Quote:
Originally Posted by Frost
UPDATE:
So after much advice from this thread, I test drove an AP2 S2000 and a 2015 BRZ and here are my thoughts:
S2000 Pros:
1- That engine is a marvel. It sings and it has a very smooth and while not quite linear, it a has very satisfying increase in ramp after you get past 5k RPM to 8k.
2- Shifter was fan-friggin tastic. SUCH SHORT THROWS. Definitely did not miss a shift due to the transmission.
3- VERY SNUG seating - I'm not fat fat but it was snug and held me in place. Could be a con for others.
S2000 Cons:
1- I'm only 5'10" and had a hard time finding a proper seating position? No tilt wheel meant my knees and hands were hitting each other if turning wheel with hand at 5 to 7 o'clock positions. I need to reinvestigate this.
2- Rag top, $$$ to replace - mine had a minor rip that I can only see exponentially getting worse.
BRZ Pros:
1- Seating was much easier to adjust overall than S2K
2- MUCH more cargo space
3- Better steering feel than S2K
BRZ Cons:
1- Odd high engagement point for clutch (ja ja ja - I know about this but was still oddly surprised)
2- Engine has a sweet spot but then falls off either side. I've driven lower power vehicles (my old MR2) which didn't feel as bad. Once I got about 4.5k RPMs, it felt good then after 6.5k RPMs felt like it wasn't doing much. My butt dyno tells me the best was around 6 to 6.5k RPMs.
Right now in my autopsy of the event - I need to reinvestigate the S2000 seating position again before I can truly determine which to buy. The S2000 brought more smiles to my face but was tarnished with having the top up (it was freezing today) and the issue with the seating.
Will let you guys know.
Frost
|
Seating position isn't so bad. I'm also 5'10, maybe 5'11. Knees are definitely close to the steering wheel but don't touch. The steering wheel feels like it's in a good spot to me, honestly. I liked the telescoping wheel on the FR-S but didn't think it really had much adjustment room. I felt it was best all the way out and all the way down... or maybe just slightly above all the way down. Probably would only set it once and never touch it again. There definitely is more room overall though. I kinda wish the throttle pedal on the S2000 was a little bigger/extended further down to make heal/toe easier for taller people.
Def give it a try topless. The S2000 just comes alive with the top down. I hate driving it with the top up due to the visibility difference. About the steering feel, TBH, I didn't really notice it to the degree people say. The FRS/BRZ did feel a little more natural but the S2000's steering speed/turn-in response still felt sharper to me, even on the AP2. Both cars have pros and cons, for sure. I'd like to have both. ;( lol