robster

Hi everyone,

I had a test drive of the '02 S2000 at the weekend and I am now seriously considering one for my next car. Love the noise, image, and dynamics of the car. Oh yeah, and the acceleration...

Having a 2 seater 'impractical' car is no serious difference from my current stead, a Ford Puma (practically a 2 seater anyway). However I've got a couple of questions before I comit myself.

How useful is the GT over the regular? I mean how much difference does it make to comfort, road noise and so on. Looking at posts on the site it's much cheaper than buying a hard top afterwards but is it worth it (especially as I'll get the car in winter)

What little niggles has anyone found? On the test drive I bemoaned the lack of clock and the fact that my left foot was getting a bit too toasty leaning against the transmission tunnel. Also the car was missing the manual so I wondered what the big 'Stereo Mode' button did. All I could work out is it changes from CD to FM1 to FM2 to MW and so on. Is that really all it does?

Is there any traction control? I ask coz I managed to almost spin it on a RB, but that might have had something to do with me arriving a little bit quicker than I should.... Anyway, the saleswoman at the dealership didn't even know what ESP was let alone if the car had it. So, does it have it, is it on by default and how good/bad is it?

Finally, I didn't get to drive it in the rain but how much respect to you have to give it?

You can tell that I'm pretty serious if these are the worst that I can find in the car.

Hopefully I'll have one on my drive soon,

Rob

Roadkill

Not that I'm that experienced in my 2-week old yet, I can answer some of the more basic questions you have and let the others handle the technical stuff:

1. Hard Top. Get it. It helps insurance. It also helps the protection of the car generally. If you are spending that much on a car, it's little extra at

Tonky

The S2000 doesn't have traction control, it has something better.... the Torsen T2 Limited Slip Differential. Very expensive bit of kit .... simply the best!

It's housed at the end of your prop shaft and transfers the driven power to your rear wheels, ....equally under normal circumstances. As it's torque- sensing it detects any slip in a rear driven wheel and ensures that the drive is maintained to the other wheel.

http://www.torsen.com/products/T-2.htm

You can get traction control fitted as an aftermarket mod should you so wish.

eSeM

Lots of respect.....unless you change your tyres to something a little more suitable for the Brithish weather - Like Goodyear Eagle F1's

You are just buying the one?

moor deybe

Hi robster I test drove a Puma when they first came out, with me a friend and 2 salesmen in the car (main man and his trainee) I was impressed with the acceleration, compared to my then Escort. I suppose it was all down to gearing and that it would probably have been screaming at motorway speeds, but I didn't get one as there were no deals at that time as it was so new.

I'd say get the GT not only because of the price saving but because it gives the car a very different look for the winter. The hardtop sits a bit further back than the softtop, giving the bonnet an elongated look

Big button thing - Jeez is that the most useless thing in the world or what? Perhaps the design team were given the brief to find the most obscure seldom used control possible and put in on the biggest button possible I'm surprised it doesn't operate the headlight washers

Haven't noticed my left foot getting hot or anything against the transmission tunnel? I think I sort of rest my knee/calf (is that spelt right? I don't drive around with a cow in the car) against the tunnel so my foot probably doesn't touch it.

S2000 niggles? - Insurance group 20 and you won't want to leave it anywhere incase some inconsiderate so and so opens their door onto it and leaves you with a ding and you'll be pacing up and down all day when it goes in for a service.

I haven't had any problems in the rain although my tyres have only done 6,000 miles. I drive extra smoothly and don't VTEC unless in a straight or moderately straight line, just common sense stuff.

mpg around mid twenties? I get around 25 mpg with as much VTEC as I can get in, motorway drivers would probably get more?

The Puma (in my limited test drive experience ) seemed to be setup for your typical town driving, short straights, nipping in and out of traffic etc. The S2000 can do that if required, but when you get it on some open road you'll be worried about losing your license long before it runs out of steam. Using the VTEC to whooooooooosh past a procession of 3 or 4 family cars is a rather nice feeling. sounds pretty good as well!

Get one, you know you want to - you just need to decide which colour

Roadkill

...and that'll obviously be Nurburgring Blue with Black leather!
One other niggle - although the hard top is excellent, you CANNOT fit or remove it on your own, unless you rig up some kind of bicycle hoist-type thing. Find someone trust-worthy, too - my Dad helped me with my hard top last week and consequently I have a small chip in the paint on the drivers door. The old man will be out of hospital as soon as his broken neck improves.

cheshire_carper

well I rigged up a hoist, it works but scares the hell out of me. Get a friend to help!

The S is a car that seems to excite in and out. The drive is sublime, the power fearsome and the overall experience something to behold.

Without aiming to diss you Puma, you are talking chalk and cheese (as you`ll have found). The Puma will be a distant memory, VERY quickly.




come join us................

Dracoro

Where? How? I can find out how to change the stereo display (unless I'm being very stoopid - more than likely )

robster

Guys,

Thanks for the replies. It's great to find such an active and helpful community. It looks much like I was expecting, top car with Honda build quality. As for the Puma, it's a great car but like someone said, chalk and cheese. After I got back into the Puma I wondered why I was driving everywhere in glue and kept forgetting that the rev-limit was a mere 6750...

Thanks guys, be joining you soon

Rob

JONeM

Didn't bother with the hardtop as it seemed like too much hassle. However, having seen a picture of Roaskills Nurb blue with hardtop on his web site, I have to say it looks pretty damn gorgeous with one on. Probably worth the hassle.

The engine is so docile at low revs I think you just need to be a bit sensible in the wet. Being sensible in this car is the difficult bit tho'

If you liked it on the test, buy one without delay.
After one week of ownership you'll love it more.
After two, you'll love it even more.
After three, even even more.

I'll let you know after 4 weeks, but I think there is a pattern emerging here.....