CD Article: Honda S2000, 2000-2007

[CD_Editor]

Used Vehicle Review:


Used Honda S2000s have generally proven reliable, but there are some issues to look out for, reports Contributing Editor, Chris Chase.  As S2000s are highly desirable in the used car market, "resale values are high", he says.  

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[articsteve]

I sincerely hope the S2K's successor has a little more seat/leg room.  I'll be needing something in about ten years. 

[airbalancer]

I found the leg room OK, but the seat is narroww in the shoulders

[Jameel]

Hopefully an adjustable steering wheel, would be nice.

I test drove an ’04 S2000 with my buddy about a month ago and having the seat adjusted all the way the steering wheel was rubbing my legs. 

I always knew the shifter was amazing on this car, but I didn’t realize how good it was until I drove it. WOW!  Porsche should really study this shifter and included it in their cars.

I was a tad disappointed in the power (yes, I hit VTEC).  I know it’s not a torque monster or a drag racer, I’m not even looking at it from that point-of-view.  I just thought it would be faster.

[wing]

It only feels fast if you are at WOT, otherwise it doesn't feel fast at all.  So not just VTEC, you have to hit 9300rpm and get the perfect shift into the next gear, then she feels fast.

Or do what I'm doing and add 100hp and 50ft-lbs of torque yeehaa!

[rrocket]

^^^^Glad you are seeing the light.  You used to bag on me when I said I loved everything about the S2000 except for the torqueless wonder engine....

[wing]

I also changed the gearing which made a big difference -- torque isn't everything gearing makes up for it.  But can't argue with more power.

I did the calculations rough today and it looks like I might be sporting the same power to weight ratio as an R8 .

[rrocket]

I also changed the gearing which made a big difference -- torque isn't everything gearing makes up for it.  But can't argue with more power.

I did the calculations rough today and it looks like I might be sporting the same power to weight ratio as an R8 .

Which is what, by the way?  I'm at roughly 5.2lbs per HP

[wing]

7.8 ish. 

[rrocket]

^^^^Will be sweet!!!!  Can't wait to hear the "first drive" review!

[TopGun]

I remember the first time I drove one of these.  The cam lobes switched over...and it sounded like a thousand bees had just turned on me in anger...I thought I broke it.

Not what I would call music to my ears.

[rrocket]

^^Yea..it does take getting used to.  I came from sportbikes...so it wasn't too odd for me to hear. 

Some people feel all weirded out revving them to 9,000RPMS...just cause they've prolly never revved a car beyond 6-7,000 RPMS

[wing]

Mine doesn't sound like bees, a few miles on the exhaust and now it sounds pretty deep and rumbly actually -- oh and deafening.

[Jameel]

^^Yea..it does take getting used to.  I came from sportbikes...so it wasn't too odd for me to hear. 

Some people feel all weirded out revving them to 9,000RPMS...just cause they've prolly never revved a car beyond 6-7,000 RPMS

Same here, came from a motorcycle. So revving the heck out of it wasn't the issue.

I liked the sound of the engine and exhaust.  But, by far the shifter is the "killer app" for this car.

wing,
No I don't think I was at WOT when I switched over, can't remember anymore. I was on merivale rd (just by central park) at the time.

[wing]

The VTEC kick isn't much if you aren't WOT because it adds 100hp but you aren't using it.

[TopGun]

The Cessna's O-200 (201 cubic inches) produces a whopping 100 bhp at a dizzying 2750 RPM redline...when it was new in 1959.

It's powerful enough to put 1500 lbs of plane, fuel, people in the air...and move them at just over 100 mph.

[initial_D]

Though the MY2000 models will be cheaper ... around $15G or so?

[articsteve]

One thing is certain about S2000s used; they are significantly cheaper in the US.

[wing]

Consider they sell new for $30k makes sense

[Railton]

The Cessna's O-200 (201 cubic inches) produces a whopping 100 bhp at a dizzying 2750 RPM redline...when it was new in 1959.

It's powerful enough to put 1500 lbs of plane, fuel, people in the air...and move them at just over 100 mph.

That would be ~500 lbs of people, fuel (150lbs full tanks?) and luggage at ~100mph depending on which way the wind was blowing and hopefuly, not on a hot day.
Railton