Not trying to start a war here, just interested in hearing some OBJECTIVE opinions from fellow s2000 owners. My question is, stepping up from a gsr, does the s2000 have the same quality in that you have to wring its neck to get power? Obviously it is a higher revving car so naturally the power comes on up top, but I wonder if it has enough torque down low, or is it a similar story to my gsr? My real question is, if you are at a light with a E36 M3, or mustang or something torquey, how many carlengths are you going to have to make up with out drop clutching it???

Thanks for the info.

 

Since there have been 30 views and not 1 post i am going to go out on a limb and say that it doesn't. Thanks.

 

This is a very popular topic! Please, i am getting inundated with responses so please take your time...

Is this really a stupid question? I know that it is covered in the magazines, but some real world experiences (from this board) would be helpful.

 

My answer is yes; and no! I too came up from an Integra. When I first got the car I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of usable torque below VTEC. The car actually scoots pretty good under 6,000 rpm and becomes a real thrill ride above 6,000. Now with that said, this car is not suited for drag racing. If you are worried about winning a 0-70 mph stoplight war, you'll have to do a brutal 7,000 rpm clutch dump to get your best launch. The car can do 0-60 in 5.5 sec or less with a hot launch, and about a 6.3 with a puss launch. I've never done a hot launch and don't care to. Many of those who do it regularly have roasted their clutches and/or broken their diffs. The car does so many other things well that I'm willing to give up holeshots.

To sum it up, if you are used to Corvette torque, you'll probably hate the S2000, coming up from something like a GSR you'll love it. Drive one and make your own decision.

 

Perfect! Thank you!

 

Enough torque? Well that's pretty subjective. Compared to a Miata? Yep. Compared to a Mustang GT? Not even close. I'm not an owner yet but I test drove a 2001. I didn't get to wring it out above 6k but since you're question was about low end I figured I'd respond. Off the line, not dumping the clutch, the car feels... not fast... at all. I know I'll get flamed for this but it's just physics. It's not a stoplight drag car. Unless you are willing to abuse the car at every stoplight encounter (I am not) you will get beat by V8 cars unless you plan on going over 100mph to try and run them down on the street. 0-70, you'll be playing catch up and it's not worth it. Save it for the track (the ones with turns), that's what the S2000 is for. If you're more interested in street racing or the occassional drag, get an LS1. For the money they can't be beat. They're not that bad on the auto-x course either. If you want to stay with an import, there are many RWD Japanese cars you can get that can be damn fast ("torquey") on the street while maintaining good handling characterstics.

Anyway, I'm more interested in auto-x and the S2000 is the car that, for the money, can't be beat. (stock class) I'm still on the fence though, I don't relish the thought of driving every rice-boys wet dream. The 2001 I drove was new but it had almost 500 test drive miles on it. I'd bet the dealer would take any reasonable offer to get it off their lot though. Actually they have 2 2001's still. Weird.

Hope this helped.

 

Well put Dave.

As for dealers having S2000s lying around; I believe the hot demand for the car is over. All of us Honda geeks now have one and many dealers have already started discounting. Now is a good time to buy if you look around.

 

hey i've driven numerous s2k's(i work at the honda dealership) and i can tell you that for a 2.0 liter engine they haul *** even w/o vtec. they're just so light and nimble that they feel 'peppy' off the line. once it gets into vtec land its all over, it pulls lke crazy. definately get it, its a awesome performer and it looks damn good. oh yeah , it gives good MPG and can still keep up or beat some v8's out there with 2-3 times its displacement. oh fo sho