Used low mileage S2000s have recently dropped to the $28k range (depending on the part of the county) so I have been considering to idea of selling my Type-R and buying one. I have about $5k of mods planned to my Type-R in the next year and I was wondering if the money would be better spent on an S2000.

Advantages of S2000:

240hp
9000rpm
6 speed
RWD
Smaller steering wheel with quicker ratio
Not as likely to disappear when parked in a public place

Disadvantages of S2000:

Convertible - I am not a big fan of drop tops
Not a Type-R

What I really like about the Type-R is that it is utterly focused on driving pleasure. I am wondering if the S2000 would be quite as focused. Anybody have experiences with both?

 

I don't think you can do Track events in a S2000 without putting in a cage. They are good cars, do what you want. I'd stay with the R, just my .02$

 

if you don't like convertibles can you get the optional hardtop? or is it something that won't fit on the early models?

as for other stuff.... um, you can only bring one friend? the trunk can hold absolutely squat... but with spoon sports campaining them overseas they must be worth something on the track...

 

I am trading my s2k for a itr+$, let me know if your interested. brent6w@aol.com

 

12 Honda's in 5 years.
00-00981 for 25K+ miles in a year, now 11K+ on an 01 S2000.

Be absolutely certain that the S2000 is for you:
- lack of interior space (have friends that are too tall and too wide - i am 5'10/190 and fit perfect)
- trunk to fit toolbox and bag of gold clubs, smallish, although i fit a set of front and rear si brakes in there, so, it depends
- perpare to get mugged on - people *look* at this car
I would recommend against buying a used one.
- because you never know.

more opinion: ITR drivers dont like to admit they've been bested. i know i didnt when i drove R 981, however, your concerns about the S2000 being a drivers are are moot. the S2000 is completely driver, and driving focused, please see http://world.honda.com/S2000/.

email if you want more. also http://demians.net/s2000 http://demians.net/itr ,
Demian

 

Well,I certainly wouldn't say that we have been "bested".I had a chance to put 350 miles on an s2k when I was in Las Vegas.I beat the absolute crap out of that car from the time I got in it until the time I dropped it off with the valet.They are two totally different cars with totally different handling characteristics.I think the car does everything the ITR does and I wouldn't say it does it better.I have raced a few of them they certainly aren't much faster than a lightly modded ITR.The best run I have had with one was dead even.The others I would pull at lower speeds and they would ever pull back up.I like the way the s2k looks more and I love the sound of it.It is a very solid car and does everything really well.If the car fits you and you have no issues with cargo I would do it in a heartbeat.

 

I drove my buddies s2k this summer. If I had money to buy a new car up to $32k, I'd get s2k. It's a sweet car (faster, shorter shifter and steering, rwd, etc.) ... as for not having the backseat, I don't ever use my back seat anyway... less people to carry, better it is (for me). As for the convertible part, if you live in CA, it's perfect. And, you if you don't like the plastic window, get $3k hardtop option.

The only thing that sucks about s2k is that the warranty is 3yr/36k miles... if you care. 36k flies in 2 years for me, so that ain't a good option for me. Also, w/ RSX-R possibly coming out in a few years, I'd hold out until RSX-R detail is concrete.

 

mine has the extended 7yr 100k warranty

 

Thank's for the feedback, guys. I think that I am going to have to rent one to find out if it is for me. The lack of practicality is not an issue for me because I have a beater for the boring stuff.

I never thought about the necessity of a roll cage for track stuff. I plan to do some track events later in the year. I would guess that the hardtop would work here but and additional $3k would make the car less desirable, particularly when there are some interesting new cars coming next year - the new Z springs to mind.

I think what I really want is a yellow S2000 Type-R coupe. And I have heard no rumours of this beast.

 

honda hardtop 5000 bucks, mugen carbon fiber hardtop, 5000 bucks... durability... honda hardtop...

 

The car has to fit into your lifestyle. It's not practical in the snowy winters, infact it's an absolute shame if I saw one being driven in the winter.

Definately the S2000 turns more heads it's quicker than the ITR and is more of drivers car. The seating position very Lotus/3rd gen RX-7 like.

The ITR is based on an old sports coupe design with a bunch of goodies packed into the mix by Honda. It feels raw and suprisingly very capable of tracking with very little preparation.

I was contemplating a S2000 but I decided against it, my dogs are like my kids so I need the room for them.

If you got a second car to drive in the winter and you and it fits your lifestyle to go for the S2000.

** Not many young guys (under 35) have an S2000, so you like to car talk with your ITR it's going to be harder with a S2000.

 

Not totally true. There are plenty drivers under 30 y.o. The problem is not many of under 30 drivers ever take the car to competition or do any serious mods ('cuz mods are expensive and engine is hard to modify). So, if you're content with 240hp and don't mind figuring stuff out for yourself, then it's a fine sport machine.

 

IMO I'd prefer the s2000. My R gets fucked with left and right because of the high rice factor. The s2000 is a bit more upper class to me. Just look at the people who have them, mostly wine-tasters. But of course, in different areas this might be false.

 

Quote:

** Not many young guys (under 35) have an S2000, so you like to car talk with your ITR it's going to be harder with a S2000.

I am calling bullshit on this one, there are soooo many spoiled little ***** driving s2k's its not even funny I see them left and right with kids younger than me behind the wheel reving them and driving the cars like dumbasses, and mind you im only 20 damn years old, and could afford one very easily but in the long run that car would cost me up the ***...

my civic si is content enough for me and already expensive enough...

i pay 420 a month for the car and 300 dollars a month for insurance so if I could afford an s2k is clearly slapped out of the way because that is what most people pay for them...

but I drive 170 miles a day round trip... gas every 2-3 days. how would an s2k fair in those conditions, and in the long run if I want to sell it who wants an s2k with all highway miles. my si is only 2 years old but has 87thousand miles, you think anyone would buy a sports car like an s2k with 87 thousand miles on it only two years old...

thats a big **** no thank you.


EXACTLY , ask vaporsi how he is doing with his s2k... hes hurtin.


oh and consider tire prices, last time I checked a 225 or larger series 16 in bridgestone potenza s0-2 was about 170 bucks... and you cant rotate these bad boys either....

just another thing I would like to throw out there, also the whole convertible thing kills it for me, there is no saftey in an s2k, if you luck out in an accident you spin out and hit a wall eat ****, if you flip... YOUR FUXORED...

 

Now that I no longer have a locked garage (instead I have underground but ungated condo parking) I am a lot more concerned that my R will take a walk all by itself some night. In the last two weeks I was followed twice by riced out Integras. Each time I drove past my apartment so that they would not know where I lived. The recent rash of postings about stolen Rs and emblems have not helped either.

I called my insurance company this morning and discovered that my insurance rate for an S2000 would be the same as for a Type-R. My car is paid for too so the loan would not be too nasty. Mmmmmm.

I wonder how much I could get for my car. FYI, it has 13k miles and has the following modifications:

Black Recaro SRDs ($1500); Mugen 16x7 MF-10 bronze wheels ($2500);
Mugen Lowdown suspension ($1450); Spoon front lower a-arm bar ($200);
Spoon rear lower a-arm bar ($170); JDM pedal covers ($200); JDM rear
upper strut bar ($170); JDM center console ($70); Comptech SS lines
($110); Comptech air filter ($70); Comptech air intake ($170); OEM
Acura Cassette deck ($150).

 

Actually it's only 3000, 3300 if its a 2000 S2000 (for the mounting adapter).

 

norice - do you have a PY ITR? If so, I would think about getting a garage near-by your condo or seriously consider selling your PY for a s2000. However, if your car is BP and if you would still like to own an ITR, get rid of the badges, wing, Mugen MF-10's (store it for special occasions). I think you know what I am trying to say... just don't give up an R unless you really have to.

 

I didn't get the S2000 because of a lack of affordable tuner upgrades and parts. Since that time many upgrades have come on the market, but they are much much more expensive than Type R parts. That and a few gripes about the way they designed it (power top but plastic window) made me choose the R.

 

yes, I am "hurtin." a 19yo scraping for gas bills, insurance bills, and car payments. not a practical car. would've been a wiser choice if this was my second car. not too fun driving to the beach without worrying that the board will fly out of the car. but it's hard to miss the attention the car gets, lots of stares, and those bright lights, they blind every living organism with eyes within a mile ahead of the car at night.

There's nothing with my hankooks, other then their stone like qualities, they are very cheap for the sizes I needed, about $275 for a set of four (2 205/50s & 2 245/45s). Also, roll cage is not an issue at ALL events. Just go with the right group of people that know you and are comfortable with your driving skills. It's not a practical car, and expect friends to hate you b/c you will get out of carpooling every time.

 

hehe, just get a "blow-up" doll for your buddy to hold... your carpooling problem is over.

 

i've been contemplating the same thing as norice, selling the R for an S2K.

the space issue isn't an issue for me. i primarily drive alone . . . the only person that would be a passenger is my girlfriend. trunk space isn't an issue either, i never haul anything big - and if i do, i can use my GF's car for that. the hatchback quality of the ITR is nice, if i ever wanted to carry a huge amount of stuff, i could.

RWD is nice, and i really want a RWD convertible, and preferable a honda, so the S2K is perfect. but, i live in new england, so i would need a winter car.

i do get a lot of attention in the PY ITR, most of it i classify as 'negative' attention. kids wanting to race, rednecks in trucks yelling at me, etc. it sucks. and it makes me worry about the car more than i should - a car should not change your lifestyle as much as this car does. i think i would be paranoid about the S2K, but not as much as my ITR.

i'm currently in the process of looking for a new job in another state, which will pay a lot more (cost of living where i am is ridiculous, in comparison to wages), so i'm hoping to purchase either an S2K or a WRX to have in addition to my ITR.

of course, a double-bayed garage is going to be necessary as well.

 

Peter - check out ATL for some jobs... our market is booming, relatively speaking. Also, it's warm throughout the year so that you can enjoy all your motor hobbies.

 

haha . . . thanks for the tip, but i'm not looking to move to ATL. my sister and her [*******] boyfriend just moved to south carolina, fairly close by. i'm looking to move to rhode island . . .

 

Funny, next time you see a young guy in an S2000, think "that ************ worked his *** off to get where he is." Im 25, and I earn my way, so go easy.

I'm paying about $ 680 in payment and insurance on the S2000, albeit insurance is only 75 bucks for 100/300 where I live.

I live a mile and a half from work, and my wife goes to college 5 miles down the road, but I still have the hatchback to get her an I back and forth in bad weather.

"If the top cant be down the S2000's not comin out."
Demian

Almost forgot - dealer cost on the S2000 hardtop is $2000, MSRP is $3000, I made a deal with the gal who sold me mine: Hardtop for cost, seeing as they forced options on me.


[Modified by killingtime, 1:42 AM 8/16/2001]

 

First off, I'm surprised how many people think the R is comparable to the S2K. The S2K is complete step above the R, if you are interested in having a real sports car, then the S2K is it.

Honda designed the S2K from the ground up with a chassis and engine made specifically for driving. Every aspect of the car, such as the weight distribution, driving position, even tachometer is race inspired.

Integras are based off an economy car chassis with the sporting intent of the R almost like an afterthought. Mind you the Integra is also on a 7 year old chassis versus the S2K's 1-2 year old chassis.

However, the great thing about the Integra is that is can be more of a hobby than the S2K with the wide array of parts available. I mean, how many other cars can you actually build the engine up from the ground up on? It's pretty crazy how much knowledge is known about the B-series motors. And that degree of customizability is probally what makes us love our Integras so much.

But don't let the love blind you to the fact that the Integra has economy car roots.

Many people would also laugh at the idea that a front wheel drive car be called a sports car. A sportY car yes...