124Spider

And this "encounter," between two drivers of unknown skill, who may or may not have been "racing," and, even if "racing," may or may not have been either going all out, or even a little bit capable, shows what about the two cars?

You can claim all sorts of subjective superiority about one or the other, but it is a simple fact that, stock for stock, the S2000 is lighter, more powerful, better sprung, and higher torque than the RX-8. There are all sorts of reasons why one might prefer the RX-8 over the S2000, but power and handling aren't two of them.

DARKMAZ8

Unfortunately, the s2000 offers too little for its price tag. Hopefully, Honda will step it up for the next gen.

124Spider

Whether a car is too expensive or not is kind of a subjective thing, isn't it? If the quirky combination that is the S2000 is what you want, there's no better value out there.

One could note that Honda sells all the S2000s they seem to want to sell, at well above invoice, while Mazda is begging people to buy the RX-8 at well below invoice, but that wouldn't be kind on an RX-8 forum, so I won't.

But I agree that it would be very nice if Honda were to update the S2000, to keep it competitive with, say, the Boxster. When I bought my S2000, the base Boxster, with all the crap that Porsche loads on cars, cost $20,000 more than my S2000, and was less car. While the base Boxster still costs a great deal more than the S2000, it's now more car.

DARKMAZ8

Well, my friend is the sales manager at sisley honda(top 3 in Canada) and he sold 1 2005 s2000 last year. Honda isn't mass producing them like Mazda is the rx8 and rightfully so. The s2000 is more of a niche car then the 8 is. Even with its rotary, the 8 offers more to the average consumer. Most s2ks were sold to die hard honda guys.

The reason why the s2000 is stuggling is because it rides like a go cart and costs a premium for it. The porsche has a wayyy better ride and performs just as well. This is because it is built better as the chassis is stronger. While the s2000 has a great performance chassis, it feels tinny in comparison. If Honda knocked off say 10-15k. Sell it for a little over the miata price tag and it would fly out of the show rooms.

124Spider

You're a funny guy!

The fact is, that Honda has never marketed the S2000; it's meant as a niche car, and it is. And Honda sells all they make at above invoice. To those who value what it is. That doesn't include many, but for those, it's the best value around.

Your math is funny, too. It's easy to get a brand new S2000 for $32,000. Take 10k to 15k off that, and you have 17k - 22k. Try to find a brand new MX-5 even vaguely comparably equipped to an S2000 for less than that. And you're still giving up all sorts of power and performance. There is no other car which gives anywhere near the S2000's combination of power, performance and convertible fun, for anything close to the price of an S2000. The mere fact that the package which is the S2000 doesn't appeal to the masses is irrelevant, since it never was intended to appeal to the masses.

There's nothing wrong with saying that you wouldn't pay $32,000 for an S2000. Heck, most people wouldn't. But it's downright ludicrous to claim that it's overpriced because they'd sell more if they dropped the price in half.

therm8

Don't even need to pay $30k here for an S2000. Most seem to go in the high 28's. Most being a relative term. Never seen more than 2 on the lot. A fully loaded Mx-5 or Solstice/Sky goes for the same price, but then they are new and in the case of the Sol/Sky, flashy and visually appealing. The S2k, while I like the looks, doesn't appeal visually to the average toy car buyer.

DARKMAZ8

I'm canadian

124Spider

That's ok; no need to feel bad about that.

StealthFox

plenty of reason to feel bad cannuck, go back home and play hockey or something.

124Spider

The "Ugly American" at work?

swiftnet

I almost purchased the s2000 over the rx8.
The Honda's suspension felt tighter, and it was slightly faster then the 8.
The 8 has a much quieter interior, especially at speed - the Honda was so loud at triple digit speed, I couldn't hear the sales guy (he was shouting) until I slowed down. The Mazda was quiet enough to hold a conversation with the sales guy at 110mph, without having to raise our voices. The lower noise level and better 'every day' ride quality are what made me choose the 8 over the s2k. The back seats were also a plus, but they didn't carry much weight when I was looking at cars. The convertible also didn't carry much weight, but it would have been a plus if I got it.

After 2.5 years, the 8 still gives me grins when I drive it.

VikingDJ

I recently purchased an 06 S2000, and compared to my previous 01, this car has quieted down quite a bit. It's actually quite a friendly car, and as a daily driver is much better then the 00-03 models. I think it's well worth the money, because I expected it to be what it is. As a year round car you get an RX8, and as a pure weekend/part time daily driver you get an S2000. One key for me is reliability. It was nice to see Forbes Magazine rank the 06 S2000 as one of the most reliable cars on the market. For me personally, that was a key factor in making the switch, although I still love and miss my RX8. I'm gonna be using my S2K to take to work,and get some miles on it, because it is after all a honda, and I firmly believe it will stand the test of time as a reliable, surprisingly gas friendly (28mpg highway on last tank) fun performing roadster. I wouldn't buy any other sports car at this time, because I love everything about this machine.

yiksing

I bought the 8 because I couldn't afford a new S2000. I still turn my head every time I sees one pass by and wished I had one. Reliability is definitely there, better mod potential, fuel economy and most of important of all cheaper rubbers to burn. Well the 8 is as close as I can get to a S2000, oh well...

CosmosMpower

S2000 is a superior car in every way except practicality and insurance costs more. I had my heart set on a 04-05 used S2000 after I sold my BMW M3 sedan last month. In fact I was planning on buying an S even while I was shopping for the M3 but they were still too new then.

In any case, the average market price for a clean 04-05 S2000 with less than 30K miles is around 22-24K which is reasonable. When I found out that the RX8 was going for 8K+ off sticker I had to check it out and the conclusion I came up with is that I had to make a compromise. The RX8 gave me a new car at a price point cheaper than a used S, 4/50 warranty and 2 back seats when my friends want to go somewhere with me and not take an extra car.

The practicality plus 22K out the door price made me choose the RX8. I'm not too incredibly heartbroken though since it still revs to 9000 rpms and I still have a 2000 Grand Prix White on Red/Black interior S2000 to drive whenever I want

DARKMAZ8

good one!

NOW, why don't you get back to trading your pokemon cards and let us adults talk.

henesse

The S is very loud at first with the top closed. You need time to get used to it.
Even now, long rides with the top up is horrible.

The S is by far the most exhilarating ride in my household.

henesse

if you want a super fun car that feels like a go cart and cuts corners like a **** get the S2000.

to answer your question it does cut down on wind, road and other car noise.
the engine and trany noise will be the same and you'll still hear the noise from the tire.

dillsrotary

very honest answer to the question, but did you see that he asked in march 26th??

The date is in the corner of the post (and oddly is ignored quite often, no prob though )