hyogen

I test drove a 2006 honda s2000 today. to be quite honest...it felt SO MUCH like a '06 civic Si. I didn't really feel the pull...even in 1st and 2nd gear...my friend says it's cuz it's just more smooth and I can't tell... it handled ok...but i couldn't tell difference between it and my rx8.

Having the convertible top was nice though :o

hyogen

apparently handling on a pre-2002 was a lot tighter... but ppl would be nub and get in wrecks frequently...

Raptor2k

I'd like to test drive one too. Did they need to check your finances and such before the test drive?

RX8Maine

It is NOT more smooth than the 8. Once above 5k, where the power is, the engine makes its presence known. Below 5k, the s2k has much less torque than the 8 making it feel sluggish when you aren't willing to redline it. So, not only does our engine LIKE to be redlined and do it with less disturbance, its also less necessary in terms of finding the power.

Mortal Moxie

I think it's a pretty boring looking car.

All around, (even though were talking about two totally different car types) I'd say the RX8 is the all around best. Performance, looks, feel, comfort, design. Etc.

GulfCoast

I strongly considered the S2000 before I bought the 8. I like it, it's a beautiful car, well crafted, and fun to drive. If you want a convertible, it's the closest thing to the 8 you can buy.

Having said that, the S2000 doesn't hit its power band until the VTEC kicks in, which I think is at about 6,000 RPM. I wouldn't say it's sluggish off the line, but I think the 8 feels much more spirited. Also, the S2000 is not nearly as comfortable inside: the driver's door is not well scooped, so there's little room for your left arm unless it's on the steering wheel or propped on top of the door with the window open.

sjsmervine

I owned the S2000 before replacing it my my 2006 8. Something I didn't know when i got the Honda is that there is a serious theft issue with that car's seats. I had my roof slashed and seats stolen TWICE before the insurance company totaled it. The seats are very saught after by losers that want to pimp out thier Civics and Accords with the seats in the S2000. Buyer beware of that car!

mysql101

they totaled your car due to seats being removed?

sjsmervine

there was more than $12,000 of damage from the roof, seat replacement and body damage (they removed the headlights too). the first time it was just the roof and the seats - that was more than $9000 in damage.

sjsmervine

but that beside the point - i far prefer the 8 over the S2000. I miss the covertible top of course, but that car is so short on interior comforts the 8 feel like a luxury car by comparison. My S2000 had a crappy(factory) sound system, a single cup holder, and didn't even have a clock.

VikingDJ

^^^^^ Your very complaints are exactly what the S2K is supposed to be. It's supposed to be a pure drivers car. None of that gadget stuff, just a simple interior, meant for pure enthusiast driving. I agre with you, but with my 06, I got DSC, 8 speaker sound system with roll bad speakers, nicer seats and overall a noticibly better upgrade over my 01 no doubt.

Being a former rx8 owner and also a former 01 S2K and current 06 S2K owner, I don't entirely agree with some statements above, but then again it is subjective. Handling: S2K definitely. overall power and acceleration: Slight notch to the S2K. It's simply a more raw car, that offers all it's power and torque in the higher rpm range, which is exactly what it's intended to do. Naturally people like a smoother, more daily driver friendly, and in the opinion of many inclduing myself, more flashy looks. I actually like the tame, spohisticaed look of this roadster. The 06 S2K is a lot more friendly then my 01 was.

It is more smooth, but believe me, it's more powerful then an RX8. Something's not right there, because the 06 RX8 rates 232hp, and the S2K 237hp, and eiven the 200lb weight difference, there's no way this car should be this much fast then the RX8. I suppose the S2K numbers are dead on. Eithre way, I love both cars equally, but the RX8 couldn't give me something out of a raw fun weekend car like the S2k could, and a convretible top, that just seals the deal. This car is more tossable, and IMO much more controlled. It's just not as friendly in daily driver. IN the end, it's all personal preference.

Two things no can argue on the S2K vs RX8. Reliability and MPG. Sorry folks, no way the RX8 can touch this car in those categories. I'm pulling off 22mpg city with hard driving, and almost 28mpg highway on a regular basis.

alfy28

oh ok you said 06 s2k is sluggish. i was about to say my 02 doesnt feel sluggish at all.

VikingDJ

The 2000-2003 S2K has noticable less power and torque before hitting v tec then the 04-06 models. Overall, I doubt one is faster. You get a more friendly cruising car in the lower rpms. That's the first thing I noticed when switching from an 01 s2k to the 06. The power in lower rpms increased significantly. If you raced an 2000-2003 vs an 04-06 S2K, before v tect kicks in the 06 will be ahead. It simply has more torque, but then after that, the 2.0 S2K has a bit more pull in vtec due to that higher redline and max power. In the end it all evens out, but under normal driving conditions is really where you notice the power changes.

I suppose compared to an RX8, under normal driving, the S2Ks, including the 06 will feel a bit sluggish, but that's how the car is supposed to be, so that criticism, is a compliment to me. The Hp and torque simply arrives at a higher RPM and all at once, but this also means a total personality transformation. It goes from a regular Honda, to a flat out screaming, loud acceleration beast. Stay in Vtec mode, and you won't lose to an RX8 I can assure you of that, and there's no doubt the edge in handling goes to the S2K. I actually love that about this car.

alfy28

sorry i thougth he meant like sluggish as in control wise. as for engine i agree with you.

VikingDJ

You got yourself a more raw version no doubt then the 04-06 models. In a way I miss the 01 S2K, but it's also nice to have more usable power for in town driving. Give or take. I never liked that horrible engine noise at 8900rpms though. It felt like the engine was screaming NO MORE, me ready to blow up, whereas the RX8 was like, no biggie, and smooth as silk. A rotary in the S2K would be my ultimate roadster.

alfy28

aye that is one thing hate about my ( i should say wife) s2k is the engine noise at higher rpms. The wife thinks the car iis about to blow lol. Guess that is why she drives the 8 for the past 2 years over her car .

buwisit

i was considering to buy s2000 before my 8 but it was very expensive for me, however it has better gas millage

RA-Eight

iTrader: (6)

I've driven both the AP1 ('00-03) and AP2 ('04+) S2000, and handling is much tighter than our 8s. Our body roll in comparison is like a boat in water, whearas the S is a train on rails except the occassional rear end coming lose. Our rev is smoother though, I agree. Comparing it to the current gen Civic is not far off since the handling on the current Si is pretty darn good. Overall, I disagree that our 8s are more fun. If I didn't have a family, I'd take the high-revving two seat roadster anyday.

Regardless, this is all subjective, and let's not make another S2000 vs. RX-8 thread.

sunilseru

Go back for another test drive and keep that engine at more than 6K rpm. You will most probably feel the difference. VTEC rocks! There is only one area where the RX-8 is better than the S2000 - braking.

I am getting an 06 GPW S2000 as soon as somebody buys my car.

mysql101

the rx8 and the s2000 were built for completely different markets. you can get the body roll out of the rx8 with $250 swaybars from racing beat. You can also significantly boost the power of the rx-8 with a turbo, and still be in the same price range as the s2000. none of this matters however, buy whatever suits you. If every car was the same, things would be bland.

juanjux

I think S200 stock handling is better against RX-8 stock, but with the MazdaSpeed suspension (sway bars, springs, struts) the edge goes to the RX-8.

hyogen

no i didn't not to provide finances or anything to test drive the s2000... i'm 24....

but i did drive up in a red hawt rx8 :D

therm8

I agree about the stiffer ride in the S2000, however body roll means little in handling. There's a video around here somewhere with the suspension designer talking about the suspension travel on the 8 and why it's designed like that, and how it aids the tire contact.

That being said, the S2000 is the better handling car in capable hands, but the lack of body roll is just a side effect not a cause. The 8 is easier to drive hard though, which will make it the better handling car in an average driver's hands. And snap oversteer won't put you in the trees in the 8... , though I hear they've reduced the propensity for that in the later model year S2000s.

PerformRX-8

yeah what the hell is it with that..... My good friend who goes to NYU parked his car out on an open place with a lot of people, he said he came back an hour later his seats were gone!!!! he was so pissed....who the hell steals someones seats??? on another note i've driven the s2000 its decent, has a little bit more torque, but still nothing compared to the 8.... I love taking it on twisties or down and off ramp.... Plus I just love staring at a speedometer that goes up to 10,000 RPM!!!!!!!

Ike

I was thinking of how I could put this nicely, but I couldn't come up with anything... You're a moron.