What is everyone's opinion of the S2000?

Mike O · 4 April 2001

First off, I'm loving the NSX I recently bought. I just ordered a set of new wheels and tires for the car, and should have them on Friday.

Now, my question - what does everyone here think of the S2000? I'm seriously thinking of selling my Mercedes CLK430 Cabriolet (I never drive it - only 2900 miles in 15 months), and buying another convertible (that I'll actually drive). I'm considering an Audi 225 hp Quattro Roadster, a Porsche Boxster (maybe S), and the S2000.

I normally drive German cars (my everyday car is an Audi A6 4.2 and my wife drives a '99 3 series BMW), so I'd appreciate everyone's opinion as to how the S2000 stacks up to the 2 German cars I'm also considering.

Thanks!

Chris W · 4 April 2001

This should probably fall under the "Off Topic" section.

DeHaldaswerth · 4 April 2001

The s2000 is a great car -- I bought one about two months ago. Very rigid chassis for a convertible, and very well built. The engine is a gem, but don't buy the car if you like low end grunt -- the s2000 is a high revving screamer -- seems more like a motorcycle than a car. I love mine.

NSEX · 4 April 2001

I had a S2000 for 1 month, then it's gone. (long story) I love(d) it every minute.
It does lack some low end torque, but not as bad as everyone says. The car doesn't have crazy straightline performance, or even not as fast as my '91 NSX, but everytime I drove the car with the top down, there was smile on my face. The driving experience is another big plus, the suspension is perfectly tuned as you actually feel that you're combined with the car. It moves like your arm and your leg. it's definitely one of the best/fun sports car I've ever driven. I'd choice S2000 over the Boxter S or TT in a heart beat and save the extra to get a Comptech supercharger, set of 18" inch Work Mesiter wheels for it. The stock stereo systems suck big time through, but who would listen to stereo when you can listen to the screaming 9k engine with supercharger?

Khuang · 4 April 2001

I would keep the mercedes since you already have a NSX. The S2000 is very fun car but nothing the NSX can't do except for the drop top. In your case, I would only get the S2000 if you plan on using the car for autocross and road course. For cruising around or daily driver, Mercedes 430.

queenlives · 4 April 2001

my 18 yr old son has an s2000 and, overall, likes the car. his critical comments are generally about the plastic rear window, buzzy engine and loud cockpit noise in normal operating circumstances (top up or down) at freeway speeds. he thinks it's not quite the car our sc'd nsx is, but then, neither is the price the same as the nsx.

dvkim · 4 April 2001

I have hear that the S-2000 Horsepower is very nerve racking. It does not hit its torque peak untill like 7000 rpm. My father inlaw got a CL 55 about 6 months ago and loves it. You may want to test drive one of those as an every day driver.

Schatten · 4 April 2001

The Mercedes and the Honda are two totally different cars. If you were closer to Texas, I'd give you a spin in the S2000. Its a fun car indeed. And personally, I enjoy rev'ing up into the upper RPM's with it - no matter how many people complain about it.

NetViper · 4 April 2001

I have driven the s2000 and it was a blast! I must agree though, it has NOTHING under 6000 RPM. But, after that it hauls! The engine sounds great and the handling is amazing. It is pretty hard to get wheelspin unless you really dump the clutch from high rpm. If it were me, I think I would keep the mercedes seeing as the NSX is a better car than the s2000 (IMO) in every way.

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NetViper -= looking to get an NSX before I turn 26! =- Didn't make 25

Lud · 4 April 2001

The CT supercharger for the S2000 sounds like it would really make the car a great package and address the power issue. Does anyone here have that setup?

H-carWizKid · 4 April 2001

The answer to your question may lie in the artical "Bending the Rules" by Tony Swan in Car and Driver Magazine. in the article they run a comparison of the Boxter, Mercedes SLK, BMW M Roadster, and the S2000. The means of comparison include street performance, and track performance, as well as straight line speeds, and stopping distances. Car and Driver also lends some insight into the practicality of each car. The S2000 won hands down.
I sold S2000's, and I have driven a few as well (although not nearly as often as I would have liked) my personal impressions are these.
1.)You can drive an S2000 everyday if you like sports cars and can deal with some eccentricities involved with their design (ie: road noise,wind noise, plastic rear window,and less than accustically perfect stereo).
2.)The 2.0 liter powerplant is among Honda's greatest technological achievments, but if you want big power you have to drive it like you stole it.
3.)The car has a very striking design, much better in person than in photo's.
4.)You can fit a light weight Golf bag into the trunk, but plan on meeting your friends at the course; there is no-way you can fit 2 sets in there.
In conclusion, drive all three of your options before you choose one, thats all the fun of buying a new car anyway!

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But you knew that right?

[This message has been edited by H-carWizKid (edited 04 April 2001).]

Andrie Hartanto · 4 April 2001

Check out these videos:
http://www.digicomp.cc/grandtouring/movies/hondashow3.mpeg
http://estonia.dyndns.org/~tom/hondashow1.mpg

Mike O · 6 April 2001

Thanks for everyone's input.

I got to drive a broken-in (2600 miles) S2000 today and was underwhelmed to say the least. My '91 NSX is far stronger than the S2000, and I believe I could easily take it with my '99 Z3 Coupe as well (much better torque, especially down low).

The seats and shifter were nice on the car, but the total lack of torque totally turned me off. The Boxster S I test drove about a month ago will totally destroy an S2000 - at least with me driving. Guess I'm not used to a car with only 153 ft lb of torque (like the S2000 has at 7500 rpm).

The Boxster S, while it costs $20,000 more, is worth the difference (at least to me). Still deciding if I'll keep the CLK or not...

Nsxotic · 6 April 2001

MY opinion???? Very dumb car..... can't even believe it gets discussed among high-end cars.... why don't we just ask what the opinions are of a delsol?

TebbNSX · 2 May 2001

I really hope that NSXotic's comment about the S2000 is a joke, simply because it is comments like that which cuase problems on forum chat. I have an S2000 also and I can say that it an incredible car for the money. Sure, it isn't an NSX, but an NSX isn't a McLaren F-1 either. Point being we all talk about snobby NSX drivers and how we dislike them and their attitudes but when we start to rip on other cars then that is essentially what we become.

Schatten · 3 May 2001

agreed. I can't believe because of the cost factor it is belittled among higher priced cars, and better performing cars like the NSX. I have an S2000, and enjoy the hell out of it - on and off the track.

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2001 S2000
http://www.buymeaferrari.com

s2ktaxi · 4 May 2001

currently have a 01 S2000 in addition to my 00 NSX Coupe - best combo!

The S2000 is a much more nimble car that is more tossable than the NSX. The NSX is faster and can put power down better. The 9000 rpm redline of the S2000 is a major asset! The shifter in the S2000 is superior to the NSX's - even my 00 NSX's that has an improved NSX transmission. The S2000's pedal arrangement is better for heel and toe than the NSX's.

That said, the NSX is more comfortable.

What is everyone's opinion of the S2000?

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