Honda S2000
06 January 2003, 11:10 AM
#2
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Bonkers bonkers engine, gets a bit noisy if you thrash it all the time but hey you don't buy it if you are a shrinking violet.
Chassis was not the most involving and not in the same league as say an Elise but the engine more than makes up for it. 237 ponies from a 2litre NA lump is good in anyone's book.
Not a lot of people liked the fact that the screen sits so upright in relation to the bonnet line, but in titanium grey with red leather I think they look pretty sweet.
Plus you get Honda build quality which is usually pretty spot on.
Cheers,
S/
Chassis was not the most involving and not in the same league as say an Elise but the engine more than makes up for it. 237 ponies from a 2litre NA lump is good in anyone's book.
Not a lot of people liked the fact that the screen sits so upright in relation to the bonnet line, but in titanium grey with red leather I think they look pretty sweet.
Plus you get Honda build quality which is usually pretty spot on.
Cheers,
S/
06 January 2003, 11:21 AM
#4
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Evo reviewed it from
http://www.evo.co.uk
If we had the money and we wanted the very best we'd still go for a Boxster but, thanks to those chassis changes, the S2000 is now a genuine contender, a solid four-star evo car. It's not as special looking, it's steering lacks ultimate feel, and its frenetic character can make it hard work. But it's a lot more like the car we hoped we'd find at the launch back in '99. Indeed, with leather, air, electric hood, Xenon lights, Honda build quality and a three-year warranty, it's now a bit of a bargain, even at the UK list price of £25,995. And at £22,500, it's an absolute steal...
http://www.evo.co.uk
If we had the money and we wanted the very best we'd still go for a Boxster but, thanks to those chassis changes, the S2000 is now a genuine contender, a solid four-star evo car. It's not as special looking, it's steering lacks ultimate feel, and its frenetic character can make it hard work. But it's a lot more like the car we hoped we'd find at the launch back in '99. Indeed, with leather, air, electric hood, Xenon lights, Honda build quality and a three-year warranty, it's now a bit of a bargain, even at the UK list price of £25,995. And at £22,500, it's an absolute steal...
06 January 2003, 12:52 PM
#5
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Image Doctor,
Erm.. no you can't !!
Maybe if you throw in another £6k over and above the £19k.
The S2000 whilst perhaps not having the image of a Boxster would nail a 2.5 Boxster.
Erm.. no you can't !!
Maybe if you throw in another £6k over and above the £19k.
The S2000 whilst perhaps not having the image of a Boxster would nail a 2.5 Boxster.
More info here http://www.s2ki.com/
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06 January 2003, 01:27 PM
#8
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You can get boxsters for around 20k.
I do not think it would NAIL it either, it may be marginally faster.
With a Boxster you also get:
That flat 6 noise
A Porsche badge
one of the best handling cars ever
I do not think it would NAIL it either, it may be marginally faster.
With a Boxster you also get:
That flat 6 noise
A Porsche badge
one of the best handling cars ever
you won't regret it
06 January 2003, 02:22 PM
#10
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I have just changed my E36 M3 Evo for an S2000 - totally different car obviously not least because of that VTEC engine
The Boxster wasn't an option for me as the looks do nothing for me at all - sadly the magazines appear to be blinded by badge snobbery when it comes to the S2000 - Despite the Boxster being a Porsche this certainly does not guarantee exclusivity - the Honda most certainly does, they are a rare car indeed and if you want attention this car will get it, but the right sort of attention
One of the reasons I 'got out' of the M3 was I was fed up with receiving the w@nker sign - Had I bought a Boxster it would have been more of the same whereas no such hassles with the S2000
The engine does take some getting used to when coming from something as torquey as the M3, not that that S2000 lacks torque just that it demands a different driving style - the M3 could be left in virtually any gear and be driven an an automatic..........but where's the fun
As for performance comparisons I have yet to come across a Boxster S driver willing to play - I am sure if the Porsche driver was confident of giving the S2000 a whipping.......................................... .
The S2000 has a real edge to it - there's nothing wrong with the handling unless you like understeer of course - in that case buy a Civic!! - It's a car that needs to be learned and respected in order to get the most out of it - this is not a car that you can just get in and drive at ten tenths straightaway
All in all I consider the S2000 to be a fantastic car, exclusive, capable of providing thrills but retaining everyday useability and so far would appear not to get up the nose's of other road users
The Boxster wasn't an option for me as the looks do nothing for me at all - sadly the magazines appear to be blinded by badge snobbery when it comes to the S2000 - Despite the Boxster being a Porsche this certainly does not guarantee exclusivity - the Honda most certainly does, they are a rare car indeed and if you want attention this car will get it, but the right sort of attention
One of the reasons I 'got out' of the M3 was I was fed up with receiving the w@nker sign - Had I bought a Boxster it would have been more of the same whereas no such hassles with the S2000
The engine does take some getting used to when coming from something as torquey as the M3, not that that S2000 lacks torque just that it demands a different driving style - the M3 could be left in virtually any gear and be driven an an automatic..........but where's the fun
As for performance comparisons I have yet to come across a Boxster S driver willing to play - I am sure if the Porsche driver was confident of giving the S2000 a whipping.......................................... .
The S2000 has a real edge to it - there's nothing wrong with the handling unless you like understeer of course - in that case buy a Civic!! - It's a car that needs to be learned and respected in order to get the most out of it - this is not a car that you can just get in and drive at ten tenths straightaway
All in all I consider the S2000 to be a fantastic car, exclusive, capable of providing thrills but retaining everyday useability and so far would appear not to get up the nose's of other road users
06 January 2003, 02:52 PM
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Have to agree with Zero to 60!!
I've been a S2K owner for over a year now after I got rid of my 2.7 Boxster. The S2K is far quicker and alot more involving to drive that the 2.7, and I've had many tussles with Boxster S and have never been embarrassed by any!
The S2K is pretty unique and will IMHO become a classic - It has a few faults / issues like every car, but overall its a drivers car, built to be driven hard and fast - just like the scoobies!
Buy one, you know it makes sense!
Take care
I've been a S2K owner for over a year now after I got rid of my 2.7 Boxster. The S2K is far quicker and alot more involving to drive that the 2.7, and I've had many tussles with Boxster S and have never been embarrassed by any!
The S2K is pretty unique and will IMHO become a classic - It has a few faults / issues like every car, but overall its a drivers car, built to be driven hard and fast - just like the scoobies!
Buy one, you know it makes sense!
Take care
06 January 2003, 02:53 PM
#12
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According to Evo:
Porsche Boxter (2.5 and 2.7), 204/217bhp, 181/192torque, power to weight 159/175, 0-60 in 6.5, 0-100 in 16.9.
Porsche Boxter S, 252bhp, 225torque, power to weight 197, 0-60 in 5.9.
Honda S2000, 237bhp, 151torque, power to weight 191, 0-60 in 5.5, 0-100 in 14.6.
So it would mash a normal boxster.
Its marginally faster to 60 than the S but otherwise would be pretty close.
Porsche Boxter (2.5 and 2.7), 204/217bhp, 181/192torque, power to weight 159/175, 0-60 in 6.5, 0-100 in 16.9.
Porsche Boxter S, 252bhp, 225torque, power to weight 197, 0-60 in 5.9.
Honda S2000, 237bhp, 151torque, power to weight 191, 0-60 in 5.5, 0-100 in 14.6.
So it would mash a normal boxster.
Its marginally faster to 60 than the S but otherwise would be pretty close.
06 January 2003, 03:18 PM
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interesting that on Jeremy Clarkson's Top 100 cars the Imprezza made it in, as did the S2000 but no Boxster?
In my opinion a Boxster is a car you wear as you would a designer suit - the S2000 is like the Scooby, it's there to be driven....and driven hard
In my opinion a Boxster is a car you wear as you would a designer suit - the S2000 is like the Scooby, it's there to be driven....and driven hard
06 January 2003, 03:40 PM
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it's just that I have never seen a Boxster being actually 'driven' - more like 'guided' along the road - I've nothing against Boxsters perse and no doubt an acomplished car but to choose one over an S2000 just to say you have a Porsche without test driving the S2000 first is silly unless the person 'has always dreamed' of having a Porsche in which case fair enough I guess
06 January 2003, 03:46 PM
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You have just summed it up, however good the Honda is, people will always buy a Boxster because it is a Porsche.
I mean lets be honest, when I was growing up, I am sure I had a picture of a Porsche on my wall, not a Honda.
Honda's make cars for my Granny to drive, Porsche do not.
I mean lets be honest, when I was growing up, I am sure I had a picture of a Porsche on my wall, not a Honda.
Honda's make cars for my Granny to drive, Porsche do not.
06 January 2003, 03:48 PM
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Not sure where Honda stand on the issue (servicing, etc), but I've seen 1999 V-reg S2000 imported from Japan and on sale for £14k!!! 
I guess the flat red colour didn't help!!!
I guess the flat red colour didn't help!!!
06 January 2003, 03:52 PM
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Not a badge snob mate, I have wanted a Porsche since I was knee high, I did not lust after a bloody Honda.
You got to have dreams, and if owning on Honda fulfills them, then fair play to you.
You got to have dreams, and if owning on Honda fulfills them, then fair play to you.
06 January 2003, 04:01 PM
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Image Doctor - I have to admit that when I was in my teens I had a picture on my bedroom wall of a Ferrari Testarossa and have had the benefit of owning one for the last 8 years but I have to say that while the car is for sure more of an 'occassion' to drive with that flat 12 singing behind you and the Prancing Horse on the steering wheel in front of you if I want a Sunday blast the S2000 wins everytime as it's a better 'road car'
If you have aspired to a Porsche fullfill the dream when you can but to overlook the Honda because of the badge would be misguided
If you have aspired to a Porsche fullfill the dream when you can but to overlook the Honda because of the badge would be misguided
06 January 2003, 04:09 PM
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I dont care what make a better road car, if I had a choice to drive a Testarossa or S2000 for a Sunday Blast, the prancing horse would win every time, lol, I dont think I would be the only one to say that either.
My dream is fulfilled - I just want a better Porsche now - not a Honda.
My dream is fulfilled - I just want a better Porsche now - not a Honda.
06 January 2003, 04:11 PM
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Also sounds like he doesn't know what he's taking about!!!
My Boxster was good, but the build / interior quality was no-where near what I should have received from a >£30K car. The interior plastic was cheap, the roof would leak during extreme wet weather and it's engine just didn't feel up for it!
Porsche's only become "great" cars once you get into Turbo / GT2 / GT3 territory. Below that, they're OK but definately not great.
My Boxster was good, but the build / interior quality was no-where near what I should have received from a >£30K car. The interior plastic was cheap, the roof would leak during extreme wet weather and it's engine just didn't feel up for it!
Porsche's only become "great" cars once you get into Turbo / GT2 / GT3 territory. Below that, they're OK but definately not great.
06 January 2003, 04:17 PM
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as far as image is concerned I've quite enjoyed other road users smiling at me, letting me out from side roads and showing an interest in the car - I suspect that the Boxster would create the same negative 'Aurora' as my M3, at first I found it vaguely amusing but after a while the novelty of being given the w@nker sign wore off
06 January 2003, 04:17 PM
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Like a previous poster I'm an ex-M3 owner now driving a 2002 S2000.
I think a one second advantage to 60 and two secs to 100 is fairly substantial. I'm sure someone could calcualte the distance that would equate to. Mash? Whatever, but it would be emphatic with a standard Boxster. With the S more likely to be toss of a coin.
But toss of a coin for about £15K - no thanks - I took the cheaper car. In fact, you can't take any notice of Boxster list prices - you need to add better wheels, leather and air-con to give it a decent spec and these are all standard on the Honda.
There's no evidence that the performance discrepancy would be overturned on the track. In any case, people don't buy the S or the Porsche for track use. If that was the issue you'd buy a Caterham or a bike and blow them both into the weeds.
The Porsche badge does not guarantee performance advantage any more than a clothes label guarantees quality. It's all about perception. Ask most people to name the ultimate wristwatch and many will say Rolex - far from the best watches in the world (in terms of mechanism, etc) but superb marketing.
Only 1100 S2000s were sold in the Uk last year. I think there are more than that in Sussex! No way is the Porsche exclusive. Desirable to many, I grant you, but not exclusive; any more than an Audi TT. The Boxster S is more exclusive for sure.
In terms of value for money, the Honda beats any Boxster version hands-down.
I think a one second advantage to 60 and two secs to 100 is fairly substantial. I'm sure someone could calcualte the distance that would equate to. Mash? Whatever, but it would be emphatic with a standard Boxster. With the S more likely to be toss of a coin.
But toss of a coin for about £15K - no thanks - I took the cheaper car. In fact, you can't take any notice of Boxster list prices - you need to add better wheels, leather and air-con to give it a decent spec and these are all standard on the Honda.
There's no evidence that the performance discrepancy would be overturned on the track. In any case, people don't buy the S or the Porsche for track use. If that was the issue you'd buy a Caterham or a bike and blow them both into the weeds.
The Porsche badge does not guarantee performance advantage any more than a clothes label guarantees quality. It's all about perception. Ask most people to name the ultimate wristwatch and many will say Rolex - far from the best watches in the world (in terms of mechanism, etc) but superb marketing.
Only 1100 S2000s were sold in the Uk last year. I think there are more than that in Sussex! No way is the Porsche exclusive. Desirable to many, I grant you, but not exclusive; any more than an Audi TT. The Boxster S is more exclusive for sure.
In terms of value for money, the Honda beats any Boxster version hands-down.