Been looking to swap MY02 WRX for another scoob.

But I am tempted by the looks of the Honda S2000

Any comments on the Honda performance/handling?

S2000 Engine sounds amazing at the top end of the rev range once the VTEC starts to do the biz. High revvin' fun...they rev near 9000 RMP!!!!

Not sure on the image of the car, they can look a bit girly (IMHO) it was enough to put me off getting one.

Chalk and cheese. Are you used to driving a powerful RWD car in the winter / wet ? I've never owned or driven one but have read all the press about the oversteer on early models.

I also saw how two of them performed in the wet at the Autocar sideways challenge at Silverstone the other week - VERY BADLY !
One guy could not get anyone momentum going after losing it at the second corner and the back end kept snapping away from him.

I think its a good looking car with a nice engine, but my driving (especially when in a hurry) would not be up to one for an everyday car.

I've owned both.......if u want easy speed all of the time then get the WRX. If you want something different, where you really have to know how to drive, like having the top down, people staring at you, women wanting to 'know' you :O) then get the S2000. In the S2000 you are not going to take on 4x4 bhp monsters and keep up, but basically you probably won't care!! driving takes on a different meaning in an S2000!

Its also surprisingly good on the fuel consumption for something so fast! I only sold mine cos I didn't like leaving it anywhere....

I 2nd what DuggE4 has said above. I have owned a UK 97 Sccob followed by an STI V Type R Ltd so I know how good the Scoobs are. I then owned a 2001 CTR and discovered VTEC. :D I now drive a 2001 (X) Berlina Black S2000 which is by far the most involving of all the cars i've owned to date. Anybody can drive quickly in an Impreza as it inspires confidence from the outset. The Type R was set up more like a RWD car than other Scoobs and this taught me alot about handling and smoothness. Driving the S2000 is a real education and if you're prepared to learn then it will provide more :) per mile than a lot of exotica, Porche and TVR included. Yes, the S2000 is very highly tuned both engine wise and chassis but when you are on it and in the VTEC zone there is not a lot that can touch the experience. I have just enjoyed the best summer for a long time in the S2000 and am now enjoying the cold Autumn mornings which with the hood down/heater on is the best way to get to the office. :D The Honda is so much cheaper to run than any Scoob and is far more practicle than any Elise/MR2/MX5/TVR. 8 Secs. roof up and down means you can take advantage of any dry spell. 9000rpm with the roof down has to be experienced to be believed. Think race car howl. :D As for image, leave the hairdressers to their MX5's, Boxters, MR2's and Audi TT's. S2000 was built by Honda to take on the world, the world is just realising how good it is as their sales figures show.:D

Unfortunately, owing to my business partners serious illness it looks as though I will have to change the S for something more suited to carrying some kit/samples around. :(

If you feel that the S2000 is for you, then I would accept £18,000 for my car detailed below.

2001 (X) Honda S2000
2.0litre 247Bhp
22,500 Miles
Full Honda Service History (last Serv. May '03)
New Rear Bridgestone S02's (May '03)
Berlina Black
Black Leather
Air-Con
Rear Aeroscreen
Electric Hood
Superb condition

Regards,
Chris

But what are they like in the wet ? (Serious question)

Flat,

In the wet you have to apply the same common sense as any RWD car without T/C. It really isn't the animal that the press have made out. However, my S has been set-up with revised Geometry settings specified my Mugen. You still have to be carefull but you can play it on the throttle with a little care/skill. :D

Thanks all

Just booked a test drive.

Hopefully not in the wet!

The standard tyres for the car, the Bridgestone S02's, are **** in the wet and makes the back end break away very quickly without warning.

By changing the tyres to something sensible like Goodyear Eagles the wet wether grip is far superior and the rear of the car breaks away progressivly when you push hard which means you can still have fun in the rain.

Can certainly vouch for Chris's (Magic Boot) care he takes with his cars, immaculate :) I bought his Civic Type-R :D

Dunk,
Hi mate, thanks for the kind words. Can't tempt you with the S then?? :)

EsEm,
With regards the tyres, I agree that the S02's are not the best in the wet but are fantastic in the dry. The S is very sensitive to tyre choice and pressures, DO NOT mix makes of tyres. If you go for another make, be sure to replace all 4.

Very tempted by the S2k mate, very tempted. Just ordered 4 new Toyo Proxes for the Type-R and about to fit a Blitz Sonic Kit so am going to play with this for a while longer :D When the sun comes out again I'll most probably be even more tempted :)

If she's still available, let me know :) Thought you were going to keep it until April ? Has the work work situation changed it ? BTW, don't suppose you have the car length to hand ? Need to measure the garage :D

All the best mate.

Dunk,

Price goes up come the summer! :D I'm sure I can do you a good deal. ;)

Situation at work, Grandfather/Partners illness, means I am having to do all of the client visiting with samples etc. Need something more practicle until things are sorted out.

Length by the way is 4,135mm, Width 1,750mm with a Kerb weight of 1,260Kg. God i'm a nerd!!! :D LOL.

Cheers,
Chris.

p.s. got some other goodies for the S2000 (MUZ Mats, Upgrade Alpine audio etc.) not mentioned above.

Ronny...... just make sure you rev the nuts off it during your test drive!...... if you don't hit 9000rpm a few times you will be missing the whole point of the S2000!. Don't worry about the salesmen they are usually fairly cool and won't mind being scared!. Before I bought my S I took the poor little Japanese sales guy on a spirited drive and he loved it (even when the back end twitched on a long bend at 80+). The S is also the only car I've owned that has had me looking for any excuse to go for a drive!...... if we need a pint of milk I'll drive twenty miles rather than walk to the local shop!;)

[Edited by wadswoaj - 9/30/2003 12:36:30 PM]

Blimey, its shorter than the CTR by 5mm. Thats more room for cr@p at the back of the garage :D

Glad this one popped up.

Im just about to sell my MY01 WRX and get myself an S2000. Noticed Litchfield Imports have them for 23.5K though I have seen them around a little cheaper. I did have my heart set on a Boxster, but I just cant justify the extra cash, and besides I quite fancy being able to turn up to Jap meets, do a bit of modding (Mugen exhausts, yum :D )etc

Good ish forum over at http://www.s2ki.com/ (they've seen this thread too!)

So does anyone know any other importers worth looking at?

Or anyone know when the 04 model is released?

2 car4s i am also considering :)

Have a CTR at the moment but am looking to move it on soonish, want something 4 or rear wheel drive, ideally want a red leather interior though, either black or silverstone will do nicely :D

For what it's worth:

I went from a MY00 Impreza Turbo to an '02 S2000 (Silverstone, Red seats, not whole interior), and am very pleased. I won't try and answer the handling questions, as I'm no driving God - I'd just suggest that the Honda's got more handling than any UK road situation deserves.

The Honda's a truly great little car, has a *much* better image with non-Scoob fans and (to me) is faster (straight-line) than a standard Classic once moving. Too much *cannot* be said about the noise - like a sports bike at half speed. As I think someone said, don't listen to those who say it has no torque until you've driven it - 150~ lb/ft is a lot at 6000+.

I had a 2000 Classic shape Impreza and loved it, but I got a bit bored and test drove the S2000. Liked it a lot and saved up.

Looks wise is personal choice, but I'd pick the S2000.

The S2000 had a revision to the suspension on the 02 model and this curbed its wary would back end lot. Mines a 03 model and I love the handling in the dry, progressive and quick. In the wet it's not the nightmare that people make out to be. The S02 are fine for me, you've got to watch the tread level though, and replace tires and npt drive around in winter with bald rears, this is asking for trouble.

The in gear performance is similar to the classic shape Scooby; I've raced a few in the dry on all sorts of roads and have no problem keeping up. In the wet I'd have no chance though.

Classic shape impreza 0-60 5.4 sec
S2000 0-60 5.5 sec

Classic shape Impreza 0-100 14.6 sec
S2000 0-100 14.6 sec

Classic shape Impreza 0-125 29.3 sec
S2000 0-125 24.5 sec

As you can see the the S is faster at top end, But it takes a bit of skill to get the most out of the car. Its not for every body.

Miles cheaper to run than the Impreza.

The down sides are,
If you like modding you motor the Honda S2000 is not the cheapest or easiest to tune for power,this is due to highly tuned factor engine and other bits, mods are expensive and difficult to get hold of. Importing Mods from the US or Japan in a lot of cases.
Everybody looks at you when you’re driving about, some people its a plus, to me it's a minus

Good luck

wise words, dam I want mine now :D

bet the WRX corners better :D

or understeers more?