You are right about the Mustang being a very different tool, but Ford is very different today, as is Honda. Airbag recalls for years now on multiple models, 5AT outright failures, 6MT 3rd gear synchro issues, front brake issues, rear suspension issues leading to premature tire wear... there's probably more out there. That was just off the top of my head.

Neither company is perfect. Though yes, on average Honda is probably more reliable.

 

Excellent example of an intelligent adult rebuttal instead of flames
I have to admit you guys here at acurazine are so f'ing polite

I definitely agree that the big 3 Japanese car makers (Toyota, Honda, Nissan) have fallen off quite a bit in this century and the big 3 American car makers have been really upping there game in recent years (I love what Cadillac is doing) but (there's always a butt) I still can see a separation in overall build quality (Cadillac is getting pretty good at this) and technical differences (Cadillac is still GM), and for a grand finally resale value.

P.S. American car aftermarket performance parts are way cheaper

 

So, I'm no baller by any means. Which is why I have to turn to my AZ friends for assistance.
Will my 18X8.75 +20 XXR527 w 225-40-18 fit on my AP1? I want to see what they look like and maybe run with them for a few days or so.
Am I barking up the wrong tree?

 

No effing way, offset is way too aggressive on the S, Dave.

 

With enough $, You can make anything work for any car.

But since you are no baller. Then i would say no, they will not work, not even close.

tire size wrong, offset is about 30mm too low. 18x8.75 will be too wide for the front without some fender work

 

IMO, everything in life has turned to being made cheaply from 50 years ago...hence the "they don't make them like they used to" phrase. To stay cost effective and competitive ALL car manufacturers have had to outsource certain parts that outright won't last forever. high volume = lower price = lower quality.

TL Dash cracks...rain rails totally corroded...thin less robust leather...thin paint...carpet that your heel wears through...the fkng plastic headlight haze epidemic...relying too much computers to maintain the car...2011 5.0 Chinese plastic syncro gear spitter outer...
So many...they're just not what they used to be. If I could go back in time, I would have kept my pre OBII simple cars made of metal and kept their original finish polished and garaged and changed fluids constantly and would just drive that. Cars now are like TV's...get problematic or 5 years old...cya!

 

...and actually, come to think of it, my entire rant is ALSO the reason why I love my S2000.

It is the last in a line of old school, very simply made, cars made to be made, with a relevant design and made after 2000.

Fk, I have a feeling I'll never sell this thing.

 

Thanks, fellas. I knew you'd have my back!

Ill be back for more questions once I decide what wheels I like!

J, I was thinking along similar lines the other day. But its not just cars, its everything. Once corporate America decided the Asians could make our stuff for a lot less money, things went downhill very quickly.

On a somewhat related note, its funny how I catch myself wondering "Why the fuck would Honda do _____ (insert rant here---"use crappy vinyl for the top", "Use such thin paint layers", etc), then realize that nearly all of the design $$$ on this car went into the engine and drivetrain. Everything else seems like a secondary consideration, from an engineering POV. Once I realized that, I stopped worrying as much about my shitty carpet, ratty drivers seat, worn top, etc.

Everything now is a compromise. The S2000 threw that out the window. The designers concentrated on performance and everything else was secondary, it seems.

And I love it.

 

Wasn't sure I'd share because I nearly crapped my pants but I recorded my Q300 under an overpass...goes on for 2 minutes. Oh shit moment is 15 seconds from the end. I was going highway speeds, dropped to 4th to pass and for that sweet sound of vtec and it kicked in as I hit smooth and very wet road transition.

I need to remember what this car likes to do...especially in the rain. That could have ended badly

 

^^that would not have been good^^


I have to admit that when I 1st got my S2 I really didn't like it to much for my driving style. I'm 42 and have been buying, selling and tinkering with cars since I was 15. This does not make me a professional but I know my way around a little bit. After plenty of reading and the good fortune of having a local shop that I hang out at happens to get a lot of s2's in so I was able to drive or ride along in quite a few. What I've come to understand about the s2 is that cam be tinkered with to meet or exceed your specific need or driving style. After a few mods I can now easily say it is 1 of my favorite NA sport cars to tear up the road. Great car to play around with, mods and driving, and it is a straight forward simple machine. I miss that car everyday

 

What, exactly, is a "Whoash"??

Lets be careful out there!

 

You were close to losing it, really close - 4th @ VTEC is around 80-85mph.

 

Respect the S2000 you must, padawan, or kick you in the nuts it will.

The Q300 sounds nice!

 

...Thanks, y'all.
I always respect it, but in typical fashion I was showing off to get that deeper note and was in 4th when I normally wouldn't be in less than 6th on a highway in the rain. Almost paid a big price for it. Luck runs out, I just have to keep learning my lessons.

Hope you have a safe and FUN weekend!
J.

 

came in to see s2000 goodness and to see that video... glad you're ok.

lol.. just reminded me of my oh shit moment when I spun out on an off ramp in my miata..


drove my friends s2000 sometime last year.... i've stopped driving my miata since...

 

Thanks, man...
You thinking about getting an S?
Love your blue nose btw (?) Gorgeous!

Bob, thank you too...I love the sound of the damn thing too!

 

Hey, I just realized how you worded that...
are you my co-pilot?
DSC_0835 by swimex37, on Flickr

 

I actually think he may have used the force to straighten me back out...

Yoda FTMFW!

 

haha. I have thought about it after driving one.. but I must say no. I'm always hoping for that moment when my friend opens up the opportunity to take his car out for a drive again, though.

I'll have to see once the miata gets sold coming fall.

and thanks!

 

Gotcha...a fan from afar. I was one too...

 

tommysalami part-out probably coming in a month

 

...do tell
why?

 

+1

 

+2 and obligatory "you'll be back".

 

Reason one is that the car has some issues that I can't stand. The throttle is such that I can't get on/off smoothly at low rps. Apparently they all do this. Living in the city and dealing with stop and go traffic, this annoys the hell out of me. It also does not shift smoothly when cold and will need new front control arms soon. Ultimately, it's to the point where I do not enjoy driving the car on the street, so it's time for something else.

Reason two is that I autocrossed a similarly-modified mx5 and LOVED it. It suits my driving style way better and I was much faster. A friend is selling his 09 mx5, and it has everything already done for my class including nice Ohlins suspension. I am getting it for a good price as well. I feel like starting a new adventure and am excited to spend some time in the mazda. And if I do come back, it'll be in a CR.

It's just a matter of parting out my car and selling it, and then I'll go pick up his mx5. I'm looking to get about 19k through private sale for my 04 with 48k on it. Condition is on the low side of very good. Not sure what you guys paid for yours but feel free to weigh in on whether that's reasonable.

I'll have the following available for sale soon should anyone want to buy them. I prefer to sell locally but wouldn't mind shipping to you guys.

Greddy eManage Ultimate with modified Boomslang harness and Karcepts tune optimizted for an 04-05 with intake, header, cat, and exhaust. It is plug-and-play and will work very well with any combination of those mods, or even stock.
CT Intake (slight scuff on the carbon fiber's clearcoat from hood hitting it, can probably be polished out)
Berk high flow cat
HKS Hi-Power 75mm single exhaust (will need stock AP2 exhaust in trade + cash)
Enkei PF01ss wheels + new dunlop z1ss tires (somewhat already sold to a friend)
Cusco 32mm front sway bar
Gendron adjustable front sway bar with 32mm solid bar and version 1 arms
Koni "Yellow" single-adjustable suspension, with custom race valving and adjustable spring perches. Includes 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800 lb/in springs. 800 front and 600 rear was the best in my experience.

 

Hmmm...
Tempting and interesting at the same time.
This money pit. Although I'd decided to hold off on spending more money on this car.

Sad to see you go, man...but you seem to have done your research...based on mileage and condition, I could see you asking 19K, obviously that means you expect to settle for a couple less which I think is inline with what you'd pay for a 2004. Sorry to see you go, but you know best!

 

Dibs on the CAI.

The Miata is an awesome handler and it also looks good. No respect lost here, it'll be awesome on the autocross.

The shifting is notchy when cold, and all S2000s are like this, so I agree with that criticism.

As far as the selling price goes, your best bet is to use Galves' value because this reflects what dealers are accepting on trade in the real world (i.e. not KBB or Edmunds), and that can help you to set your price accordingly. However, it's high summer and if your car is going back to stock, that will make it more attractive.

We'll still be here when you come back with your CR in a few years.

 

+1

Mine hasnt even been on the road yet and it keeps dinging up my wallet everyday . Beside the complete repaint and all new ap2 body panels etc I recently found out the the block might be toast car is getting hauled to either Scott and Ballistic motorsports in Bow, NH (closer to me) or Bilman in Long Island for either a complete rebuild or complete motor swap, fun fun fun I dont want to put the car on the road unless its completely done and done right the first time.

 

Ah sorry I actually found (local) dibs today on my intake, cat, exhaust, tune, and probably suspension

 

No problem. Good luck with the sale, and good luck with the Miata! You'll have fun with it.

 

Sorry to hear, Farukh...that sounds really sucky, hope you get it straightened out quickly!

Jeez, thanks for giving us first dibs...I'm sure shipping would have been tough to figure out.

Seriously though, glad you so off all your temptations

I considered the tune...but given that I do NOT feel like my car is sluggish or anything and I had already decided I'd not tune until if/when I go turbo/supercharger...probably would have held off anyway.

 

Get the DBW 06+ AP2 and you can get Gernby to tune it for a smooth pedal, he does it with the flashpro tune.
Made a huge difference in parking lots and at low speeds. Just did an autox and the mx5s were competitive but it becomes unusable on the street. I took mine out staggered tires and still came close.
Consider strongly before you jump ship..

 

Tune makes a big difference on the street though. I still recommend it. Billman drove my car and said it felt like it had gears

 

Nice, man.
I was just being a dick.

I also think you shouldn't jump ship. Even if you do well in Auto X with the MX5 I bet you heart will hurt every time you see an S drive by you.

 

My '06 is smoother at low speeds than the previous years.

 

He'll be fine.

For how similar the cars are, they are still very different. Both cars have a ton of pros, and not many cons. My heart hurts when I see S2000s and I've never owned one, but I don't know if I'd trade. There are things I absolutely love about the S2K...like the typical Honda 'molded' interior, the sound, the near exotic stock feel of the car. Stock for stock, it's a no brainer.

As soon as you start adding stuff like Ohlins, 255s on all 4s and beefy sway bars it changes the game. The most violent handling car I have ever been in was a worked over NC.



In the perfect world, one should just buy both.

 

I always love your effing posts...

Honestly, the biggest edge I'd give the MX5 is the hard top convertible option!

 

then again, I don't really know what I'm talking about.

 

The PRHT is sweet, def 007 status, but I don't think they look as good as the traditional soft top. Plus, if you're counting tenths of seconds (not that I am) that extra weight adds up, 75lbs I think.

 

Hmmmm...figured it would add some serious weight, damn!

PS, my stocks are back on
DSC_1546 by swimex37, on Flickr

DSC_1539 by swimex37, on Flickr