Hi all

I currently have a Mitsubishi FTO which i've had for nearly 2 years, but have just got a nice pay rise and am thinking of upgrading it.

Two main cars i'm thinking about are an Evo V/VI or an S2000.

I've wanted an Evo since I was 16, but I do really like the S2000 and think that's it's going to be cheaper to run and maintain that an Evo. Being 24 i've still got plenty of time in the future to try out Evo ownership.

What's S2000 ownership like and how are the running costs? I'm quite used to expensive insurance with the FTO being 1600 to insure last year. I've had one quote on an S2000 for 1500 and i'm sure I can get it cheaper. Also what is the modding potential like to get some extra power?

Cheers
Joe

 

I wouldn't they are cr*p

 

Like you I sought advice here before buying a new S2000 las year. A VERY wise move I assure you.

You will no doubt be inundated with many observations & opinions from those more experienced than me, so as a starter here are my 5 humble suggestions to assist you in finding the answers to your questions:

1. Check out the S2000 Profile in the June 2007 edition of Japanese Performance magazine. It's an accurate unbiased overview & was checked for accuracy by S2K experts.

2. Read carefully the Modification section of this article.

3. Many buy such cars as the S2000 because of a preference for the joys of al fresco motoring over making a saloon go faster. Be sure you know yourself in this regard.

4. Via the club Forum read up and research as much as possible.

5. Secure a decent test drive in a run in car ( so you can rev it to the limit and discover VTECing. Refuse a potter round the block with a salesman beside you.



Prepare for the joy of extending your motoring experience.

 

Running costs about the same. Maybe the S is slightly more thirsty than the FTO, but not by much.

Tuning, same as the FTO: there's bugger all you can do to get more power without forced induction. Exhausts and filters make a tiny difference at best. If you want to mod for power, get your EVO, or some other turbo car.

 

Cheers for that guys.

I'm not that bothered about the tuning really, I was just curious. Would like an Evo but see the S2000 as being more sensible at the mo, especially as i'm taking on a Mortgage soon. Also insurance will be a lot cheaper.

Think i'll pop over to the Honda garage and see if they're let me take one out for a spin.

Dembo, did you used to have an FTO? Sure i've seen your avatar on the FTOOC.org forum and think I remember you posting when you got your S2K? I could be wrong.

 

Drive one. Hard. With the roof down.

You will either get it, or you wont.

Modding isn't too bad, just costly. But the gains you get are awesome.

 

In what part of the country do you live?

 

Yes, 'tis he of the heavily modded Black (IIRC) Manual GPX fame!

I had a couple of FTO's (one blue GR and a facelift White GPX Aero) The Boot is smaller, It's a LOT quicker. Its rear wheel drive so watch it in the wet if you havent driven RWD before. Much much more fun though

 

Yep. Had the S for 18 months now though, and sold the FTO a couple of months before that.

If you like the high revving engine of the FTO, you'll love the S. If you think the FTO lacks torque and get tired of revving the bollocks off it all the time, well then don't get an S.

To be honest the S isn't all that much faster (compared to my GPX manual anyway), and I think the FTO has a better engine, even though it's 50bhp shy. But the perfect weight distribution makes the S feel great round the corners, and the gearbox is fantastic. It's a harder car to drive fast, but much more rewarding when you do get it right.

It also has a really good sunroof.

 

I was lucky that I had a salesman that really knew how to drive and loved the S. He kept slapping my hand on our test drive as I wanted to change up too early - he made me get the best out of the car in the 10 minutes I drove it.

I had always liked the look of the S having seened a Nurby occasionally on the way to work however after sitting in the car and feeling what it could do, I just knew that it was the car for me.