Ady's Honda S2000
Discussion
Well where to start! I have enjoyed reading JFReturns S2000 topic and I learnt a few things along the way so thought I would start my own!
Ive wanted a S2k for ages now and consequently read a lot of peoples opinions and reviews both good and bad about them. For the past year or so I have been running a supercharged mx5 and a DC2 integra so in my head the S2k seemed like the perfect mix of the two.
So this is the one I bought.. (dealer pics)
So far I have done about 150 miles of fairly mixed driving, roof down as much as possible.. Initial impression are very good, its obvious the car has a lot more grip than both the mx5 and the integra but it certainly feels like it would let go and snap in hurry if you got it wrong so im treading carefully at the moment.
Things I like:
Engine (an obvious start) it doesn’t feel massively quicker than teg but I much prefer the power delivery compared to the old school VTEC kick
Gearbox is perfect once it warms up a bit, easily better than both previous cars.
I was pleasantly surprised by the steering, I expected it to be like driving on ice after everything I read but it has a nice weight to it and a quick rack, but you do notice slightly less feedback once you really start leaning on it.
Possible mods / upgrades
Im not a very tall person but I still cant see the top of the dash under the wheel, struggling to get comfy at the moment so considering some lower seat rails
I would like a new stereo as I miss my ipod already, I believe alpines work with the sw controls?
Car hasn’t had any alignment done so gonna get that booked up and keep my fingers crossed!
Comments or questions welcome!
(for old times sake)
Ive wanted a S2k for ages now and consequently read a lot of peoples opinions and reviews both good and bad about them. For the past year or so I have been running a supercharged mx5 and a DC2 integra so in my head the S2k seemed like the perfect mix of the two.
So this is the one I bought.. (dealer pics)
So far I have done about 150 miles of fairly mixed driving, roof down as much as possible.. Initial impression are very good, its obvious the car has a lot more grip than both the mx5 and the integra but it certainly feels like it would let go and snap in hurry if you got it wrong so im treading carefully at the moment.
Things I like:
Engine (an obvious start) it doesn’t feel massively quicker than teg but I much prefer the power delivery compared to the old school VTEC kick
Gearbox is perfect once it warms up a bit, easily better than both previous cars.
I was pleasantly surprised by the steering, I expected it to be like driving on ice after everything I read but it has a nice weight to it and a quick rack, but you do notice slightly less feedback once you really start leaning on it.
Possible mods / upgrades
Im not a very tall person but I still cant see the top of the dash under the wheel, struggling to get comfy at the moment so considering some lower seat rails
I would like a new stereo as I miss my ipod already, I believe alpines work with the sw controls?
Car hasn’t had any alignment done so gonna get that booked up and keep my fingers crossed!
Comments or questions welcome!
(for old times sake)
Edited by ady_GTi on Monday 26th September 19:21
Looks great 
Somehow it took me a few months to find a nice driving position (or to get used to it), but it's fine now. I even took it for a trip to the Alps and the seats were fine for 2350km in a week (although the noise gets on your nerves!).
As for the radio, you could use most brands if you buy an adapter for the controls from ebay or so. I've got a Pioneer in mine with working dash controls now. Shame the standard speakers are horrible as well (although at least you have tweeters fitted), so might have to replace those as well.
Somehow it took me a few months to find a nice driving position (or to get used to it), but it's fine now. I even took it for a trip to the Alps and the seats were fine for 2350km in a week (although the noise gets on your nerves!).
As for the radio, you could use most brands if you buy an adapter for the controls from ebay or so. I've got a Pioneer in mine with working dash controls now. Shame the standard speakers are horrible as well (although at least you have tweeters fitted), so might have to replace those as well.
Nice, I don't see too many black ones around.
Stereo wise they are poor. I have a pioneer with an adapter which works fine. Also have some focal components, std tweeters in the roll over hoop and a 10 inch sub formed into the recess where the tools are. Sounds good
I'm looking at maybe putting a OEM lip on it and also doing the roof on the move mod.
ETA: Just to get in there first, try it with the air box cover removed - the induction roar in VTEC is scary. Mind you, it suffers from a loss of throttle response and loss of power due to heat sink.
Stereo wise they are poor. I have a pioneer with an adapter which works fine. Also have some focal components, std tweeters in the roll over hoop and a 10 inch sub formed into the recess where the tools are. Sounds good
I'm looking at maybe putting a OEM lip on it and also doing the roof on the move mod.
ETA: Just to get in there first, try it with the air box cover removed - the induction roar in VTEC is scary. Mind you, it suffers from a loss of throttle response and loss of power due to heat sink.
Edited by TommyBuoy on Tuesday 13th September 12:17
Thanks for the comments! I was looking for a blue one originally but this was too good to pass up, i actually like the black alot, looks a mess already mind!
The speakers actually seem ok, perhaps they have been upgraded already? I will have to do some investigating.
The roof mod is a quick snip on a wire somewhere right? I read about it before but cant remember now. I have blocked off the resonator box which has deepened the induction note a bit, will try the lid off at some point dunno if i would keep it like that though.
The speakers actually seem ok, perhaps they have been upgraded already? I will have to do some investigating.
The roof mod is a quick snip on a wire somewhere right? I read about it before but cant remember now. I have blocked off the resonator box which has deepened the induction note a bit, will try the lid off at some point dunno if i would keep it like that though.
Nice! Black is my favourite colour, they look so mean and yours seems to be a good 'un in the pics. Your initial thoughts echoed mine and I found the best way round the non adjustable steering wheel was to adopt a much more laid back seating position. Takes a small while to get used to but it means you can read the instruments and your head won't stick over the windscreen
Oh and definitely take the airbox lid off, it sounds awesome.....
Oh and definitely take the airbox lid off, it sounds awesome.....
Awesome car, enjoy it. Although I have to say, with Japanese cars being imo the best sounding in terms of induction, engine tone and exhaust (unless we start getting into V8s etc), I don't know why everyone is so bothered about the crap stereos, even if you installed a Bose, Bang und Oluffson or whatever, the volume should be set to zero on it at all times! 
Mastodon2 said:
Awesome car, enjoy it. Although I have to say, with Japanese cars being imo the best sounding in terms of induction, engine tone and exhaust (unless we start getting into V8s etc), I don't know why everyone is so bothered about the crap stereos, even if you installed a Bose, Bang und Oluffson or whatever, the volume should be set to zero on it at all times!
I love the sound of mine on a blast. But when I have a couple hours of trundling along behind micras and then boring stints on the m'way a stereo can make all the difference. They don't sound particularly great at 80 on the m'way, a nice constant loud 4k revs.Well im coming up on 1000 miles already! Just thought I would post a little update, nothing too exciting at the moment though.
Still absolutely loving the car, I don’t think VTEC will ever get old! Starting pushing it a bit more now im getting to know it, has a lot of grip in the dry and its surprisingly hard to get it to oversteer even in the wet! I think im used to the lack of grip/more low down punch that I had in the FI’d 5. I suspect as well being the later model its less tail happy than the olders one. I will keep at it!
Made a few little tweaks, I have done the roof down on the move mod, which is really handy. Also have wrapped part of the roof frame that apparently causes damage to the fabric. Next on the list as mentioned before will be a new stereo.
Few pics from the weekend..
.. Oh i think my front pads are getting a bit low, any recommendations on uprated pads, i liked the DS2500 i had in the teg
Still absolutely loving the car, I don’t think VTEC will ever get old! Starting pushing it a bit more now im getting to know it, has a lot of grip in the dry and its surprisingly hard to get it to oversteer even in the wet! I think im used to the lack of grip/more low down punch that I had in the FI’d 5. I suspect as well being the later model its less tail happy than the olders one. I will keep at it!
Made a few little tweaks, I have done the roof down on the move mod, which is really handy. Also have wrapped part of the roof frame that apparently causes damage to the fabric. Next on the list as mentioned before will be a new stereo.
Few pics from the weekend..
.. Oh i think my front pads are getting a bit low, any recommendations on uprated pads, i liked the DS2500 i had in the teg
Few more weeks in, time for another exciting update.
Today i made the dreaded trip to get my alignment done and my bolts greased. It wasnt particularly good news. All of my rear bolts were seized up, but the front was ok so they were removed and greased.
Obviously i still got the geo sorted on the front (which does feel a little better now) on the rear the camber was actually ok but the toe was out on both sides (+ive LR -ive RR). Going to start looking into my options but if anyone has some advice let me know!
I have also bought an Alpine head unit, i wanted something with a rear aux in so i didnt have to have to door open the whole time and this was a good price!
Also got these delivered this week, ill report back when i get them fitted
Today i made the dreaded trip to get my alignment done and my bolts greased. It wasnt particularly good news. All of my rear bolts were seized up, but the front was ok so they were removed and greased.
Obviously i still got the geo sorted on the front (which does feel a little better now) on the rear the camber was actually ok but the toe was out on both sides (+ive LR -ive RR). Going to start looking into my options but if anyone has some advice let me know!
I have also bought an Alpine head unit, i wanted something with a rear aux in so i didnt have to have to door open the whole time and this was a good price!
Also got these delivered this week, ill report back when i get them fitted
Mr Sparkle said:
Does fitting the new head unit stop you using the volume and track controls on the R/H side console? Or is there a work around to retain the button functions? I have been thinking about fitting a new one since the standard is rubbish but I don't want to loose those finger buttons.
You can get adaptors so you don't lose the dash controls. I have an Alpine fitted in mine.Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff