Finally Pulled The Trigger

[SpudRacer]

Originally Posted by Garnet Canuck

So as some of you may know, I've been wanting to pick up an S2000 just as a summer toy for quite some time. I've been putting it off for one reason or another but today I finally pulled the trigger and bought one. I ended up with a 2005 in New Formula Red. I purchased it from the US so it will be a little while before it's in my driveway. Can't wait for some summer cruising!

Enjoy! I bought a 2008 S2K in May of last year as a commuter. Mine's Chicane Silver with red leather seats. There's about 11K on the odometer now. It's a fantastic sports car. I've owned Vettes, Alfas, Supra, GTO, and Mercs. The S2K is the most fun to drive, no contest.

My choice came down to Stewie or a Lotus Exige S. The Honda dealer is near my home and the Lotus dealer is down the street from my office. The Brit was faster, no doubt. And at several hundred pounds lighter, it handled better. But, you can't drop the top on a nice day and the interior looked like it was produced by the shop class at a local Voc/Tech school. Add to that the superior reliability and safety ratings of the Honda and yes, I think the Honda is a much better car. The Lotus felt like a kit car by comparison.

The only real competition for the S2000 is a Porsche Boxster. The Boxster has more usable storage, a fine interior, and the necessary folding top. But the price is ridiculous and I just don't like the looks of the rear end with the top down.

The StooK makes a very nice daily commuter. I look forward to my 1:15 commute to and from work now. I take tiny back roads that add 20 min to my travel time just so I can play in the S2000 rather than enduring boring highway traffic. The car has been back to the dealer for warranty work exactly zero times and averages 22-23 MPG in hard driving. The rear Potenza RE050's will be shot at 15,000 miles. C'est la vie.

Did you find the gas door release yet?

[O HELLA OEM]

$14,800!! wholy moly
you got a killer deal!
how many miles?

[DRA-G35-ON]

NICE! Congrats... That's gonna be a fun ride home

[Wannabe6MT]

Originally Posted by O HELLA OEM

$14,800!! wholy moly
you got a killer deal!
how many miles?

+1! Holy crap thats a deal.


Nice pick up shane! Looks like a fun ride! iv always wanted to ride in/drive an S2k..

[Garnet Canuck]

Originally Posted by SpudRacer

Enjoy! I bought a 2008 S2K in May of last year as a commuter. Mine's Chicane Silver with red leather seats. There's about 11K on the odometer now. It's a fantastic sports car. I've owned Vettes, Alfas, Supra, GTO, and Mercs. The S2K is the most fun to drive, no contest.

My choice came down to Stewie or a Lotus Exige S. The Honda dealer is near my home and the Lotus dealer is down the street from my office. The Brit was faster, no doubt. And at several hundred pounds lighter, it handled better. But, you can't drop the top on a nice day and the interior looked like it was produced by the shop class at a local Voc/Tech school. Add to that the superior reliability and safety ratings of the Honda and yes, I think the Honda is a much better car. The Lotus felt like a kit car by comparison.

The only real competition for the S2000 is a Porsche Boxster. The Boxster has more usable storage, a fine interior, and the necessary folding top. But the price is ridiculous and I just don't like the looks of the rear end with the top down.

The StooK makes a very nice daily commuter. I look forward to my 1:15 commute to and from work now. I take tiny back roads that add 20 min to my travel time just so I can play in the S2000 rather than enduring boring highway traffic. The car has been back to the dealer for warranty work exactly zero times and averages 22-23 MPG in hard driving. The rear Potenza RE050's will be shot at 15,000 miles. C'est la vie.

Did you find the gas door release yet?

Thanks for the post. I've got about a 1500 mile drive home from Chicago.....any foreseeing issues driving the S2000 for that distance comfortable wise?

Btw, I don't have the car yet so I haven't tackled the gas door release yet.

[Garnet Canuck]

Originally Posted by O HELLA OEM

$14,800!! wholy moly
you got a killer deal!
how many miles?

It's got 54K miles on it. The same year vehicle here with similiar mileage would run $30k+ easily. That's why I went shopping south of the border.

[6MTzer]

Very fargen nice Shane! You are going to have a ball in that car. I like the red better than yellow also.

[InTgr8r]

WOW... congrats Shane!!!!!!
That's great news.

hey, what's your route plan????
maybe we could do an intercept meet.

[Garnet Canuck]

Originally Posted by InTgr8r

WOW... congrats Shane!!!!!!
That's great news.

hey, what's your route plan????
maybe we could do an intercept meet.

No particular route planned as of yet Ian. I'll keep you posted but I don't see why a swing up to TO can't be possible.

[UltimateGee27]

Congrats Shane! Enjoy that nice RPM range!!!

[SpudRacer]

Originally Posted by Garnet Canuck

Thanks for the post. I've got about a 1500 mile drive home from Chicago.....any foreseeing issues driving the S2000 for that distance comfortable wise?

Btw, I don't have the car yet so I haven't tackled the gas door release yet.

A couple of suggestions.....

• Below 65 mph the noise is tolerable top down. At 55 it's enjoyable. Back roads alternated with highway?
• It's technically quieter with the top up (checked it with a sound level meter). But the top acts like the skin on a drum to create an annoying resonance that drones at 65+. The random wind noise with the top down is less fatigueing. Solution? Drive top down and keep it below 65 mph.
• Consider earplugs. Seriously, I keep a pair of shooter's plugs in the center console for long drives. They dampen high amplitude noise but still allow you to hear cars, conversation, and radio. Mine are black and fit entirely in the ear so they're not easily seen.
  
  The seats are great. You can drive for hours without discomfort. And, lest you think I'm bitching about the noise, oh contraire! I love the wind and engine snarl at 8,000 RPM. Wouldn't change a thing. But it can wear on you after hours behind the wheel. I've never driven the S2K anywhere close to 1,500 miles in a few days. My limit has been maybe 2 hours.
  
  Enjoy. Crossing Quebec should be beautiful this time of year.

[MikeYo]

Congrats! I picked up a 05' NFR AP2 in Dec. I still cant wait to get off work to drive the car, it makes the whole day worth it. Enjoy the ride home!

[Garnet Canuck]

Originally Posted by SpudRacer

A couple of suggestions.....

• Below 65 mph the noise is tolerable top down. At 55 it's enjoyable. Back roads alternated with highway?
• It's technically quieter with the top up (checked it with a sound level meter). But the top acts like the skin on a drum to create an annoying resonance that drones at 65+. The random wind noise with the top down is less fatigueing. Solution? Drive top down and keep it below 65 mph.
• Consider earplugs. Seriously, I keep a pair of shooter's plugs in the center console for long drives. They dampen high amplitude noise but still allow you to hear cars, conversation, and radio. Mine are black and fit entirely in the ear so they're not easily seen.
  
  The seats are great. You can drive for hours without discomfort. And, lest you think I'm bitching about the noise, oh contraire! I love the wind and engine snarl at 8,000 RPM. Wouldn't change a thing. But it can wear on you after hours behind the wheel. I've never driven the S2K anywhere close to 1,500 miles in a few days. My limit has been maybe 2 hours.
  
  Enjoy. Crossing Quebec should be beautiful this time of year.

Awesome info once again man, thanks a bunch. I'm only 5'8" so I can't imagine having any discomfort driving for hours on end. I honestly can't wait to have a good length road trip with it!

Btw, I won't be crossing at the Quebec border but plan on crossing at the Calais, Maine border.

[Garnet Canuck]

Originally Posted by MikeYo

Congrats! I picked up a 05' NFR AP2 in Dec. I still cant wait to get off work to drive the car, it makes the whole day worth it. Enjoy the ride home!

Thanks bro. I am quite ecstatic about the 1500 mile drive home with it.

[kernel]

Originally Posted by Garnet Canuck

Thanks bro. I am quite ecstatic about the 1500 mile drive home with it.

you should add an extra 1500 miles to your trip by taking the scenic route through the the midwest.