I'll try to make this short. I love this car, and bought it new (2001 white, 4000 miles now). But it is not quite what I expected. Okay, first, keep in mind, I have only owned big ole trucks in the past. Currently 4 dump trucks (not pickup trucks)an 2 full size pickups. This car should have flat out blown me away!

I'm not getting the same experience you guys/gals are getting. What gives? I love the 9000RPM's. But I think I have a bad car.

I don't think it is as fast as it says, I have small things breaking, and I really don't feel like handling is awesome.

I have read every magazine on this car for the past 2 years, and hoping to be shocked. I have have been driving for 15 years, all of which were sticks. I am a great driver. Hell, I can take my F650 Dumper around a wet corner sideways; seriously. My car doesn't inspire me to drive hard. It slides very easy, and just feels bad. It's pretty good on straight aways, and when it's really warmed up, I'll shift at nearly redline. But I doubt I would race many guys with fear of loosing.

Yes, I checked for the rubber bushings, they were removed.

First, I "baby" everything I own, and treat it quite well. Still....

1. I have small plastic pieces falling off my convertible, one piece now presumed lost.

2. My radio face only opens 1/4 inch, I have to pull it down.

3. Just under the shift knob, there is a small "clamp" that holds the boot in place, mine came unlatched, and is about to stick through the leather boot. It moves around, and drives me nuts.

4. My front bumper does not match the rest of the car (nor the back bumper). It was not wounded in delivery either I saw it come in.

5. My car has nearly stalled out a few times while just sitting at a light.

6. I don't have the normal shift problems mentioned on this site, but my dump trucks shift gears easier than this car seems to.

7. Every time I start the car after it sits, it holds its revs at 3k RPM's for a few minutes? Is that normal? Then makes some odd hiss like a ballon deflating.

8. My top has to be tugged horribly hard to latch it closed (I know it can be adjusted, but still).

9. On about 3 occasions, I have heard an odd thump noise in the middle of the car that did not come from running over something.

10. My engine (not exhaust) at idle sounds like an old Chevy. Clanking, moaning, hissing, nearly like a quite deisel.

11. There are other things too, especially in the twists & turns.

What gives? I swear, my exgirlfriends new Accord seemed better.

I doubt I would ever share this crap with anyone, I really do like the car. Get alot of looks and questions. But I'm just not getting the same effects as you guys (or the car mags) seem to be. What's wrong with my car?

 

Maybe you should test drive another car and see if it feels different.

 

What kind of dump truck are you talking about?

 

I think I can help you out on some of the things listed:

2. Mine is the same way, especially when the weather gets cold.
4. If you're talking about the fitment, I believe it's a problem on most cars.
6. Shifting feeling hard and notchy is normal. It will get smoother.
7. That's normal.
8. Normal, especially after leaving the top down for days at a time.

As for the rest, you might wanna take the car to a dealer and have them take a look.

/Rog

 

Wow, bummer dude. All I can say is that I was a little disappointed with acceleration just after I bought it, but since (4months now) she's gottan quicker, much quicker (7500mi).

I absolutly love this car. I can't wait to drive to and from work. I even go to work sometimes when I was planning to work from home just to drive. I take the long way (45mi normal way, ~55mi long way) home once a week. I drive.....just to drive.

I love it.

I recommend trying another (broken in) car just to see if you have a lemon.

Again, bummer.

J

 

your comments make no sense to me, but then what do i know. i can only conclude that you have a very different sense of G force and speed and if this car does not feel right for you, you should sell it and get an accord.

 

Sorry, when I mentioned the bumpers not matching, I meant that the color looked a bit beige and "splotchy". And the radio face plate has been sticking for awhile. (I wish the dash had the same green lights for the radio volume as it has for the fan speed on the other side, seems common sense)

By the way, I'm not bashing this car at all! I bought one! I think there may be some things wrong with it that's all.

Seriously, I took the car in for the boot problem on the shifter. I talked to the "head mechanic", he said he wasn't sure how to fix it, "Uhh, we might have to pop this whole thing off, I'm not sure"

Then, I mentioned the convertible top. He said "That's normal to have to pull it closed I've even seen power tops that are the same way". I told him it was a power top. He looked confused!


I have seen pictures and read stories of how our cars handle on turns. I have tried numerous methods, and I still have the rear end slide unexpectedly. A 25 mph turn can be taken at about 40. More than that, it will slide. I can do that in my Tundra. I just looked at pictures that literally had the front tire closest to the inside turn come off the ground and still hold on tight. Mine? No way? I can only do good once I am totally out of the turn. Could it be the tires? I know some of it is me, but not that much.

I was serious about sliding my big work trucks around turns sideways. Therefore, I'm not worried about the sliding, but I don't believe it should be happening. And to top it off, all these little things going wrong are getting to me. But, I still like the car.
I've got to find someone close that owns another one. Have them take mine for a royal beating around the block.

 

S22K;

I've been in fast cars, and I have absolutely no doubt that our cars are super in every way possibly, that's why I bought it. I am not putting them down. But, with my S2000, I know for a fact that I can drive my truck faster and feel safer (only around turns mind you). This is just my Honda. That's why I am curious, it just can not be correct. Something must be wrong. I actually hoped that my dealer forgot to take out the rubber spacers on each corner. The tires are at 32 lbs also.

When I take out my workers for a drive, they like the speed, but I will not atempt a quick jaunt through the twists and turns. I have a 10 mile loop full of 15 and 25 mph corners. I drive it for fun at least 4 days a week after work. I don't trust going faster with another person in the car.

 

I have to say I agree with a lot of the stuff you say. MY car idle's periodically low and alomst stalls however i can think of dozens of people who have had this problem. I am currently trying to trade mine in for a 2002 White one...i hate how many people on this board say "Well other people have that problem..." does that make it right.. just because every other s2000 has the problem doesnt stop it from being a problem... however i love the car and wouldnt want anything else.. porsche who..

 

1. I have small plastic pieces falling off my convertible, one piece now presumed lost.

I'm not sure what you are referring to. I took my car in for a windshield replacement and the top was down; during the repairs the employee put the top up and in so doing he somehow managed to pop one of the small springs out of the snap down. Luckly I found it on the floor and saved it; a few days later a second popped out and the latch button no longer had any force on it. Took both parts in and the dealership did a quick repair.

2. My radio face only opens 1/4 inch, I have to pull it down.

It should open all the way with a slight touch. Take to the dealer.

3. Just under the shift knob, there is a small "clamp" that holds the boot in place, mine came unlatched, and is about to stick through the leather boot. It moves around, and drives me nuts.

Again, take to the dealer. I'd try going to another dealership since you didn't get satisfaction when you took it in for this problem. Also, if they have an S2000 on the lot, ask for a test drive and compare it to your own.

4. My front bumper does not match the rest of the car (nor the back bumper). It was not wounded in delivery either I saw it come in.

It should match. Another dealer issue. It seems strange; you said you saw it delivered; if so, then there should not have been any miles on the car. And if thats true, something happened during assembly.

5. My car has nearly stalled out a few times while just sitting at a light.

Again, this not common. Take to the dealer.

6. I don't have the normal shift problems mentioned on this site, but my dump trucks shift gears easier than this car seems to.

Meaning it shifts hard? It should not. It's basically a 3-finger shifter, a light touch should be all you need. They all shift a little stiff until they are warmed up. If it shifts hard after warm, there's a problem.

7. Every time I start the car after it sits, it holds its revs at 3k RPM's for a few minutes? Is that normal? Then makes some odd hiss like a ballon deflating.

Probably normal.

8. My top has to be tugged horribly hard to latch it closed (I know it can be adjusted, but still).

The answer is to apply silcone grease on the rubber seal above the window -- just like they tell you to do in the owners manual. If you do this, you will not believe how easily the top will close.

9. On about 3 occasions, I have heard an odd thump noise in the middle of the car that did not come from running over something.

No ideas for this one.

10. My engine (not exhaust) at idle sounds like an old Chevy. Clanking, moaning, hissing, nearly like a quite deisel.

At idle mine is smooth and quiet.

11. There are other things too, especially in the twists & turns.

You mention a lot about sliding but this not a car that slides easy or that needs to be slide into or out of turns. It has very sticky tires when warm and its a car that is quided smoothly around turns. It has some mild understeer, meaning it will drift out slightly but its normally easily corrected with a little more throttle as you exit the turn. But as for sliding, if your trying to do that or doing that, I'd say your using the wrong driving style for this car.

This car is the exact opposite of driving a large truck; there's no brute force needed -- its all about being smooth and in turn fast. Sliding may look cool but it scrubs off speed.

Not sure I could help much. But, don't give up. . . its really a great car.