S2000 buying advice please
Discussion
Hi,
I currently own a TVR Chimaera 450, but am selling unwillinly because the Mrs doesn't like drivin it (women, I'll never understand them). We need 2 cars and therefore my compromise was a S2000. Something still with some guts, but a bit more friendly for the Mrs.
Do you think I will be dissapointed with the speed/performance compared to my TVR?
I will be looking at a facelift model, so 2004 onwards. What should I look for when buying ? Are there specific problem areas or anything important I should be checking ?
Any advice would be gratefully appriciated.
Thanks
I currently own a TVR Chimaera 450, but am selling unwillinly because the Mrs doesn't like drivin it (women, I'll never understand them). We need 2 cars and therefore my compromise was a S2000. Something still with some guts, but a bit more friendly for the Mrs.
Do you think I will be dissapointed with the speed/performance compared to my TVR?
I will be looking at a facelift model, so 2004 onwards. What should I look for when buying ? Are there specific problem areas or anything important I should be checking ?
Any advice would be gratefully appriciated.
Thanks
Hi Mattcar
All the advice you need is over on www.s2ki.com in the UK section. There is an FAQ section that will be very useful for you.
As for comparing it to a TVR.......well the S still has a rawness about it which is good. I have an 04 model which some people say is a little softer than pre 04, but having never driven the earlier ones I can't comment. Obviously reliabilty should be the main difference. However some things can and do go wrong like with all cars.
All the advice you need is over on www.s2ki.com in the UK section. There is an FAQ section that will be very useful for you.
As for comparing it to a TVR.......well the S still has a rawness about it which is good. I have an 04 model which some people say is a little softer than pre 04, but having never driven the earlier ones I can't comment. Obviously reliabilty should be the main difference. However some things can and do go wrong like with all cars.
I had a play in my ITR with a Chimaera 400 down a B-road, and once on-cam there wasn't a lot in it in a straight-line.
The S2000 is quicker than the ITR, so I'd say it'll be on-par with the 450, but it might not feel it due to the peaky delivery. I suspect it'll handle better and grip quite a bit better than the TVR, but it'll also be less communicative and will need the geometry setting-up properly to get the best out of it. I'm still learning mine 2 years on, and starting to get more confident in pushing the tail out...set-up right, it's not the ditchfinder people suggest, even in the wet!
As for the missus - mine loves it...it is a doddle to drive - fast or slow - light steering, decent clutch, good driving position (as long as you're not <5'2") and pretty good visibility for the class.
Best person to PM is RedCabbage, who went from an '02 S2000 to that Chimaera 400 above...
The S2000 is quicker than the ITR, so I'd say it'll be on-par with the 450, but it might not feel it due to the peaky delivery. I suspect it'll handle better and grip quite a bit better than the TVR, but it'll also be less communicative and will need the geometry setting-up properly to get the best out of it. I'm still learning mine 2 years on, and starting to get more confident in pushing the tail out...set-up right, it's not the ditchfinder people suggest, even in the wet!
As for the missus - mine loves it...it is a doddle to drive - fast or slow - light steering, decent clutch, good driving position (as long as you're not <5'2") and pretty good visibility for the class.
Best person to PM is RedCabbage, who went from an '02 S2000 to that Chimaera 400 above...
I've had two S2000's (both facelift models; an 04 and an 05) and a TVR Griffith 500 .... and have loved all of them .... but recognise them as completely different beasts.
I think the TVR is in a different league performance wise to an S2K! Your 450 will rev out easier than a 500 but it is nothing - unsurprisingly - like an S2K ! Compared to the TVR\ the S2K will feel completely gutless. Keep driving one though and you will realise it is not !!
I found the S2K much slower than the TVR and without the lovely noise of the Griff. The things you get with the S2K over the TVR are a much easier car to drive everyday and good performance. The S2K is a super little car and probably the easiest to drive I have ever owned. They are incredibly reliable and handle well - alot lighter in the handling dept than a TVR. They have a light clutch and light steering + one of the best gearshifts out there (so long as gearbox oil is warm). The TVR on the other hand is heavy, heavy, heavy .... but then you would expect that.
Try one and take it down a country road if possible keeping the revs high. They don't need high revs to feel OK but to make progress you have to keep it over 6K (and would want to as it's enjoyable). Below 6K people will tell you thy have no power but this is simply not true. They are not mega quick below 6K but mine was easily as quick low down as the Golf GTi I currently own. Be aware though it is nowhere near as brutal as a TVR.
I made the transition from S2K to TVR and then back again to S2K with no trouble at all - and so long as you appreciate what both do and how they do it you will be happy enough ....
I think the TVR is in a different league performance wise to an S2K! Your 450 will rev out easier than a 500 but it is nothing - unsurprisingly - like an S2K ! Compared to the TVR\ the S2K will feel completely gutless. Keep driving one though and you will realise it is not !!
I found the S2K much slower than the TVR and without the lovely noise of the Griff. The things you get with the S2K over the TVR are a much easier car to drive everyday and good performance. The S2K is a super little car and probably the easiest to drive I have ever owned. They are incredibly reliable and handle well - alot lighter in the handling dept than a TVR. They have a light clutch and light steering + one of the best gearshifts out there (so long as gearbox oil is warm). The TVR on the other hand is heavy, heavy, heavy .... but then you would expect that.
Try one and take it down a country road if possible keeping the revs high. They don't need high revs to feel OK but to make progress you have to keep it over 6K (and would want to as it's enjoyable). Below 6K people will tell you thy have no power but this is simply not true. They are not mega quick below 6K but mine was easily as quick low down as the Golf GTi I currently own. Be aware though it is nowhere near as brutal as a TVR.
I made the transition from S2K to TVR and then back again to S2K with no trouble at all - and so long as you appreciate what both do and how they do it you will be happy enough ....
Mattcar said:
Hi,
I currently own a TVR Chimaera 450, but am selling unwillinly because the Mrs doesn't like drivin it (women, I'll never understand them). We need 2 cars and therefore my compromise was a S2000. Something still with some guts, but a bit more friendly for the Mrs.
Do you think I will be dissapointed with the speed/performance compared to my TVR?
I will be looking at a facelift model, so 2004 onwards. What should I look for when buying ? Are there specific problem areas or anything important I should be checking ?
Any advice would be gratefully appriciated.
Thanks
A couple of years back I owned a Chimaera 400. What a marvellous car, stunning brute force power. We sold it too due to high running costs (always something wrong with it, although only had 32k on the clock with full TVR SH) and the lack of power steering (my wife found it heavy to steer at low speeds, also the steering wheel would rip back straight while cornering with your foot down) ooh and that heavy clutch in traffic. You will notice a difference in torque and power with the TVR as it would throw your head in the seat while accelerating sadly how hard you try the S2000 doesn't. I think you will grow to love the S2000 as you wouldn't need to keep checking the oil pressure and water temp continually. Like the TVR the S is an enthusiasts car, go for the facelift model 04' onwards, nicer to look at with a slightly softer suspension set up. The S handles well and the brakes are 20 times better than the standard TVR's. I've had many white knuckle brown trousers sensations in my TVR while braking hard with new discs and pads !!!. The driving technique in the S2000 is different than the TVR, the TVR delivers the pace lazily and insanely while the S2000 uses witchcraft named VTEC to propel you forward once you get it going using the gears it goes.I currently own a TVR Chimaera 450, but am selling unwillinly because the Mrs doesn't like drivin it (women, I'll never understand them). We need 2 cars and therefore my compromise was a S2000. Something still with some guts, but a bit more friendly for the Mrs.
Do you think I will be dissapointed with the speed/performance compared to my TVR?
I will be looking at a facelift model, so 2004 onwards. What should I look for when buying ? Are there specific problem areas or anything important I should be checking ?
Any advice would be gratefully appriciated.
Thanks
Try one out for yourself, you won't be dissapointed as the S2000 has cheaper running costs and is easy to live with on a daily basis and your wife like mine will love it...
I don't know what it is but once you have owned a TVR you always want another one.............. I'd buy a Tamora tomorrow........shame about the build quality of the speed six engine though....
Great thread, interesting how many people have owned both. This is a swap I keep considering myself although probably not for another year or so. Great thread with some good first hand opinions. It is always good to hear from people who can make the comparison in an unbiased way.
Apart from the change in suspension settings for later cars, the switch to a glass window and larger diameter wheels, is there any good reason not to consider a pre 01 car bearing in mind our wonderful new road tax policy?
Apart from the change in suspension settings for later cars, the switch to a glass window and larger diameter wheels, is there any good reason not to consider a pre 01 car bearing in mind our wonderful new road tax policy?
edward1 said:
Great thread, interesting how many people have owned both. This is a swap I keep considering myself although probably not for another year or so. Great thread with some good first hand opinions. It is always good to hear from people who can make the comparison in an unbiased way.
Apart from the change in suspension settings for later cars, the switch to a glass window and larger diameter wheels, is there any good reason not to consider a pre 01 car bearing in mind our wonderful new road tax policy?
None at all. Apart from the change in suspension settings for later cars, the switch to a glass window and larger diameter wheels, is there any good reason not to consider a pre 01 car bearing in mind our wonderful new road tax policy?
- The glass window can only be retro-fitted with a whole new hood, but there are some out there.
- The suspension geometry can be fully-adjusted on all the cars, so spring/damper rates aside you can tailor the handling to your taste.
- There are a couple of good 16" tyre options depending on your preferred style (T1-R is very progressive in break-away, but less precise at 10/10ths (and is very good in the wet), RE050A is supposed to be a good all-rounder)
That said, for an extra £200 a year running costs (approx. VED difference), the lower risk of repair bills on a newer car might still be worth considering...clutch and wishbones are £££.
Hi,
Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and advice. Some interesting points made. Really don't want to sell the TVR, but kind of know I have to. I'm sure I'll soon forget about it once I get the S2000.
Qube: And I thought it was only me that drives with one one on the road and the other monitoring the oil/water :-)
Thanks again for your input.
Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and advice. Some interesting points made. Really don't want to sell the TVR, but kind of know I have to. I'm sure I'll soon forget about it once I get the S2000.
Qube: And I thought it was only me that drives with one one on the road and the other monitoring the oil/water :-)
Thanks again for your input.
Mattcar said:
Hi,
I'm sure I'll soon forget about it once I get the S2000.
Qube: And I thought it was only me that drives with one one on the road and the other monitoring the oil/water :-)
Thanks again for your input.
I don't think you'll ever forget owning a TVR, it's owes so much to ownership as it is a truly piece of British motoring history. Not sure about you, but that new 'Lynx' deodorant advert, the bloke must of owned a TVR to develop his eyes in a way to look at all the gauges. lol... only joking....I'm sure I'll soon forget about it once I get the S2000.
Qube: And I thought it was only me that drives with one one on the road and the other monitoring the oil/water :-)
Thanks again for your input.
AdrianEagle said:
The Honda S2000 is an old man's car! I got one and had it since 2004. Only thing is this old man drves as hard as the youngsters and is now over 70! A vtec a day keeps the doctor away!
Good man 
My old fella is the same (albeit just hitting pension) when driving my motors. Having said that, he never quite got his head fully around VTEC but strangely, now that I have torque as opposed to revs, he drives current steed like a VTEC and not like a torquey, diesel-esque rumble wagon
AdrianEagle said:
The Honda S2000 is an old man's car! I got one and had it since 2004. Only thing is this old man drves as hard as the youngsters and is now over 70! A vtec a day keeps the doctor away!
Agreed, a VTEC a day definitely does keep you feeling younger.Plus, i guarantee, a FSH'd engine will always turn over nicely each morning.
Great thread guys, I was just about to ask similar questions, except that I was planning on keeping my modified Griffith, retiring it for nice days/restoration and getting an S2000 for some eveyday fun.
How would the car sit wit a 3mile trip to the station each day, the a blast at the weekends every few days to clear it out?
Anybody know of a good one going?
What is considered high mileage on them?
How would the car sit wit a 3mile trip to the station each day, the a blast at the weekends every few days to clear it out?
Anybody know of a good one going?
What is considered high mileage on them?
Wildfire said:
Great thread guys, I was just about to ask similar questions, except that I was planning on keeping my modified Griffith, retiring it for nice days/restoration and getting an S2000 for some eveyday fun.
How would the car sit wit a 3mile trip to the station each day, the a blast at the weekends every few days to clear it out?
Anybody know of a good one going?
What is considered high mileage on them?
The car copes fine with short journeys, but DOES need regular longer trips to avoid clogging up a little if run lots 'on the choke'. How would the car sit wit a 3mile trip to the station each day, the a blast at the weekends every few days to clear it out?
Anybody know of a good one going?
What is considered high mileage on them?
I had this with mine - lots of short 3-5 mile trips to and from work, barely getting warm, then it threw the EMS light ("random misfire"). Did it a few times over a month or so, I spent over £200 of my own money chasing it, plus 3 RAC calls to diagnose it. Injector cleaner in the tank finally cured it, so I can only assume that it was because of all the short journeys.
I make sure I treat her better now!!!
Mileage? The engine will cope with 6-figures very happily, the 'box is slightly weaker so depends how it's been treated. Springs/dampers - as for any car like this. Interior - pretty hard-wearing, although the seat leather gets scuffed...
As for what is considered 'high' - there are lots out there doing 5k p.a. or less, and then there are some hardy souls who do >20k p.a. in theirs, so you can probably find one at whatever mileage you want!
Mine is (reluctantly/tentatively) up for sale at the moment...
I'm probably looking at around 6k anually or there abouts, so not too bad. I ran an Elise everyday through winter and it was bearable, much more than the TVR, and I could have fun in the wet with it. I'd like that with a bit more reliability and useability. Eg a boot that opens, doors that open, lights that don't fill up with water.
The TVR I ran for a year and a bit as my everyday car and in the wet and winter is is ok, but I'd just rather not. So I got an Astra Estate. So something in the middle, but leaning more TVR wards would be good.
The TVR I ran for a year and a bit as my everyday car and in the wet and winter is is ok, but I'd just rather not. So I got an Astra Estate. So something in the middle, but leaning more TVR wards would be good.
Mine is great fun in the wet - I got the geo properly set up by Chris Franklin @ CenterGravity and it breaks sooner but more progressively. It means that in the wet you need to drive the car but it's fun doing so.
Otherwise, it's a Honda - practical, reliable, well-built, leak-free!
What I WILL say is that it lacks the 'drama' of a TVR - the sound and the smell aren't there, neither is some of the tactility (but it can still be driven very precisely, you just don't get as much info from the front-end). So don't expect Elise-like communication.
I'm not sure why I'm selling mine...I probably shouldn't just yet...and I don't know what to replace it with, only that I fancy a change.
Otherwise, it's a Honda - practical, reliable, well-built, leak-free!
What I WILL say is that it lacks the 'drama' of a TVR - the sound and the smell aren't there, neither is some of the tactility (but it can still be driven very precisely, you just don't get as much info from the front-end). So don't expect Elise-like communication.
I'm not sure why I'm selling mine...I probably shouldn't just yet...and I don't know what to replace it with, only that I fancy a change.
I agree with Havoc, 'What I WILL say is that it lacks the 'drama' of a TVR - the sound and the smell aren't there, neither is some of the tactility (but it can still be driven very precisely, you just don't get as much info from the front-end)'.
Whether it's in my mind but a front srut brace brings you more communication to your fingertips on what is happenning at the front end. You can just keep turning in and in until the back end breaks away......
Whether it's in my mind but a front srut brace brings you more communication to your fingertips on what is happenning at the front end. You can just keep turning in and in until the back end breaks away......
Qube said:
Whether it's in my mind but a front srut brace brings you more communication to your fingertips on what is happenning at the front end. You can just keep turning in and in until the back end breaks away......
True-ish. Although I suspect your right foot might be involved there!!!
I've also got front upper and lower braces, and it feels more 'solid' at the front, a little more communicative, and generally gives you more confidence.
havoc said:
Qube said:
Whether it's in my mind but a front srut brace brings you more communication to your fingertips on what is happenning at the front end. You can just keep turning in and in until the back end breaks away......
True-ish. Although I suspect your right foot might be involved there!!!
I've also got front upper and lower braces, and it feels more 'solid' at the front, a little more communicative, and generally gives you more confidence.
How do you find the lower cross brace ?
I've bottom rear as well (there is an OE mild-steel upper- and lower- already on the car), which replaced the OE item...not sure it did THAT much, but in combination with the very solid front-lower the back-end has lost half of it's side-to-side pitching it can develop at 10/10ths cornering on rough surfaces.
There's probably a few on s2ki with uppers as well, but IIRC you need to cut the boot-lining for that.
There's probably a few on s2ki with uppers as well, but IIRC you need to cut the boot-lining for that.
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