Frs vs s2000

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

Controls within reach of the steering wheel, instead of the god aweful touchscreen.

And a mute button.

I <3 my s2k.

The mute button/other buttons are ergo though, not quality of materials, etc.

I agree on both the mute button and touchscreen though. The touchscreen just sucks.

[Subynewbie]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

I actually prefer the BRZ Limited AC controls to the switchgear in the S2K. I can't think of any other part of the S2K interior that's any better than any part of the BRZ/FRS. Secret compartment plastic is cheap, cup holder plastics is cheap, rear plastics is cheap, dash top material is cheap, door panels are the same quality, I prefer the BRZ Limited seats over the S2K materials too.

I am slightly biased I guess. I don't miss my S2K at all.

I've owned both as well and couldn't agree more. I don't regret the decision to sell my ap2 for my limited brz one bit.

[FR_Soldier_77]

Im so Glad im not the only one who owns an S2000 and an FR-S!

[iLuveKetchup]

If you currently own an s2k, it doesn't make sense to get rid of it now for the twins. Unless you are looking for something more practical or to add to the garage. I'd rather wait. There can be improvements to the twins and the used market will be littered with cheap twins in a few years. They'll be a great value. Different story if you don't already have an s2k. IMO

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by iLuveKetchup

If you currently own an s2k, it doesn't make sense to get rid of it now for the twins. Unless you are looking for something more practical or to add to the garage. I'd rather wait. There can be improvements to the twins and the used market will be littered with cheap twins in a few years. They'll be a great value. Different story if you don't already have an s2k. IMO

^^ Agreed, unless you are over the S2K in general, etc

[CSG David]

The S2k is a special car. Even if the BRZ is easier to drive and faster even with very little development, I'd still buy a S2k again.

[phenompbg]

I own a 2006 S2000. We got the European market version of the car, and our AP2s still have the F20C, which is limited to ~9300rpm (instead of the F22C you get in the US). Best of both worlds if you ask me

To put it plainly: I love this car.

Mine has 85 000km (52 000 miles) on the clock and has had zero problems. The largest fault to date was the dealer screwing in the Diff Oil filler plug incorrectly that stripped the thread in the aluminium diff enclosure that had to be recoiled.

I am going to go ahead and echo CSG David's statement that the S2000 is a special car. There is something intangible about the pleasure driving this car provides. I've driven cars that are more exciting on paper (read: faster) that just do not convey the same joy, this is a big part of why this particular car is loved by its owners so much. The S2000 is a car you buy because you love driving.

Its not a very practical car (but its more practical than some of its contemporaries like the 350Z, golf clubs or monthly groceries fit in the boot at least...), so I would never recommend it as your only car. If you're especially tall or fat you won't fit inside comfortably or even at all. Many people complain about the ride comfort, but the S2000 is as comfortable as you can expect a sporty roadster to be. By comparison its more comfortable than the Z4 and miles ahead of the SLK. If road noise and engine noise bother you, then you shouldn't be looking at roadsters at all, in my opinion. Another thing people forget is how big of a role tyres play in ride comfort and noise, and the S2000 got a bad rap for the Bridgestones it was released with (that were especially uncomfortable and noisy). If you love engine noise however, there are not a lot of cars on the market (and certainly not for S2000 prices) that sound as good as the S2000 does screaming to 9000rpm...

My S2000 is my daily drive, depending on which office I am going to, I either do 20 mile or 120 mile round trips. And I drive it hard, because that's what it was built for. Its a joy to live with. Few things relax me like driving with the top down in this car after a stressful day. I typically get 450km (just under 300 miles) out of the 50 litre (+- 13 gallon) tank, depends on how much I get stuck in traffic.

The S2000 has proven to be one of the most reliable cars available on the market today, and when it was still in production was topping owner satisfaction surveys. That said, the maintenance is a little more expensive compared to other Hondas, mainly because almost no parts are shared with any other models. I don't know how the maintenance cost will compare to the BRZ, I'd expect it to be higher.

The S2000s are also holding their value really well, and the car is on the road to becoming a real classic. Some have even started appreciating a bit in value, like white with the red leather interior I've noticed going for a premium. If the time comes to sell it you wouldn't lose much. A guy I know is on his third S2000, after selling the previous two after growing tired of it, just to go look for another 6 months later. Someone said earlier they estimate there is about 30k in California alone, but that sounds incorrect since only a 100 000 S2000s were built over its production run worldwide, doubt 30% made its way there, but what do I know. I saw quite a few S2000s when I was in the bay area last year.

A lot of people make a lot of fuss over the twitchy handling. This was mainly an issue with the original AP1 chassis, but it stuck with people and gets blown out of proportion a lot. Take it easy and learn the car before you try and see how fast you can get down a mountain road, just common sense really. It was further blown out of proportion due to how poorly the tyres it was sold with performed in the wet. Hey and guess what, handling at the limit is not relevant to 99% of car owners (even sports cars), because they don't track their cars and are not skilled enough to drive that way anyway. Driving as a skill is not respected enough by the typical male ego, if you ask me, and is not something you will develop doing 80mph down the highway...

If you do decide to go for the S2000 there is a wealth of information available on forums like S2ki to make sure you avoid common problems, both before and after you buy. Do your research and get a car that was properly maintained. Don't buy one if the roof hasn't been taken care of properly, it is quite expensive to replace, and doesn't bode well for how the rest of the car was treated.

[MattZ28]

Excellent post. I've decided I'm going to get rid of my S2K within the next few months for a BRZ Limited. It will be far more practical to have as a daily driver, and the only reason I'm letting this S2K go is because it has 100,000 miles. Later on, I'll get a lower mileage one to have as a weekend car. I've decided an S2K is something I don't want to live without, but I don't want to have it as my only car...and if it's going to be a garage queen / weekend car, it'd better be a pristine example of one

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by MattZ28

Excellent post. I've decided I'm going to get rid of my S2K within the next few months for a BRZ Limited. It will be far more practical to have as a daily driver, and the only reason I'm letting this S2K go is because it has 100,000 miles. Later on, I'll get a lower mileage one to have as a weekend car. I've decided an S2K is something I don't want to live without, but I don't want to have it as my only car...and if it's going to be a garage queen / weekend car, it'd better be a pristine example of one

100k miles is nothing on a s2k. It's barely broken in. I know guys with over 200k on the ODO that track their cars.

[avox]

Originally Posted by Zaggeron

I don't think the s2000 retails used for 37k. A quick check on my local Craigslist netted a dozen or so modest mileage examples around 5-7 years old for under 15K. Likely be at or around 25k for a 2008-9 model with low miles -- more for the CR.

I have an 01 s2000 with 27k last year they made it with the 250hp motor the reason the 02 up models are cheaper is because they dont have the 2.5L L4, i also have a 13 FR-S and the fr-s is my DD. IMO the fr-s is far more balanced stock and fun to drive then the s2000. Stock for stock i enjoy driving them both, they each have there pro and cons.

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by avox

I have an 01 s2000 with 27k last year they made it with the 250hp motor the reason the 02 up models are cheaper is because they dont have the 2.5L L4, i also have a 13 FR-S and the fr-s is my DD. IMO the fr-s is far more balanced stock and fun to drive then the s2000. Stock for stock i enjoy driving them both, they each have there pro and cons.

2.5L? uhh.. what? 250hp? uhmmm.

[CSG Mike]

Does not compute... unless he has a F20C3... and a 2.5L stroker was put in all 02+

[FreshFRS]

Originally Posted by avox

I have an 01 s2000 with 27k last year they made it with the 250hp motor the reason the 02 up models are cheaper is because they dont have the 2.5L L4, i also have a 13 FR-S and the fr-s is my DD. IMO the fr-s is far more balanced stock and fun to drive then the s2000. Stock for stock i enjoy driving them both, they each have there pro and cons.

your car (unless it has a stroker kit which is not stock) is a 2.0L L4 F20C with 240hp and 155lb/ft(IIRC) redlining at 8800, Fact i had one.

I sold mine only for the fact that i was cramped in the seats, i'm well over 6' and put up with it for 4 years. Stock for stock i'd say from my test drive the FRS given great tires and some power (not much) could compete with a bone stock S2K. that being said, to sit comfortably in something that small was a great achievement for toyota.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by FreshFRS

your car (unless it has a stroker kit which is not stock) is a 2.0L L4 FC20 with 240hp and 155lb/ft(IIRC) redlining at 8800, Fact i had one.

I sold mine only for the fact that i was cramped in the seats, i'm well over 6' and put up with it for 4 years. Stock for stock i'd say from my test drive the FRS given great tires and some power (not much) could compete with a bone stock S2K. that being said, to sit comfortably in something that small was a great achievement for toyota.

You just needed an aftermarket seat rail