*****If you wish to compare spec sheets the ITR wins. The engine is hand-built, balanced and blueprinted with hand-polished cylinder head intake ports.
Yes, the S2K has 120 bhp/liter and the ITR has 108 bhp/liter. Yes, the S2K is quicker in a straight line. Top speeds are similar. Handlingwise, the ITR slaloms quicker and on a tight track where the additional power could not be exploited things would be interesting. The ITR brakes every bit as well and corners just as hard. The ITR has a stiffer body shell. The ITR has better steering feel. There is no snap-oversteer present in the ITR [true, its FWD, but that characteristic should NOT be present in the S2K]. There is also only 1500 brought into the US last year.

So I would not be so quick to claim such an overwhelming victory. What are S2Ks going for? What, up to $45,000? Uh, no thanks. I could purchase a very low milage limited edition [500 or so units] 1995 Porsche 911 Carrera RS America for that amount of money. The S2K is not $10,000 more car than the ITR for MY INTENTS AND PURPOSES, just like the Porsche Boxter S isn't anywhere near $25k more car than the S2K. Nice car? You bet! Unique car? Certainly! But I can do 90% or more in my ITR than an equivalently skilled driver in an S2K can do. For $25,000. That, to me, is value...*****

What do you guys think?

 

I think it all comes down to 'off the shelf' performance vs. something that can be modded up to compete with it.

Even though I've never ridden in an ITR, I believe it just comes down to personal taste. Saying one is better than the other, it doesn't make one bit of difference, I'll still be happy with my (up and coming) purchase on the 30th of this month.

 

He knows not of what he speaks.

 

OK, but the ITR is not as beautiful as the S2000. That's the sacrifice. And, oh, the ITR is not a drop top!

Jonas

 

Hey welcome Jonas. Good to have a voice from Sweden aboard.

 

On this past sunday a Type-R and I ran exactly the same time! 62.591! He is on racing Kumhos, and I'm on street Kumhos. When I was on s-02s and he was on RE-010, I was usually 3-4 seconds faster. What a differance tires can make!

 

Hey guys, having been one of the earliest S2k owners (August 99) and being absolutely set on this vehicle I have to say that you shouldn't denigrate the opposition. I have been up against a number of ITRs on the track and they have it all over us on the twisties - it is only in the straights or under brakes that we get past them - that front wheel drive turn in beats S2K understeer any day!

Gary.C.

 

Colin- what tires are you on now? i think you burned through those RE730's.?

I am almost done with my Re730's (finally...they lasted 8-9k of abuse on the back, and the fronts look like new)

 

While the ITR has a hand built engine, the whole S2000 is hand built including the engine. The S2000 engine has forged pistons, crank and rods. It shares bearings and valve springs from their CART engine. It is considered the most advanced 4 cylinder engine in the world. The S2000 revs to 9000 RPMs.

The S2000 has the best shifting gearbox in the world.

The S2000 is rear wheel drive and as good as the ITR is it is still a front driver.

The ITR is based on a Civic chassis. Enough said.

The S2000 is a comemerative car.

The S2000 is a ROADSTER and that in a nutshell makes all the difference in the world.

 

Let me put it this way, I would never even consider buying an Integra of any type. The issues the original poster raises are just not issues to me. There are lots of cars out there that out perform the S2000. I imagine some of the them are more expensive, some are less. My motivation in buying this car (or any car, past, present, or future) was not to get the most performance for the least amount of money. Why did I buy it? Well, I suppose I wanted a sporty car, an aesthetically pleasing car, that I could afford. The S2000 passes on all counts and thus, I am 100% satisfied. If I had 10k, 20k, 30k, 40k. . . more to spend would I have bought the S2000? Maybe but that Boxster would certainly been more of an option. The point is, we all bought our S2000s for different reasons. Some for performance, some for value, some for a combination of the two. Ultimately (and I think some people really don't understand this),there is no over-riding formula that applies to all of us that determines whether we have the "better" car.