Honda S2000

A

adann

Member
 Hertfordshire
Interested to know your views on the Honda S2000 in relation to the Z4.

My dad has owned one since 2004 and has decided the time has come to sell as he is looking at possibly moving onto the F Type convertible. The engines on the S2000 are absolutely fantastic especially as you can take all the way up to the line. Giving it a lot of thought on whether to cash in my 23i Z4 and buy the S2000. The car has only done 16k miles as a 2004 plate.

Unlikely the 23i will ever be worth anything in the future as not the Z4MC or the 35is but S2000 prices do seem to be on the up. What do you guys think? Will add though that I love my Z4 and if I could I'd have a 35is in a heartbeat.
 
I was tempted by them before getting the Z4. Oh and the S2000 looks awesome with an aftermarket hardtop.
 
Doddsy said:
I was tempted by them before getting the Z4. Oh and the S2000 looks awesome with an aftermarket hardtop.
Click to expand...

I should add it is the GT model so does have a matching hard top with it.
 
I love the 2k. Hard to compare with a z4 especially a 'performance' z4 as they're in a different league, but as a raw motoring experience, an s2k with some nice low buckets and a few mugen toys is deffo on my bucket list. Fun, fun cars.
 
Look like really fun cars but to me I find them really ugly :cry: roof up or down still looks bad IMO :thumbsdown:
 
I had 2 S2000's before getting a E85 3.0i three years ago, the first was a pre-facelift (2001) and the 2nd a facelift (2005). I preferred the pre-facelift.

Same performance as a 3.0i but delivered in a totally different way, taking that VTEC engine up to 9k revs was unbelievable, the sound of that engine.......
Gearbox was the best I have ever experienced, equal to or even better than a MX5, wish that BMW manual boxes were that good!!!

Pre-facelift was very much on the edge and driven very carefully in the wet as it bad a reputation for being a widow maker. Face-lift had redesigned and softer rear suspension to design-out the tail end snapping and letting go.

For my first 6 months ownership of my zed I yearned to get back to a S2000, even went to look at a couple to buy but in the end I think that the Z4 has a better driving position, is more comfortable and is safer on the edge for everyday driving.

I have only just bought an E89 35i so can't compare it directly to the zed
 
I should think the revvy Honda would be lacking in torque compared to a 6cylinder zed? It depends on sheer revs & not midrange grunt to propel it down the road :?
Rob
 
16k miles ? That will be worth a decent amount, they're going up in price quickly especially low mileage ap1s.

I'd say it's a completely different beast to the z4. Raw, mechanical and challenging in all ways. I have not heard a single previous owner who said a bad thing about them. But don't expect same creature comforts that you have in z4. This is built to be a fast road car that focuses on driving only. I was considering one when getting my z4 but went for the more "sensible" option. S2k is absolutely on my list of cars to own in the future unless the prices go bonkers.
 
adann said:
Interested to know your views on the Honda S2000 in relation to the Z4.

My dad has owned one since 2004 and has decided the time has come to sell as he is looking at possibly moving onto the F Type convertible. The engines on the S2000 are absolutely fantastic especially as you can take all the way up to the line. Giving it a lot of thought on whether to cash in my 23i Z4 and buy the S2000. The car has only done 16k miles as a 2004 plate.

Unlikely the 23i will ever be worth anything in the future as not the Z4MC or the 35is but S2000 prices do seem to be on the up. What do you guys think? Will add though that I love my Z4 and if I could I'd have a 35is in a heartbeat.
Click to expand...

As it's been in your family for most or all of its life you won't get a better chance to own one with such provenance .
If you don't buy it you will always regret it.
 
adann said:
Interested to know your views on the Honda S2000 in relation to the Z4.

My dad has owned one since 2004 and has decided the time has come to sell as he is looking at possibly moving onto the F Type convertible. The engines on the S2000 are absolutely fantastic especially as you can take all the way up to the line. Giving it a lot of thought on whether to cash in my 23i Z4 and buy the S2000. The car has only done 16k miles as a 2004 plate.

Unlikely the 23i will ever be worth anything in the future as not the Z4MC or the 35is but S2000 prices do seem to be on the up. What do you guys think? Will add though that I love my Z4 and if I could I'd have a 35is in a heartbeat.
Click to expand...
If you get the S2000 at a reasonable price then I would buy it and try it for 12 months. If you like it then keep it, if not then sell it for £15k+ and buy the 35i.

Watch out for suspension bushes, if these are seized and you can't alter camber/ toe /castor on front and rear then this will cost approximately £1500 as it is a PITA.
 
I have just part ex'd my s2000 for a z4m. Can't comment on driving comparison as I don't pick mine up for a couple of weeks yet.....but I have a few thoughts as an owner for 3 years.
They are going up in value....I made money on my car.
As said before watch out for bushes....1000 quid upwards.
Cheap to own and service. Expensive to insure
Handful to drive fast...especially in the wet.
That engine.....oh that engine...9000 rpm.
Buy it...have fun....then sell it for more than you bought it for...That's what I did.
 
I've been in an S2000 driven by someone who didn't have a clue about the engine or how is was supposed to be driven to get the best performance, a mess of gear changes between 4 and 7K rpm, totally wasted on the owner. Without doubt I'd have an S2000 as a weekend toy, if I could afford a nice one, but not as a DD. A 3.0 IL6 z4 is easier to drive quickly especially if you lack mechanical sympathy but less exhilarating when pushing. Perhaps one day I'll get an S2000 but with prices on the up it's looking more and more doubtful.
 
16k on the clock. One owner S2K. No brainer, bite your dads hand off and don't crash it. :driving: :thumbsup:
 
Brother had one. Very raw cars, deffo not suggested for a DD, doesn't like commute traffic. Terrific if you get to stretch its legs. He spent a packet on seized callipers which apparently they're known for. Sold it on a few years back to go all grown up after his missus saw him lose control on a round about. Pre-facelift has no traction control.
 
Certainly tempted and replies in here backing that up.

How much do you think I could make on an 09 23i with 50k miles?
 
Great fun but feels quite slow until it comes on cam -but then on full chat -oh my -what a noise -engine utterly bomb proof
Rear end easy to lose in the wet and steering feels a bit vague
Gearbox is so precise -makes the Z feel like mush in comparison
Alloys prone to rust like most jap cars of that era
Quite pricy to insure -bizarrely more than my M
Whats not to like
 
Hi Adam

I'm a private individual not a trader and long term Honda fan from the late 80s. I've just started looking for a nice original low mileage s2000 and came across your discussion thread. If you decide you don't want your dad's car please let me know as I'm interested if it's a facelift 2004 one. What colour is it ?

Phil
 
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