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Coupes & Convertibles Honda S2000 Honda S2000
604 messages, Last post on Mar 24, 2009 at 3:21 PM
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Replying to: bf109ace (Sep 16, 2007 6:17 pm)  bf109ace: I have not made any 200-300+ trips in one sitting. The furthest distance I've traveled in one sitting was about 100 miles, then a return trip of 100 miles later that same day. My S is my daily driver and I find it very bearable. When the temperature is between 75 and 85, there is nothing better. My daily commute is 10 miles stop-n-go and then 20 miles of open highway (one way). Noting driving a stick in 6+ years, I can still say the clutch is very light and does not wear out your leg or thigh (I just turned 5000 miles this morning actually). Time for my first oil change! Personally, I think it is actually quieter with the top down, does anyone else think so too? Back to your 200-300 mile trip, I actually find the trunk to be pretty adequate. I would highly recommend soft-sided luggage though. If your Tach is around 3500rpms, that is referred to as the drone zone. When cruising, I'll keep it lower than 3000 or around 4500 rpm. At 3k, it is quiet and at 4.5k (just a hair below VTECH), I can jump into VTECH in a split second for passing or whatever evasive maneuver I need to perform. Keep in mind, this is a convertible and will be noisy so what I find bearable, you may find intolerable. I have absolutely NO regrets with my purchase. If you decide to NOT get a convertible or even a different convertible, I wont flame you, much.  The S can be equipped with a hardtop shell, but my understanding is there is little insulation and actually produces an echoing effect. Someone who has one may chime in differently; I've never ridden in a hard-top equipped S2000 so take my opinion with a grain of salt in that regards. I'll be more than happy to answer any additional questions you may have on the S2000. I shopped the Miata (soft and hard top), 350z, Mustang GT, Solstice GXP and the Sky Redline and ultimately decided on the S2000. Just be aware of my bias towards the s2000.  Good luck and let us know what you decide.
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Replying to: accelerator (Sep 17, 2007 6:31 am) I'm wondering if there is going to be a 2008 S2000 (non-CR) for sale at Honda Dealers. It seems Honda listed both the 2008 S2000 CR and the regular S2000 on its 2008 brochure. Honda fits a different wheel (5-spoke) on the regular S2000 and it offers different color options for CR and S2000, respectively. Any information on the regular 2008 S2000? I don't expect any change in specs but want to know if Honda keeps manufacturing the regular S200o thru the end of calendar year 2008. Thanks.
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Replying to: bf109ace (Sep 17, 2007 1:41 pm) I test drove for a 2nd time today for over 1-hour and 50 miles, on both local road and highway. It has a great firm but not harsh suspension. Excellent road feel and feedbacks. Acceleration from 1st to 3rd are strong, especially on local street. However, it didn't feel as strong and fast as a 237hp car. In addition, I didn't feel much a difference after the VTECT kicks in (above 6000-6500rpm). Now the negative side. It's too noisy on hightway cruisuing at 75-85mph even in 6th. The convertible top does not provide much insulation. It's mainly wind, tire noises. I wouldn't take a trip longer than 100 miles or 2-hours in it on highway. I thought I was a die-hard performance car fun but I was proven wrong. To conclude, the noise is the main deal breaker. Also, I was not so impressed by the not-so-strong acceleration and low torque of the S2000. Well, the Honda dealer confirmed that there is going to be a 2008 S2000 with no or very minor changes. I hope Honda would upgrade the S2000 by building a new one on this platform (nice and sharp style) with a more powerful engine - either a small displacement 2.5 inline 6 cyclinder VTEC or a turbo 2.4 inline 4. A 280hp and 220lbs torque would be ideal. Improve the convertabile top with better insulation and add MPS, iPod input, and a better stereo. Maybe I hoped too much but this current version is aged. I'll look at a Z4 3.0Si, Z4 M roadster, and a Boxster and see how they perform.
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Replying to: bf109ace (Sep 22, 2007 8:06 pm) Improve the convertabile top with better insulation and add MPS, iPod input, and a better stereo. Maybe I hoped too much but this current version is aged." Sorry, but I don't think it's the S2000 that has aged. What a shame it would be to take away everything that makes the S2000 special and turn it into a quieter, heavier, more comfortable car like the BMW or Porsche. |
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Replying to: bf109ace (Sep 22, 2007 8:06 pm) I agree with fedlawman - if you want a heavier, dulled feel roadster like the Z4, get it. But don't suggest to Honda that they go in that direction with the S2000. You may not like the fact that it is visceral, but that's what makes it great and sets it apart from cars like the BMW and Nissan's obese 350Z. As for the Boxster, they are lightweight, with exceptional handling. But, if the S2000 isn't quick enough for you, I think you will find the base model rather underwheming in straight line performance. You'll need to go up to a Boxster S to get something noticably quicker than the S2000. Also, I'm not sure how many miles were on the S2000 that you test drove, but proper break-in on that car is extremely important and it should NOT be V-teched in the first 800 +/- miles. My 2002 model got stronger post break in, all the way up to about 5,000 miles. P.S. I do understand where you are coming from on the comfort factor. I now drive a 2005 911S Cabriolet. But in the world of 2 seat roadsters, there's the Boxster S at $60k and the S2000 at $30k and everything else is a wannabe, IMO. That goes for the Z4, 350Z, SLK, TT, and a few others I probably forgot.
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Replying to: bf109ace (Sep 16, 2007 6:17 pm) The noise is another thing. Back when I had my stock exhaust, the noise really wasn't that bad. The top doesn't buffer in the wind and the roadnoise is more determined by the tires you have (I use Falkens which are fantastic). The whine of my supercharger has always been hard on the ears, though. I can't really say how a stock S is on the road. I'm just too spoiled. Luggage capacity is excellent for such a small car. I've moved 3 times in the thing (the Air Force moves my big stuff). Being that I weigh 140, the seats remain comfy, too. None of this probably helped, but I thought I'd throw in my 2¢. |
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Replying to: habitat1 (Sep 23, 2007 9:50 am) Boxster - 245hp with 201 lbs torque at 4400-6000rpm. S2000 - 237hp with 162 lbs torque at 6200rpm. They may be different animals but I prefer to more civil ride in the Boxster. Z4 is ok with some sportiness. Never tried TT but it looks 'too cute" for me. 350Z is just too heavy and coarse. No SLK for me since there is no manual shift available. |
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Replying to: bf109ace (Oct 08, 2007 4:46 pm)
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Replying to: fedlawman (Oct 08, 2007 5:03 pm) I just wanted to say what a fantastic ride I had in this morning. Air temperature was a cool 71 degrees, not a cloud in the sky, very little if any cross-winds, and very few cars - and the few there were, I was able to snake through (safety is alway paramount) and get ahead of the pack to pick up crusing again... what a fantastic drive... Unreal. Serious question here: Do y'all think other convertible drivers enjoy a simple cruise as much as they might in the S? I mean, with the freeway cruise I had this morning, torque didn't matter, horsepower didn't matter, just top down wind blowing across your face sun beaming down singing along to the radio kind of fun... does it get any better than this? This is my first convertible so that is why I ask. *cough cough* Boss, I think I'm sick  and need to go home...
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Replying to: accelerator (Oct 09, 2007 6:33 am) I did have an unfortunate encounter, though. I was cruising down the backroad going about 70 when I come over a hill and the road turned to dirt! 70mph on a dirt road in a high powered RWD convertible is an experience I do not want to undergo again. |
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