test drove an s2000...

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Old 10-17-2005 | 11:24 PM
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test drove an s2000...

...and LOVED it. Although, I've heard many complain about its jekyll and hyde nature, I love the fact that you have to wring the crap outta it to extract maximum power. I came away so impressed, that I'm lookin into pickin a used one up soon (Im not married, and not too concerned with the lack of practicallity).

The thing is, I heard the car was going to be discontinued after MY2006. Is this true? More importantly, what effect would this have on the resale value of the car. I know that when Honda stopped making the Prelude, it strengthened its resale value, and even today, and older prelude fetches quite a bit.

Also, when would be the best time to purchase the S2000 for a good price. Would it be best to pick up one before the winter, or sometime early next year?

Lastly, and this a subjective question, but which engine is better, the 2.0 or the 2.2. Personally, I'm leaning towards the 2.0 due to the 9000 rpm redline, but maybe that would be too hardcore for daily use.

I would greatly appreciate some advice on the subject from the resident s2000 gurus and acurazine experts. Hopefully, I can have one these baby's parked in my garage in no time!
Old 10-18-2005 | 12:02 AM
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I'm not an S2000 expert but the 2.2 is more tractable and usable than the 2.0 - also I like the body styling changes and wheels (17"s) of the 04+ better. 8k redline isn't bad either - it's more important that the powerband is better utilized, imo.
Old 10-18-2005 | 12:04 AM
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Both are great motors.. its all about preferences IMO.
Old 10-18-2005 | 12:17 AM
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- not like the 2.0 is bad.
Old 10-18-2005 | 12:41 AM
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damn 17 and rockin a s2k
Old 10-18-2005 | 01:25 AM
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A good review of the differences:

Honda S2000

By Joe DeMatio
Las Vegas—

When the S2000 debuted four years ago, it screamed its way into automotive enthusiasts' hearts with a racing-derived engine singing a 9000-rpm song, a hyper-alert chassis, and a driver-focused cabin equipped with bespoke if somewhat bizarre instruments. We last spent time with the S2000 only three months ago, when we tested a 2003 model against the new Nissan 350Z roadster, the Porsche Boxster, and the BMW Z4 ("Four of a Kind," August 2003). During that comparison, the S2000 performed brilliantly on the racetrack, where it demonstrated sharper reflexes than Venus Williams and a ballerina-like ability to pivot about its axis, but the price for the high revs and the track-time smiles was a shortage of low-end torque and a surplus of road noise from the powerful but frenetic 2.0-liter four-cylinder. We deemed the wee Honda "a specialized car for specialized circumstances."

Overly harsh? Harsh is what happens to your eardrums after you drive the old S2000 for a couple of hours on the freeway, because the VTEC engine delivers the goods only between 6000 and 9000 rpm. Clearly, we were not the only people bothered by the flight of the bumblebees, because chief among a PowerPoint presentation's worth of changes for the 2004 S2000 is a bigger, quieter, calmer, and torquier engine. With an increase in the piston stroke from 84.0 mm to 90.7 mm, the S2000's engine now displaces almost 2200 cubic centimeters, rather than 2000, but the name is unchanged. Power remains the same at 240 horsepower but peaks at a slightly more peaceful 7800 rpm versus 8300 rpm. Torque rises slightly, from 153 to 161 pound-feet, and peaks at 6500 versus 7500 rpm.

The S2000 now launches with considerably more verve, and its power band is more flexible between 1000 and 5000 rpm. The car is also more civilized on the highway, partly as a result of a slightly higher sixth-gear ratio. On an early-morning foray into the red-rock canyons outside Las Vegas, my co-driver and I spoke, rather than yelled, to each other in the top-down cabin.

The new S2000 still lives for track time. Switching back and forth between 2003 and 2004 models at Spring Mountain Motorsports Park, we found things to like about both cars. The old car's smaller, narrower tires (205/55R-16 front, 225/50R-16 rear) allow for easier sliding around corners, which is an enjoyable way to spend three seconds of your life, if not always the most efficient way to get from apex to apex. And there were times in the 2004 car when it really could have used the extra 1000 revolutions of the outgoing car's engine—the redline is now only 8000 rpm.

But to the new car's credit, the engine's greater grunt provides better acceleration out of slow-speed corners, and the newly standard seventeen-inch rubber—215/45R-17 front, 245/40R-17 rear—provides better grip both diving into and barreling out of turns. We could not detect any differences between gearboxes—for 2004, the first five forward gears are lower—but the old gearbox was already super-sweet. The steering feels identical, a bit dead on-center but otherwise quite communicative. Brakes, as before, are great, and the S2000 remains a heel-and-toe champ. Honda claims a 0-to-60-mph time of less than six seconds, and the car feels as light and lithe as ever. Curb weight rises a scant 24 pounds to 2835, mainly because of the bigger footwear.

The S2000, although attractive enough, always has been afraid to make a visual show of itself—the wrong idea for a topless ride. Honda tries to make things more interesting for '04, but it's more of a Botox treatment than a comprehensive face-lift. Front and rear bumpers are new, oval tailpipes replace round, and both headlights and taillights have more modern triple-beam designs. All other body panels, even the hood, are unchanged.

The red starter button and most other interior controls carry over, but thinner door panels increase elbow and shoulder room slightly, fake aluminum trim brightens up the cabin, and there are now two cup holders, one for your Evian and one for your cell phone. By definition, all roadsters are "specialized cars for specialized circumstances," yet the circumstances under which the S2000 can be driven comfortably have expanded to include roads that don't have candy-striped curbs in the corners. But when it's time for a completely new S2000, we'd like to see some styling with as much attitude as the rest of the car.
Old 10-18-2005 | 01:40 AM
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from http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...ee/index1.html

A new brake-pad material takes full advantage of larger tire contact patches and gives better feel. Further, the direct-link gearbox has a wider spread of ratios, and carbon-fiber replaces brass in forward synchronizers for improved shifting action--if that's possible. A limited-slip differential quells nervousness in low-grip or limit-handling maneuvers.
Old 10-18-2005 | 02:00 AM
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The limited slip differential wasn't new, the 02 has it.

The rims on the 2.2 are MUCH better (especially if powder coated black), exhaust tips look nicer, addition of a clock is good too. As far as engines, one is simply a bit more 'refined' than the other.
Old 10-18-2005 | 02:46 AM
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oh yea.. I meant to delete out that part about the LSD... both versions are nice - when the '04 came out I didn't like all the changes. lower redline, wtf. I thought the body styling changes were not a step forward... didn't really like the rims... of course rims can be replaced quite easily. but my point is the '04+ took a while to grow on me... at this point I like em better than the old one.

you got any pix of the wheels powder-coated black?
Old 10-18-2005 | 09:57 AM
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Just because Honda discontinues a model doesn't mean it will go up in value - look at the Del Sol. S2K is a great little car. I'd love to have one of those as a weekend toy myself.
Old 10-18-2005 | 10:07 AM
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They have been saying that the S2k was going to be dead just about every model year-so don't count on it.

I can't really add much to this thread otherwise, except to say that I love mine and absolutley love the handling. I am taking it to a road course this Saturday, so we shall see how she does

Oh, and while the power is kinda bland, it actually does have some pep. My friend who has an STi with full exhuast was only able to slowly pull on me. I managed to keep at his car for our entire spirirted run from about 40-120.

Plus, throw on a supercharger, which I will be doing, and you don;t have to worry about that 1k lower redline!
Old 10-18-2005 | 10:15 AM
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I don't think the tires really got any wider from AP1 (2L) to AP2 (2.2L): the 225/50/16 SO-2s were actually more like 245 width. It's just that the new RE-050s have more accurate width specs.

I haven't driven the AP1 (2L), but I don't know if 8 lb-ft more peak torque is worth losing 1000 RPMs of VTEC fun (remember, the VTEC cam switchover is still at 6k RPMs for both motors). The AP2 I drove felt torquey enough that losing 5% torque probably wouldn't make or break anything.

I hear that the AP1s fare slightly better in autocross too, because the gearing allows you to stay in 1st all the way up to 43 MPH.

It's an S2000 either way, and when it's time for me to buy a used S, I'll probably opt to save a few grand and go with an '02 with the 2L.
Old 10-18-2005 | 10:48 AM
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I drove an 02 back in the dayz. Awesome motor, awesome car! The only thing that I didnt like was the interior, kinda cramped.. dash was digital...

Is it just me or does anyone else feel the shiftknob being out of place kinda like the new civic si hatches... iiono maybe im just used to the gsr. Commuting in that car must be a biatch!
Old 10-18-2005 | 12:45 PM
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To me the idea of the extra 1000 rpm of VTEC fun is more appealing. Plus I would think that I would be able to save myself a few thousand by going for a pre 04 S2000.

Anyone have any thoughts on the plastic rear window on the 00 - 01 S2000's - are they a pain to keep clean and to maintain. The glass rear window, and the fact that from what I've heard, a lot of the problems with the S2000 were ironed out, are about the only reasons I would go for an 02 over an 01 or 00. Any suggestions that would point otherwise?

Also, any thoughts on when would be the best time to buy as far as getting the best deal? I'm just wanting one by summer of '06.
Old 10-18-2005 | 12:56 PM
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Originally Posted by vishnus11
To me the idea of the extra 1000 rpm of VTEC fun is more appealing. Plus I would think that I would be able to save myself a few thousand by going for a pre 04 S2000.

Anyone have any thoughts on the plastic rear window on the 00 - 01 S2000's - are they a pain to keep clean and to maintain. The glass rear window, and the fact that from what I've heard, a lot of the problems with the S2000 were ironed out, are about the only reasons I would go for an 02 over an 01 or 00. Any suggestions that would point otherwise?

Also, any thoughts on when would be the best time to buy as far as getting the best deal? I'm just wanting one by summer of '06.
Best time to buy would be soon (within a month) right before the 06 comes out when Honda is trying to clear out the 05's. Unless you wanna pay top dollar for an 06 next year sometime...
Old 10-18-2005 | 12:59 PM
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^ I agree, plus the cold weather might help...not many people buying convertibles in the winter I'd imagine.

Originally Posted by srika
you got any pix of the wheels powder-coated black?

Nope, but a guy I met at an S2ki meet had it done. Looked better than any aftermarket rims on the s2k I thought.
Old 10-18-2005 | 02:41 PM
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A better comparison of the engines would be the comparison the Temple of VTEC did on the dyno...

The 2.2 motor is VERY underrated.
Old 10-18-2005 | 02:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Ken1997TL
A better comparison of the engines would be the comparison the Temple of VTEC did on the dyno...

The 2.2 motor is VERY underrated.
link??
Old 10-18-2005 | 03:26 PM
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well I did some rummaging over at TOV... found a thread that said the dyno result was "close to 270" flywheel hp for the 2.2...
Old 10-18-2005 | 03:39 PM
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http://www.vtec.net/articles/view-ar...&page_number=2

For example, the 2004 S2000 is rated at the same 240 hp as its older siblings. It is also rated at 162 lbs-ft of torque, 9 lbs-ft more than previous models. But when we put it on our Dynapack chassis dynamometer and compared it to a 2002 S2000 (which consistently makes a few more hp than the early 2000-2001 models) we got a big surprise. Peak hp was up - a lot. A greater than 26 hp gain at peak is nothing to sneeze at! Torque was also up by over 21 lbs-ft at peak. Down low the torque curve is flatter and fatter than the previous model as well for more relaxed around town driving.
so its actually 266+ hp and 183+ torque!!

Old 10-18-2005 | 04:23 PM
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good thing it has those wider tires. I fishtailed like crazy yesterday trying to race a c6 around a 90 degree turn.
Old 10-18-2005 | 05:52 PM
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Makes sense. After all, the 04+ does the 0-60 time .3 seconds faster than the previous model.
Old 10-18-2005 | 06:34 PM
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Originally Posted by srika
http://www.vtec.net/articles/view-ar...&page_number=2



so its actually 266+ hp and 183+ torque!!


???!!! WOW
Old 10-18-2005 | 06:53 PM
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Read over at TOV today that Honda is working on a new generation of VTEC. If anything, we'll see a new S2k using that technology. I'm sure we'll see it on the NSX too, but not everyone can afford one of those.
Old 10-18-2005 | 07:06 PM
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Are there any other good s2k forums besides s2ki? I'd like to find out some stuff about the s2k, but it's way too ricey at s2ki for me. All everyone wants to do over there is slap some ugly ass body kits/lips/side skirts/etc on them and anyone that doesn't sucks.

I really dig the car but lost interest since the Laguna Blue (or similar) was only available in Canada before. Now that they'll have it in the states for 06, it has my eye again.
Old 10-18-2005 | 07:16 PM
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Originally Posted by proaudio22
Are there any other good s2k forums besides s2ki? I'd like to find out some stuff about the s2k, but it's way too ricey at s2ki for me. All everyone wants to do over there is slap some ugly ass body kits/lips/side skirts/etc on them and anyone that doesn't sucks.

I really dig the car but lost interest since the Laguna Blue (or similar) was only available in Canada before. Now that they'll have it in the states for 06, it has my eye again.


I don't post there because the site is too conservative for me (and I'm fairly conservative myself). I've gone to meets and the average s2ki member is 40+. I've never seen anyone over there condone ricism.
Old 10-18-2005 | 07:28 PM
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Originally Posted by BEETROOT


I don't post there because the site is too conservative for me (and I'm fairly conservative myself). I've gone to meets and the average s2ki member is 40+. I've never seen anyone over there condone ricism.


That forum reminds me of a Smoking Parlor in Victorian England. It is civil, informative but quite often a snore
Old 10-18-2005 | 09:01 PM
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Originally Posted by srika

you got any pix of the wheels powder-coated black?
If you search this sub-forum, there should be some pictures I posted a few months ago.

I would get mine powdercoated black in a second if I knew a reputable powdercoater in Memphis.
Old 10-18-2005 | 09:02 PM
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https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...ght=powdercoat
Old 10-18-2005 | 11:25 PM
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thx...... looks good but I don't think I would do black..... I would do a dark grey.
Old 10-19-2005 | 01:47 AM
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im planning on test driving one with my buddy tomarrow
Old 10-19-2005 | 09:50 AM
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hmmm. According to the TOV link that srika posted, the 00/01 S2000 make just a tad less power than the 02/03. I wonder why - maybe different A/F mixture, or timing?

Also, any thougts on the plastic rear window?
Old 10-19-2005 | 10:06 AM
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The '02-'03 got an ECU retune compared to the '00-'01. They also fixed some clutch problems in '02.

In the discussion of AP1 vs. AP2, don't forget the annoying clutch slave cylinder they added for '04. It adds this weird lag to the clutch that clashes with the directness of every other driver control mechanism in the car (shifter, steering, brakes, etc). You can remove the slave cylinder, but it's still an extra hassle that will void many types of warranty claims.

That TOV dyno is widely disputed on S2ki. Every other dyno everywhere else has shown the peak HP to be within 5HP for the 2 motors. After all, 0-60 and 1/4 mile time for the two motors are nearly identical. The fastest stock 1/4 mile for either motor is about 13.9s.
Old 10-19-2005 | 12:41 PM
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^^^ good info. I didn't know about the slave cylinder thing, and I was thinking the same thing about the mysterious extra 20+ hp and torque - why isn't it reflected in acceleration times. Now, according to TOV the 04+ is faster, according to acceleration tests too.

But, I have yet to see any magazine mention of the 04+ being substantively faster... which is why I was so surprised by the TOV test, along with ppl I showed it to...
Old 10-19-2005 | 01:05 PM
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If the 2.2 is faster, its going to be a few hundredths of a second.... not really what I would base my decision on.
Old 10-19-2005 | 09:46 PM
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The delay valve in my AP2 prevents me from chriping 2nd or 3rd. While it is annoying, I am less inclined to beat the clutch knowing I cannot break loose in 2nd.
Old 10-19-2005 | 10:06 PM
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hmm... so are you saying it kinda feels like drive-by-wire, where throttle response doesn't *feel* as instantaneous, when you step on the gas? incidentally, the '06 has drive-by-wire...

I have to wonder what direction Honda was aiming for by making these changes to the S2k... let's see - improve powerband and usable power range, increase in torque and possibly hp, but reduce driving enjoyment by adding the slave cylinder thing, lowering the redline, and adding wider tires/wheels, making it harder to kick the tail end out... :hmm:

I think I am gonna throw '02s and '03s back into the mix.
Old 10-19-2005 | 10:16 PM
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Nah, it is not like drive by wire. It runs if you floor the gas pedal.

I am taking a guess here, but there are quite a few people on S2ki that have fried clutches in the 10k mi range with constant hard driving and I am guessing the delay valve was Honda's answer to people frying clutches.

Just my $.02.
Old 10-19-2005 | 10:34 PM
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ok well now I'm on a search for information about the differences between the AP1 and AP2, technically, functionally, and realistically. I want to find out what that delay valve and slave cylinder thing is all about too. What does it do, hojw does it work, etc.

so far I found this article that says the VTEC crossover in the AP2 is lower than the AP1, contradicting what someone had said in one of these various S2000 threads...

http://www.thecarconnection.com/Vehi...184.A6531.html

the VTEC variable valve-timing system now switches over to the more aggressive cam profiles at a lower engine speed.
VTEC opens up at around 6000 rpm...
Old 10-19-2005 | 10:45 PM
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just confirmed that that 04+ does have LED taillights.... damn I'm a sucker for LED taillights

http://www.wheels24.co.za/Wheels24/R...528856,00.html

damn.. also has LED side markers.



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