So, a dealership gave me a call. They have a black 2006 S2000 w/ 30 k on it. As much as I miss my Honda, Im getting excited. Im trying to head out sometime this week to look into a possible trade. My mini has 21K on it. Hope I come out on top with some extra money, especially if some people will hop on my parts

Cant wait to TRY to get the S2000, its listed at 19 grand from the dealer... not too far offf right?


Thoughts?

 

Your asking US on the Mini forum to condone your trade ;-)

 

I know, what a jerk who knows maybe I wont it all depends =/

 

Don't do it. Its not worth it. My buddy has one and you are going to miss the low end of the MINI quickly. And your going to miss the turbo.

 

S2000=crap, JMHO, but they were overpriced POS.

 

trader

 

I test drove a 2007 S2000 on some winding country roads in Monterey County before I ordered my MCS. To me, the MCS was much more fun to drive. You really have to keep the S2000 wound up to get any power.

As for daily driving, the S2000 has a much harsher ride than an MCS. My previous car was an Acura Integra, which has been a great car. So, I like Honda. Company for company, I would rate Honda much much higher than MINI/BMW, but the MCS is just more fun.

 

Per Honda's research VTEC engine character is the main reason why
1. One part of the people hates S2000
2. Rest of the people adores S2000.

I'm having Honda Prelude with VTEC for myself and MCS for my wife and like both.

Prelude is slightly slower as it is heavier, but its handling is more precise, you feel more confident and connected to the road. I like it's low sitting position, gravity center, wide body. I feel more control and confidence when going sideways in turns. And I'm saying to myself - if Mini had double wishbone suspension in all corners, big trunk and more interior room - it would probably weight more than Prelude. VTEC engine was one of the main reasons why I bought this Honda many years ago and still fail to find a replacement, but if I could afford a 2 seater... - I'd buy S2000 today - 10 years of production with minimal changes - it's a living classics already.

Mini Cooper S is another remarkable car - it's turbo engine's character was the first thing that I liked. It also likes being pushed to the limits... It's fun, but it's also twitchy. I just didn't have a chanse to understand it's character 100% partially due to the fact this is my wife's car, partially due to the reason it stays higher which scares me a little. 1st gen Mini CS I've driven felt a little safer in this respect...

 

OMG.... Jimmy, do you have money burning a hole in your pocket? You must be really unhappy. You've gone from Minis to honda to Suburu, back to Mini and now a honda....

What gives? Why are you so unhappy with the mini? Are you bored? Is it not fast enough? Does it not carve well enough?

You've been going back and forth for a while now, perhaps you need to start racing...

Obviously I like the mini but I want you to be happy so if a S2000 does it for you, great.... I just don't think you know what you want.

Can you say B-O-R-E-D???



Mark

 

don't get me started but you are WAY wrong to say at the very least


To the OP: Get the S2000 if your wallet can handle it......they are AMAZING cars for the money spent.
AP1->AP2 :D

 

The s2000 is priced at 18,900. Our bluebook is higher than that, so im hoping for a straight trade and something else =]

The mods off of my Mini should be able to get me some tein flexs or something nice

Yea, it doesnt have AS MUCH low end as our minis, but for a honda it has a pretty good amount. 0-60 is faster, so that HAS to mean something is going right... even if its not ALL due to torque

If I go back honda, I will miss being the only asian with a mini, I will miss turbo, I will miss super small back seats. lol

I wont miss that "weird" steering response I feel when I drive the mini, not evident in any other cars i like.

A harsher DD? ouch, my mini is pretty uncomfortable, our seats really do suck hahaha

I love VTEC, as much fun as it is to make fun of VTEC, it's fun. No lie

Mark! A burning hole? I wish! If i had a burning hole it would be 370 or evo x But like I said, Im only doing this if i dont lose money, so whats the harm in trying?

Racing? OMGZZSRS i street race 24/7

Really tho, I <3 auto x! =] I missed the last event and im trying to catch one at vir or cmp soon. Let me know when you head out to either one!

the S2k has that THING about it that makes me go hmmm that car is sick. even stock! Truth be told, It might be that Im getting bored/annoyed of the quirky twitchy mini =[

Nothing is wrong with a AP2! Yea yea lower redline but its ''faster'' =]

And I do miss RWD, my DD, that's been on lifts for a week, has made me drive the mini. and it leaves some things to be desired.

thanks for the input! Keep em coming!

 

Yes count me as #1, not to mention if your a true motor head aside from Subarus (and a few Nissans, and Mazdas) everything from Japan is garbage. Hondas and Toyotas are for people who don't like to have to think about their cars and driving, not those who obsess over it.

More precise, more connected to the road? Your saying the handling of your Honda Prelude is more precise than an MCS. . Well your certainly entitled to your opinion, even though it goes against the laws of physics. The MCS is probably the best handling car made for under $40K.

See above, I'm not trying to get you started, I know Hondas have their fans, just for the money I can think of 20 cars (at least) I'd rather own.

 

A previous Honda owner (a few) and now 2 previous and 2 current BMW's (and 1 MINI) and there is absolutely no comparison to the initial and long-term quality.

 

Okay, I ran a newer S2000 with my MINI and from 0-40 I had him. From 50-80 he had me, then i pulled him up until 130 until I backed off, and it was a nice constant pull. A nice run. I slowed down to line up again but he would'nt go.

 

If you are spending 18k on a s2k you are getting ripped off. My buddy cant get rid of his for more then 10k. It is a 2002 with 60kish on it and it is in awesome condition but the market just fell out with those cars. They are fun to drive and have great handling but the aftermarket support for them is just to expensive. Hell when your talking an intake that cost a grand its to expensive(Js racing carbon intake the only one that gives you decent n/a hp) Other parts are not any cheaper. Dsport is doing up a s2k right now and they are saying turbo it. You are talking about spending some money on modding. If you are talking about spending money go 370 or 135i. And ya Nissan>Honda anyday of the week.

 

I agree that the S2000 is and was an overpriced piece of crap. The early S2000s had to be spun to 9K to make their power and just trying to keep them in their powerband on a 1-2 shift was hell. Maybe it was amazing at the time to get that much HP per liter from the factory on a N/A motor but getting any more power from that plant is quite the chore. The handling was nice but definitely not deserving of the praise it gets as something like Zeus' golden chariot. I would rather have an RSX-S as an overall better performer for a lot less money not to mention 255 hp at the wheel all motor and easy. Beyond that I would take a Toyota MR-S with a 2zz swap(still cheaper) and blow the doors off the beloved S2000 on the simple principle of power to weight ratio, something the engineers over at Honda forgot about when engineering that cow.

 

I own both cars, regularly drive them both and yes, I am saying this. I also can add that I liked 1st gen MCS handling much more than that of the 2nd gen if it matters.

What physics laws are you referring?

Best handling under $40??? Have you tried RX8 for instance? Speaking of Prelude - in 1997 Car and Driver named the Prelude Type SH the "best-handling car under $30,000".

 

Sounds like a sweet deal! Jimmy I got the impression you were a JDM guy from the first time we spoke. If you've got the itch to return to your roots go right ahead bro. No hard feelings just make sure to stop by so I can check it out!

BTW there's an '06 blacked out S2k I see almost daily heading up Providence Rd. towards Weddington with an Invidia System and man does it sound sweet.

Dooeeeet!

 

I agree.... if that's truly where your roots are, I'd say go for it. Forget the nay sayers, any car can be made to handle and/or go fast.

Regardless, always stop by if you do it....


Mark

 

Of course ill stop by IF i get it! but I need to wait for a nice sunny day before I head out there =]

 

Hmmm, I used to sell Honda's. I never cared for the S2000's power delivery. Below 6k, it felt like a Civic, then it would explode to redline, so it's easy to get caught in the wrong gear. The car handles very well, but for street/canyon driving, I'd take a Mini. Plus there's a space issue. I felt very clausterphobic in the S2000 with the top up. BTW, with just a couple mods, I recently had NO TROUBLE keeping up with an S2000 to 100 mph, before I backed off for traffic.

But too each his own.....

 

did you get the s2k?

my dream s2k.....white w/ red interior ap1 just popped up at a dealership next to my house

2002 w/ 37k

if i can get them down to 15k i'm probably getting rid of my mini

i miss my hondas since that's all i've ever owned and my previously owned s2k was the best car i've ever had

i jump in a mini to try something different and i'm replacing the clutch/flywheel after 3 months (yay)

-Ricky

 

Get the S2k if you have another car to drive as a DD. I have a 2003 S2k and it is a much better sports car than the Mini as far as handling and feel for the curves. Not saying the Mini is bad but doesn't match up to the "S". The Ap2 has less Hp 237 but more torque and the redline is lower but still a great car. Although I will say 9k on a tach is pretty sweet Oh I have some Spoon Sport braces if your interested. Good luck.

 

If you like the S2000 Go for it

i don't know much about them as far as ride and handling goes. But they are one hell of a sweet looking ride.
i see two of them here in AZ on a regular basis and both are tuned pretty well, you can hear it in the exhaust. they both have a wicked deep throaty growl to them. Ones white with black rims, the other is black w/ black rims.

Bottom line is, you gotta drive it. So if you like it roll in it. Good luck

 

the ap2 makes more power to the wheel stock than the ap1 simply because of the extra .2 liters of motor.
the new SAE ratings for horsepower changed the specs from 240 to 237 when the ap2 came out.

i'm still working with the dealership so i'll find out soon if i'm getting it or not

oh and Spoon FTW

here's my Honda Fit i traded in for the MCS....



i really don't have a good reason as to why i sold it

thanks for the input
i used to have one so i just miss it to the point where i want another one