S2000 VS Elise 111S VS Z3 3.0 VS Boxster
10-28-2002, 09:49 PM
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S2000 VS Elise 111S VS Z3 3.0 VS Boxster
Hi all! I'm new here, so please be gentle ;-)
Thinking about getting an S2000... did my research (i'd say about 6 hours on the web at leasts ;-) ) plus I've driven the Z3, Boxster, MX-5, Toyota Levin, (no.. not the S2000 or Elise yet... :-/ ).
I'm only considering open-top/convertables, hence the selection (heck... for bang4buck i'd go for the WRX STi... but anyway).
Found these performance figures (taken from a number of sources, then average to get a good picture):
0-60mph
Lotus Elise 111S - 5.0
Lotus Exige - 5.4
Honda S2000 - 5.6
Lotus Elise - 5.8
BMW Z3 3.0 - 6.2
Porsche Boxster 2.7 - 6.4
0-100mph
Lotus Exige - 13.7
Honda S2000 - 14.3
Lotus Elise 111S - 14.5
Porsche Boxster 2.7 - 15.5
Lotus Elise - 17.6
Top Speed (mph)
Porsche Boxster 2.7 - 149
Honda S2000 - 147
BMW Z3 3.0 - 140
Lotus Exige - 124
Lotus Elise - 124
Lotus Review:
http://autozine.kyul.net/html/Lotus.htm
Honda Review:
http://autozine.kyul.net/html/Honda6.htm#S2000
http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/comparison/...65/page014.html
http://www.tiscali.co.uk/motoring/roadtest...test_189_1.html
http://www.carreview.com/pscAutomobiles/Sp...98_1528crx.aspx
Primary reason not to go with Elise/Exige... poorer build quality/reliability, no power roof (annoying to put on and off every time you get in the car and want some open-top motoring), top speed lacking, more expensive for marginal performance increase.
Haven't owned a car in Australia before... and am under 25. Surpisingly, I found the Elise to have lower insurance premiums (despite being a good 20K more expensive)?! Is this right?!
Also, where would you suggest I get a test drive or demo of a S2000? I was thinking of a place called "Rick Damlian" (wrong name) and already got a brochure from them, but not sure how good their customer service, pricing, etc. is. I'm in Sydney CBD... are they the best?
I know this is a long post... but the S2000... really makes me excited ;-) can't wait to own one.
(btw. I have read the other "want to buy S2000" posts here... so any new info, especailly comments regarding the convertables mentioned above, would be great)
TIA!
Thinking about getting an S2000... did my research (i'd say about 6 hours on the web at leasts ;-) ) plus I've driven the Z3, Boxster, MX-5, Toyota Levin, (no.. not the S2000 or Elise yet... :-/ ).
I'm only considering open-top/convertables, hence the selection (heck... for bang4buck i'd go for the WRX STi... but anyway).
Found these performance figures (taken from a number of sources, then average to get a good picture):
0-60mph
Lotus Elise 111S - 5.0
Lotus Exige - 5.4
Honda S2000 - 5.6
Lotus Elise - 5.8
BMW Z3 3.0 - 6.2
Porsche Boxster 2.7 - 6.4
0-100mph
Lotus Exige - 13.7
Honda S2000 - 14.3
Lotus Elise 111S - 14.5
Porsche Boxster 2.7 - 15.5
Lotus Elise - 17.6
Top Speed (mph)
Porsche Boxster 2.7 - 149
Honda S2000 - 147
BMW Z3 3.0 - 140
Lotus Exige - 124
Lotus Elise - 124
Lotus Review:
http://autozine.kyul.net/html/Lotus.htm
Honda Review:
http://autozine.kyul.net/html/Honda6.htm#S2000
http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/comparison/...65/page014.html
http://www.tiscali.co.uk/motoring/roadtest...test_189_1.html
http://www.carreview.com/pscAutomobiles/Sp...98_1528crx.aspx
Primary reason not to go with Elise/Exige... poorer build quality/reliability, no power roof (annoying to put on and off every time you get in the car and want some open-top motoring), top speed lacking, more expensive for marginal performance increase.
Haven't owned a car in Australia before... and am under 25. Surpisingly, I found the Elise to have lower insurance premiums (despite being a good 20K more expensive)?! Is this right?!
Also, where would you suggest I get a test drive or demo of a S2000? I was thinking of a place called "Rick Damlian" (wrong name) and already got a brochure from them, but not sure how good their customer service, pricing, etc. is. I'm in Sydney CBD... are they the best?
I know this is a long post... but the S2000... really makes me excited ;-) can't wait to own one.
(btw. I have read the other "want to buy S2000" posts here... so any new info, especailly comments regarding the convertables mentioned above, would be great)
TIA!
10-28-2002, 10:38 PM
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I was thinking of going for elise as well but after looking at the build quality and the fact that it does not have the needed creature comfort such as air-con, radio, full interior.... I decided to go with the S. Love the S but if I was to have another car and this car was for weekend then I might have settled for the Lotus, it would of turn more heads. However I do not regret getting the S, let me warn you Vtec is very addictive!
10-28-2002, 11:03 PM
#3
I got my S2000 from Rick Damelian and have had 2 services there. I am reasonably happy with them. Others say they are expensive and have their own pet dealers. I dont think that anyone has any really bad experiences with them.
Still why not get your test drive whereever you can. I got mine at Hornsby Honda.
And then consider buying a low-kms used car. You can save over 10K and get one with fewer kms than I put on in the first 6 months. Also you can drive it flat out right from the purchase. These cars need to be run-in gently for the first 1000kms and they do not truly break-in until somewhere between 5000kms and 10000kms.
Still why not get your test drive whereever you can. I got mine at Hornsby Honda.
And then consider buying a low-kms used car. You can save over 10K and get one with fewer kms than I put on in the first 6 months. Also you can drive it flat out right from the purchase. These cars need to be run-in gently for the first 1000kms and they do not truly break-in until somewhere between 5000kms and 10000kms.
10-28-2002, 11:17 PM
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JCL, most of the cars you're looking at have been covered in one thread or another ... here's some of them and maybe of some help to you:
Here's an S2000 vs Elise (and Exige to a degree) disscusion :
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...?threadid=79072
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...?threadid=32520
Here's S2000 vs STi disscusion :
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...?threadid=68971
Some S2000 vs Z3 3.0 (moslty coupe) bits:
--------------------------------------------------------
It's not a Z3 '3.0' but a "Z3 COUPE 3.0" ... you know, like an M-Coupe but with a 3.0l engine,. In the straighline it returns numbers very similar to the S2000 but it has 300Nm of torque so it has a much better low down pull. The "coupe" always handles better than the "convertible" - just look at the M-Roaster and M-Coupe lap time difference. This uses the same body.
Also, there's only 0.5sec difference so that's not that significant when you concider that they were tested on two different days ... it was also 5secs quicker than the S2000 at the Nurburgring (again different time/conditions). Either way, there wouldn't be much bettween them.
--------------------------------------------------------
I'm having a hard time finding the S2000 vs Boxster (2.5, 2.7 as well as S) referrences. I have driven them all but can't find the references. I'll write more some of my impressions/findings here if you don't find anything ... let me know.
ps. The Z3 3.0 0-60mph time is roughly the same as the S2000's (ie. mid 5s) and to 100mph it is a tad slower (and get's even slower after that).
Also where did you get the Elise 111 and Boxster 2.7 0-100mph numbers as they seem quicker then what I'm used to seeing ... off by about 1sec to what I'm used to.
Here's an S2000 vs Elise (and Exige to a degree) disscusion :
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...?threadid=79072
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...?threadid=32520
Here's S2000 vs STi disscusion :
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...?threadid=68971
Some S2000 vs Z3 3.0 (moslty coupe) bits:
--------------------------------------------------------
It's not a Z3 '3.0' but a "Z3 COUPE 3.0" ... you know, like an M-Coupe but with a 3.0l engine,. In the straighline it returns numbers very similar to the S2000 but it has 300Nm of torque so it has a much better low down pull. The "coupe" always handles better than the "convertible" - just look at the M-Roaster and M-Coupe lap time difference. This uses the same body.
Also, there's only 0.5sec difference so that's not that significant when you concider that they were tested on two different days ... it was also 5secs quicker than the S2000 at the Nurburgring (again different time/conditions). Either way, there wouldn't be much bettween them.
--------------------------------------------------------
I'm having a hard time finding the S2000 vs Boxster (2.5, 2.7 as well as S) referrences. I have driven them all but can't find the references. I'll write more some of my impressions/findings here if you don't find anything ... let me know.
ps. The Z3 3.0 0-60mph time is roughly the same as the S2000's (ie. mid 5s) and to 100mph it is a tad slower (and get's even slower after that).
Also where did you get the Elise 111 and Boxster 2.7 0-100mph numbers as they seem quicker then what I'm used to seeing ... off by about 1sec to what I'm used to.
10-29-2002, 04:18 AM
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The S2000 is easily the best car of the lot.
Unfortunately Honda Australia score a 0 out of 100 for customer service. As many people on this board are aware I am currently battling Honda Australia as they are refusing to cover my engine failure under warranty to the tune of $30k. HA are claiming driver abuse even though I have presented them with an independent engineer's inspection stating that it was a manufacturing flaw.
Have a look at the poll in this thread. It basically shows just how many people are dissatisfied with Honda Australia's service quality.
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...&threadid=85356
Honda Australia is also failing to address several warranty issues which are foreign, fellow members have had fixed under warranty.
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...&threadid=82244
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...&threadid=83239
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...&threadid=82853
Unfortunately Honda Australia score a 0 out of 100 for customer service. As many people on this board are aware I am currently battling Honda Australia as they are refusing to cover my engine failure under warranty to the tune of $30k. HA are claiming driver abuse even though I have presented them with an independent engineer's inspection stating that it was a manufacturing flaw.
Have a look at the poll in this thread. It basically shows just how many people are dissatisfied with Honda Australia's service quality.
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...&threadid=85356
Honda Australia is also failing to address several warranty issues which are foreign, fellow members have had fixed under warranty.
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...&threadid=82244
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...&threadid=83239
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...&threadid=82853
10-29-2002, 01:30 PM
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jcl, you should go along to one of the Sydney HSCC meetings and meet some of the NSW owners. That way you'd get a pretty broad cross-section of experienced views and advice.
Don't be put off by dhess. He was unfortunately on the receiving end of the one in a thousand case of bad luck and/or bad service and he's currently responding to every thread in this forum with a vengance. There are plenty of owners who can tell you stories of good service but they're keeping quiet.
Don't be put off by dhess. He was unfortunately on the receiving end of the one in a thousand case of bad luck and/or bad service and he's currently responding to every thread in this forum with a vengance. There are plenty of owners who can tell you stories of good service but they're keeping quiet.
10-29-2002, 02:10 PM
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jsl - I would not even consider the z3 - it is a luxo barge in every sense of the word - sloppy chassis.
As for elise, see the thread i started referred to above - note that I only test drove the std elise, not the 111s - I would expect that to be much better -
Boxster - unless you are looking at an S, I would have second thoughts. Personally, I do not think that the price difference accounts for any "porscheness" you acquire - it does not perform better, however, its chassis is supposedly more user-friendly. I have not driven one.
As for elise, see the thread i started referred to above - note that I only test drove the std elise, not the 111s - I would expect that to be much better -
Boxster - unless you are looking at an S, I would have second thoughts. Personally, I do not think that the price difference accounts for any "porscheness" you acquire - it does not perform better, however, its chassis is supposedly more user-friendly. I have not driven one.
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10-29-2002, 07:14 PM
#8
That's a nice selection of cars. I wish had your dilema.
But if price is a question you could buy the S2000 and have plenty left over (for mods, see signature
) for the price of any of the others.
You'll have fun in any of them. The Porsche and Beemer have very good badge value (if that's important). The Elise has real "what the hell is that" power from the general public and much respect from enthusiasts.
Of this bunch the S is the practical one. It has most of the mod cons (standard necessities for many) such as power windows and roof, air conditioning, CD etc. At the same time it's a blast to drive and will get you into as much trouble as any of the others.
On Rick Damelian's: They are very well set up and professional. You can be pretty confident with their service. They are expensive however. You get what you pay for.
But if price is a question you could buy the S2000 and have plenty left over (for mods, see signature
) for the price of any of the others.You'll have fun in any of them. The Porsche and Beemer have very good badge value (if that's important). The Elise has real "what the hell is that" power from the general public and much respect from enthusiasts.
Of this bunch the S is the practical one. It has most of the mod cons (standard necessities for many) such as power windows and roof, air conditioning, CD etc. At the same time it's a blast to drive and will get you into as much trouble as any of the others.
On Rick Damelian's: They are very well set up and professional. You can be pretty confident with their service. They are expensive however. You get what you pay for.
10-29-2002, 07:23 PM
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Don't be put off by dhess. He was unfortunately on the receiving end of the one in a thousand case of bad luck and/or bad service and he's currently responding to every thread in this forum with a vengance. There are plenty of owners who can tell you stories of good service but they're keeping quiet.
The results of the poll speak louder than words. i.e. 43% of people responded that they would not buy a honda again unless Honda Australia improved its service or would never buy a honda again full stop.
If I even stop one person having to go through the crap I have had to put up with it will have all been worthwhile.