[archiegibbs]

I'm considering buying a Honda S2000 as a daily driver for the summer. I've found a 2003 49K miler at the right price. Has anyone had any experience of them, and what are the common issues with them?
Mechanically they should be bullet proof, they have the 240 HP version of Honda's 2 litre VTEC engine which is indestructable.

[Ferrari328GT]

A friend had one for a couple of years, and I did get to drive it a couple of times. I think it would make a terrific daily driver. Everybody complains about no torque off the line, but I found it to be perfectly acceptable. The car has the best shifter of all time - very short throw and quite precise. Looks pretty easy to work on, probably gets decent gas mileage. And it's a Honda! Can't get much more bulletproof than that. Go for it. -Steve

[archiegibbs]

Thanks Steve, I've spent most of this evening searching reviews on the web, and they all say the same thing about reliability. I don't know about working on them, I'm not very good with spanners. Fortunately our local Honda dealer is less than 400 yards from my house, so if it does break down I could probably push it there.
I have heard that they can be quite heavy on rear tyres, and as they are 245's I wouldn't imagine they are cheap to replace.
I'm taking it out for a test drive tomorrow, if I like it and can do a deal I'll be happy. It's not quite my old 328 GTS, but it will do until I can afford a F355, and at least I can use it everyday, unlike the 328.

[Chrishawk4]

Good luck Archie, I've heard nothing bad about the S2000...except for the rear tires. I've read the stock ones make it about 10-12k miles....not sure due to the fact that I haven't personally own one. I am contemplating an '02 S2000 after my lease is up, or a Mini.

Chris

[Pete04222]

I'm waiting for Andrew to kick in here. He's got an S2000. My Chief Mate on my old ship had one also and he loved it.

[stile - alpine]

so far, I've only heard good things about the S2000, and it is a car that I would love to own some day

too bad it's easier to buy a Ferrari in Brazil, so I'll probably never get the S2000

[Pete04222]

Originally Posted by stile - alpine

too bad it's easier to buy a Ferrari in Brazil, so I'll probably never get the S2000

Bummer. Sorry you have to stick with the F-car.

[Chrishawk4]

Originally Posted by Pete04222

Bummer. Sorry you have to stick with the F-car.

Yea around me F-cars are easier to find also

Chris

[rickadelic]

its a great car; it looks good, drives very nice and has got enough power.

The only thing you must not do is fit it with aftermarket wheels because then the enigine noise is insane in its small cabine and its not nice to drive it then every day.

[archiegibbs]

I viewed the S2000 this morning. Cabin stowage space is non existant and it is fairly cramped with the transmission tunnel sitting high up. The example I looked at had also had a hard life, lots of scratches on the interior plastic and door sills, badly touched up chips on the trunk lid and door edges. The service book had 3 services missing too. I walked away without even driving it.

Back to the drawing board now. A friend of mine has an immaculate 2003 BMW Z4 2500, with 25K miles, for sale, I might consider that now.

[Ferrari328GT]

That's too bad, Archie. Of course you did the right thing, although it's unfortunate that you didn't get to try out the shifter. -Steve

[EVO FAN]

Honda S2000+turbo= 350 hp then it will be a good car with good torque)
vtek+turbo=

do you think about nissan silvia or skyline? imho much better than honda

[Dmitri]

I'd would take the Z4 over the S2000...but a Z3 would just take the cake!

[t1fosI]

Hi Arch,

S2000 is a nice car for sure, beautiful to drive, solid engineering - all in all a great package. But as Dmitri says, if there was a choice I would take the Z4 - despite my chronic aversity to all things BMW. IMO the Z4 has nice lines (as does the Z8). Or you could always go classic and get yourself a nice TR6 or early Alfa Spider.





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[Basosz]

Originally Posted by t1fosI

go classic and get yourself a nice TR6 or early Alfa Spider

This is sound advice!! Go classic !!!

[Pete04222]

I love the TR6! Good call.

[Chrishawk4]

I would rather have the S2000

Chris

[archiegibbs]

The Z4's gone now
I've got to start looking again - Alfa Spider, new or old shape, MB SL or SLK or another Z4

[Dmitri]

I second the Alfa Spider.

[t1fosI]

Originally Posted by Basosz

This is sound advice!! Go classic !!!

Bas agrees with me!! wait a sec...I feel whoozy...the room is spiiiiinniiiiing...round and round and round and round and round and...I think I'm going to faint...


...phew! that was close...good job I had some smelly cheese next to me! Bas you old softie!!


Arch, for classic read old. The new, i.e. current generation -1 Alfa Spider was nice but I think it might cost you serious bucks if it goes bad. SLK is nice - bit girly unless a SLK55AMG (sorry!), you should find a decent Z4 for the money or an S2000 (take a drive in one, I am sure you will like it). The SL is nice (107 aka 'Pam Ewing' or 129. S6/V6 is like decaff, it should be a extra caffeine V8) but finding a nice one for the money is hard work, almost as tough as RHD Black/Giallo w Crema 328GTS '89 (ABS)

Stating the obvious but Summer premium on most cabrios by now, although credit crunch should help


.