That is exactly my point. If you need the four seats then the choice in this case is clear.

I didn't order the 8 for its practicality. I ordered it cause I really liked the look of the exterior and the interior and cause I read that it was great to drive. I don't just mean fast, I mean that I heard it handled really well.

This is why I am thinking of the S2000. When I drove it, all I could think was how great it handled and how much fun I could have with it.

I really hope that the 8 is just as good, if not better, cause for me that would be the best of both worlds.

I don't even have a long communte to worry about, so almost all my driving is social. That is why I was considering a Vauxhall VX220 turbo as well.

I really wish I could try a 8 round about now so I could be sure for myself.

Shahpor

 

Hey, 100 replies (well, 101 now).

Didn't expect this thread to last this long :D

At least people are talking more now, even if it is just S2000 bashing :D

Shahpor

 

S2000 is a fantastic car.
I have driven one lots (track included) and it has the finest 4-cyl engine on the planet.
Certainly not bashing....

2 rotors are better than 4 pistons though !

 

Hey Morgan, I am curious, you have obviously driven the S2000 much more than I have.

What did you think of it? I have never driven it on the road, only on the track. What is it like on everyday roads? Is the high revving nature of the engine really a problem?

Generally what are the best and worse parts of the car?

Thanks for the info.

Shahpor

PS I definately agree, two rotors are better than four pistons

 

Shahpor,

We are both in the same situation I think.

I don't really need to have 4 seats in my next car. I've had a 2 seater runaround car for the past 6 years, so I was thinking that it was time to get a bit more practical.

But the sheer fun I had in the S2000 has just blown me away. I have a Honda now (crappy CRX targa top), and I know just how bulletproof the engineering is in them.

But the whole ethos of the Mazda sounds exactly what I want. If it comes even close to the honda S2000 for ride and handling then that is good enough for me.

Only if it falls well short of the S2000 will I have to think some more.

 

That is exactly my thinking as well.

Was suprised by how good the S2000 was.

If only I could try a 8 I would know for sure which one to go for.

Its the waiting thats the killer. Knowing that I have to wait another 3 and a half months for the 8 while I could have a S2000 anytime.

Still, waited this long, so I hope I have the stamina to last.

Shahpor

 

One other interesting thing I discovered today is the Mazda figures for the fuel consumption.

I spoke to the people at the helpdesk today to ask where my confirmation pack was. While I was on the phone the woman told me they had had a e-mail from Mazda head office with some details. Most was stuff we already know, but she told me the fuel figures, which are:

Urban - 17.9 MPG
Extra Urban - 31.7 MPG
Combined - 24.8 MPG

Seeing that almost all of my driving is urban, this could work out quite expensive for me.

Still, it was about what I was expecting.

Shahpor

 

It's not bad for a 150mph car you know! What did you expect? ;-)
Perhaps you should buy a Smart for your daily driving...

 

Funnily enough, a while back I did consider a BMW 320td compact. Could have done with 45MPG :D

To be honest, it is not a big deal. My Alfa currently returns 15MPG, so I should even save some money!

It is just that I have never owned a car that does more than 20MPG, and it would have been nice to experience it. :D

Shahpor

 

Actually 148 before the power reduction (from The Book). So probably now 145/146? I know it's a trivial point and of absolutely no consequence in everyday driving but I was rather looking forward to telling people that my car could do 150. Oh well.

 

146?!?? That is not very good. Even a Civic Type R can do 146MPH. I would expect a little better from the 8.

And yes it is important to me how fast it can go. There are trips you can do that the top speed is possible.

Shahpor

 

It that last one a real post ?

 

Nah, not really :D

I suppose it is hard to convey some things over text.

I am not really bothered how fast it can go. I am more interested in how fast it can accelerate to 60.

At least that has some applications.

Shahpor

 

Oooh - you fiend ! I almost bit....

 

Remember that we can get the power back with a little tweaking and the manufacturers figures are conservative. Personally I'm more bothered about the handling, audio system and sat-nav.

 

Me too really. It's only a small point. However, I'm not sure if I'll be doing any tweaking - wouldn't this invalidate the warranty and mean higher insurance costs?

 

There is no doubt that the s2000 is a great car. But it has been in production for awhile now and surely in the next year or so, the replacement model will be launched.

It was the one thing that prevented me from buying one.

 

It would only invalidate the warranty on the parts that you modify and any related parts.

For example, if you fitted an induction kit and then the dash lights blow out, they still have to fix it.

If however, you turbo the car and then break a gearbox, they could claim that it broke as a direct result of the modifications and refuse to do any warranty work.

Insurance costs would not go up a lot unless you up the power considerably.

Shahpor

 

It is true that the S2200 will be out soon. However, I don't think residuals would be affected as much as any other car cause they already hold their value very well.

Shahpor