Quote:
Originally Posted by Sideways&Smiling
I finally went out and drove both the BRZ and FRS. I feel the opinions you stated in your video are pretty accurate and the same as my experience with both. The S2000 feels more edgey and special stock vs stock, but at the same time the FRS/BRZ seems like one of the best possible choices for a new car at the moment, IMO... The engine does not feel as special, and the car is a bit slower..... and has very different handling characteristics...... BUT it's fun, fairly nice inside, handles well, looks good... I found myself irrationally trying to figure out how I can get one ASAP despite already having and loving the S2000.  lol
EDIT: Also want to add, I actually spun the S2000 in the rain this morning for the first time ever while driving to work after owning the car for 14-15 months now. I've always felt like people slightly over exaggerated the oversteer issue, but it actually caught me off guard this morning and was a bit scary! Fortunately, no problems other than sliding into some muddy dirt on the side of the road, but was definitely a butt-puckering experience lol |
My first S2000 was when I was 24 I think, I cant remember how many times I looped that car not even trying. Its not as noob friendly as the 86 by any stretch however much more rewarding once you have the seat time to drive it fast. After having both at the same time, stock vs stock I'd find it VERY hard to justify owning the FRS if you had an S2000 already. Even when we did the track runs, sure the FRS was faster supercharged but we still got in the S2000 and just had more fun and no tow truck worries in the back of our minds like when we drove the FRS.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Frost
Fun car only though this car will have to survive long ass road trips - I plan on driving across a good chunk of North America. I learnt years ago, that your DD should never be your track car so I dumped it and "grew up" lol. I have a DD (see signature) which ensures I get a paycheque. This car is strictly a 'grins' car.
I don't plan to mod either one right off the bat other than protective stuff. Drive the heck out of it, then once I know the car inside out, then start from the tires up. I know about the road noise issue and the rear tires - the S2K will eat tires like no tomorrow oddly enough.
My priorities are:
1- Fun
2- Reliable-ish (if it spends more time not being driven due to being broken, it does achive it's primary goal)
3- Road-trip worthy (I'd love a used Elise but that's insane road noise)
One of my favourite videos is by Nino Karotta on the Epic GT86 drive across Europe here:
That's what I want to do with the fun car. |
The S2000 can be setup to be a very nice road trip machine, is it a good as the 86? No way but it depends on your size and tolerance for tight spaces. I pulled 1400 mile trip in the S2000 and was actually happy with memory foam pillow under me.
I owned an Exige, drove it from Cali back 2800 miles and that was by far the worst drive of my life. The Elise/Exige is a one trick pony, I dont regret selling it, the S2000 is a much better all around car in terms of reliability, parts, aftermarket and just down right ease to work on. The Exige/Elise has a cheap buy in but a WTF parts cost and nightmare labor situation. Shit like having to remove the entire front clam to get at the radiator, or if you even crack front or rear clamshell from a bump a normal car would cost you 400 and some paint. The Elise Exige is 2000+ some paint and a nightmare labor time. Or if your oil cooler lines have issues (which run from front of car to back through, rocker panels)
I'd rather have an Atom2/3 again, Honda motor, track toy, open cockpit actually more comfortable.
But even if I had to choose something again for up to 80k, GT4, C7, M3, Atom, Exige. Id still take the S2000.
Worry free, cheap buy in, track capable, fun in the summer, open top, normal insurance. Just a no BS edgy sports car with soul.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Frost
Love this thread as I'm a hair trigger away from buying either the BRZ or S2k but the problem is that up here in Canadia, they can be much harder to find unmolested and nowhere near as good prices as what you guys have access to. I found a 2004 S2k with 65,000km / 40,390 miles (for $26,500 CAD - very clean and bone stock.
Ho-ing and humming on that one.
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See my above comment about S2000.
That is a lot of money but if you keep the miles low you wont lose money when you go to sell.
It's remarkable just how well the car has maintained its value. Like here A 2005 S2000 essentially has lost about 12k in value over 10 years, where the FRS has already lost about 9k in 2 years. It makes it a much safer purchase when you dont have to worry about depreciation.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 53Driver
Well, I think the decision ultimately comes down to personal wants/needs. If you want/need something "newer" with a warranty or if you want/need a back seat (though it's pretty much useless other than for small kids or stuff) or if you want/need a coupe then the answer should be obvious. Also, the road noise was more pronounced in the S2000 and rear tires need to be replaced more often (which exacerbates the road noise as the rear tires wear down). Do you haul a lot of stuff? Will this be your one and only vehicle? The only real reason I can afford to get rid of my FR-S and get an S2000 again is that I have another vehicle to rely on for transportation. So these are all things you should consider when making the purchase.
If it were me starting out with a fresh start and I had 25K to spend, I would spend 15K on as nice of a S2000 I could find and spend the other 10K on a nice used econo car that way I would have a vehicle for everday use and one to have fun with.
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You basically just said it best, the S2000 is really a second car.
As a primary like many sports/sporty cars it loses it appeal fast when you make it your daily grinder.