S2000

[Emancipated]

Remember these cars, guys? Say what you want about a low torque, high revving "lawn mower" but you have to respect a I4 that can beat a Mustang GT stock vs stock.

They're so cheap on Autotrader now. There's one just over 50,000km for $18k. Great summer car.

Any thoughts?

[jetway1212]

S2000 is indeed a masterpiece of precision and quality. Very nice summer car and GREAT tracking car. If you're into the sport and can afford them, then there is no reason not to get one.

Wait for some muscle cars fan boys who only drive 10 sec or less comes in and bash the car.

[Emancipated]

No need for bashing. I am a fan of fast cars, full stop. I like the S2000 because it's a choice within my budget and it's a good car in its own right. Good on fuel economy and has a little pep when you wanna red line and hear that exhaust note.

[airodus]

I found the old 2L ones a lil noisy to daily drive. I heard the 2.2L somewhat alleviated the noise issue. Otherwise great cars, especially when you want to fling them around.

[Emancipated]

I found the old 2L ones a lil noisy to daily drive. I heard the 2.2L somewhat alleviated the noise issue. Otherwise great cars, especially when you want to fling them around.

What year did the 2.0 cease production? Is there any particular MY to look out for? There's a few 2005 and even 2007 that's in my budget.

[xcentric]

love it!, although still hungry for a nsx,more like 28k for a 91 with higher miles. hope they both con'd to depreciate in this economy

[ES_Revenge]

Remember these cars, guys? Say what you want about a low torque, high revving "lawn mower" but you have to respect a I4 that can beat a Mustang GT stock vs stock.

That depends on your definition of "beat"...

They're so cheap on Autotrader now. There's one just over 50,000km for $18k.

Well I mean you can practically find anything for cheap on Autotrader. Abnormally cheap and just regularly cheap are different stories though... Are S2000s with that mileage typically that price or is this one unusually low? cars that are priced lower than most other same models with similar mileage/options are usually cheaper for a reason.

Great summer car.

Again depends on your definition of "great", lol.

Any thoughts?

Yeah I despise the S2000, personally. Said this on numerous occasions and I have very good reasons... The car is a one-trick, torqueless wonder that is certainly a track superstar but nearly useless for driving in the real world (except perhaps looking nice).

Below 7k rpm the car has nothing and I mean nothing. When the S2000 was initially released way back when, it was published in various places that the car is so slow below it's VTEC changeover that if you didn't rev the car to it's redline before every shift, it's slow as the ol' blackstrap. In fact even a Toyota Tercel a then-current car with like less than 100hp would be even with it should you not shift above ~7k RPM.

Even today with the newer engine, many "lesser" cars will have their way with the S2000 unless you drive it like you're a crazyman. Of course when driven like a lunatic the car performs very well, but outside of that envelope you're probably better off in a modern-day Versa, Yaris, Civic, Mazda3 etc. No seriously, you are--those cars will probably feel faster provided you're not driving like a race driver.

Seriously who revs to like 9k rpm while driving on public roads, everyday, everytime they shift gears? Not only will you get a headache real fast, I'm sure that will attract the attention of cops, real quick. Oh and that fuel economy? That's out the window too, once you're driving the car like that.

Sure the chassis is excellent too, but seriously? Unless you really plan on taking the car to the track on a regular basis (the only place the car will impress you and impress you it will on the track), then get a real meant-for-the-road roadster like the Z4, TT, Mazdaspeed Miata, Solstice GXP, Sky Red Line, etc.

I never understood why people oohed and aahed about a car that is so "all show and no go" when it comes to daily public driving.

[skewed]

Impressive performance however I still personally believe they don't have the look for the pricetag. It is fugly if you ask me.

[Jay Hova]

On my cousin's street (Hamilton) there was a guy who owned an Acura NSX, BMW X5 and an S2000. This was about 7-8 years ago.

[Kayne]

Remember these cars, guys? Say what you want about a low torque, high revving "lawn mower" but you have to respect a I4 that can beat a Mustang GT stock vs stock.

They're so cheap on Autotrader now. There's one just over 50,000km for $18k. Great summer car.

Any thoughts?

Lets not forget the price difference between a Mustang G.T. and a S2000. I wonder what the difference would be like when comparing a similar priced stang like a 03 Cobra or WS6 and a s2000.

I think the S200 is a great car and a blaast to drive but lets keep the comparison fair.

[big tuna]

Below 7k rpm the car has nothing and I mean nothing. When the S2000 was initially released way back when, it was published in various places that the car is so slow below it's VTEC changeover that if you didn't rev the car to it's redline before every shift, it's slow as the ol' blackstrap. In fact even a Toyota Tercel a then-current car with like less than 100hp would be even with it should you not shift above ~7k RPM.

thanks for your insight, could you be a LITTLE more overdramatic?

i don't track mine but at the same time i don't shift at 9k on public roads either. hard to do that when you're blocked in by champagne corollas from block to block... pretty obvious that this car is far from practical but i only insure mine about 8 months out of the year so it works for me since our other car has been a wagon/suv the last few years. and please for the love of god don't throw this in the same category as the goddess of tracking, the miata... my gf owned hers for the first few years i had my s2 and it was a night and day difference jumping between them. that thing was a rwd yaris with 50:50 that you had to pilot with a shifter the size of a pomeranian penis but i guess that works for some people

OP - what year is that one for 18k? 02+ has the glass back window and the AP2s have the 17" wheels plus tweaked tail/headlights

[Tomy]

regardless, s2k is one sexy car

at this price, u dont have to wait till u lose all ur hair to buy one. great deal...

[skidz88]

I'd rather have a 350Z and have torque anytime I wanted it.

[Emancipated]

I'd rather have a 350Z and have torque anytime I wanted it.

I didn't realize you could get one under $20k. Yeah, right.. you can't. None are even listed on Autotrader. Chances are, people with the S2K use it as a summer car exclusively so less mileage, less winter elements abuse, etc.

[TT333]

This is one car that I have never driven, but talking to an owner last year I remember him saying his biggest complain was fuel economy when driving the car hard. We all knew 4cyls suck on gas anyways when you have to rev them, but apparently it's not so good on this car.

Still though, great looking car. GL, OP

edit: Oh, and I'll race you in my '00 Stang GT, too. Just come out to BC :P