Magic Boot

In my pursuit for open top motoring this summer, I have added the Honda S2000 to the possible list. As far as I see it, the S2000 has a much better spec. and is more practical than my 1st choice, Lotus Elise. Looks wise I think they are both cool looking machines.

However, driving experience and ownership costs are the 2 areas i'm unsure of. Anybody got experience or knowledge in these areas?

lpitt

Well after four months of Honda ownership I can't speak highly enough of my garage. They've fixed every little rattle I find on the car (well both of them anyway). Two warranty claims were resolved without issue.

And when I chipped a wheel quite badly recently, they got me a brand new one for £50 delivered to my door!

After the amount of hassle I had with my Subaru dealer (and the VW dealer before that) this has been a breath of fresh air. I would definitely consider an S2k for the next car

Laurence

Veracocha

Yeah, I have the same problem with Audi, they just make things very difficult and are difficult to trust when you need help.

I would go with the Honda also for its unbeatable reliability, plus the V-Tech scream!

rodneyj

Hi,

I am currently run a new M3 and have bought an S2000 to share the mileage. So I hopefully can give a fairly authoritative view.

In short, the S2000 is a cracking car. It is one of the few smaller convertibles around that has real presence. The 9000 rpm redline could with a rifle-bolt gear change produces a real aural and tactile stimulation when you are pushing the car.

Being a Honda, it is very well screwed together and I have no rattles with either the roof up or down. (6 secs to retract the roof !). The dashboard is F1 digital style with markers hooning from left to right as you put your foot down.

Running costs are comparatively low as maintainance is very cheap and the car will happily return 28 - 33 mpg.

Only problem I have with the car is that I have really bad hay fever and this does not mix well with a convertible. I am currently thinking of changing the S2000 for an STi7 as a second car.

Let me know if you would like anymore advice.





Thanks
Rod

Magic Boot

Rod,

Thanks for that informative reply & pictures. You have just help me make up my mind.

HONDA S2000 HERE WE COME!!!!

If you choose to sell the S2000, what sort of money would you be expecting?

Just got to sell my NEW Civic Type R now.

ADP

Im sure selling a new Civ Type R wont be hard!

The s2000 is a cracker, I have 2 mates with them and it realy fits the bill = fast, reliable, good residuals, a decent boot, not a hair dressers wagon etc etc. bit of a waiting list for a newy though!

Chris T

whoa - hold your horses

have you actually driven both cars yet ?
I run an elise 111s - 143bhp and about 700kg - will out run the honda on the road or on the track. Honda is an excellent car between 6000 and 7500 rpm but a bit of a dog to keep in the power band.

Don't listen to other people - go and drive them. The elise s2 does not have the reliabilty of the honda yet, but if a much more raw tool.

www.elises.co.uk

Chris T

I could add that the elise runs on about 30-35mg too
is relatively cheap to run - a tad impractical as an only car
but an excellent car - watch driven tonight for a view
8:30 channel 4

Magic Boot

Chris T,

I have test driven a Lotus Elise (S1 Std. & 135) they are fantastic weekend cars and the driving experience is just magical. However, IMHO they are impractical for use as a daily driver , zero luggage space and noise on long M/Way journeys are my main gripe. I can assure you though that i still want a Lotus and might even think of a new S2 next year when the bugs will have been ironed out and prices become sensible.

At the moment the S2000 is at the top of the list.

WHO WANTS MY CIVIC TYPE R!!!!!!!!!!! Please form an orderly queue. :P

The Blade

rodneyj

http://www.scoobynet.co.uk/bbs/threa...threadid=83301

If you are quick you can have this one !!1



Rob

rodneyj

Hi,

I will probably be selling the S2000 for between £20k - £21k.

If you are interested, in the spec & more photos, drop me a line to

rodney.jackson@btinternet.com

Here is another piccie of the S2000 with its big brother.



Thanks
Rod

Magic Boot

Rod,

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I think that your S2000 is just out of my price range.

Could you give me any pointers on things to look for when I go on the hunt. Roof problems? etc. etc.

Thanks again.

P1Fanatic

I forgot you get a big redt starter buttong as well

rodneyj

Hi,

some of the first models have a slight rattle when you back off the power. This is caused by a faulty clutch which is replaced under warranty - other than that, their is nothing to look out for.

In regard to my biggest concern, leaks - I can confirm that I even have the confidence to jet wash mine without any problems.

Have a look at http://www.s2ki.com/forums - there is a forum dedicated to UK drivers.

Cheers
Rod

LG John

Rod I am officially jelous that you can walk out of your house and be confronted by that picture! The M3 is just..........wow!!

rodneyj

Hi SaxoBoy

thanks. It is a real treat to have the choice in the morning. The M3 is a real hoot to drive, a real licence loser. My old P1 was very quick but it least it sounded like it was going quick.

The M3 is silent and then all of a sudden 120mph..whoosh.

Rod

LG John

For me unless the sun was beating down there would be no contest, I just love the new M3 and would take it everytime. I noticed when flicking through the M3 brochure at my local BMW garage that there is a 'follow me home' option (or something like that). Anybody know what on earth that is???

rjs1000

Import a S2000 - and youll get one well cheap... (Ive heard of a good Honda dealer in Holland - but cant remember the name - Van Something i think..

rjs1000

their you go an example without looking hard: £21800 OTR
http://www.snoop4.com/

lpitt

No I think the CTR won because they let it win!

In real life I think the race would have been much closer. And bearing in mind that I'm the proud owner of a silver Type-R is an admission.

Hopefully one day I'll upgrade to an S2k or an NSX just based on the level of customer service I get from the local Honda dealer

Laurence

rodneyj

Absolutley agree about the service from Honda. I also run a new M3 which was close to 50k and the service is nowhere near as good at that which I receive from Honda.

RT

Love the S2k. Trouble is that it's a little cramped for a 6ft 1in chap. Knees touch the non-adjustable steering wheel. Like it enough to consider living with it tho, either that or get a race bucket fitted even lower.

rodneyj

Hi RT,

I am 6ft 4 and have absolutely no trouble with the S2000. When looking for a convertible, my height was a big issue but cos the S2000 has such a low seating position it was ideal.

I actually find it easier to get comfortable in the S2000 than the M3.

PS - Today with the roof down and 2 hours of rapid driving, I am not going to sell the S2000 - it is too much of a giggle.

Rod

Magic Boot

Rod,

Don't blame you! Only saw 1 S2000 over the weekend in the Cotswolds and it looked sublime. Lots of Elises, SLK's, Saab's arount with the hoods down but nothing looked as good as this Nighthawk Black S2000. Must admit i enjoyed driving my CTR this weekend and if it wasn't for the fact that my girlfriend was in the passenger seat then ...................

Really anoying thing is that i've seen the S2000 i want, great spec., price etc. just need to shift my CTR. Might have to let the dealer have it back for the paltry £13,500 he is offering and stump up the extra £5K.

This weekend has certainly bolstered the argument for a convertible with the other half.

bumcrack

Get back on the S2000 board rodneyj

RT

Rod,
Strange? Maybe the Asian and US market S2k's have slight adjustments to the seat / steering? I could barely get comfortable in one...
Didn't drive it tho. Just sat in it.

JDMCTR

Hi Laurence,
You're the first new CTR owner to admit that they let the CTR win and I salute you for that . Unlike some CTR owners on the other board who think that their CTR unbeatable.

bumcrack

I recently went to test drive a S2000 and I still want one, I've got a 99my Impreza with a few modds, so it's quite fast.
The Impreza is easyer to drive fast due to the silly amount of grip and low down grunt.The Honda takes more skill, but it's much more fun and rewarding.There's load of revs to play with(you will already know this having a Type R)I find the Impreza a bit souless(fast but boring).I think on dry (even twisty) roads the two cars would be evenly matched up to about 100 and then the Honda pulling away the faster you go, in the wet their can be a bit of a nightmare, 240bhp at the rear wheels and all that, but only if you drive like an ****.

when you hit 6000 revs it's like a race car and it flys.I had a really big grin on my face.The gearbox is short and shape, the brakes amazing and it looks great.
Its not as refined as the scooby, but it's rare and it really holds its money.
The new 02 models out and its had a few improvements, the most important being the road holdind and handling which is due to thinner antiroll bars and a few other things, There's a review in this months Evo Magazine in which it's compared to a Boxster and it comes out pretty well.

I also thought about an Elise,but it's too small, its not built as well and with the roof on it's a nightmare to get into.Good car for weekends only.
I've got a few different quotes from dealers aboard, if you want any more info email me.

Regards




[Edited by bumcrack - 4/5/2002 11:33:49 AM]

MarkWRX

I personally love the look of the S2000 even though I havent driven one, and for open top motoring Im sure its great.

I know it is pants, but Driven a few weeks ago had an S2000 and CTR head to head round a track (cant remember which one). The CTR just about won as it was more chuckable round the corners.

Just goes to show that the extra £10k doesnt really make it any faster.





[Edited by MarkWRX - 4/5/2002 5:24:41 PM]

bumcrack

The track was wet(not good for RWD) and I think they let the Type-R win

[Edited by bumcrack - 4/8/2002 10:00:49 AM]