Test drove an S2000 today...
Discussion
...and you know what, I liked it!! Which is good news! Even better news, the missus absolutely loves it and thinks I should buy one immediately 
A few things the came to mind during/after the drive are:
1. Its not as quick as I expected. The VTEC didn't seem to "kick" as hard as it does in a Civic Type-R and it didn't feel any quicker either, which surprised me. Maybe the FWD CTR feels quicker due to the torquesteer? Or perhaps 1000cc bikes have warped my impression of speed, but whatever it is, it all felt entirely manageable - thats not really putting me off though, as I still enjoyed driving it!
2. It's better than a Z3, Z4 or MGTF 160. I certainly think it is, anyway!
3. It's a darn site more practical than an Elise, which I was also looking at - no surprise there, but still a plus point! And the roof is very slick.
4. It was a noisey little bugger. I mean cruising speeds, but then its is a soft top - I'm sure a GT would be quieter with hard top in place, but who cares? Once I get acclimatised to it I'll forget how smooth and quiet my E46 is and be happy, so thats cool.
5. Surprisingly, I didnt feel the need to VTEC constantly! Don't get me wrong, its great fun, but in heavyish traffic on busy A-roads I wasn't constantly chasing the redline and looking for overtakes like I thought I might, I was quite happy pottering along waiting for a decent gap - then flying past 3 or 4 cars at a time! That says a lot for what a good all-rounder the car seems to be, and also bodes well for half-decent fuel economy.
A couple of other things that have sprung to mind and hopefully you can help me with are:
1. Insurance! I'm 23, so anyone know good places that insure S2k's for under 25's at reasonable rates? I've got a garage and live in a decent area, which should help.
2. It really needs an induction kit to make the most of that engine noise. Thats pretty much all I'd change I think, but which is the best option and how much does it cost?
3. Fuel - do they need super unleaded or is 95 RON fine? I'm hereing differing opinions on this.
4. Whats the best year to go for? I'm told glass screens are 51-reg onwards, but when did the 17s come into play? And also the silver radio cover bit - I much prefer that to the black ones of the earlier models, so when did the interior get an update? Oh, and when did the oval exhausts arrive too, cos I like them?
Think thats it for now - cheers!
A few things the came to mind during/after the drive are:
1. Its not as quick as I expected. The VTEC didn't seem to "kick" as hard as it does in a Civic Type-R and it didn't feel any quicker either, which surprised me. Maybe the FWD CTR feels quicker due to the torquesteer? Or perhaps 1000cc bikes have warped my impression of speed, but whatever it is, it all felt entirely manageable - thats not really putting me off though, as I still enjoyed driving it!
2. It's better than a Z3, Z4 or MGTF 160. I certainly think it is, anyway!
3. It's a darn site more practical than an Elise, which I was also looking at - no surprise there, but still a plus point! And the roof is very slick.
4. It was a noisey little bugger. I mean cruising speeds, but then its is a soft top - I'm sure a GT would be quieter with hard top in place, but who cares? Once I get acclimatised to it I'll forget how smooth and quiet my E46 is and be happy, so thats cool.
5. Surprisingly, I didnt feel the need to VTEC constantly! Don't get me wrong, its great fun, but in heavyish traffic on busy A-roads I wasn't constantly chasing the redline and looking for overtakes like I thought I might, I was quite happy pottering along waiting for a decent gap - then flying past 3 or 4 cars at a time! That says a lot for what a good all-rounder the car seems to be, and also bodes well for half-decent fuel economy.
A couple of other things that have sprung to mind and hopefully you can help me with are:
1. Insurance! I'm 23, so anyone know good places that insure S2k's for under 25's at reasonable rates? I've got a garage and live in a decent area, which should help.
2. It really needs an induction kit to make the most of that engine noise. Thats pretty much all I'd change I think, but which is the best option and how much does it cost?
3. Fuel - do they need super unleaded or is 95 RON fine? I'm hereing differing opinions on this.
4. Whats the best year to go for? I'm told glass screens are 51-reg onwards, but when did the 17s come into play? And also the silver radio cover bit - I much prefer that to the black ones of the earlier models, so when did the interior get an update? Oh, and when did the oval exhausts arrive too, cos I like them?
Think thats it for now - cheers!
Edited by Mike_C on Saturday 19th April 19:57
'02 MY (late-51's on) introduced the glass screen
'04 MY (late-53's on) introduced the 17"s and the silver stereo cover, plus different interior colour-options.
You're comments are pretty much on the money as far as living with it goes, and they prefer 97RON, unfortunately.
Have a hunt around www.s2ki.co.uk for more info.
'04 MY (late-53's on) introduced the 17"s and the silver stereo cover, plus different interior colour-options.
You're comments are pretty much on the money as far as living with it goes, and they prefer 97RON, unfortunately.
Have a hunt around www.s2ki.co.uk for more info.
I agree with havoc
I'm on my foruth
Have a look here for some good insurance on the S2000
www.s2kuk.com
I'm on my foruth
Have a look here for some good insurance on the S2000
www.s2kuk.com
Mike,
Sounds like you had a good test drive as you have covered all the bases that could quite possibly be missed from not taking one for a proper blat.
I came from a CTR and I must admit to, initially, being woefully dissapointed when I drove back home from buying the S2K. The day was a miserable april afternoon, and I remember thinking the car was noisy and, actually, not that quick...
No sooner however, had I taken her upto 9k down the first sliproad I encountered, and all that changed- the magic appeared and it just clicked. The relatively loud cruising didnt matter anymore and I was soon to realise that the car was all the better in this regard for having the roof down! Rain or shine it was always off.
It was practical enough to fit golf clubs and luggage in. The cabin was snug and comfy and the economy was good, as, like you say, a lot of the time you can drive "normally" and its fine.
There were so many hidden qualities to the car though which made it such a great buy- learning to drive it "properly" and nailing a road so the car felt juuust right. The noise was amazing, and all the better for having no roof to obstruct it. And quite possibly, the best bit; roof down, dead of night, xenons glowing and the car singing at 9k rpm. few moments before or since have matched that
an excellent choice- you wont be dissapointed!
anyway..
insurance: noel dazely, adrian flux, elephant, tesco
induction kit: you can get the "noise" by removing the lid from the airbox, although you will then get heat soak if you are in traffic. Get a snorkel fitted- vastly improves the flow.
fuel: better on 99RON, but never seemed to make THAT much difference really. Its highly tuned though, so as best you can get hold of is always good
age: check out s2ki for more info here, but I had an MY00- plastic screen, no TCS, and a custom made oval exhaust. Best of all worlds and, most importantly, the best drivers model
Sounds like you had a good test drive as you have covered all the bases that could quite possibly be missed from not taking one for a proper blat.
I came from a CTR and I must admit to, initially, being woefully dissapointed when I drove back home from buying the S2K. The day was a miserable april afternoon, and I remember thinking the car was noisy and, actually, not that quick...
No sooner however, had I taken her upto 9k down the first sliproad I encountered, and all that changed- the magic appeared and it just clicked. The relatively loud cruising didnt matter anymore and I was soon to realise that the car was all the better in this regard for having the roof down! Rain or shine it was always off.
It was practical enough to fit golf clubs and luggage in. The cabin was snug and comfy and the economy was good, as, like you say, a lot of the time you can drive "normally" and its fine.
There were so many hidden qualities to the car though which made it such a great buy- learning to drive it "properly" and nailing a road so the car felt juuust right. The noise was amazing, and all the better for having no roof to obstruct it. And quite possibly, the best bit; roof down, dead of night, xenons glowing and the car singing at 9k rpm. few moments before or since have matched that
an excellent choice- you wont be dissapointed!
anyway..
insurance: noel dazely, adrian flux, elephant, tesco
induction kit: you can get the "noise" by removing the lid from the airbox, although you will then get heat soak if you are in traffic. Get a snorkel fitted- vastly improves the flow.
fuel: better on 99RON, but never seemed to make THAT much difference really. Its highly tuned though, so as best you can get hold of is always good
age: check out s2ki for more info here, but I had an MY00- plastic screen, no TCS, and a custom made oval exhaust. Best of all worlds and, most importantly, the best drivers model
Insurance - APlan.
Intake - Just take the lid off the air box.
Model - Get a 2002+, Glass rear window. I'm in the process of changing mine to a late spec. Then it's a choice of bumpers. Have a look at a few, pick the best you can afford.
Petrol - Use SUL. UL *will* work, but it'll feel lumpy, and may pull timing.
Intake - Just take the lid off the air box.
Model - Get a 2002+, Glass rear window. I'm in the process of changing mine to a late spec. Then it's a choice of bumpers. Have a look at a few, pick the best you can afford.
Petrol - Use SUL. UL *will* work, but it'll feel lumpy, and may pull timing.
Mike_C said:
4. Whats the best year to go for? I'm told glass screens are 51-reg onwards, but when did the 17s come into play? And also the silver radio cover bit - I much prefer that to the black ones of the earlier models, so when did the interior get an update? Oh, and when did the oval exhausts arrive too, cos I like them?
2004. Edited by Mike_C on Saturday 19th April 19:57
I'd answer more but im depressed becuase mine got the roof slashed last night
MrFlibbles said:
Mike_C said:
4. Whats the best year to go for? I'm told glass screens are 51-reg onwards, but when did the 17s come into play? And also the silver radio cover bit - I much prefer that to the black ones of the earlier models, so when did the interior get an update? Oh, and when did the oval exhausts arrive too, cos I like them?
2004. Edited by Mike_C on Saturday 19th April 19:57
I'd answer more but im depressed becuase mine got the roof slashed last night
Mike, You will need rev 3 which come out as mentioned in 2004 some time.
bracken78 said:
MrFlibbles said:
Mike_C said:
4. Whats the best year to go for? I'm told glass screens are 51-reg onwards, but when did the 17s come into play? And also the silver radio cover bit - I much prefer that to the black ones of the earlier models, so when did the interior get an update? Oh, and when did the oval exhausts arrive too, cos I like them?
2004. Edited by Mike_C on Saturday 19th April 19:57
I'd answer more but im depressed becuase mine got the roof slashed last night
The annoying thing is I pay £1300 a year for insurance, but its still cheaper for me to fork out a grand from my own pocket for a new roof!
Hi all, thanks for the comments.
Insurance is the biggie at the moment - I rang A Plan as advised and they quoted me a hideous £2,500 for me and a laughable £3,500 with the missus on there as well! Jokers!
Gonna have to shop around I think, as there's no way I'm forking out that - a mate of mine is paying £950, same age, less NCB (although 0 points too) and lives in a slightly crap area with the car outside - I'm in the middle of a field with a garage for crying out loud!!
Any other insurance suggestions?
Insurance is the biggie at the moment - I rang A Plan as advised and they quoted me a hideous £2,500 for me and a laughable £3,500 with the missus on there as well! Jokers!
Gonna have to shop around I think, as there's no way I'm forking out that - a mate of mine is paying £950, same age, less NCB (although 0 points too) and lives in a slightly crap area with the car outside - I'm in the middle of a field with a garage for crying out loud!!
Any other insurance suggestions?
Mike_C said:
Hi all, thanks for the comments.
Insurance is the biggie at the moment - I rang A Plan as advised and they quoted me a hideous £2,500 for me and a laughable £3,500 with the missus on there as well! Jokers!
Gonna have to shop around I think, as there's no way I'm forking out that - a mate of mine is paying £950, same age, less NCB (although 0 points too) and lives in a slightly crap area with the car outside - I'm in the middle of a field with a garage for crying out loud!!
Any other insurance suggestions?
I guess thats being 23 for you. A Plan provided the best quote for me though. Insurance is the biggie at the moment - I rang A Plan as advised and they quoted me a hideous £2,500 for me and a laughable £3,500 with the missus on there as well! Jokers!
Gonna have to shop around I think, as there's no way I'm forking out that - a mate of mine is paying £950, same age, less NCB (although 0 points too) and lives in a slightly crap area with the car outside - I'm in the middle of a field with a garage for crying out loud!!
Any other insurance suggestions?
t Russ, really sorry to hear that!MrF - harsh about the roof my gf's got done a while back on a golf - really p****d off!
A plan (after much phoning around) came up with the best quote for me.
27 yr old, good postcode, car on road, 8k ltd mileage, no points & 5yrs NCB - £750 with 350 xs.
Agree with the comments about removing the airbox lid but it can suffer from flat spots, also not so happy in traffic - makes a bloody good noise though.
A plan (after much phoning around) came up with the best quote for me.
27 yr old, good postcode, car on road, 8k ltd mileage, no points & 5yrs NCB - £750 with 350 xs.
Agree with the comments about removing the airbox lid but it can suffer from flat spots, also not so happy in traffic - makes a bloody good noise though.
Mike_C said:
Somehow, the S2000 is more expensive to insure than an E46 M3...why does this car have such a ridiculous rating?! Lack of TC I guess, but its still "only" 240bhp...I don't get it!
It's cheaper (therefore more accessible to young drivers straight out of fwd) and it's less-understeery than an M3 (OK, more oversteery! ), therefore (when combined with no TC) easier to put into a ditch if you drive it the way you would a hot-hatch.IMHO it's a car which forces you to learn a smooth style, and which rewards that in spades. But as a result it's a car that takes time to appreciate - a test-drive doesn't tell you the half of it...
Well I've got some experience of RWD cars and really enjoyed the test drive, but the insurance is pretty expensive - sure I can get it cheaper, just don't have the time right now!
How does it compare to a Boxster by the way? In terms of insurance, I mean...?
There don't seem to be (m)any alternatives to the S2000 unfortunately - but then I really like an S2k and want one!
How does it compare to a Boxster by the way? In terms of insurance, I mean...?
There don't seem to be (m)any alternatives to the S2000 unfortunately - but then I really like an S2k and want one!
Then buy it. Insurance is very expensive, but residuals are Porker-good and running costs are very reasonable for what it is (as long as you don't need any serious work doing).
Overall, as a 2nd car, I've done c.13-14k miles over 2 years, and I figure my costs are:-
Depreciation: Yet to see, <£4,000 (impressively), car bought at 2 3/4 years old.
Insurance: £1,700
Servicing: c.£400
MOT: £80
Tyres: £320 for 1 set
Tax: c.£400
mpg: Avg 26, so say 500 gallons, over 2 years say £2,250 of Super U/L.
Total = ~£9,000, or about 65ppm.
Then the extra work (new alarm £300, investigation into odd misfires ~£140, suspension bolt greasing and alignment £200) = £640, or about another 5ppm.
So in the overall scheme of things another £200-300 a year for insurance won't mean a great deal...
Overall, as a 2nd car, I've done c.13-14k miles over 2 years, and I figure my costs are:-
Depreciation: Yet to see, <£4,000 (impressively), car bought at 2 3/4 years old.
Insurance: £1,700
Servicing: c.£400
MOT: £80
Tyres: £320 for 1 set
Tax: c.£400
mpg: Avg 26, so say 500 gallons, over 2 years say £2,250 of Super U/L.
Total = ~£9,000, or about 65ppm.
Then the extra work (new alarm £300, investigation into odd misfires ~£140, suspension bolt greasing and alignment £200) = £640, or about another 5ppm.
So in the overall scheme of things another £200-300 a year for insurance won't mean a great deal...
Gassing Station | Honda | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff