Quote:
Originally Posted by rice_classic
I like to think of this engine as coming from the factory de-tuned. Only 100hp/liter seems low by Japanese performance standards. They expected this car to modified. Remember the S2k had 9k rpms which is wonderful but it was GUTLESS under vtec (former AP1 owner). In fact it was that specific reason they switched to the 2.2 in 2004.
It is, sort of. Do the math.
The s2000 MSRP'd for $32-33k and there were big markups at first. The real reason the S2000 is faster than the FRS is because 2 things and 2 things only. Tires and HP. If you put the OEM S2000 tires (Potenza S-03) on the FRS with identical staggered sizes as the s2k and added 40hp, do you think the FRS would be as fast as the S2k? I do, and those things can be done for a hell of a lot less than $33,000! Plus you get more storage room, more torque, more speakers, more passengers and better fuel economy; all with $$ left over.
So you see, it would have been easy for the FRS to be faster from the factory than the S2k, but then it wouldn't have MSRP'd at $24,900. So to make this car as fast as the s2k from the factory would have made it cost more (and there's lots of people who are happy with the 200hp) and thus they would have sold fewer cars to fewer people at the same margin.
Say it with me folks... Cost Benefit Analysis.
In this case, the consumer won.
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If you drive any car well, you should never fall out of the power band. Ive tracked my s2000 at 4 norcal tracks, and ive never run into a situation that im under 6k rpm. The ap2 was slightly more tractable, but the big advantage it had over the ap2 was its shorter gears. The ap1 trans is geared far too long for its power output, much like the usdm nsxs. With a shorter final drive 4.44 or 4.77 the car becomes MUCH faster and at least equal to the 2.2 due to the extra 700 revs.
I agree with what you said. I actually love the frs. I just dont believe in boxer engines that aren't porsche made. The big issue here is that the OP is talking about a USED s2000. You can get a great low milage one for under 17k. At that price the FRS doesnt stand a chance. A stock s2000 with brakes, tires and a gtc-300 wing is a SERIOUS track car. You can compete with cars that cost 5x the price if you know how to drive the car.
New s2000 @ 34k vs new frs @ 25k is a tough choice as 9k is a big deal, but a used s2000 is one of the best out of the box track cars on the planet for a very low price.