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Honda S2000 vs Saturn Sky/Pontiac Solstice

18 messages,  Last post on Oct 14, 2011 at 1:34 PM

You are in the Honda S2000 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda S2000, Saturn Sky, Pontiac Solstice, Convertible

Messages Page 2 of 2

#9 of 18 Re: . [trucktricks] by habitat1

May 22, 2007 (9:46 am)

Replying to: trucktricks (May 22, 2007 9:10 am)
"I think what you are telling me is that the audio sensation of 9000 RPM is high on your list of wants from a sports car. Personally, I put the G's of acceleration, braking and cornering at the top of my list."
 
The sound of 8,500+ rpm probably had something to do with it, but by "visceral" I mostly meant the direct "connected" feel of the S2000. Also, there are a fair number of cars that, thanks to supersized rubber, can post pretty decent maximum g's and braking. The S2000 has such tight steering and exceptional balance, that you really need to drive it in twisties with a lot of transitions to appreciate it. It feels like a go cart and is almost effortless in its ability to handle quick "S" turns. Far more so than the Z3/Z4 and SLK's and right up there with the Boxster S. The 350Z feels like the Love Boat by comparison.
 
"the cash when you sell it could come in handy for your daughters college tuition."
 
You didn't think I'd have splurged on a 911 without first pre-funding their 529 accounts, did you? As long as the market doesn't crash or the Ivy League decide to bump tuition by 15% per year, they should be covered.
 
But I think you may get my point after driving the S2000. There are some people, a few I even call friends, who worship torque and love raw power. One such friend had a Buick "SS" Gran National, or something to that effect in the 1970's that could do a 1/4 mile in the 11 second range. I suspect in his hands, the S2000 would dissapoint. He's a IHRA and Nascar kind of guy. A straight line or a counterclockwise oval are his metrics for a sports car. I'm a Formula One and Grand Prix kind of guy. I have a tough time getting excited by a 2 minute horse race around an oval, let alone a 2+ hour car race around one. Show me Monaco.
 
I look forward to hearing about your test drive.

#10 of 18 Re: . [accelerator] by trucktricks

May 23, 2007 (9:14 am)

Replying to: accelerator (May 22, 2007 7:02 am)
I wondered about the turbo-lag issue. Turbo lag has been a problem with some (most?) of the high performance engines of the past. The engine designers are finding ways around that now.
 
Solutions have included twin scroll impellers (like the Solstice), ceramic impellers and even plastic impellers. BMW has even gone to using two small turbos like on the 335i.
 
Interestingly enough, the 3.0 liter in the BMW with two turbos produces 300HP. This is 1.63 HP/cubic in. A far cry from the 2.1 HP/cubic in. of the Solstice. And this coming from a manufacturer known for their engines. I would suggest the GM boys have one-upped them on this one.
 
At any rate, my somewhat brief (10 mi.) drive in the GXP revealed no noticeable turbo lag and very, very snappy shifts.

#11 of 18 Re: . [trucktricks] by accelerator

May 23, 2007 (9:46 am)

Replying to: trucktricks (May 23, 2007 9:14 am)
In my previous turbo, if I accelerated too hard/long, boost would charge and the turbo would kick in but I didn't like that when I was in rush hour traffic. You have to watch the turbo guage and back off the throttle just before booast was reached to avoid that rapid acceleration. I guess you could say the same thing about VTEC but with VTEC, you control it more than it controls you. Make sense? I don't recall any lag on the GXP I drove. I also didn't drive the GXP in rush hour I can't compare that to the normal, green light, go, red light stop, test drive I did (also about 10 miles).
 
I've driven a couple of BMW (none were boosted) at demonstration events in the past and aside from the way a BMW looks (which I love the exterior lines), they just don't "fit" me. Even despite that, I prefer to be a bit more unique. I live in a pretty prominent part of town and everyone has a BMW or Mercedes or Lexus.
 
The Solstice/Sky/S2000 are far more unique and rare. Does that say something about how I view myself? Of course it does! That is why I want a roadster!
 
I'm on day 5 and 500 miles into my new S2000 and am 110% satisfied with my choice; And I've NEVER been able to say that about any car I've owned in the past except my 2000 Toyota Tacoma (but that is for another thread).
 
I may still take a Solctice/Sky for a test drive in another year once more tweaks have been made. But I do have to say, the power top of the S2000 is a fantastic feature. I was heading home Friday after work with heavy cloud cover and I didn't think I would make it home before the bottom dropped out. In the solstice, I probably would have left the top up since it is a bit more complicated to put up/down. In the S, I knew I only needed 4 seconds and I could have the top up. So, on a Friday evening after a long week and a hectic day, I left work with the top down enjoying the cool breeze on my face, with the radio cranked up. Good times...
 
... and yes, it did rain but I managed to stay dry.

#12 of 18 hold on hold on give the u.s.a. a chance by solstice375

Nov 12, 2007 (1:53 am)

O.K. guys we are all going off of motor trend reports and commercially recognized opinions. what about what is real, there are alot of things about the solstice that i love, some people see the long gears as a flaw. but i think it's a step up. it's good to get away from those 1 second shifting ricers like the miata and civic, honestly... one thing the civic may be reliable but people who focus on performance like me... who really cares about reliability. and as of power. my solstice pushes about
375 Hp give the united states a chance we are all too use to these squeeky little japanese toys, that we think all compact sports cars should perform like them... the solstice is a roadster not a ricer. it's going to be deeper in tone and have longer gears that is its nature. get use to it. if you want toy go buy and integra or mazda-3 know the difference people.

#13 of 18 Re: hold on hold on give the u.s.a. a chance [solstice375] by fedlawman

Nov 12, 2007 (5:44 am)

Replying to: solstice375 (Nov 12, 2007 1:53 am)
Thanks for mentioning that the Miata is legendary for it's very slick shifter and proven bulletproof reliability.
 
Also, I'm sure it was an innocent oversight, but you forgot to mention that the GXP weighs 500 lbs more and costs $5000 more than a Miata, and also lacks the Miata's telepathic steering, neutral chassis, large trunk, high quality materials, and simple/quick operating cloth top.
 
What happened to GM's promise of a world-class, lightweight, affordable, back-to-basics sports car? Instead, we got a "traditional" American sports car - mediocre parts-bin mechanicals/underpinnings covered up with good looks and horsepower.

#14 of 18 Re: hold on hold on give the u.s.a. a chance [fedlawman] by anythngbutgm

Nov 12, 2007 (6:12 am)

Replying to: fedlawman (Nov 12, 2007 5:44 am)
Bob Lutz had a pricepoint in mind when he came up with the concept. That pricepoint was a lot lower once the beancounters got their say.
 
"squeeky little japanese toys" LOL, My S is going on 4 years old and it doesn't squeek on bit. Still tight as a drum.

#15 of 18 Re: hold on hold on give the u.s.a. a chance [anythngbutgm] by fedlawman

Nov 12, 2007 (6:53 am)

Replying to: anythngbutgm (Nov 12, 2007 6:12 am)
The target was under $20K IIRC.
 
Americans have been describing Japanese cars with these terms for 30+ years - mostly out of insecurity. I'd feel insecure too if I spent $30,000 on a Solstice.

#16 of 18 My Two Cents by disturbed1160

Jan 10, 2010 (2:34 pm)

Well for me this is not really a true comparison of apples to apples in terms of torque/hp. I mean your comparing turbo vs straight motor. First off any paper you read, any dyno you use will show you that an S2000 with a turbo would leave the poor gxp in the dust, especially mixed with tight turns and cornering. While I do like both vehicles' exterior, I must say that the gxp seems to rounded for me which makes it more of chick car, the sky looks better but its saturn, and honda is very sleek and has more appeal IMO. The interior of both are really nice while the GXP might be more stylish in terms of some modern updating its not leaps and bounds past the s2000. Acutally the s2000 has reliability inside and out, show me where the gxp has that???
 
Either way the end result is personal preference, with pontiacs now shutdown I would have to say the end result should go to honda, especially since 2009 is the last year.

#17 of 18 Re: My Two Cents [disturbed1160] by accelerator

Jan 11, 2010 (7:17 am)

Replying to: disturbed1160 (Jan 10, 2010 2:34 pm)
hahah... they've been saying that since, what, 2004? I bought mine in 2007 because "I heard it was the last year." I only wish I had picked one up sooner. Yes, it is loud, yes, it is expensive[1] to operate, but it is oh so worth it to drive if you have some twisty roads. On an open freeway, you can help but cut loose and open it up. It is so stable even at higher speeds[2]. I do think the Sky does have some great looks and I'll miss them, but I'll take the lines of my S2000 (with it more usable trunk) over any Sky/Soltice.
 
[1] By expensive, I mean factoring in the cost of replacement tires, premium fuel, insurance, etc.
[2] You should always drive the posted speed and wear the proper safety gear. Driving high speed should only be done on an approved raceway or where permitted by law.
 
Just my disclaimers.

#18 of 18 S2000 Pricing update by burghcarguy

Oct 14, 2011 (1:34 pm)

As of today, a 2007 S2000 is worth $2,500 more than a Saturn RedLine and $4,000 more than a Pontiac Solstice GXP.
 
Car-and-Driver also did a comparison of a used S2000 to a new Miata and called the S2000 the only roadster to "out-fun" the Miata. They also called the S the "superbike of roadsters."
 
Case closed. S2000 wins. The most fun you can have in a car with your clothes on.

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