Reason not to buy a Used S2000

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by ayau

An s2000 is like 2,800lbs.

Ah my mistake, still leaves the sc 600-1000 lbs heavier depending on the year and trim level. Can't fathom anything that can compensate for that kind of weight.

@1086 Ah see, I don't care what it looks like, I look at the Lexus and just see weight that makes me think 'well go compare it to muscle cars', to each their own.

I'd also like to mention the Abarth, the most fun car I have driven on public roads.

[Whitigir]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

If there was an S2000 coupe, I'd be in one right now. But convertibles are a PIA for track days, so it's a no-go for me.

They do have hardtop!

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by Whitigir

They do have hardtop!

Getting hard to find, pricey, and also Doesn't count for many/most track-day orgs. I installed a $650 Hard Dog roll bar in mine right after I bought it

[DarkSunrise]

Yep as ZDan said, the hardtop is pretty much useless in terms of adding structural reinforcement and doesn't count worth a dime. Most orgs/tracks won't let you run without a roll bar at the very least. And some places won't even let you track with a convertible period, regardless of rollbar (e.g. BMW CCA).

Once you put a roll bar in the car, you won't want to drive it on the street bc of the risk of slamming your head against the bar in an accident. So it becomes more or less a track-only car at that point.

[Drobinson1692]

I actually am one of the people who set out to find a perfectly unmolested, clean car. It was from an older gentleman in Missouri, car is now in Indiana. I love driving this vehicle and have to say the engine, handling, and driving experience of it is greater than the twins. I love how the interior makes a cockpit around you. I know that'll stir some trouble, so it's just my humble opinion. Also I bought it knowing it would hold it's value if I didn't mess with it.

Interestingly enough, I am looking to get out of it and into a twin in the near future. Reason being is I'm going to medical school and no longer can have a small, convertible, sports car. The BRZ is large enough to get groceries, carry my backpacks, and have 4 passengers if really needed. I know most people will insult the switch and say it's not worth it, but I've made up my mind. It's a downgrade IMHO and the S2000 is one of the best driver's cars I've ever experienced. You also have to remember that the car was nearly 10k more leaving the factory....

Here's my baby- a 2007 with 21k miles in a rare color. She should sell upper 20's.

[Whitigir]

Originally Posted by Drobinson1692

I actually am one of the people who set out to find a perfectly unmolested, clean car. It was from an older gentleman in Missouri, car is now in Indiana. I love driving this vehicle and have to say the engine, handling, and driving experience of it is greater than the twins. I love how the interior makes a cockpit around you. I know that'll stir some trouble, so it's just my humble opinion. Also I bought it knowing it would hold it's value if I didn't mess with it.

Interestingly enough, I am looking to get out of it and into a twin in the near future. Reason being is I'm going to medical school and no longer can have a small, convertible, sports car. The BRZ is large enough to get groceries, carry my backpacks, and have 4 passengers if really needed. I know most people will insult the switch and say it's not worth it, but I've made up my mind. It's a downgrade IMHO and the S2000 is one of the best driver's cars I've ever experienced. You also have to remember that the car was nearly 10k more leaving the factory....

Here's my baby- a 2007 with 21k miles in a rare color. She should sell upper 20's.

Nice find. So I found 2 biggest reasons here

1/ Race Tracks Law, regulations
2/ Spaces for Groceries, or non-usable as a primary vehicle

Any other reasons ? Thanks for all your inputs so far

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

Once you put a roll bar in the car, you won't want to drive it on the street bc of the risk of slamming your head against the bar in an accident. So it becomes more or less a track-only car at that point.

My last 3 street/track cars have had 4-point roll bars. I've streeted them for upwards of 200k miles. IMO, a well-positioned roll bar isn't necessarily as risky on the street as it is often made out to be, particularly for a 2-seat car where there's zero chance of rear-seat passengers.

Is it additional risk? Yes. But not unreasonably more risk, for me anyway. Multiply the small risk of being in a serious accident by the small risk that your head will happen to be slung in the direction of the roll bar with enough velocity to do damage, and it's a pretty small risk indeed. Almost certainly smaller than the risk associated with, say, riding a motorcycle. Or skiing. Or doing track days. Of course it's up to the individual to do his own risk assessment and make up his own mind whether it's worth it or not.

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by ZDan

My last 3 street/track cars have had 4-point roll bars. I've streeted them for upwards of 200k miles. IMO, a well-positioned roll bar isn't necessarily as risky on the street as it is often made out to be, particularly for a 2-seat car where there's zero chance of rear-seat passengers.

Is it additional risk? Yes. But not unreasonably more risk, for me anyway. Multiply the small risk of being in a serious accident by the small risk that your head will happen to be slung in the direction of the roll bar with enough velocity to do damage, and it's a pretty small risk indeed. Almost certainly smaller than the risk associated with, say, riding a motorcycle. Or skiing. Or doing track days. Of course it's up to the individual to do his own risk assessment and make up his own mind whether it's worth it or not.

Yep I think that's a fair view. If it was just me in the car, it wouldn't be a deal-breaker, but I do tend to have my wife in the passenger seat often when I drive on the street. In the off-chance she did hit her head on the roll-bar and be seriously injured, I'd have a hard time accepting that.

[mackdaddytran]

I had an ap1 s2000. Although it was older, it was more fun to drive than the FR-S. It also wasn't as forgiving as my FR-S. It was a raw track car. The car had no traction control and I was terrified to drive it in the rain, you could seriously feel the car slip around.

But in honestly in a straight line the s2k was faster, but around corners I think both are really good. The FR-S is also a pretty good DD driver.

[Whitigir]

Originally Posted by mackdaddytran

I had an ap1 s2000. Although it was older, it was more fun to drive than the FR-S. It also wasn't as forgiving as my FR-S. It was a raw track car. The car had no traction control and I was terrified to drive it in the rain, you could seriously feel the car slip around.

But in honestly in a straight line the s2k was faster, but around corners I think both are really good. The FR-S is also a pretty good DD driver.

I also hear that the S2k rear Differential is not to be drifted, or overly used. I hear if you Donuts, and drift too much, it will be shot, and it would cost thousands.

**No traction controls** Sounds very raw to me.

I also agree with the point of risk that put a wife in. I am with you, unless, if I was to divorce LOL!!!!

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

In the off-chance she did hit her head on the roll-bar and be seriously injured, I'd have a hard time accepting that.

[Drobinson1692]

The 2007 models on have optional traction control which is very nice in the rain. A nice back up. Also the ap2s have stronger duffs. The thing about the differentials is that they can't be LAUNCHED. I couldn't tell you, but others drift and slide all the time without problems as long as the car is up to temp. Only problems I've heard from the diff is from repeated launching and clutch kicking. The LSD was designed with oversteer in mind


Sent by Tim using TebowTalk

[ZDan]

My '01 S2000 has 160k miles on the original diff. Been slid around many tracks in the northeast and Canada I pretty much never launch hard, though.

No traction control and no ABS (sensor died about 50k miles ago) hasn't been an issue, even driving in snow in Mass/RI winter weather.

[batmobilefrs]

Saw this at a car show a week or so ago, not sure if its a true hard top, looks interesting none the less. Still like my FRS

[Whitigir]

that thing is as ugly as sin