FR-S vs S2000

[vang]

I currently own a 2003 Honda S2000 and love almost everything about it. However, I'm very excited about the new FR-S and have been considering selling the S when the FR-S comes out. However, I'm concerned about being sorely disappointed if the FR-S is NOT better than the S, especially because the "leaked" info is suggesting that the FR-S will not be as light-weight as we were previously led to believe (more like 2800lbs and not 2600lbs.). I'm definitely not knocking the FR-S, it's impressive that one would even cross shop a $20k+ Scion sports coupe with a $32k+ (when new) flagship Honda sports car.

More of a dilemma, would you rather spend $22-25k on a used S2000 CR or on a new FR-S?

Advantages of the CR is that: 1) it's already collector worthy with limited production numbers, 2) proven performance/chassis, 3) well established aftermarket support.

Advantages of FR-S: 1) will be newer, and 2) seats 4, well two adults and two midgets.

What are your thoughts? Worth it? The S definitely has a power advantage over the FR-S, but we don't know how the FR-S will "feel" yet. Handling and fun factor are my top priorities, and I do NOT need four seats. Just wondering if anyone would give up their S2000 for the FR-S or choose to buy an FR-S over a lightly used S2000. The DriftKing himself said that the S2000 is like a new AE86. Now that we have the real AE86 replacement, which would you choose?

[mokinbird87]

I think unless you need the 4 seats, you`d be better off with the S2k. couple of reasons:

S2000 IMO is designed with less compromise and more as a racing car than the FR-S: double wishbone all the way around, engine sitting aft the front suspension completely. I see the FR-S being a VERY capable car but it still addresses the daily practical problems such as the rear seats and cupholders S2000 doesnt care for all that.

However, I`m never relaxed in a S2000 like I am in a miata. I want to say it's the power difference, but I dont think that's the only reason why. I feel like S2000 is more snappy and quite difficult to drive fast (or I`m just a bad driver LOL) but I get the weird feeling that the FR-S will be able to driven easier at the limit than the S2000. But then again that is all just a speculation since none of us has driven it yet.

and if you prefer the way the FR-S looks over the S2000, why not?

[Dave-ROR]

CR's are great cars. If you love the S2000, get the CR.

[quik1987]

I think the FR-S is more practical, will have better aftermarket and has more longterm potential.

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by quik1987

I think the FR-S is more practical, will have better aftermarket and has more longterm potential.

Definately. However he's fine with the space/practicality that the S2000 offers so that's probably not a decision maker for him.

If I had really loved my S2000 I would get a CR most likely as well.. but I never felt like I used it enough to make it worth it. I plan on using the FRS/BRZ every day, it will be my daily driver and a track whore when time and funds allow (race car first).

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by quik1987

I think the FR-S is more practical, will have better aftermarket and has more longterm potential.

thats a pretty bold statement. how do you come to those conclusions? im just not seeing it. the honda made many more s cars than toyota will of these things. the honda has a much deeper history. why would the aftermarket cater so heavily to a less produced culturally significant car?

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by fatoni

thats a pretty bold statement. how do you come to those conclusions? im just not seeing it. the honda made many more s cars than toyota will of these things. the honda has a much deeper history. why would the aftermarket cater so heavily to a less produced culturally significant car?

S2K parts are also insanely expensive. Better to me meant similar selection (which I admit I can only hope for currently) with the "S2000 Tax"

It will definately be more practical though.

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

S2K parts are also insanely expensive. Better to me meant similar selection (which I admit I can only hope for currently) with the "S2000 Tax"

It will definately be more practical though.

i get that but the aftermarket seems to parallel the price of admission. the parts for a 35k car are going to be more than the parts for a 25k car just because they assume buyers can afford it. with cost of the car lower that means junk companies are going to want a piece of the action too which means more but not better so it might be harder to discern decent entry level products from the junk. either way i dont see the need for a huge aftermarket. just the parts i want

[quik1987]

Originally Posted by fatoni

thats a pretty bold statement. how do you come to those conclusions? im just not seeing it. the honda made many more s cars than toyota will of these things. the honda has a much deeper history. why would the aftermarket cater so heavily to a less produced culturally significant car?

Cheaper car = more money for parts

Cheaper car + youth market target oriented + decent specs = longterm potential

Scion + Toyota + Subaru = More cars sold than S2000

Roof = More cars sold than S2000

Potential ease of Subaru engine swaps = more potential

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by quik1987

Cheaper car = more money for parts

Cheaper car + youth market target oriented + decent specs = longterm potential

Scion + Toyota + Subaru = More cars sold than S2000

Roof = More cars sold than S2000

Potential ease of Subaru engine swaps = more potential

cheaper yes but we dont know how much its going to cost. i still think that anywhere north of 24k alienates alot of the "youth". these young people arent going to get that maybe hp or explicit stats arent the most important thing and for them they have mustangs and ms3s. the toyota subaru scion thing isnt going to work since you have to understand that the three are going to cannibalize eachothers sales. the roof thing is subjective even though i would rather have a serious sports car with a roof. im not gonna talk about motor swaps because i dont know anything about this car. i guess we are going to have to agree to disagree on this one. time will tell

[vang]

Thanks for the replies. I'm a little surprised with the responses, but glad to find that FT86 fans are genuine enthusiasts and not some fanboys. After some thinking, I think I'd rather add the FR-S to my garage than replace the S2000. I'm really excited to see how the FR-S performs. Hopefully the technology/information that Toyota gained in developing the LFA will trickle down.

[OldSkoolToys]

Originally Posted by fatoni

cheaper yes but we dont know how much its going to cost. i still think that anywhere north of 24k alienates alot of the "youth". these young people arent going to get that maybe hp or explicit stats arent the most important thing and for them they have mustangs and ms3s. the toyota subaru scion thing isnt going to work since you have to understand that the three are going to cannibalize eachothers sales. the roof thing is subjective even though i would rather have a serious sports car with a roof. im not gonna talk about motor swaps because i dont know anything about this car. i guess we are going to have to agree to disagree on this one. time will tell

He's talking about general sales, not enthusiast sales.

The fact this car has a roof, and two (tiny) seats in the back, and can hold more cargo means MORE will sell than the S2K (split between Toyota and Subaru), which means 10-15 years down the line it'll be much easier to find parts for your FR-S in a pick yard. More sales means more shops will find inexpensive ways to make them faster, since there will be a relatively larger market.

I'll say the only reason I don't own an S2K right now is because I have no long-term love for roadsters. Bottom line. They're nice every now and then, but I can't enjoy a roadster as much as a coupe. Personal opinion.

[leechungsr]

It's impossible for the FRS to match the performance of the CR. It's just not going to happen, especially at its pricepoint.

Have you driven a CR? You may not like it. It's precise and cuts like a knife with unlimited grip. Unfortunately, it's also really noisy, stiff, and tiny. On top of that, every douchebag on the freeway tries to race me...which gets annoying really fast.

I almost prefer an AP1 S2000 over the CR at this point. The ricer in me still likes the torqueless F20C, and I can appreciate the luxuries in the standard S2000.

[blur]

Ill argue that the FRS is more racing oriented than the s2000, simply from having a solid roof. It is more bare bones in the sense that it does not deem a convertable top a necessity.

However, seeing as a convertable version is planned, I'd guess that it'll feel like a slightly underpowered s2000 ap2.