I drove an 02 Honda S2000 today
- Thread starter NoClgDeg
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The NSX is supposed to have an edge because of its midengine layout is more sensitive to steering imputs to take corners and quick transitions, it has less moment of inertia even though the S2000 has its engine behind its front axle.....Center of gravity is also important!!!!!
I'm sorry if I offended anyone but I feel very strongly (in a positive way) about the s2k.Honda did an amazing thing to sell that car for 32k.The yellow on the nsx started as way of being more visable on track and one thigh lead to another,until I had the whimsical bumblebee.btw the colour is yuma yellow.
I drove the Science of Speed S2000 on Saturday (first time driving an S2K). I didn't really like it, but mostly for subjective reasons. First and foremost was the steering. Both my cars (91 NSX and 93 Civic DX) have manual steering, and I've grown quite accustomed to it, and really like being able to feel the increase in steering effort as the suspension loads up. The S2K steering just felt too light for me.
Second, I think the suspension was a little soft for my tastes. But I didn't really push it hard. It also had Teins, and I have no idea how stiff/soft they were set.
The engine was... fun, but kinda disappointing overall. I stalled the car at least once trying to launch it (I found it harder to launch than my civic, which is gutless, but very light and a has a slippy clutch). I also found the power disappointing off VTEC. I often drive my NSX agressively, but short-shift it at about 6000 to keep the noise (and speeds) down. The S2K wasn't nearly as rewarding when doing that. All that said, though, the frantic pace of climbing RPMs and gears when driving it flat-out was fun... But when I looked at the speedo and really thought about how fast I was going, I realized it really wasn't that awesome. First gear was like 35-40mph, and second was like 65. Compared to the 45/81 of the NSX.
The brakes rocked, though. I believe they were stock brakes with Carbotech Panther Plus pads, and probably some kind of quality brake fluid. I don't know if it had SS lines. Really made me realize who sorely I need to do some maintenance on the brakes in my two cars.
Overall, for the price, it's definitely fun, and I could certainly get used to it and enjoy it, and would recommend it to someone else who wants a new, fun car. But if I had to choose between my NSX and an S2K, there'd be no choice. The NSX would win hands-down.
-Mike
Second, I think the suspension was a little soft for my tastes. But I didn't really push it hard. It also had Teins, and I have no idea how stiff/soft they were set.
The engine was... fun, but kinda disappointing overall. I stalled the car at least once trying to launch it (I found it harder to launch than my civic, which is gutless, but very light and a has a slippy clutch). I also found the power disappointing off VTEC. I often drive my NSX agressively, but short-shift it at about 6000 to keep the noise (and speeds) down. The S2K wasn't nearly as rewarding when doing that. All that said, though, the frantic pace of climbing RPMs and gears when driving it flat-out was fun... But when I looked at the speedo and really thought about how fast I was going, I realized it really wasn't that awesome. First gear was like 35-40mph, and second was like 65. Compared to the 45/81 of the NSX.
The brakes rocked, though. I believe they were stock brakes with Carbotech Panther Plus pads, and probably some kind of quality brake fluid. I don't know if it had SS lines. Really made me realize who sorely I need to do some maintenance on the brakes in my two cars.
Overall, for the price, it's definitely fun, and I could certainly get used to it and enjoy it, and would recommend it to someone else who wants a new, fun car. But if I had to choose between my NSX and an S2K, there'd be no choice. The NSX would win hands-down.
-Mike
Obviously, I'm a bit biased in that I own and love my S2K (my second one, BTW). I was curious in reading this thread to see what you guys thought as I came very close to buying a 1994 NSX instead of my second S2K.
In the end, I chose the S2K becuase I was going to finance 50% of the car and as much faith as I have in Honda, I couldn't get comfortable financing that much $ (roughly $16K) on a 8 year old car. I don't use the car as a daily driver but I do put on about 12K miles a year and the NSX was just too big a bite for me.
That being said, I've always loved the NSX and someday hope to own one. I've toured the factory in Tochigi prefecture where the car is built and still consider the NSX to be one of the most complete, most beautiful and most balanced designs ever.
Having spent quite a bit of time (for a non-owner) behind the wheel of 91-94 NSX's, I'd like to throw my 25 cents into the mix.
First off, the NSX is the superior automobile. There's no two ways around that. It should be as you can almost buy three S2K's for the price of one new NSX. It's more powerful, more comfortable, more refined, and faster in almost any condition, any weather than the S2K is.
However, there are a couple of areas that the S excels in. The shifter is the first. The NSX shifter is amazing, to be sure, but the throws and feel of the 6 speed in the S2K is better, IMO. Also, the brakes. The S has better brakes (both in terms of feel and pure stopping power) than the older NSX's that I drove. Finally, the headlights. I'm sure the newer (less elegant, IMO) headlights are better but the older pop up headlights were nowhere near as good as the HID's on the S.
Having said that, the NSX has a much more powerful motor. Both in terms of low speed tractability and top end power. While, I honestly don't think the S is all that bad in low RPM, around town driving (it isn't a dragster after all and keeps up or ahead of almost all traffic without getting into VTEC) you can't compare the grunt of a 2.0L 4 with a 3.0L or 3.2L V6. I do find it interesting that some bash the NSX for not having enough grunt and now they say the same about the S. The NSX is also way, way, way more refined. The cockpit of the NSX, IMO is second to none. It's both an exciting and comfortable place to do "one's work". The sightlines are great (so are the ones in the S as long as the top is down) and the materials are very good. I, for one, like the stark uncomplicated interior on the S, but let's call a spade a spade. It's obvious that Honda didn't spend the $ on the creature comforts on the S.
The NSX is a much better GT car whereas the S is much better in autoX. I'm sure much of it has to do with pure size and wheelbase but again, you're talking about two very different cars.
In the end, they're both amazing cars, IMO. I'm still amazed at how much car you get for $32K when it comes to the S as am I amazed at how far ahead of it's time the original NSX was. Back in the day (when it was $60K new) the NSX was leap years ahead of the Ferrari 308, decades ahead of the 328, years ahead of the 348 and as good if not slightly better than the 355. It seems that the 360 might have eclipsed the NSX but hey, that's 10+ years later and it's a whole lot more coin. Moreover, it still doesn't even begin to compare to the NSX with respect to livability, maintenance, and durability.
Sorry for the long winded approach but I wanted to throw my hat in the ring. You guys enjoy your NSX's. I'll enjoy my Spa Yellow 2002 S2000 and be green with envy until I can afford to run with you guys.
In the end, I chose the S2K becuase I was going to finance 50% of the car and as much faith as I have in Honda, I couldn't get comfortable financing that much $ (roughly $16K) on a 8 year old car. I don't use the car as a daily driver but I do put on about 12K miles a year and the NSX was just too big a bite for me.
That being said, I've always loved the NSX and someday hope to own one. I've toured the factory in Tochigi prefecture where the car is built and still consider the NSX to be one of the most complete, most beautiful and most balanced designs ever.
Having spent quite a bit of time (for a non-owner) behind the wheel of 91-94 NSX's, I'd like to throw my 25 cents into the mix.
First off, the NSX is the superior automobile. There's no two ways around that. It should be as you can almost buy three S2K's for the price of one new NSX. It's more powerful, more comfortable, more refined, and faster in almost any condition, any weather than the S2K is.
However, there are a couple of areas that the S excels in. The shifter is the first. The NSX shifter is amazing, to be sure, but the throws and feel of the 6 speed in the S2K is better, IMO. Also, the brakes. The S has better brakes (both in terms of feel and pure stopping power) than the older NSX's that I drove. Finally, the headlights. I'm sure the newer (less elegant, IMO) headlights are better but the older pop up headlights were nowhere near as good as the HID's on the S.
Having said that, the NSX has a much more powerful motor. Both in terms of low speed tractability and top end power. While, I honestly don't think the S is all that bad in low RPM, around town driving (it isn't a dragster after all and keeps up or ahead of almost all traffic without getting into VTEC) you can't compare the grunt of a 2.0L 4 with a 3.0L or 3.2L V6. I do find it interesting that some bash the NSX for not having enough grunt and now they say the same about the S. The NSX is also way, way, way more refined. The cockpit of the NSX, IMO is second to none. It's both an exciting and comfortable place to do "one's work". The sightlines are great (so are the ones in the S as long as the top is down) and the materials are very good. I, for one, like the stark uncomplicated interior on the S, but let's call a spade a spade. It's obvious that Honda didn't spend the $ on the creature comforts on the S.
The NSX is a much better GT car whereas the S is much better in autoX. I'm sure much of it has to do with pure size and wheelbase but again, you're talking about two very different cars.
In the end, they're both amazing cars, IMO. I'm still amazed at how much car you get for $32K when it comes to the S as am I amazed at how far ahead of it's time the original NSX was. Back in the day (when it was $60K new) the NSX was leap years ahead of the Ferrari 308, decades ahead of the 328, years ahead of the 348 and as good if not slightly better than the 355. It seems that the 360 might have eclipsed the NSX but hey, that's 10+ years later and it's a whole lot more coin. Moreover, it still doesn't even begin to compare to the NSX with respect to livability, maintenance, and durability.
Sorry for the long winded approach but I wanted to throw my hat in the ring. You guys enjoy your NSX's. I'll enjoy my Spa Yellow 2002 S2000 and be green with envy until I can afford to run with you guys.
You didn't tell me you were going to be testing your launching in my car
The exhaust on the S2000 is a straight through design with out baffles. It is very loud. The exhaust has killed the low end power, which probably biased your views.
The suspension, in my opinion, is perfect for a convertible street car. It has 560 lb/in spring front and rear, I don't know that I would go stiffer. Maybe you're just accustomed to your NSX? I find that I am quicker in the S2000 on certain short tracks compared to the NSX, and think that it is the best balanced street car I've ever driven.
Cheers,
-- Chris
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[email protected]
http://www.ScienceofSpeed.com
The exhaust on the S2000 is a straight through design with out baffles. It is very loud. The exhaust has killed the low end power, which probably biased your views.
The suspension, in my opinion, is perfect for a convertible street car. It has 560 lb/in spring front and rear, I don't know that I would go stiffer. Maybe you're just accustomed to your NSX? I find that I am quicker in the S2000 on certain short tracks compared to the NSX, and think that it is the best balanced street car I've ever driven.
Cheers,
-- Chris
------------------
[email protected]
http://www.ScienceofSpeed.com
You didn't tell me you were going to be testing your launching in my car
In this case, by launching, I just mean getting it rolling. I tried to be gentle with the clutch, too, since it wasn't my car.
Perhaps. That was the only S2K I've ever driven. It was also PUNISHINGLY loud, holy cow. It made my whole head resonate. Does it have cats?
Actually, that's a lot stiffer than my NSX. My NSX is on 325/425. I think the "stiffness" impression was greatly influenced by the steering being so light. In my NSX, even when I'm not pushing it, I can very clearly feel the rise in steering effort as the suspension loads up and takes a set, and I couldn't feel that in the S2K at all, kind of like my civic when it was super-soft with dead shocks. I also really, really didn't push the S2K cornering at all (because the steering speed/feel and weight balance felt quite foreign).
Like I said, my thoughts were subjective, and I could probably get used to it. But I really, really love my NSX. =)
Thanks again for the ride.
-Mike
[This message has been edited by grippgoat (edited 28 May 2002).]
Hi, ComptechNSX,
I have been really interested in your "Push Button Start" mod ever since you posted it. I was hoping that you could get some pics online soon.....
How much did this mod cost? I test drove an S2000 last weekend, and I really liked the start button as well. If it is not too expensive, I would be really interested in doing the same on my NSX.
Thanks in advance for the info.
-Thomas
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'94 Brooklands Green Pearl/Black NSX
5-Speed
#157
Dont bash me guys. But I just purchased a home and have a lot of "mods" I want to do to my home. I dont make nearly as much money as the common NSX owner does so I have seriously considered getting rid of my NSX for an S2000. I have about $18K equity in the NSX and was hoping to use some of it down on a S2000. Actually, I originally planned to get a new S2000 and perhaps later get a '97 or newer NSX. Maybe I jumped the gun in getting my '91 NSX instead; but the thought of selling her is rather painful. The S2000 had better be worth it. Any opinions to offer here?
is this the event sponsored by niello acura on 9/3? how much is it? what does it include?
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1998 Monte Carlo Blue NSX-T
2001 Yellow S2K (retired)
2001 CL Type-S
To bladesnsx,imho the s2k is worth every penny,but you know my feelings from my posts.Again the two cars are only comparible because they are sportscars and used nsx's aproach new s2k prices.I'm not in favor of those who trash the s2k in comparing it to the nsx which is designed and built to another higher pricepoint.That said please drive the s2k or rent one for the day before buying if you are used to a 3 liter motor.I think there is enough tourque below vtec for regular driving.
Actually Doc I have driven an S2000. It was yellow and a real pleasure to drive. The six-speed tranni and HIDs of the S2000 is the real desiring factor (since I have neither on my '91). I have to agree that the interior is nothing like the cockpit (and thats what feels like) of the NSX. The NSX is like flying a Honda fighter jet. The S2000 is Honda plain (yet user friendly. which is not atypical of Honda. I guess my concern is feeling a great loss by losing the NSX and getting the S2000. Is it really worth it.
As an S2K owner, its wonderful to see such nice comments about the S2K from our fellow brothers.
We too have much envy for NSX's, but most of us own a S2K because we can't afford the next step... Best bang for the buck IMHO.
Come visit us sometime at www.s2ki.com sometime!
-- Aaron
We too have much envy for NSX's, but most of us own a S2K because we can't afford the next step... Best bang for the buck IMHO.
Come visit us sometime at www.s2ki.com sometime!
-- Aaron
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It really depends on what you like about the NSX. If you like the handling and the high revs, then the S2000 is better. But if you like the balance of ride, handling, engine, ergonomics, etc etc, then the NSX is hard to beat. Many people who sell their NSX eventually come back. For me, I would be hard pressed to sell either the NSX or the S2000.
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