000 which I've always liked the look of.

As I don't want to spend any more than 7K (That excludes insurance, I have already sorted that if needed) is it worthwhile getting the best 02/03 plate car I can for the money (I understand that these are the better pre-facelift models), or pickup an early 00 model and keep a couple of thousand for bits and pieces. Sadly can't justify the cash for an 04 onwards.

To summarise. Looking for justification to buy it. Thought PH would be a good place to start!

[lescombes]

Personally...... I would bank it for now.... wait until later in the year, after the budget/next fuel duty rise....then rethink again....that's what I would do...especially if your current drive is okay....

[Sam_68]

One thought: the S2000 has lousy emissions, so if you decide to go for it, would you be better off looking for one of the earlier (pre-March 2001) registered cars in really nice condition, rather than a newer one?

Saves you a couple of hundred quid a year at present on road tax?

[wackojacko]

I'd go for an Earlier car with decent mileage, just make sure the rear window is in good condition as they can crack/split or cloud up..... Not masses to put right but would be annoying.

Also general things/common sense make sure it has a comprehensive service history and atleast 'looks' like it's been looked after etc hope that helps you

[isv]

I had an 02 S2000 from new. It was bullet proof and handling was better than the more 'twitchy' 00 model. You have to drive it like a motorbike - no torque and all the power is right up at the rpm top end (VTEC). It held its value brilliantly too so hopefully you wont lose much when you decide to sell it.

[TheStoat]

Had an 04 model myself and loved it. For an informed opinion on the model you're after go to http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showforum=25

Good chaps and ladies on there, all very helpful and knowledgeable

[Dracoro]

Sam_68 said:

One thought: the S2000 has lousy emissions, so if you decide to go for it, would you be better off looking for one of the earlier (pre-March 2001) registered cars in really nice condition, rather than a newer one?

Saves you a couple of hundred quid a year at present on road tax?

Saves you only £40 on ones up to 2006. Only post 06s that are high,.

[Jasandjules]

Badgerboy said:

To summarise. Looking for justification to buy it. Thought PH would be a good place to start!

Buy a TVR Chimaera instead.

HTH

[anonymous-user]

Thoughts;

Not as raw as an Elise. Not as comfortable or easy to drive fast as a Boxster. Not as much fun as a DC2.

Crude std suspension, awful in the wet benefits from all manner of geo fiddling, if you can be bothered. Achiles heal is seizing bushes (apart from party tricks in the wet).

In summary very much a marmite entity.

[Badgerboy]

I think I've run through most the 'what to look out' for threads previously. I may just pop into a dealer and have a closer look at one and make my mind up. I will be buying privately though, only so I can quiz the owner on how he has treated it.

I think if I can find one that's been cared for, I may go for an earlier model. I suppose an owners club may be a good place to start for loved cars. (Plus I can search their post history for mechancial gremlins)

My only hesitation is waiting until later in the year is that as they are convertibles, the prices are likely to hit a premium come summer. Am I right in that?

[Mr Sparkle]

Got an '02 about a month ago, quite pleased with it so far.

The only real draw backs I have found are the engines lack of torque at low revs (peak is at 7500rpm!!!) and the standard stereo being bit crap.

The '02 face-lift got a glass rear window which you will appreciate in the winter months and slightly softer handling.

You might like to hold back £150 for a 4 wheel alignment job since the handling is apparently quite dependent on the geometry and tyres being good. As for the tyres they no longer make the OE versions which were 225 width but had a 233 contact patch so I think it is recommended to use a 245 tyre on the back.

This stuff about them being snappy and hard to control at the limit is total nonsense, they handle fine, you can feel when they are running out of grip. Also despite what quaife have said, the S2000 does have a LSD.

Tax is quite expensive and i'm getting around 27mpg at the moment but haven't been on any long drives/motorway yet.

Breaks are very good, car came in the top 3 of the JD customer satisfaction survey for (i think) every year it was in production and nearly always won reliability.

IF you get bored after a few years a roterex supercharger is a popular upgrade.

Found the heater to be much better than expected, even at this time of year it is feasible to drive with the roof down.

[CraigyMc]

yonex said:

Thoughts;

yada yada yada

...Not as much fun as a DC2...

really? Have you driven an S2000?

(I've not but am looking for a weekend car for summer, so I value these opinions)

C

[Badgerboy]

Fortunately I have an FTO at the moment which has pretty much the same engine characteristics as the Honda. (All up high, peak power after it was mapped was at 8K) That was still putting out 200bhp after 15 years and 140,000 miles and hasn't missed a beat.

I'm hoping that an older S2000 with the same treatment will perform as well with 80K+, and if I get a cheaper model I will likely keep the FTO as the daily. At least for a little while.

Thanks, I'll have a browse around the S2000 forums pointed out earlier.

Edit - This looks nice.....

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2323741.htm

Edited by Badgerboy on Thursday 20th January 20:01

[Daniel1]

Badgerboy said:

Edit - This looks nice.....

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2323741.htm

Edited by Badgerboy on Thursday 20th January 20:01

thats an import, i would stick to a UK model

[cheadle hulme]

You don't see much variety in the wheels of these do you? They all seem to have the same alloys as the link above. Any reason why? (as opposed to BMW, Porsche etc)

Edited by cheadle hulme on Thursday 20th January 20:32

[Splats]

I had an S2000 a few years ago and still regard it as my favourite car (that I've owned). As a long term prospect it would be great as it isn't ruinous to run, is reliable and the appeal of the vtec-yo, roof down and rwd handling simply would never wear thin. I dove my mates Z4 roadster the other day and it reminded me how good it was to hack around with the roof down in all manner of weather conditions. TBH, I'd consider having one again if it wasn't for the fact that my performance aspirations have grown quite ridiculous over the years!

[Gizmo!]

cheadle hulme said:

You don't see much variety in the wheels of these do you? They all seem to have the same alloys as the link above. Any reason why? (as apposed to BMW, Porsche etc)

Insurance is pretty hairy on them, so perhaps fewer owners blinged them up?

There was only one wheel design standard until '04 or so I think.

[anonymous-user]

CraigyMc said:

yonex said:

Thoughts;

yada yada yada

...Not as much fun as a DC2...

really? Have you driven an S2000?

(I've not but am looking for a weekend car for summer, so I value these opinions)

C

I have driven each revision as I really bought into the idea of a rear wheel drive sportster that was halfway between Elise and Boxster made by a Company that knows how to screw things together. For me it just didn't do it.

Take one out they are still around at main dealers and if you haggle you can have most the day out and about

[CraigyMc]

yonex said:

CraigyMc said:

yonex said:

Thoughts;

yada yada yada

...Not as much fun as a DC2...

really? Have you driven an S2000?

(I've not but am looking for a weekend car for summer, so I value these opinions)

C

I have driven each revision as I really bought into the idea of a rear wheel drive sportster that was halfway between Elise and Boxster made by a Company that knows how to screw things together. For me it just didn't do it.

Take one out they are still around at main dealers and if you haggle you can have most the day out and about

Interesting - ta

[300bhp/ton]

CraigyMc said:

yonex said:

Thoughts;

yada yada yada

...Not as much fun as a DC2...

really? Have you driven an S2000?

(I've not but am looking for a weekend car for summer, so I value these opinions)

C

This going to depend on preference. The ITR is extremely easy to drive and to drive fast. It's also built for performance with amazing attention to detail on making go and handle as well as it can. But it's a tin top and noisy.

For some a rag top sports car will always be more fun. Certainly on a sunny Sunday afternoon in July when you just want to go for a cruise.

The S2k is RWD, so has RWD thrills available. But it isn't a Type R, it lacks that ultimate focus the DC2 has.