FR-S vs RX-8 vs S2000 Review - Everyday Driver

[vangisback]

Originally Posted by QuikSilveRX-8

It's simple... The engine is a big rotor! It goes round-and-round your up-and-down blockhead menthality will never comprehend.

Homebro, all I'm saying is that for you to know all those tricks to get your car to run, you spend way too much time trying to get it to run. The only thing I know about keeping my S2000 running is putting the key in and pushing the push-start button. No other tricks to it. No warm/cold shut down, no pop-outta-gear tricks, not even a single prayer. Funny how rotards credit themselves for "knowing how to maintain cars", the rest of us just believe that a mere car shouldn't require that much work to keep working. Your engine might be a little unique, but you're not that special just because you have too much time on your hands.

To each his own, but I'd rather have a piston engine that can rev just as high as your rotary, is more powerful, and is reliable enough to handle abuse and daily use. I have no interest in that "novelty engine" because I'd rather spend my time doing other things.

[Fett4Real]

IMHO, I wouldnt buy an RX8 for a few reasons, theyre ugly my top reason. Gotta like what you drive. Their lines just dont work for me. Even if they came out on top performance wise in every area in this comparison. Still aint gonna happen.

The S2K is in my top 5 favorite cars. It doent have much cabin space, storage space, and is a few years old...getting one not abused is an issue. Hands down. Honda builds a great motor, and the S2K whether it be a 2.0 or 2.2 is a great engine. It handles great but in the end its to small, has no buisness being a DD. I can throw my snowboard in the back of the FRS, which I have to throw in the backseat of the TL. All around the FRS/BRZ is a great choice. I know it hasnt been beat on, hasnt been smoked in, and its beautiful to boot.

I think in this test if all the cars had the same tires it would have went differently.

[86'd]

I will add that I never really loved the styling of the S2000.

I always wanted a coupe, but ended up really liking the convertible.

The styling of the FRS is just better than both cars IMO.

The RX-8 never really appealed to me for the obvious reasons, and I didn't like the styling. On the road in your rearview however, it looks very similar to a S2000.

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If the FR-S had the F20C and was as fuel efficient as the FA20, it would be the perfect car.

[cfusionpm]

Originally Posted by 86'd

If the FR-S had the F20C and was as fuel efficient as the FA20, it would be the perfect car.

They make similar torque levels. Make the FA rev higher and you've got it.

[QuikSilveRX-8]

K20 slapped onto an RX-8 AISIN-A1 transmission, both K20 and the 13B engine weigh about the same, so 50/50 distribution isn't sacrificed. Two computers, ecumaster EMU is a stand-alone ecu, similar to the AEM, for the engine and the OEM ECU manages DCS/TCS and other electronics, but RPM have to be calibrated.

Reliability
Handling
Torque
HP
Body style

[Deslock]

Originally Posted by 86'd

If the FR-S had the F20C and was as fuel efficient as the FA20, it would be the perfect car.

No car is perfect, and many complained about the S2000's lack of low-end too.

We should appreciate the output, responsiveness, and reliability that Honda accomplished with the F20C, and the balance between emissions, efficiency, (lower but still decent) output, responsiveness, (expected) reliability, and price that Subaru and Toyota acheived with the FA20. Yes, Honda I4s and Porsche boxers have gotten to well over 8k RPM before, but have any other production Subaru boxers revved to 7450 RPM at any price point? (the 0.5L EN05 did, but I believe that was a straight 4)

Originally Posted by QuikSilveRX-8

K20 slapped onto an RX-8 AISIN-A1 transmission, both K20 and the 13B engine weigh about the same, so 50/50 distribution isn't sacrificed. Two computers, ecumaster EMU is a stand-alone ecu, similar to the AEM, for the engine and the OEM ECU manages DCS/TCS and other electronics, but RPM have to be calibrated.

Reliability
Handling
Torque
HP
Body style

http://www.rx8club.com/frankenstein-...5/#post4381464
http://www.rx8club.com/frankenstein-...6/#post4394487

Interesting swap, though it's worth noting that the torque and power output of the 13B-MSP is higher than the K20Z4 if we compare stock engines. Based on what I last read, that RX-8's K20 will be turbod to 420-450 HP, and its reliability is unknown. Then there's lag, change to the vehicle's vertical CoG (which may or may not be noticeable), and increased engine vibration.

I appreciate the passion, dedication, and ingenuity that goes into a project like that, though I'm also scratching my head at how much time and money it must've taken. If the objective is 400+ HP, an LS motor might make more sense (or a different car altogether).

[Fett4Real]

KTuned has a turbo K powered FD RX-7, the K series is a pretty reliable motor even turbo'd

[QuikSilveRX-8]

@Deslock, I have always stood by the motto: "Don't try to make a car be something it's not. You can do it, it's not impossible, but you can likely get to that goal cheaper, faster, and more enjoyably picking a car that is already much closer to your goal."

I can appreciate the constructive criticism of the few who prefer either the FT86 or the AP1/2 than the RX-8; AND I could kind of understand why the majority of the responses here with very little to no knowledge and experience of all three have to say what they had to, would you think the general consensus of the S2000 and the RX-8 community pick a different car than the one he/she already own?

Since we got off topic, I am also following a member's build of an RX-8 with an REW in place of the MSP engine, the LS motor is much more of an acceptable swap within the FD RX-7 community. Here is his build thread and some pictures: 365 day RX8 REW Build.

[WolfpackS2k]

Yes, Honda I4s and Porsche boxers have gotten to well over 8k RPM before, but have any other production Subaru boxers revved to 7450 RPM at any price point?

I could be mistaken, but weren't there several JDM market only WRX STI's that redlined at 8,000 rpm or higher?

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by WolfpackS2k

I could be mistaken, but weren't there several JDM market only WRX STI's that redlined at 8,000 rpm or higher?

EJ207, forged internals.

[iLuveKetchup]

Originally Posted by 86'd

I will add that I never really loved the styling of the S2000.

I always wanted a coupe, but ended up really liking the convertible.

The styling of the FRS is just better than both cars IMO.

The RX-8 never really appealed to me for the obvious reasons, and I didn't like the styling. On the road in your rearview however, it looks very similar to a S2000.

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If the FR-S had the F20C and was as fuel efficient as the FA20, it would be the perfect car.

I'm in the opposite side. I really like how practical the BRZ/FR-S are, but do not like how they look. They look very modern & will look dated in short time.

[WolfpackS2k]

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

EJ207, forged internals.

F20C & F22C both have forged internals as well.

That wasn't the question though

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by WolfpackS2k

F20C & F22C both have forged internals as well.

That wasn't the question though

EJ207 was the answer, pal. Forged internals was just for your information. Forged internals would have been on the V7 engine, not V8 or later I believe.

[WolfpackS2k]

Ah, thanks man. I thought you were saying forged internals, as some kind of exception

I wonder, is it more or less a rule of thumb these days, that any high revving engine (8000+ rpm) comes with forged internals?

(I'm 99% certain my GS-R doesn't have forged internals, but that's a 22 year old car...)