I'v been thinking about what I'm going to do after I sell back my RX8. SO I visited the Honda dealer and test drove an S2000 (again). Honestly it doesn't seem any quicker than the RX8 and it isn't as luxurious or as my GT. But...it is a convertibile and is priced at $29,995 almost $3,000 less than my RX-8. The S2K has the spoilers and side flares also and is my favorite color...silver.

Whaddya think?

where can i find the details on the buyback

You knew all this before you bought the 8, so what's making you rethink this? Since you already believe the S2K is no faster than the 8, is it just the specs printed on the web that'll change your mind?

3 Grand and Convertibile

I also have wanted an S2K since day one. I kept changing my mind because it has only 2 seats and would have been my only car. Well I ended up getting stuck keeping my old car and don't need another 4 seater.

The stook is an awesome car. You live in Fla. Go for it. Do what makes you happy.

Do you need the rear seats, the roof or the extra luxury and comfort of the 8? If not, I'd say go for the S2K and save $$$... It's a beautiful and well engineered car and I've heard they're a blast to drive. Good Luck!

If space is not a concern (or you have another car with a backseat), I think its the right move. It does everything the RX8 does from a performance point of view better. It's likely to be very reliable and not suffer from the first year model issues that the 8 will undoubtedly have. Plus it can get over 30 MPG on the highway according to owners at s2ki.com.


Good luck!

Is the S2k brand new? $3000 LESS than the RX-8?:confused:
Wow, here in Canada the msrp for the S is about $48K while the fully loaded 8 is about $43K or so..

Originally posted by revhappy
If space is not a concern (or you have another car with a backseat), I think its the right move. It does everything the RX8 does from a performance point of view better. It's likely to be very reliable and not suffer from the first year model issues that the 8 will undoubtedly have. Plus it can get over 30 MPG on the highway according to owners at s2ki.com.


Good luck!


Prettymuch what I was going to say, I guess us trolls think alike :p Especially if it has the red leather interior <drools>

Get it - it's a great-looking 2-seater that handles very well. It sounds like the rotary isn't important to you, so I'd go with the S2K.

Originally posted by TJRX8
I'v been thinking about what I'm going to do after I sell back my RX8. SO I visited the Honda dealer and test drove an S2000 (again). Honestly it doesn't seem any quicker than the RX8 and it isn't as luxurious or as my GT. But...it is a convertibile and is priced at $29,995 almost $3,000 less than my RX-8. The S2K has the spoilers and side flares also and is my favorite color...silver.

Whaddya think?

As long as you can live with the 2 seats and the manual ragtop, go get it. I am still surprised that you are getting it so cheap!

Last time I checked the base price for the S2k was $32K...and If I am correct the car has almost no options.

Good luck!

Well I ended up getting stuck keeping my old car and don't need another 4 seater.


That could be the deciding factor.

Just remember, from what I've gathered, it is possible to attain a 6-spd 8 at a MSRP of $27-28k. I too am surprised at the price on the stook - thought they started on paper at 32-33k.

Originally posted by Quick_lude
Is the S2k brand new? $3000 LESS than the RX-8?:confused:
Wow, here in Canada the msrp for the S is about $48K while the fully loaded 8 is about $43K or so..

My thoughts exactly, WOW either the RX8 IS overpriced in the US, or the S2k is here, or the RX8 is cheaper here or something is WACKED.

Here the GT RX8 is $39, if you add moon and Nav it's $43, the BASE S2k is $49

I think the RX-8 handles a lot better than the S2000 and as a plus you gotta love the sweet rev of the rotary!!

MSRP on the S2000 is $33,000. Right about now, many dealers are willing to sell for a little over invoice... mostly because the '04 is coming out with quiet a few changes.

- The front facia is changing (bumper and lights).
- The suspension is changing.
- The wheels are changing (larger).
- The exhaust tips are changing.
- The rear panel is changing slightly.
- And last, but most importantly, the engine is bumping up to a 2.2L from a 2.0L. More HP and Torque are certain, but so is a lower redline.

MSRP of the RX-8 GT with the APP pkg, Rotary Accents, and rear spoiler: ~$32,800. (don't recal exactly)

The S2K is ~$33,000 total and marked down to $29,995 with rear spoiler, chin spolier and side aero flares (and those are normally added options). Yes the car is brand new, I haven't asked why it is marked down yet. They do have 5 or 6 on the lot though and maybe it's been there awhile. Then again maybe they are going to try and whack me with some other costsif i ever sit down to deal.

It has an electric top (always has I think) and a glass rear window this year.

Well, that doesnt sound like a bad deal unless of course they stiff you like you are mentioning. Are you going to wait for the 04 or are you goingto jump on the 03 that is lower than MSRP?

TJRX8, have you driven one? If you havent... go do it. You will be sold. The only reason I havent picked one up yet is because I'm waiting for the '04 to come out.

No, i havent driven the 03 S2000 I have only driven the RX-8 and that was a dream but I will have to go try one out!! Thanks

Originally posted by ToRX-8orToZ
TJRX8, have you driven one? If you havent... go do it. You will be sold. The only reason I havent picked one up yet is because I'm waiting for the '04 to come out.

Yes I have 4-5 times since 2000 when they first came out and wanted 6K over MSRP. As recently as a week ago I took the 2003 for a ride. Of course it was just a quick test drive and nothing compared to driving the 8 for the past 6 weeks. I honestly didn't feel a LOT of difference between the two. Obviously I didn't hit "VTEC" (as the Honda guys say) but overall it was very similiar in feel to the 8. The one main differnce I did notice was the level of luxory (for lack of a better term). The S2K was fairly spartan compared to the 8GT. Also the seat was a bit uncomfortable and didn't have the 8 way adjustments or lumbar that my 8 does.

WHat is the difference in the '04 models? When will they be out?

Originally posted by TJRX8


Yes I have 4-5 times since 2000 when they first came out and wanted 6K over MSRP. As recently as a week ago I took the 2003 for a ride. Of course it was just a quick test drive and nothing compared to driving the 8 for the past 6 weeks. I honestly didn't feel a LOT of difference between the two. Obviously I didn't hit "VTEC" (as the Honda guys say) but overall it was very similiar in feel to the 8. The one main differnce I did notice was the level of luxory (for lack of a better term). The S2K was fairly spartan compared to the 8GT. Also the seat was a bit uncomfortable and didn't have the 8 way adjustments or lumbar that my 8 does.

WHat is the difference in the '04 models? When will they be out?

2.2 L more torque, maybe more horsepower. I'm not sure if it will get I-VTEC or stay with the older version. The Integra GSR to RSX-S transition may give us some clues. The GSR was a 1.8 liter 4 cylnder producing 128 lb-ft. of torque at 6,200 RPM and 170 HP at 7,600 RPM. The RSX Type S was a 2 liter 4 cylnder producing 142 lb-ft. of torwue at 6,000 RPM and 200 HP at 7,400 RPM.

Based on this example the torque increase was proportional to the displacment increase while about 2/3 of the horspower increase was due to the displacement increase. This is of course pure conjecture. The RSX-S also has a bit flatter torque curve.

Using this example, we could estimate 282 HP and 168 lb-ft. of torque and a redline of 8,763 RPM. However, rumors over on s2ki are suggesting an increase in torque, lower redline and the horsepower would be around the same.

Suspension is supposed to be tuned "softer", but I think that MIGHT mean they will make it a bit more forgiving at the limit (S2K's are known to oversteer pretty harshly).

Fuel economy will probobly be similar, if not slightly better.

All in all, a very interesting car.

Just to play devil's advocate...

How about keeping your 8 with its luxuries and four seats/doors...and taking the $500 and free maintenance from Mazda... And selling your old car and hopefully pocketing MORE than $3k?

I did'nt even consider the s2k, even when new the styling is pretty bland in a honda /acura kind of way. Sell your old car and get an Acura TSX for $26,500 with leather,s/r, DSC, IC bags,in dash 6disc and a sweet 6spd close to the RX8's. Pocket even more money! It obviously boils down to what you really want. How about a mini cooper S and mo money? I have yet to go above 5000rpm with only 300 miles on my 8. I will be there within two weeks and plan to see how he does from 6 to 9K. If it coughs, hesitates or is lackluster then I'll send it back to mazda and consider G35c, 3 series, TSX but not the s2k. If My 8 performs as well above 5K as it does below 5K then it is a no brainer KEEPER.



Velocity Red, 6spd, GT, 6disc.


Boast not about tomorrow for you know not what a day will bring forth.:D :D

Originally posted by Mark
I did'nt even consider the s2k, even when new the styling is pretty bland in a honda /acura kind of way. Sell your old car and get an Acura TSX for $26,500 with leather,s/r, DSC, IC bags,in dash 6disc and a sweet 6spd close to the RX8's. Pocket even more money! It obviously boils down to what you really want. How about a mini cooper S and mo money? I have yet to go above 5000rpm with only 300 miles on my 8. I will be there within two weeks and plan to see how he does from 6 to 9K. If it coughs, hesitates or is lackluster then I'll send it back to mazda and consider G35c, 3 series, TSX but not the s2k. If My 8 performs as well above 5K as it does below 5K then it is a no brainer KEEPER.



Velocity Red, 6spd, GT, 6disc.


Boast not about tomorrow for you know not what a day will bring forth.:D :D

If you want a drivers car the other cars you mention don't even compare, and I hardly find the S2K bland...

Originally posted by silver8
Just to play devil's advocate...
How about keeping your 8 with its luxuries and four seats/doors...and taking the $500 and free maintenance from Mazda... And selling your old car and hopefully pocketing MORE than $3k?
I now owe about 2 grand more than it's worth. I am going for the buy back regardless. I may be buying another one down the line...who knows.

Mark, Uh no.

Originally posted by IkeWRX


If you want a drivers car the other cars you mention don't even compare, and I hardly find the S2K bland...

Drivers car: Miata, S2K, RX-8, WRX & EVO (although...AWD should make it less of a 'driver's car', right?), 350Z, Tiburon(??), and the list goes on and on...

My definition of A 'drivers car' is such as when the driver has full control over the vehicle's reponse and behaviour. Am I way off?

The S2K could benefit from more pronunciated front wheel wells..that would make it perfect (esthetically, at least for me..)

Originally posted by RX8-TX
The S2K could benefit from more pronunciated front wheel wells..that would make it perfect (esthetically, at least for me..)
Hmmm an RX8 nose on the S2K...any good photochoppers want to try that :-)

Originally posted by ToRX-8orToZ
TJRX8, have you driven one? If you havent... go do it. You will be sold. The only reason I havent picked one up yet is because I'm waiting for the '04 to come out.

Then shouldn't you be ToRX-8orToS2K?

i give you my 93rx 7 with 400hp and $12,000 for your rx8 . i want a 4 seater and you want a 2 seater .