I have read numerous posts regarding this topic using Search, but a lot of them were a bit dated. I want to see if there have been newer cases where people made the transition.

The 2004 S2000 has been extremely fun to drive and reliable, but I am looking for a fun car with back seats.

I test drove various cars including used E46 M3 (too heavy, too big), used Mitsu Evo (too fast), GTI (a bit boring) and etc. After driving various cars, the MCS felt like the most fun and exciting car to drive on the street (not too crazy fast, but fast enough for the street and handles very well - similar to the S2000). However, I want to make sure that I am not making a mistake.

Thanks!

 

I am sure there are several con-current and ex S2000 owners that have made it to the MINI ranks. Poster "Donna" is one of them. I believe she used to own either a 2002 or 2003 S2000. Over a MINI2.com you'll find some others.

The Honda S2000 is a sublime car. Probably one of the best Hondas ever made after the now defunct Acura NSX. Unfortunately, Honda has also announced the death of the S2000 past the 2009 model year. The global financial crisis is taking a toll on speciality sports cars.

You are going from a high revving V-Tech engine and RWD drive to a Supercharged, forced induction cast iron block SOHC motor, mounted transversally and FWD. So yeah there is a huge difference there.

However, the MINI has its low end torque available to you a lot sooner than in the S2000 making it a fun machine to drive in the street. Although the MINI is FWD, it is one of the best handling machines out there. The MINI has the same rear multilink suspension found in BMWs. So essentially, your FWD MINI has an overengineered RWD rear suspension setup. How cool is that?

And of course the MINI is more practical being a hatchback and having a rear seat, something that you simply don't have in the S2000.

In terms of safety, the MINI is a stronger car (Compare the metal gauge thickness of your S2000 doors to those of the MINI). The MINI is built and feels like a little Sherman tank. Also the MINI has side torso and head side curtain airbags that you don't have in the S2000. In terms of safety, the S2000 has been criticized for not offering side torso airbags.

The Honda may be reliable (I owned 12 of them, not a single S2000 though) and have never looked back (I am in MINI #4).

My MINIs have been very reliable and my dealer has provided nothing but top notch service.

I think by going the MINI route you will be a happy camper. I am sure you'll miss some traits of the S2000 but by having a fun and decidely more practical car, now you will be able to enjoy motoring with the family like never before.

 

Thanks so much. You have been extremely helpful throughout my search for an MCS.

Thanks!

 

If there is such a thing as to fast, i would have to ask what your price range is? Im wondering if there is other options for you, however i think you should get a mini, and i have driven/owned quite a few different cars, from hybrids to unique sports cars.

 

I found this old post from Mark Ferguson, NAM founder dated 11/2003:

"Hmmm....interesting question. I currently own both (although the S2000 is going to a new home this weekend) and can provide the following thoughts.

The S2000

Pros
- Honda quality...nothing ever breaks and if it did it was quickly taken care of under warranty
- excellent gas mileage (~35 mpg on the highway, 25 around town if flogging it)
- treated like a king when it arrives for service because it is Honda's halo car (at least in the US...In Japan the NSX would be that since there is no Acura brand in Japan)
- fit and finish is excellent
- lots of Honda dealers so that you can get it easily serviced
- still not as plentiful as the MINI. Allocations have been only 5-7K units per year coming into the US

Cons
- No back seat
- passenger side airbag can't be disabled (so you can carry a child with you....or carry kids in my case)
- doesn't go well in snow
- tires can not be rotated as they are different sizes front and rear
- can expect a ticket (although I haven't gotten one in it) because you want to hit VTEC and run it to redline because it sounds like a F1 car at redline
- pre-2004/5 models have twitching handling...power-on snap oversteer


MINI COOPER/MINI COOPER S
Pros
- back seat suitable for two children with a little extra storage space
- eye catching...much more than the S2000 (in the early days the S2000 turned a lot of heads as well but the styling of the car doesn't stand out as much as Electric Blue Cooper S with tinted windows, roof flag, etc :smile That said no one ever spoke to me at a traffic light about it)
- excellent handling...autocross-wise it feels similar but could use a limited slip differential to get the power down. Also it isn't tail happy so you can explore limits in a more comfortable way.
- good resale value (The S2000s, though initially high, have tanked in recent months...I know this a little too well in selling mine)
- can generally be made to fit owner's personality through modifications more cheaply than the S2000. There just isn't much you can do to the S2000 without it becoming very expensive.

Cons
- can not always be easily serviced nearby due to low number of dealerships (in my case I have to drive about 45 minutes to the dealership and usually expect it to take the day...luckily all my services have been short)
- some dealerships (I haven't experienced this at my dealership) have been viewed as providing MINI owners second class service to BMW owners


Personally I have autocrossed both cars and have enjoyed them for different reasons. For a day to day driver (having kids), the MINI gets the nod. For top down driving in the mountains of Colorado during a nice summer day you can't beat the S2K. If money weren't an issue I would have both, but unfortunately I have had to be a bit more pragmatic so the S2K is finding a new home. At the end of the day it really depends on what you want out of a car, what the weather is like in your part of the world, if you have others you need to drive around, and your proximity to a dealership.

Hope this helps...

Mark"

 

I would go with MCS over GTi any day. I got the 2007 GTi and drove it for 2 yrs. I didn't have as much fun in it so... now I am back with a MCS.

 

I used to have a 2003 S2000 as a DD. I didn't go directly from the S2000 to the MINI, there was a BMW 3-series coupe in between, however, I too found myself wishing for something a little smaller. When I was searching for the MINI my goal was something along the size of the S2000, but that offered a back seat.

I find the MINI to be a much more managable vehicle to drive. While the S2000 was great fun, the rear end let loose pretty quickly, so I found myself constantly on my toes.

The added cargo room is fantastic! I used to have to carry around full sheets of foamcore board, unfortunately, it was only able to sit above my head wedged into the conv. top and sitting on the "rollbars".

It is a bummer to let the convertible aspect go, unless of course you are thinking about purchasing a MINI convertible :P

The S2000 definately felt quicker, and there really is no substitute for RWD, however, the MINI is a fantastic compromise. I would probably suggest that you hunt one down that has the John Cooper Works package, if you don't plan on modifying that is.

Any way, I hope my tiny bit of input helps you out.

-Chase

 

If the EVO is too fast, just don't push the throttle so hard.

 

I'm a convertible guy... and while I looked longingly at the S2000, my buying criteria were:
1) convertible
2) that could seat my fam of 4
3) that was the most fun to drive
4) that was less than $60K

With those criteria, the MINI convertible is really the only game in town...

Though the back seat in the convertible is a good bit tighter than on the coupe... it's shifted forward a couple of inches to make room for the folding top.

 

I think another sub $30K convertible alternative is the VW EOS. I doubt it is as fun to drive as a MINI, but it does offer room for 4 and has a solid retractable roof. Not a bad looking car if you ask me.

 

Very articulate, concise, comprehensive and accurate. Since the OP has test-driven, he must be aware of the back seat's limitations (in the MCS, that is). Other than the chance of his being disappointed in rear seat leg room for "the family", I think everything you wrote is spot-on. I came close to selecting the S2000 over the MCS when I ordered the MCS in 2003. The premiums being collected for the S2000 were a factor, but practicality had some to do with it also.

 

I looked at the EOS - I was intrigued by it, too... but I'm not excited about how they executed backseat headroom...

 

I just posted on the s2ki site i was a member of metro .I had a 03 with tein flex suspension,comptech s/c ,cf hood/top down mod while in motion and a whole lot of other stuff had the car for 60,000 miles and not a problem .Tracked the car at fall colors several time was always buying stuff at Ricks and hardtop guy .The s was a dream to own easy to maintain and it look held up until now .I getting a mini copper s 06 i have done a few mods already and a few more to come .In making the switch i'm very happy with the car.If there are any drawbacks it's mushrooms and the runflats which both can be addressed. I joind the long island mini chapter and plan to get active.I know the s had some issues chain tensioner wear and rear tire wear. I am happy with the switch

 

I have both, I use the MCS as my daily and the S2k as my weekend fun car.Both cars are extremely fun to drive for there own reason. The mini all the controls take more effort from the clutch pedal , shifter, gas pedal and steering. The S2k every thing is silky smooth. Does one drive better than the other not really, but the mini can be seen as more practical with the tiny back seat and small hatch.


They each have pros and cons test drive a few and buy what you like and not what someone on the internet tells you.

 

Those of you that own S2000s, please post pics of your rides!

 

Ancient pic
http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/5373/1010109cs5.jpg
will take some more with the mcs

 

Here are some pics

 

my car before my o2 mcs was an o4 s2k.

honestly nothing will ever replace that car in my opinion. i plan on owning one again in the future if fate permits. but the mcs was a fair trade off in my opinion. theres really no other car i would even consider thats in the same class.

owning the s for over 2 years, i knew the ins and outs of that car. it sounds stupid but i really felt at one with my s in the twisties, a true sense of full confidence because of how well the car felt hugging the road.

the mcs gives me that exact same feeling. granted its a little slower than my slightly modded s, but none the less its an excellent car with suffient power to boost you out the corner.

end result? you will forever miss your s the moment the keys leave your hands. everytime i see one nostalgia kicks in. but im sure the mini will take your mind off things.

 

I love the MINI, great combination of performance and looks. However, that said, I am 6'1" and 225 and I generally have the rear seats folded down be cause, to me there is no back seat

For me to sit comfortably there is less than 3-4 inches between the driver's seat and the edge of the real seat bench. With the seat folded down the headrest of the rear seat is about 2 inches from the back of of the seat. Ther is no way someone would be able to sit behind me (unless it was a child of less than 5 or 6).

The deck with the seats down is great; much better than my 'vette convertible where I cannot even fit a small pair of carry-on pieces of luggage in the space between the seats and the deck.

My Wife is 5'3" and when she sits in the passenger seat someone could fit behind her, but not someone my size for any period of time.

 

Getting into a Mini after an S2000:

• The seat is very soft.
• You're sitting up higher, but the dash is very high and you can't see out the front.
• The pedals are under your feet instead of in front of your feet.
• The shifter is too far away.
• Hey, no blind spots! You can actually adjust the mirrors out far enough in a Mini!
• No silly "engine start" button.
• It's much quieter when you start it.
• The shifter throws feel like they go on for miles, and it feels like there might be some lubricant used in the linkage.
• The revs come much more slowly, and don't go nearly as high.
• The steering can't match the precision of the Honda, but probably nothing can.
• The acceleration is the same as the S2000...so long as you never revved the Honda at full throttle or up past around 7000.
• The ride is a lot more harsh and jarring over impacts, even with non-runflat tires.

Essentially, the S2000 is a sports car. The Mini is a sporty car. I think the Mini is more fun to drive 95% of the time, which is plenty for me. When I drove an S2000 for 6 weeks I never was comfortable enough with it to really push it (except when charging onto the freeway - but even then I only got to use 3 gears before it was time to slow down). With the Mini, I was playing with it from day 1. Once you've driven the Mini for a week or 2, you'll forget all about the Honda and enjoy playing with your new friend.

Other cars to consider: Mitsu Lancer Ralliart, Subaru WRX, Mazda 3/Mazdaspeed 3.

 

(Basic Bolt-Ons: Intake, header, exhaust)
S2000 AP1 with basic bolt-ons against an 05 R53 MCS with basic bolt-ons + pulley from 5-70 = dead even. While the S2000 is an amazing car, don't over exaggerate it. In my opinion both cars are fantastic to drive, and of the same class. When it comes to stock suspension, hands down the S2000 wins, but throw some coilovers and sways on both, and the competition is pretty close.

 

I don't think I can exaggerate my own opinion!

I've only driven stock versions of both, and to me the feel of the S2000 is miles ahead of the MCS, regardless of how fast one or the other is (since both are faster than any street car needs to be). The steering, pedals, shifter, sightlines (out the front at least) are all delightful in the S2000 and the ride is even better than a Mini's.

I love my MCS, but the S2000 is a much more purposeful car. In fact, I love my MCS because it isn't a sports car! It's quiet enough to hear the stereo, the seats are reasonably comfortable and I can fit stuff in it. It's plenty fast enough to be fun, but not so fast that I feel like I'm wasting its potential.

 

The disappointing bit of the S2000 is the lack of potential in the F20...otherwise stock vs stock, yes the S2000 is a superior car...but it also costs an extra $10,000...

 

To me,, there was NO disapointing factor in the S2000. I had mine for almost 4 years, and belive it or not, im realy starting to miss the S. especiall once the warm weather hiys around here or "Top Down" weather. I too have always been a Convertible guy, and the S was the most fun to drive car ive owned. Maybe part of that is, when i did drive the S, it was a sunny day with the top-down. Since my S was not my daily-driver, i had a Sentra at the time i used for the winter,rainy days etc. I am also on the S2K.com site, still post there now and then and weve done various S drives and yearly meets.

Ironically, i want another S and soon! Looking around for another. Heres my S before i sold her. Only performance mods i did was an intake and exhaust, and thats plenty for me! The car was too Fast already! OH, and yes it handled awesome in turns.

 

Hurry up then. Honda will discontinue the S2000 after the 2009 model year.