I'm absolutely torn. First of all, I love my G-coupe its absolutely awesome. I have had my coupe for 7 months now and just absolutely loves it. My big brother, in his mid 30's is going through a mid life crises so he and I decided to buy a weekend "all out" sportster. Well, to make a long story short, 2 days ago we purchased a 2002 1owner 18,000miles silver on black Honda S2000 for $22,900 from a local dealership. First of all, in the past I have personally post many negative post against the S2000, saying it is very small inside and are not very comfortable and why would anyone throw away $32K on a cramp little car. Well, after driving the S2000 for the past 2 days now, I would have to say, it is very very cramp inside, but it fits like your "favorite old pair of jeans". Second, my god the engine sounds amazing, many of times have literately blown my ear drums, its a good thing.

Guys, I still love our G-coupe very very much and would not trade it for anything, but right now everytime I walk out to my garage I always fell like grabing the S2000 keys instead, I guess its because its a new toy right now.

This is how I feel right now about the two cars. S2000 will be a wonderful weekend sportster, but I don't think I can live with it every single day, it is just too much of an all out speedster. and on the other hand, the G is just a great all around luxury sports GT/ sportscar.

My brother was nice enough to let me have it for the first month, then he will take it for the second.

I am very very happy right now.


Peace and happy motoring.

 

My last car was a red 2000 Honda S2000. I still miss that car to this day. I absolutely love my G35 coupe but there are days when I would love to be screaming down the canyon in that roadster.
You're right, the engine on the S2K does sound awesome. I had an AEM Cold air intake and a HKS cat back exhaust on mine and the sound was really deep, especially from VTEC to redline. It's definitely not as practical as a daily driver compared to the G, but it really is not that bad. The main shortcoming is the lack of storage space and poor handling in the rain. But hey, are convertibles/roadsters really meant for that?

Cheers
Mike

03" G35 Coupe
6MT, Desert Platinum, 19" SSR GT wheels

 

Logical,

I too recently had an S2000. I traded my S2000 in for my G35 Coupe. Love both cars. The G35 is just a little bit more of a complete (and protective) car. However, I truly miss the S.

I do HIGHLY recommend you visit www.s2ki.com for info about the car (use, abuse, wear, tear, maitenance, and other general info). That website has an even more dedicated userbase. First thing I'd recommend is to check your tires (rear especially). The tires will wear out about every 10,000 to 12,000 miles. Some unaware people will try to drive on them past 15,000 and get into major problems.

Lastly, I recommend you learn (avoid) the dangers of hitting the VTEC while in mid-corner. THAT is the most common problem general S2000 owners experience (except for heavy rain).

Afterall, the S2000 is a racecar. It only looks like a Miata. Don't let anyone compare the two.

 

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>

Afterall, the S2000 is a racecar.

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A racecar? All racecars I know are faster. MUCH faster.

2003 G35C, 6MT, DG/G, Aero/Nav/Premium
2002 Corvette Z06, Electron Blue/Black

 

The S2k Is race car inspired

 

S2K is hot. The problem with it ... The gauges, the tach, speedometer. Ugh. It's a totally different style from our cars. But it definitely is hot. I would still pay 32k for tht "piece of junk" any day. Btw, not the 04. The 04 is dumb.

Black / Black 2004 GcoupeMT. Premium. Splash Guardz.

 

Thanks guys, for all the great info. I now have new found respect for this little hot honda roadster. (1) complaint on the S2000, at night it is really hard to find the key insert because it is not lighted. Now, the S2000's engine noise is buzzing in my ear but our G-coupe's awesome exhaust sound will always be in my heart.


Cheers, and happy motoring.

 

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>

The S2k Is race car inspired

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Do you work in automotive advertising? [img]/w3timages/icons/laugh.gif[/img]

A lot of cars are "race car inspired". That's some pretty loose terminology. Any car with a manumatic can claim to be race car inspired. Any car with a double wishbone suspension can claim to be race car inspired. Any car with variable valve timing or with DOHCs can be called race car inspired. Any car with an aluminum engine can be called race car inspired.

A Ford Focus SVT is also race car inspired. As is a WRX, etc. The S2000 is no more of a race car than these cars.

Look, the S2000 is an excellent performing street car. But calling it a race car is a bit much, IMO. If you've ever been to a high speed road course track and seen a full race car run, such as a Trans Am series car, you wouldn't be calling an S2000 a race car. It's not even on the radar screen by comparison. Hell, a Trans Am race car makes my Z06 look completely slow by comparison. [img]/w3timages/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

2003 G35C, 6MT, DG/G, Aero/Nav/Premium
2002 Corvette Z06, Electron Blue/Black

 

I don't think it's any more of a race car than our G's but you have to admit it has more of a race car feel than the G coupe. At least the S2000 in the garage is a bare bones fast car with a screaming engine that makes you want to turn the POS radio off and let her scream. All I'm saying is I agree wiht the fact that it feels like a race car. And more like a race car than most cars. The wrx is race inspired too espically the STI, it doesnt even come with a sound system Just like most race cars. I mean lets face it neither are "Race cars" but they sure do feel like race cars compared to everything else on the road.

 

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Afterall, the S2000 is a racecar. It only looks like a Miata. Don't let anyone compare the two.

<hr></blockquote>

Eh? WTF does this come from? The S2000 is a stock Miata lugging around 500 extra pounds until you hit 6000 rpms, and it's a driver's match in the corners regardless. If you need the extra 100 hp for the straights, drop in one of the widely used and affordable FI options. More power to weight, less cost, though it's more erratic entering the turn if you go that route.

I mean, the S2000 is a great car, but not even "comparable"?! Guess all those guys who show up at the track in Spec Miatas are deeply confused about this whole racing concept.

-Jack
Obsidian '03 G35 Sports Coupe
Titanium '03 MX-5 Shinsen #532

 

I'm glad to hear some appreciation for the S2000 here! Like MyG35Coupe, I recently traded in our red '01 S2000 for our 2004 6MT sedan (sorry no coupe, I'm lurking). Like MGC, I still miss it and it's only been 5 months! I agree: www.s2ki.com is a great site, like this one.

I have to agree that the Miata does not compare to the S2000, stock-for-stock. Why? Because we traded our '00 Miata in on the '01 S2K. The Honda was faster, handled better, and just amazed in comparison. It was also a very solidly built car by comparison.

Please, no offense meant in the above, but I commend Logical for his appreciation for both cars and voicing his opinion and even owning up to his previous, misplaced remarks. I only jumped in, because I've owned both. Unfortunately, I can't really compare to the Coupe, because sadly I couldn't talk my wife into it (new baby).

Again, it's great to see appreciation for the S2000 (and other cars) here. Each car has it's good and bad points; if not, there would only be one good car for sale.

P.S. With all the best intentions: the Honda's only 395 lbs heavier at current '04 spec's.

 

Wow so they added an extra 300+ pounds to the 04 S2k's? I haven't been too up on my S2000 info since I got the coupe but that sounds like a lot. I've only heard a few things about the 04's but all that I've heard doesn't sound good.

 

I have a '02 S2000 and I'm keeping it for a long time. It is a real hoot. Being an F1 fan, I never get tired of hearing that little engine shriek through the forests around my house. The steering is amazing, too.

 

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>

P.S. With all the best intentions: the Honda's only 395 lbs heavier at current '04 spec's.

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For the record, the 2004 S2000 is 450 pounds heavier than the "heavy" version of the Miata with leather and extra options, according to Edmunds. Not that it doesn't have enough high end power to overcome twice that difference, and frankly the more solid feel is probably a benefit of the weight, but I'm still frustrated that they went this route. The Miata isn't even that light, both the MR2 Spyder and the Lotus Elise have the Miata beat by close to 200 pounds. What's Honda doing with the extra 650 pounds? They're all 2 seat roadsters with 4 cylinder engines. A Protege station wagon weighs less than the new S2000. This whole industry trend of bloating curb weight is insane. It's getting very hard to find anything under 2700 pounds. With the MR2 fading out and the Miata due to be replaced, it may be the Elise or nothing within 2 years.

-Jack
Obsidian '03 G35 Sports Coupe
Titanium '03 MX-5 Shinsen #532

 

JDMan,

Your info may be more complete, my weights came directly from the Mazda and Honda sites.

As far as the 650 lbs (over Lotus, Toyota) I don't know. I'll throw out some dart targets:

1. They're (even) smaller cars?

2. Honda's engine is beefier, ala the 120 hp/liter (the highest for a N/A production car -- of course, not anymore )

3. Do the others have smaller engines (i.e. 1.8 liters)

4. Does the Elise have A/C?

5. The Honda uses aluminum everywhere, does Lotus use Mag? I can't imagine Toyota does.

6. The Toyota's still mid-engine right? Maybe lower drivetrain weight?

All around, I'm sure the Lotus' explanation is exotica. Maybe the Toyota's explanation is ugly. Sorry, had to try to get some laughs.