Honda S2000 v Toyota MR2 n/a

[merdeux]

Hi guys after my last rant about insurance prices I have had some good news regarding insuring an S2000. A car I have been wanting for a few years but due to astronomical prices never got one.

Anyway back to the point has anyone driven an S2000 AP1 prior to the revision in 2002.

If so how does it differ from an N/A MR2. I'm not talkng power aspect I know the S2000 wins hands down I'm talking general driving is it as twitchy as I've heard.

I have driven a an AP2 S2000 but that had the better suspension and traction control.

Thanking You guys in advance.

[jasongtr]

never driven one but i would assume as the s2000 is a more modern design and front engine/rwd layout driving the car fast should be easier on the limit

[Magic Beans]

I preferred the feel of an S2000. I toyed with the idea of getting a supercharged S2000 recently actually.

[merdeux]

Thanks Guys.

I cant imagine a S2000 being worse or more twitcy than an Mr2 and the vtec is amazing.

A Supercharged one sounds a lot of fun I know a few have been turbo'd. Stop giving me ideas before I have even bought the damn thing lol.

Now the predicament is can I keep two 2 seaters RWD cars.

[shinny]

The S2000 I test drove delivered power so similarly to the NA I had back then that I didn't see much point in switching. Certainly didn't feel much faster.

However if / when my tubby finally expires, my currents thoughts are to get an S2000, lower the seat (the car REALLY wasn't built for a proper size > 6'0" man) and then look at forced induction. I'm led to believe (by JD Modified) that all S2000s have forged engines from the factory

[merdeux]

I think the S2000 is distinctly faster but it does have similar characteristics in that most of the fun is at top end of tge rev range.

You got me thinking now maybe a tubby is the way to go.

P.S Whats wrong with being 5ft 8' that is proper size for an MR2 driver lol

[Magic Beans]

P.S Whats wrong with being 5ft 8' that is proper size for an MR2 driver lol

Correct

[shinny]

Oh - that's just me being annoyed that guys of a decent height (in my case 6'4") struggle to fit in cars like the Elise, S2000 etc...

In the case of the S2000 there is no seat height adjustment OR steering wheel adjustment. If your eyes don't line up with where the Honda designer's eyes were when he or she built the car then tough, you don;t get to see the speedo

[Ethan21]

If your eyes don't line up with where the Honda designer's eyes were when he or she built the car then tough, you don;t get to see the speedo

Come on Don't be silly women don't build cars

[Al-sw20]

S2000 all day, every day over any n/a four cylinder SW20.

[Driftlimits Performance]

S2000 over an NA. But a Turbo over an S2000.

S2k are a bit buzzy, not much space in the cabin, and don't have much steering angle. A charger would make all the difference.

Definitely much faster than an NA.

[Herts66]

I came from an S2K to an Sw20 turbo.
The S2k was too small inside for me.
It was faster than an NA not as fast as the tuby.
My tuby is older but same mileage less rusty and better built.

[merdeux]

I think i'm ending up with more questions than answers.

I just felt that the S2000 is easier to live with on a day to day basis thsn an MR2.

Plus the electrical roof is a big advantage rather than faffing around with glass panels.

Also I like how the S2000 harks back to old roadsters with the long bonnet.

[Soupdragon]

I've just sold a Boxster S ,excellent cars .
More forgiving than the s2k (beautifully balanced),but with mire grunt and a couple more cylinders.
Try one there great.

[Magic Beans]

Try an S2000 in your price range and if you like it get it and enjoy

[Magic Beans]

I've just sold a Boxster S ,excellent cars .
More forgiving than the s2k (beautifully balanced),but with mire grunt and a couple more cylinders.
Try one there great.

Just to help muddy the waters

Of the three this would be my choice. The issue I have with them is a Cayman isn't that much more. Then you get to thinking a 911 isn't that much more again and suddenly you're about 300% more into a car than you originally planned to spend. Hmm, saying that, my MR2 worked out about the same

[merdeux]

Great point Magic Beans thats exactly what happened to me 9 years ago. Ironically I set out to buy a tubby then someone suggested a scooby and then it was if you going for an impreza why not an Evo and then an SL Merc eventually ended up with a 911 (930) which I'd overstretched on and not took into account maintenance of one and although a fantastic car never really enjoyed the ownership cos of the expense.

Hence an S2000 Honda reliability with RWD fun and dare I say not as feminine as a boxster although that is an all round better car.


I think I am 90% decided as to an S2000 but cos I'm a bit of a coward I'm gonna look for the facelift model after 2004 cos that supposedly is less likely to oversteer. Lets hope by the time I find one insurances dont hike back up.

[Magic Beans]

I was dead set on getting a 996 or 997 Turbo and sold my old MR2 with that in mind. Although after speaking to Porsche owners (current and previously) I decided against it, for now at least. It's primarily the running costs which put me off, especially when you consider what else you can get for the same or much less.

I opted for the ultimate in impracticality, that being a Westfield SEI. Not nearly as fast as my old 400bhp MR2, as you'd expect, but much more fun to drive and would run rings around it on anything bendy. My reasons for choosing it were simply that I wanted a car which was fun, as opposed to being just epic fast or pretty. I can get in it, go to a track, hammer around for a few hours and drive home with a smile on my face.

What's important is for you to think what you actually want the car and what your ultimate goals are. If an S2000 ticks the boxes, which by the sounds of it I think it might, then go for it. If you buy wisely you can have one, run it and if you decide against it you can sell it on without losing anyway and buy something else. Exactly what I plan to do over the next few years really. Be it a big V8 American thing, a 4WD Jap tuner rocket or an unreliable TVR (yes, i know they're not all unreliable ).

[tsango]

Didn't realise S2000's had 240bhp.

I always fancied one. If I had room on the drive I'd probably consider getting one.

[synXero]

Didn't realise S2000's had 240bhp.

I always fancied one. If I had room on the drive I'd probably consider getting one.

Highest N/A HP/litre (at 120hp/litre) of any NA before the Ferrari 458 at 127 I think.

A Ferrari Enzo is 110!

All true unless you count NA RX7s as 1.3L.