How does driving an early Honda S2000 compare....

[Lankan]

....to the Vee?

It appears that there are a lot of crashed S2000's (especially early models made between 1999 and 2001). Apparently the suspension set up did not cope with undulating and/or off-camber B roads, or wet roads, and quite a few ended up in ditches/hedges and/or upside down. As such, are there any Vee owners who have owned these early generation S2000's? If so would like to hear your experience/feedback.......

Always liked the S2000, for its superb engine and gearbox, but have never driven one.

 

[Kett]

These were around when you bought your 986 Boxster new - right?
I was always surprised that the much smaller S2000's were heavier; a stat that reflects badly on the Honda.

Having said that - looks have stood the test of time and the Vtec redline was always a usp for the S2000.

 

[Lankan]

The S2000 was first introduced in 1999, alongside the 986 Boxster (2.5 litre), but the S2000 did give it a beating - the 986 was underpowered. Indeed, if I remember correctly the S2000 also gave the BMW M Roadster, SLK and Audi TT a good fight as well, and won. My focus was the Boxster S (never really considered the non-S in either form - 2.5 or 2.7 litre), and none of the above were a match for the S at that time when I ordered mine in 2000. The S was too accomplished to the point of being quite mundane/boring to drive, which I only realised after acquiring a 993 a year after purchasing the S, so the S had to go. From then on I went backwards in time through Porsche's offerings, and the older they were the more interesting and enjoyable they were to drive.............and now I have found the prefect replacement - the Vee!

As I recall the S2000 was lighter than all of the above (except perhaps the 180bhp TT), so its weight wasn't the problem, but I believe its handling characteristics were its achilles heel - easily unsettled on bumpy roads, and lift-off and/or snap oversteer, especially in the wet. Now this is what I have read, not experienced myself as I have never driven one, but there is plenty of evidence of the early models being written off. So the same sort of hype surrounds early S2000's as it does the Phase 1 Vee - hence why I am curious to find out how they would compare since I haven't driven either.

 

[Brett]

I suspect its exactly the same hype as ph1 vee's. No handling issues just gun ho drivers taking to the wheel and giving the chassis no respect of its layout.

 

[Kett]

I'm still struggling with this 'modern classic' malarkey...

...I'm still convinced that it's dealers / journos trying to warp our perception of ultimately hum-drum older cars.

The reason why folk bought a new S2000 in lieu of a new Boxster S was fiscal. (I totally agree that Boxster S ownership was a soulless experience however.) It seems remarkable that the used S2000 prices are commensurate with Boxster S prices. Ludicrous really!

Those photos that Mark recently posted of the ph1 v6 being hand-built made me quite gushy. 'Modern classic' stamp of approval.

 

[Kett]

I still think the original 986 will come back in a big way. Almost a proper bedroom poster car in it's day...

 

[Lankan]

I suspect its exactly the same hype as ph1 vee's. No handling issues just gun ho drivers taking to the wheel and giving the chassis no respect of its layout.

Quite possibly, but it seems that the S2000's suspension was revised three times over its 10-year lifespan (model years 2002, 2004 and 2006). As I understand it, the suspension was made progressively softer, which is why it would be great to find out how an early version (MY99-01) compared with a Phase 1 Vee.

Quite a battle on track between a Phase 2 and an S2000 (note sure which incarnation it is). The S2000 appears to be quite a handful, seems like it wants to get the back out at every corner - not smooth at all! LINK

The narrative translates as follows, which seems to imply that the Vee was driven by a chap who doesn't have his driving licence?!
"Video made at Clos du Mas behind a V6 Clio driven by a young man who has not the license !!!!!
Cleanliness I have my car to a friend in need on this video."

 

[Kett]

I'm taking the narrative comment is a sarcastic remark?

That S2000 does look lively but that could be a number of things: set up / tyre condition / reduced down-force without roof...

Good find Dulan. I can see the appeal!

 

[Duncan]

I drove a friends one at a track day, he let me do half a day in it so I got a reasonable feel. I'm too big for it (6'3) so could barely fit in the tiny cockpit, but aside from that it was a pretty impressive bit of kit.
Much faster than I thought it would be and had massive levels of grip (it was on slicks though). I guess it was sort of similar to a ph1 on track, in that you respect the car and need to learn how to drive it, but it doesn't have the interesting weight shift sensation the vee does so it was easier to master.

I'd feel more confident in extracting a better lap time out of the s2000, but would much rather be driving the vee. The trophy would muller both!

 

[IainT]

Never driven an S2000 but found myself stuck behind one at my first track outing in my 182 Turbo last weekend. Appreciate driver, tyres, setup, etc play a massive part in determining the cars road manners but this thing was really struggling out of any corner, eventually doing a 360 right in front of me at the end of a full lap of holding me up. This was a 2005 car.

Fast forward to later in the day and I found myself behind same car again who managed not to spin out for 3 laps but instead became a rolling roadblock. I couldn't be too upset as the guy was clearly having to concentrate hard to keep it on track to be looking in his mirrors.

Shared the road with a few various S2000's over the years whilst out in the Vee and always enjoyed the screaming vtec engine but ultimately they leave me a bit cold.

 

[Lankan]

Thanks for your feedback guys.

Just as I thought (and expected) getting the most out of an S2000 is down to the driver, which is what one would expect from any old-school motor.

Ian, judging by its spec, the S2000 will struggle out of (slower) corners unless one keeps the revs in the VTEC range when going into one since low down torque appears to be minimal. I have also heard that the 2000 is very sensitive to its geometry set up and needs tyre pressures to be spot on.

Duncan, do you happen to know which model year it was that you drove? Fully agree that the V6 Trophy will give the S2000 a right caning

 

[Duncan]

It was an early V Reg one I drove so a 1999/00 registered car.
Reading your post Iain reminded me that the guy who owned the car I drove spun it a few times and so did some of his pals who also drove it.

 

[IainT]

I remember watching one rotate itself on the Evo triangle without much apparent provocation on a YouTube video a while back. Found it:

http://youtu.be/R_6IjnCcU1Y

 

[Lankan]

I remember watching one rotate itself on the Evo triangle without much apparent provocation on a YouTube video a while back. Found it:

http://youtu.be/R_6IjnCcU1Y

Interesting video - seems like the car was unsettled - did it hit a bump (the road seemed quite bumpy), and/or it may be that the driver came off the throttle. The car in front braked before turning in (scrubbing off enough speed), then took a wider line through the bend, thus unsettling it less. This is a public road so one is not supposed to go off line unless it is safe to do so (and under no circumstances in blind bends), but in this case IMO it was safe to do so.

What I think happened: the yellow car in front braked earlier, took a wider line, and got through the bend without scrubbing off too much speed. The one following tried to maintain speed, but took the tighter line, realised that he was carrying too much speed (possibly at the onset of understeer) and lifted off whilst turning. This is what I have read to be the recipe for disaster with these cars. The same applies to our Vees, or any rear engined car without electronics to get one out of trouble, especially with more weight to pivot one around.

 

[IainT]

What I think happened: the yellow car in front braked earlier, took a wider line, and got through the bend without scrubbing off too much speed. The one following tried to maintain speed, but took the tighter line, realised that he was carrying too much speed (possibly at the onset of understeer) and lifted off whilst turning.

I think you're probably spot on right there :approve:

 

[Ali]

Just looks like poor driving to me. Nowt to do with the car per se.