S2000 or BRZ, I want your personal opinions
 

Hey guys, not sure if this belongs in the VS subforum, but I thought it'd be good here.

I have an opportunity to inherit a 20k mile AP2 s2000 at no cost, or spend approximately 10k dollars to get a BRZ. My father owns the s2000 and babied it, so I know it's condition and service records. Now I realize that it comes down to whether the extra practicality is worth the 10 grand, but what I'm more curious about is what you'd do given the choice. I know both cars would be amazing, but I don't want to be sitting in the brz and regret spending the extra money for an arguably similar car. For what it's worth I'm 23 and the extra cargo room would be very useful, but not sure if i can justify the cost.

Updated with pics (old ones):
http://i.imgur.com/BCk80.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/rMBxp.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/nTcs2.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/6FHSw.jpg

well how about this, inherit the AP2 drive it for a while, test drive the BRZ and if you like both, make one a dedicated weekend warrior and have both but pay insurance on 1... :D

A free S2000 is pretty hard to beat IMO.

However I've owned both and it depends on what you are using the car for. I didn't enjoy the car around town all that much, not much space, small trunk, tons of road noise, not much steering feel compared to my other cars at the time. On the flip side it's a roadster which, depending on your roads/mountains in the area (not sure where in Cali you are) could be a ton of fun!

The BRZ actually reminds me a fair amount of the S2K, just tons more steering feel, a little bit better driver position (seat height adjustability, wheel tilt/telescopic adjustments), nicer seats, "back seats", a larger trunk, lower RPM on the highway and less road noise. In other words, for a DD it's the better car IMO. For an all out track car or more dedicated autocross car I'd probably say S2K, especially if it's a CR.

BRZ/FRS will be the most track ready car out of the box, and you can fly solo to events with all your gear, s2000's are still awesome and faster in a straight line, but there is something about the FRS and BRZ... i dont know how to put my finger on it, the car is so fun I forget that its not the fastest thing in the world, even in the most minuscule tasks it puts a smile on my face, when you move the steering wheel its like the car, the car come back and tells you "i know you though the handling was great in your last car, but THIS is how its done..." and it surprises you, i love doing quick 80 mph lane changes for no reason when there is no one around me, i drive more street now than highway, ive caught myself taking an exit or two early just so i can get a couple more upshifts/down shifts some acceleration and cornering in before my destination, lol

As a previous owner of the AP2 s2000. I wouldn't recommend it as a daily driver. Unless you drive to work on twisty mountain roads. The seats were just not comfortable for me (im 6ft 2), my elbows felt constricted, it's just not a very forgiving car.. the gas mileage isn't stellar either. It's a weekend car for blasts around curvy roads, but putting up with it on the daily is rough. That being said, I haven't driven the BRZ/FRS yet.

hmm, thanks guys, and that was some good insight Dave. I'm sort of irrational in that I tell myself that I don't need practicality, comfort, quiet-cabin, etc, but those are likely going to be the things that bug me as soon as the honeymoon period wears off.

The other part of the equation is what I could do with that money should I go with the s2k. That could be a lot of nice modifications, and a new computer. Or save it...psh.

I daily drove an S2k for 6 years and thought it was very comfortable and practical. Two cross country trips and 70K miles later I only sold it to get a back seat.

Take the free S2k. Here are my tips for using it as a DD....first, remove the tool kit and foam holder from the trunk, that gets you a lot more cargo space. Roll the tools up in an old T shirt and store them in the center of the spare tire. When you really need cargo space, just remove the passenger seat. I know it sounds weird, but I did this a few times and there's a ton of space over there if you're willing to spend 5 minutes removing the 4 bolts to take the seat out.

If you're driving cross country, fill the trunk and passenger footwell with as much clothing type baggage as possible. The more stuff you pack in both those areas, the quieter the car is at cruise. It makes a noticeable difference.

Enjoy it, fantastic car. It'll likely return about 28mpg and probably never require anything other than routine maintenance.

It really depends on your financial situation. Do you have a good job? Are you in school? I am inclined to tell you to take the free car, build up savings and then you could probably pay cash for your next car. The S2000 is no slouch :). It is not like you are getting a hand me down Corolla...

Also once the hype dies down for the BRZ they were be selling closer to invoice. So even driving the S2000 for 6-12 months may save you a bundle.

haha this says it all! As much as the s2000 was the funniest car I ever owned, and would buy another for a summer car I would never get it for a DD!
A ride with a buddy is fun but I still haven't meet a women who likes to ride in it. It's like a motorbike, fun as hell but impractical as hell.

IMO, get the BRZ

Also check insurance rates! S2000 is very high. Also if you plan on parking the S2000 anywhere other then a garage don't get it!!

PS: you are far more likely to kill yourself in a S2000 over a BRZ, you can push the Honda to its limits but once you F%*# up you will not be happy.

Free S2000 > BRZ, no matter how you look at it. Yes it's likely more expensive to ensure and is more demanding skill wise yet you have a luxury of driving a fun car: while:
- BRZ hype will wear off
- Early issues will be sorted out
- Modding community will learn a lot about proper setups

Go for S2000 now, get a BRZ in a year or two for less money, with less issues and with more knowledge on how to properly mod it without ruining its magic balance.

FWIW I'm paying a fair amount MORE for the BRZ in Insurance than I did for the S2000.

If you take off TCS/VSC in the BRZ you are just as likely to put it in a ditch.

Woah. S2k now. BRZ in 6 months. Done.

Get a free S2000 indeed. It is an amazing car to own. It will give you a great bottom line for what true roadster should be. You will be much more selective in your car choices after having a truly refined car. Somebody said "if you don't like S2000 you haven't driven it hard enough"...:)

I currently have both - my S2K at this point is track warrior only with gutted interior, racing seats etc. The reason I got BRZ I wanted something which will have the same/similar fun factor as an S2000 which I was missing as DD. And BRZ delivered! I have zero getting rid of our '10 STI SE for it. And I feel like I travelled 5 years back in time when I first got my S2000.

Having said that I wish I can own another bone stock S2000 to drive around with top down on nice days. I miss it a lot and BRZ doesn't do that.

Get an S2K - and you won't be disappointed!:burnrubber:

I was never a fan of convertibles, which was why I sold s2k for the brz.

Awesome guys, thanks a lot. I'm glad I got a some opinions from s2k owners, I was a bit concerned about the bias on a brz forum. I'll most likely go for the s2k. Im starting a good job right out of school, so it won't be long to get something different if I have a change of heart. Besides, maybe a turbo version will be out by then, at which point my mind will be made up. My mom, on the other hand, isn't too happy with me getting the s2k.

How hard is it to get a test-drive from a subaru dealership?

It would be silly not to take the s2000. Like others have said, drive it around and test drive the BRZ, if you feel like the BRZ is $10k better than make the trade.

It's different for everyone, and all boils down to your 1st priority of use for the car. I sold my S2000CR to build a NC MX5 track/street car. I loved the year I had the S2K, but I found the Vtec "hit" was less than ideal for my driving style on a road course, and brakes could be an issue. The MX5 inspired more confidence on track, and had no brake issues. The "broomstick test" requirement for convertibles was an issue for taller drivers even with racing seats. I'm thinking the 86 will be great on track, and have more utility on the street than either roadster. There just aren't that many top down days in my neck of the woods anyway. Having been upside down in a car before can dampen the ragtop fun as well.

What's the broomstick test?

go with the s2000 IMO, its a very fun car...sure it has its hassles..but you learn to deal.

I only say this because for many of us we are coming from s2ks, STIs, Supras, etc, and we are appreciating the BRZ much more because of what it offers that those cars do not.

During the initial process, BRZ/GT86 was built on the ideals of dulling down performance that are made of todays sports cars and to peel away the layers to get to the rawer form of driving. And to me, if we do not understand those layers with our own hands and feet, we cant understand the full nature of what makes the BRZ/FRS special, like the Miata.

A broomstick (or other straight object) is placed between the top of the windshield frame and the rollover protection (roll bar/cage). If the drivers head goes past that line, it fails and won't be allowed on track for many tracks and organizations.

It prevented me from enjoying my S2K on track quite a bit. It's one of the reasons I sold my S2K.

Support the world economy, buy a new car ;)

As a very proud BRZ owner, I still have to say you should absolutely get the s2000.

Something's missing here, the OP said "Now I realize that it comes down to whether the extra practicality is worth the 10 grand" I read this as your parents are giving you the S2000 or $20k. Is this the case?

Take the S and sell it if or when your ready, it's a great car. Resale it crazy high, especially with the low miles.

I'm a current s2k owner and I was counting the days till the brz would be released. once I drove it I was so disappointed. Sure the handling is nice (so is the s2k) but the car really felt under powered to me so I kept my sk2. The seats in the brz are way more comfortable, the cabin feels a lot roomier but the lack of power and soft clutch killed the deal. I would Take the free sk2. Who knows 2-3 years from now maybe they will release a STI version then you can upgrade.

wish there was a brz/fr-s vs s2000 thread

You have a headstart more than most in the market for a S2000 you know all this cars particular orgins and its mint....TAKE THE S2000...buy a BRZ/FRS in a year or so and have both....wish i still had my 1st gen Miata the S2000 is 1 of the cars i havent got around to owning yet it most resymbles the 1st gen Miata but with steroids BRZ/FRS is the other side of the 1st gen Miata personality with great steering feel and practacality...you'll love having both!:D

Take the s2k. This way it'll be one less person with sour grapes when a turbo'd version comes out.

Sorta. Basically I was given a choice of my dad's s2k, or the money that it's worth. I'm not sure why I got this deal, but I'm not unhappy about it. I'm not spoiled by the way, but it is a pretty awesome graduation present.

Loved the sarcasm :-)

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2162

Take the s2000 and use the 10k to get a dd/beater if you need one.

When I was 23 I would have taken a free anything much less a clean S2000! You can do a lot with ten grand. Wowzer that's a great way to get into a roadster!

Actually I'll still have my 97 civic until I sell it. Thing only has 75k miles.

i hear the frs has better dynamics stock than the s2k but once modded i have a feeling that vanishes quickly. taking on 10k in debt is always a bad idea, especially for a downgrade. keep the s2k unless you really plan to track the car. dealing with a convertible brings a host of mods that make the car pretty unbearable in the real world

Everyone should own an S2k, the S2k was my last car. Absolute blast until I ended up on a sidewalk... I sold the car for something more tame w/traction control and vsc... So now I drive the BRZ. But get the s2k! Just watch out for roof tears and leaks.

Life is expensive...take the S2000 and tell your dad, "Thank you very, very much...I love you man!" :) Save your money for other things in life...education, home, women, other toys, and mods for your S2000.

Regardless of free or not, the S2000 is a tremendous car. It's one of the best sports cars produced in the past 20 years. You will have loads of fun with it. That said, it does lack some of the BRZ's practicality. As someone else suggested, if you need more practicality...take the S2k and buy a $2,000 Civic hatchback beater/daily driver. If you've never owned a beater, do it. Having a car you don't really care about is so much fun and stress-free, particularly when you're young. Don't wash it, park it anywhere, and drive it into the ground.

VTEC just kicked in! :happyanim:

Actually I think the S2000 is the more capable and track ready package out of the box (in stock form). (This is coming from someone who has tracked an S2k for the last 1.5 years). I am looking to pick up BRZ for a daily driver since the BRZ offers a fixed roof,extra carrying capacity, and better gas mileage.


- F22C1 motor is proven to be very reliable provided modifications are kept to a minimum (intake, exhast, headers). We have no idea how the FA20 will respond to long duration of high RPM operation... Lets just say Subaru's track record with the EJ25x series of engines is ghastly.
- Stock Double wishbone suspension already has caster, camber, and toe adjustment on both front and rear ends. BRZ only has toe and whatever camber adjustment the slack in the bolts allow.

To the OP... if the S2k is free, I would definitely take that offer and learn how to drive it!

Free S2000? Or $20k and you finance a BRZ... I think since the car is cherry and you know its history you should probably take the S2000. The biggest thing that's deterring me from buying a faster used car over the BRZ is that I don't know who had it before me and what they did with it. I've owned one too many cars that seemed nice until I found several glaring faults and was very disappointed. In your case, you can't go wrong with the S2K, especially if you're keeping your Civic as a DD.

On the other hand, if you sell the Civic and make the S2000 your daily, keep in mind the fuel savings you would get if you switched to a BRZ; it would offset some of the $200/mo car payment you'd be making if you financed the remaining $10k. If you drive 15k mi/yr, you could save ~$40/mo on fuel, making it effectively a $160/mo car payment. Still, is it worth it? Up for you to decide.

Do you even need to ask this question?


Parts:
Wheels, Coils, Exhuast.

Or invest that money on your future house.

Also because S2K's are rare with that milege, and because they ceased production in 2009. BRZ is 2013, they will continue for a while.

capable yes, but how is the s2k track ready? unless maybe you are tiny and have a track that doesnt seem to care about safety standards. simply having a roof makes the frs more track ready