350z owner looking for an S2000, saying Hello!
06-15-2010, 02:40 PM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
350z owner looking for an S2000, saying Hello!
Hey s2000 folks.
I've been looking for my next vehicle and I am currently obsessed with the S. Something about me, I own an 04 350z, base model since 2006 (Bought it with 20,000 miles) and ive since put another 70k so it now has 89xxx miles. Its been pretty reliable and know the S has an excellent reputation.
Anyway, I just finished grad school and now I'm itching for a little change. My Z is almost paid off and I am thinking of doing a side ways move for my next car meaning not exactly a step up, or a step down but a lateral step to the right with the s2000. Looking for a 2004 S2000 with the same amount of miles, even around 90-120,000 when I finally get it in 2011. Looking at the prices online, I could probably get an S2000 with a bit similar mileage as my Z for around 11-12k in 2011. My plan is to get the S in a year when I start working and sell my Z and take off the mods for extra money. The Z body is in excellent shape... I definitely Baby my Z, do all the maintenance myself, wax every 6 months, park far. Lol therefore i have zero door dings (knock on wood). I could probably get around 9000-10000 plus another 1000 by selling off the mods.
I finally sat in the S the other day and love the cockpit and would like to get a hardtop as extra option. I also like the handling aspect of the S compared to the heavy Z. Potentially some track days as well. I also love the looks of the car aside from it's performance!
Some concerns is there are threads on a 350z site that bash the S2000 due to its low torque... and my only concern is to those who have the 2004 and above model, how that is the torque issue for daily driving? I remember a comment where you need to keep the revs up to go fast, since the 1999-2003 model have lower torque numbers which Honda alleviated that a bit in the 2004 refresh. How is that from your personal experience. I am also interested in former 350z owners and their experience with the S.
Also I like having my Z as my daily driver so my S would be my daily... Wondering how most S owners handle this if their S is there daily. I LOVE the idea of going to work in the AM with the top up, and go home and unwind with the top down!!!! Mod wise, an exhaust for a pleasant sound maybe in the books, but Honda has done a good job of exacting power from the ap1 and ap2 engine so just coilovers, and finally some rims. I eould also like to take it to the track so a brakelines and rotors since I've read the S2000 brakes work well.
Finally, how do people have a radar detector in the S? I have a valentine one mounted in the back of the Z, but do people try a way to get a built in radar detector. Looking really to mod the V1 and somehow separate the sensors and make the radar undetectable to the untrained passerby.
I've been looking for my next vehicle and I am currently obsessed with the S. Something about me, I own an 04 350z, base model since 2006 (Bought it with 20,000 miles) and ive since put another 70k so it now has 89xxx miles. Its been pretty reliable and know the S has an excellent reputation.
Anyway, I just finished grad school and now I'm itching for a little change. My Z is almost paid off and I am thinking of doing a side ways move for my next car meaning not exactly a step up, or a step down but a lateral step to the right with the s2000. Looking for a 2004 S2000 with the same amount of miles, even around 90-120,000 when I finally get it in 2011. Looking at the prices online, I could probably get an S2000 with a bit similar mileage as my Z for around 11-12k in 2011. My plan is to get the S in a year when I start working and sell my Z and take off the mods for extra money. The Z body is in excellent shape... I definitely Baby my Z, do all the maintenance myself, wax every 6 months, park far. Lol therefore i have zero door dings (knock on wood). I could probably get around 9000-10000 plus another 1000 by selling off the mods.
I finally sat in the S the other day and love the cockpit and would like to get a hardtop as extra option. I also like the handling aspect of the S compared to the heavy Z. Potentially some track days as well. I also love the looks of the car aside from it's performance!
Some concerns is there are threads on a 350z site that bash the S2000 due to its low torque... and my only concern is to those who have the 2004 and above model, how that is the torque issue for daily driving? I remember a comment where you need to keep the revs up to go fast, since the 1999-2003 model have lower torque numbers which Honda alleviated that a bit in the 2004 refresh. How is that from your personal experience. I am also interested in former 350z owners and their experience with the S.
Also I like having my Z as my daily driver so my S would be my daily... Wondering how most S owners handle this if their S is there daily. I LOVE the idea of going to work in the AM with the top up, and go home and unwind with the top down!!!! Mod wise, an exhaust for a pleasant sound maybe in the books, but Honda has done a good job of exacting power from the ap1 and ap2 engine so just coilovers, and finally some rims. I eould also like to take it to the track so a brakelines and rotors since I've read the S2000 brakes work well.
Finally, how do people have a radar detector in the S? I have a valentine one mounted in the back of the Z, but do people try a way to get a built in radar detector. Looking really to mod the V1 and somehow separate the sensors and make the radar undetectable to the untrained passerby.
06-15-2010, 03:04 PM
#2
Registered User
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Sachse, Texas
Posts: 498
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hello and welcome aboard. While my S2k is still fairly new to me, I couldn't be happier. My daily is a highly modified 2004 Acura TSX. I use the S for Fridays and weekends 
I'm still learning.
I'm still learning.
06-15-2010, 03:38 PM
#3
Regarding torque:
Gearing in the s2k (ap2) is more aggressive than that of a Z. Unless you're racing light to light, it has plenty of power to putz around town. You may find yourself shifting at a higher rpm than in the Z, but then again, the car also redlines higher.
You'll notice that while your Z's power peaks at 6k, the s2k will just be getting started.
The Z guys that slam Hondas for not having torque are the same guys who have absolutely no desire to drive their car in any high performance environment.
For whatever its worth, a VQ35DE idles more torque than a F20C/F22C makes at peak.
Gearing in the s2k (ap2) is more aggressive than that of a Z. Unless you're racing light to light, it has plenty of power to putz around town. You may find yourself shifting at a higher rpm than in the Z, but then again, the car also redlines higher.
You'll notice that while your Z's power peaks at 6k, the s2k will just be getting started.
The Z guys that slam Hondas for not having torque are the same guys who have absolutely no desire to drive their car in any high performance environment.
For whatever its worth, a VQ35DE idles more torque than a F20C/F22C makes at peak.
06-15-2010, 03:54 PM
#4
Registered User
Good luck with your search for the S. The S has plenty of torque for street driving. It's obviously more crucial to be in the right gears with a smaller displacement engine. The S probably requires more shifting then the Z to get in the power band, but that's part of the fun.(one of the best gearboxes ever made) I've had my CR for little over 3 months now and I haven't had any issues not having enough torque. The S has plenty of passing power and is 1 of the best handling cars ever made.(especially the CR)
06-15-2010, 04:42 PM
#5
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks I was reading through the thread at my350z and it was a pretty silly debate that was basically going in an idiotic circle. Cant wait to test drive one! Anyway, thanks for the welcome and I'll definitely stick around. ETA-1year :-)
Trending Topics
06-15-2010, 09:33 PM
#9
Registered User
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Plano, Tx
Posts: 578
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i had a 350z i love how it felt with the torque but the design of the s interior is so much nicer. and a much better design. The S handles alot people and is very nimble. but to me its a tossup they both have its up and down.
06-15-2010, 09:48 PM
#10
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by psychoazn,Jun 15 2010, 08:59 PM
Pfft, I'm a former VQ owner, and acknowledge it for its strengths and weaknesses.