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

[Marloon]

the more i love my s2000

[italy7]

thanks for the video i really enjoyed it! As a former '04 RX8 owner i had fun in the car but left something to be desired ...now comparing the Brz and S2k...

:happy0180:

[danielv]

awesome! I've been waiting for them to release this

[86'd]

I love ED.

My S2000 scarred me for life. Every car I have owned since then I have compared it to and every car thereafter has let me down in some way.

My only wish (much like the reviewers) is that the FR-S needs about 30 more HP, and IMO needs to rev to at least 8k.

Yes I realize I can go aftermarket, but that's not really the point.

We'll see what the next few years of changes (maybe) that Toyobaru brings...

[rice_classic]

I sort of agree. I owned an S2k and it was more fun to drive. But as an everyday driver, I enjoy owning the FRS more because it's: quieter, has more room and gets better mileage (while still being rwd and a blast to drive).

So from a program titled: Everyday Driver, I wasn't expecting them to chose a car that is actually a rather poor "everyday driver".

I guess I'm being pedantic.

[Superhatch]

For me the killer for the S2K was that it just wasn't DD material. It's amazing, I've owned 13 Hondas, and I wanted the S2K to be 14, but it just wasn't practical. I drive a lot for work (currently have 34K on my BRZ) and it holds LOTS of gear. I can fit a duffle bag of tools, a small carry on suitcase of clothes, and my tool/laptop laden backpack in the trunk along with misc. other small bags and boxes and still have my interior totally open. Fold down the rear seats and I can carry most of our heavier gear to the customer sites. This just isn't possible in the S2K.

I've driven all 3, and as far as DDs go my list is BRZ-S2K-RX8. The mpg rating on the RX8 just kills it when it comes to using it as even a back and forth to work daily. You're paying STI gas prices with FRS performance (0-60 6.3s vs FRS 6.6s).

Review after review, even if we don't place 1st, I am still in love with this car.

[ZDan]

I've dailied my s2000 since Feb 2007. 120k miles, 24 trackdays, and 6.5 New England winters since then. It holds a fair amount of stuff. Medium-size suitcase + duffel + laptop + hanging bag for trips w/ wife = no prob. Main drawback for me is fatiguing wind noise through convertible top. Would have *loved* a coupe/hatch version!

[redcelica]

Originally Posted by Superhatch

For me the killer for the S2K was that it just wasn't DD material. It's amazing, I've owned 13 Hondas, and I wanted the S2K to be 14, but it just wasn't practical. I drive a lot for work (currently have 34K on my BRZ) and it holds LOTS of gear. I can fit a duffle bag of tools, a small carry on suitcase of clothes, and my tool/laptop laden backpack in the trunk along with misc. other small bags and boxes and still have my interior totally open. Fold down the rear seats and I can carry most of our heavier gear to the customer sites. This just isn't possible in the S2K.

I've driven all 3, and as far as DDs go my list is BRZ-S2K-RX8. The mpg rating on the RX8 just kills it when it comes to using it as even a back and forth to work daily. You're paying STI gas prices with FRS performance (0-60 6.3s vs FRS 6.6s).

Review after review, even if we don't place 1st, I am still in love with this car.

so get a daily

[TouchMyHonda]

Stock for stock its splitting hairs as said... There really is not a "True" winner. S2k is better oem over oem? I would say so by a **** hair, but it means nothing when you start to mod. S2k = theft magnet, which is an automatic lose.

[cfusionpm]

I've always loved the S2000, but I also always hated the 32-35k price tag and the fact that it's not a coupe. The FR-S fulfills all the fun of driving an S2000 but adds back seats, a roof, and is 10 grand cheaper.

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by cfusionpm

I've always loved the S2000, but I also always hated the 32-35k price tag and the fact that it's not a coupe. The FR-S fulfills all the fun of driving an S2000 but adds back seats, a roof, and is 10 grand cheaper.

My thoughts exactly. The FRS/BRZ is everything I wanted the S2000 to be as a more practical car.

[Razz]

Good review.

I like the RX8 and am waiting for an improved BRZ or RX-9

[zygrene]

Originally Posted by cfusionpm

I've always loved the S2000, but I also always hated the 32-35k price tag and the fact that it's not a coupe. The FR-S fulfills all the fun of driving an S2000 but adds back seats, a roof, and is 10 grand cheaper.

When I was a kid, I hated convertibles because they were "girly" and I preferred the styling of coupes, but after test driving a couple of S2000's with top down on a sunny Cali afternoon, I couldn't resist buying one. Yes the mid-30k price price tag was a bit high, but nowadays you can find a clean example with less than 60k miles for $15-20k. Even with 60k miles the reliability factor is still way up there, assuming the previous owner(s) took care of the car. The same can't quite be said of the RX-8, based solely on what I've read about the rotary's reliability.

As a daily, though, FR-S and RX-8 are both superior to the S2000. RX-8 less so due to the poor gas mileage and less reliable motor, but at least it's got that 3rd door, back seat, and less wind noise compared to the S2000. To me, both the FR-S and RX-8 are compromised sports cars. They're incredibly fun to drive but make a few sacrifices to achieve a higher level of practicality. The RX-8's power advantage over the FR-S is mostly eliminated due to the extra 200-300 lbs curb weight.

The S2000 has no such compromises, and that's why I bought it as my "fun" car.

[cfusionpm]

If I could afford two cars, the S2000 makes perfect sense. As my only car though, I can live just fine with the FR-S.