rowteree

i would think s2k parts are expensive as well. I never saw the evo as a choice...its too boxy even and un-attractive even though the performance can be upgraded to keep up with higher end cars

Chrisbert

You need to drive both and decide which will fit your purpose. Most of the comments about handling, looks, etc are subjective. On the street or the track, both cars exceed the average person's capabilities in performance.

If you want the S, but don't like the soft top you can get a factory removable hardtop although they are not cheap. The 8 has more creature comforts inside so some would consider it more of a daily driver.

I have an S, and had an 8. They were both my "toys" so I traded to the S to have the convertible top and a more raw experience.

As for aftermarket power, there are folks over on S2KI.com with FI making monstrous power while maintaining pretty decent reliability. My 8 was not that reliable in factory trim; some more or less than others. Take a visit over there and ask around. Of course they will all tell you to buy the S while here we will tell you to buy the 8, but if you weed through the initial opinions you can find some good info.

delhi

Used 993 Porsche.

RX-8Newb

my brother has an 06 s2k, it is sweet, handles like an 8 but you can drop the top and it is faster, and has a better aftermarket, and i am sure it gets better mpg when you are out of vtec

RX-8Newb

oh the s has no leg room and there is a big floor brace that runs through the floor under your legs it is annoying, and there is no storage space, and the cd player and speakers sucks ***.

mbrule6465

What the RX8 lacks in straight line performance it more than makes up for in handling,style,class, and uniqueness. Drive them (if you haven't) Price them ( I think you'll find the RX8 to be a better value) then decide. If you then decide to purchase the S2000, rest assured you did your homework and chose a good car.

RX-8Newb

Value?! are you kidding me?! maybe if you buy used. I would never spent money on a new 8, you are just throwing money away. This car depreciates so bad. I have driven both and i must say i could not tell a big difference in the feel of the cars, i did not like the shifter in the S but that was about it for the feel of it.

mbrule6465

"One of the top ten 2005 vehicles forecasted to best hold their value over the next five years." (mazdas' RX8) - Kelly Blue Book (www. kbb.com) I personally was able to negotiate $ 6,000.00 off the MSRP. I call that a good value. Of coarse that's just my opinion.

rx7 rage

s2k for sure

RX-8Newb

i see 04 8's for sale all the time now for like 14000 dollars how is loosing 20k in 3 years good.

costello

Well, they depreciate badly because you can get a new one for pretty cheap.

4me2

Good for the buyer. Never buy new.

RX-8Newb

yeah not good for me who is trying to sell his used 04

mbrule6465

I think value is more about getting a lot for your money than depreciation. Depreciation is what happens to a thing after it is purchased. Example; a steak dinner at $10.00 is a very good value however it's not worth much after you eat it. Depreciation effects virtually all new car purchases and perhaps more so to those models in low demand that are such a good "new car value" (what you get for what you pay) to begin with. I would say $ 14,000 for an 04 may represent another good value for those in the used car market. ( wholesale, retail, or trade-in price/ what model, which options,condition, and milage are all factors.) I don't know. I prefer to buy new, run them for many years and give them away when I'm done.

Ike

Yes, they made a very wrong prediction.

Shini

E55 Merc. or bust.

You'll never regret it until a couple of kids on bikes get "wowed" more by the RX-8 than the merc.

alloyicon

The S2000 is not a good daily driver. I had one when I was living in the city (Los Angeles) and I couldn't live with it. A fun toy, but not a real car. If I had it to do over again I would go with the 8. I bought the S2k in 02' so the RX-8 was not out yet. Of course I now have a civic. I look forward to getting an 8 eventually.

ashwins

honda S2k = 237 HP , rx8 = 238 Hp?

CosmosMpower

Yeah it is, 95 mph vs 100 mph trap speed is pretty significant. The RX-8 makes 170 whp, the S2000 makes 205 and weighs 200 lbs less. The factory rated hp is close (232 vs 237) but the RX-8 is way overrated even after the correction.

And the S2000 makes a fine daily driver if you're single. Hell, I'm 6'0 and daily drive a 14 year old Miata with no issues. The RX-8 is about 80% the performance of the S2000 with 120% of the practicality. I own(ed) both and much prefer the S2000 overall which is why it's still in the garage and the RX-8 isn't.

Daemos

I chose the RX8 over the S2000 basically because I feel it handles better. it rides better, I love the sound of the rotary, it's much more usable and livable.

It's my only car.

If I had another car I could drive around for daily driver (a nice one, not a cheap beater, I have standards) I'd take the S2000, it's much more raw, better overall performance, it makes a better weekend driver

Z1NONLY

I have never driven an S2k but I have watched them at the track. For some reason, they seem to spin out more often than other cars. Could be bad drivers, but I think I have seen too many different drivers spin their S2K's. I think I read somewhere that the S2k exhibited "snap oversteer" also.

That being said, and all else being equal, the S2k is usually faster on course than an RX-8 or 350Z . (Stock, when the S2k drivers keep the back end behind them.)

Also, the RX-8 is a usually a hair faster than the 350Z on an autocross course, with equal drivers. Straight line is a different story, but you don't sound like you are that interested in a drag strip anyway.

efini-17

Thanks for all your input and experiences, but i am still undecided...

RX26b

Seriously, you'd peg the S2000's performance a full 25% higher than the 8? The numbers don't add up - on the straights the 8 is down roughly 5%, and cornering is probably very close so maybe more like 93 to 98% would be fair to say, no? Practicality is probably more like 200% of the S because of 4 real seats and a bigger trunk.

RX-8Newb

oh and i drag raced my brother in his s when i first got my car from a dig to about 60 or so and he was about 2 maybe 3 cars ahead of me. I did not know the car that well and i was in flops so i just turned off the dsc and pretty much revved it up and dumped it. He had intake exhaust and wider tires, and mine stock.

Easy_E1

iTrader: (2)

Your still debating this? Sheesh.
I wouldn't trade my comfortable, 4 seat, 4 door, spacious trunk, smooth riding, great handling, great looking, nice sounding stereo, RX-8 for a Honduh.
For a soft top, easy to break into, wind noise, to small, higher insurance payment S2000.
But thats just my opinion.
Had one TRY to beat me today. And I have an AT. Pity the poor fool.
But if you like the S2000 just go buy one and get it over with.