Someone on the TT forum just purchased a S2000 to drive while waiting for their TT cabrio. He had this to say:

<i> Sweet engine, but pretty anemic at low revs. Unlike the TT, this car has absolutely NO power at low revs. A little old lady in her Buick LeSabre will kill you off the line every time (Unless you rev to 8000 and dump the clutch, at which point the S2000 will go to 60 in about 5 1/2 seconds). Peak HP is at 8300 rpm (it redlines at 9000). The TT has a MUCH more useful engine about town, around 1500-4000 rpm, whereas the S2000 doesn't even come on until much higher. The TT is a far better choice as an everyday driver, whereas the S2000 might be a more fun high revving "toy". </i>


Typical Honda, no power down low where you'd want it. Who the hell wants to rev to 8000 rmps just to get the car moving everytime? What a PITA. I'll take the 225hp TT with a usefull powerband over the S2000 POS anyday.

I had the same problem with my Honda Civic EX Coupe (VTEC). You really had to rev the engine to get it moving. While 0-60 times are about the same on my A4 Avant 1.8TQ tip, the A4 feels a lot faster and has much better low end torque. Also, when going up hills, the Honda was endlessly shifting down to get power, it was really annoying.

nt

nt

Now 240 bhp at half that (5,000 rpms), now that would be impressive (like the S4). No need to drop the clutch at 8,000 rpms to get a decent acceleration.

Give up Honda, stick with your econoboxes.

But if the engine is typical of Honda engines…only more tuned then I just want to add one more thing into the equation…the transmission. Hondas like to get spanked around the track. First of all, you have to learn how to drive a VTEC. The engine is a different beast when its at that range. 9000 RPM..OMG. That must be fun by itself. Second of all, notice that when you change gear from redline, it drops the rpm right back into the powerband of the VTEC range. This makes it a skill to pick up, and not just rowing through the gears. You really have to learn to set the car up right going into corners and all and if you do, then you are rewarded very very well. Also, I’m tempted to believe that Honda’s chassis is more rigid than the TT’s. Suspision …not sure. Almost everyone that has tried the TT say that it is more art than automobile (though it is certainly very capable), whereas the Honda is more business than beauty.(though it is certainly very nice looking).

Again, it is up to one’s preference I guess…

Mike

...that the resale on the S2000 is gonna drop big time as Honda starts spitting these things out as fast as the Civics crowd dealer lots.

He's thinking he'll get pretty good money for it in a year, but by then S2000s will be as common as Civic coupes. Every "rawl" on the road will have one with PIAA lights, neon light effects and custom chrome wheels. He'll lose out on that deal big time. But he must of known that at the time of purchase. I personally would of just waited for the TT.

Maybe if Honda managed to squeeze in the 3.0 liter from the Accord V6, it might be different.
The Z3 did the same thing.

Don
2.8 qms pearl

I think you got it backward. It is easier to add more hp at lower rpm simpy by adding volume. Honda does high rev vtec to get more juice out of small engine, and higher mpg. And small engine makes difference in a roadster.

nt

according to my buddy with 180HP TT who just rode in S2000

Don't get me wrong, I love my Audi but give credit to Honda when credit is due. I haven't driven an S2000 yet, but I'd like to. Car & Driver also had the S2000 beat out the BMW M Roadster, the Porsche Boxter, and the MB SLK in a recent issue.

The S2000 gets 120hp/L in a normally aspirated engine - that sounds pretty good to me. Sure, you have to rev the car to make it go fast, but I think a lot of VTEC owners like it.

In any case, all cars have their pluses and minuses. No need to be too harsh on Honda ... besides they don't just do econoboxes - I love those NSX's.

Wayne
99 1.8TQMS APR

P.S. sure, I'd probably take an S4 over the S2000 (of course, they're totally different cars...), but if someone were to give me an S2000, I wouldn't say no :-)