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02-02-2005, 12:24 AM
I wanted to put together a review of my S2000, now that I've got a few miles on it. A little over 4000, to be exact. For the longest time, though, I've either been too tired or too lazy to put together enough sentences to
make it worth reading. So I'm going to pretend to be alert enough for the next 1/2 hour, and just get through this. Broken down into logical sections:
Engine: Displacement is up to 2.2 liters (from 2.0) beginning 2004. HP remains unchanged at 240, but comes at a lower RPM. Torque is up 161 ft/lbs, and also comes at a lower RPM. The power curve is fattened as a result. I've never driven the 2.0, so I can't really comment on the difference in feel. But from what I've read in road test reviews, the acceleration from a standstill is nearly the same (0-60 in about 5.4 sec's, 1/4 mile in 14 sec's). Where it shows the extra power is in 30-50 and 50-70 acceleration times. Improving about 1 and 1.5 seconds over the previous engine respectively.
I was pretty cautious not to over-rev the engine, or push it hard during break-in. That made for some pretty lazy acceleration. For the past 2000 miles, though, I've been putting the engine through some pretty good paces, and it never fails to amaze me with its willingness to build power with such ferocity. This motor just wants to rev and rev. It constantly begs you to drive it hard. And it likes it. It loves it. It thanks you for letting it stretch its legs. And I'm not the type to turn down such an invitation. I gladly accept.
This little 4 cylinder never feels taxed, or buzzy like the MINI (et.al.). It's loud and raw, but somehow still so refined and smooth. Revs build quickly, and as the engine passes the "VTEC" cutover, the engines takes on a whole new life. With a loud metallic roar, the car rockets forward with authority. It's something you have to feel to believe. It's like no other driving experience I've had, and it keeps me coming back for more.
Oh, and how can I forget the throttle. Good old fashioned cable throttle. :thumbup: Response is immediate. More than immediate. It's like the engine is one step ahead of you, and has already been preparing for what your right foot has in store for it. Throttle blipping works like butta'. Matching revs on downshifts is super easy. Something you can rarely accomplish in the E46, whose throttle delay is seemingly measured in seconds.
Transmission: What can I say, except that I can't imagine a gearbox feeling better than this. Shifts are so minuscule, so smooth, so unbelievably precise. Every shift rewards you, and makes you pray that we never see the end of the manual transmission. It's like your hand is connected directly to the gear selector fork, snicking your way from 1st to 6th and back. What a masterpiece.
Gears are very short, which keeps you constantly involved in the driving experience (perfect!). Though, I can still find myself cruising around town at 40 MPH in 6th gear, and have no shortage of power to quickly gain speed as needed. A very flexible engine, to say the least.
70 MPH in 6th gear results in something like 4500 RPM on the tach. The benefit is that you're always in the powerband. Speed changes on the highway are immediate. I can't believe I haven't gotten a ticket in this thing yet.
I am a bit disappointed that the redline was dropped from 8900 to 8000, because you hit the rev limiter shortly after 8000, and you can tell that the engine still has a long way to go. It's by no means done producing power at that point. It could easily hit 9000, and remain useful. The 0-60 hurts as a result. I'll have to try it again, but last night I hit the rev limiter in 2nd gear, looked down, and saw that I was just passing 57 MPH. A 9000 RPM redline (or even 8500) would have been enough to get to 60 before requiring a shift into 3rd gear. Perhaps that would shave 1/2 second off the 0-60? I'll have to try it again to see if I can hit the magic 60 MPH in 2nd gear.
Interior: Spartan, exactly like I prefer it. There's little more than you need in this cockpit. A small array of controls for HVAC and radio, all close enough that you don't need to take your hand off the steering wheel to change temp, radio station, etc. Seats feel great, and hold you snugly in place left/right/up/down. The only way you could improve them, is to offer them in cloth (like Alcantara), which I would gladly option for.
Yeah, the dash is a bit outdated-looking. I've heard it referred to as "Atari"-like, and that's a good analogy. But that doesn't bother me. I like it simple, plain, and obvious. Give me only what I need, put it where it should be, and I won't ask for anything more.
Suspension: It's certainly stiff, but not uncomfortable. They firmed up the front suspension for 2004, and softened the rear. This in an attempt to control the rash of people putting their S2000's in the ditch following a small dose of snap oversteer. Personally, I'd rather have the stiffer rear suspension, and just take my chances. The back end oftentimes feels like it is going to pop up and come unglued. It's that soft. Well, more specifically, it's very stiff on compression, but too soft when the inner rear wheel unloads, giving you the sensation that the rear end wants to lift off. I've taken care of a lot of this by playing with tire pressures, and have found a setting that minimizes it to a great extent.
Lastly, the steering on this car is so razor-sharp. It makes the E46 feel like a big bloated pig. The S2000, in comparison, feel ultra-light and nimble. Goes exactly where you point it.
In summary, this is a no-nonsense package that has one purpose in mind. To drive with sporting intentions. This is not a good commuter car, and you definitely wouldn't want to take it on a long trip. The drone of the engine, along with the lack of sound insulation would drive you batty. Although, I'm a glutton for punishment, so that wouldn't stop me from doing it anyway.
What can I say, I love this car. It's the kind of car that a person like me searches for all their life. Looking for that single vehicle that fulfills all your wants, needs, desires. Things change, but at this point in time, I want to hang onto it indefinitely.
(I really need to get this car on the track)
make it worth reading. So I'm going to pretend to be alert enough for the next 1/2 hour, and just get through this. Broken down into logical sections:
Engine: Displacement is up to 2.2 liters (from 2.0) beginning 2004. HP remains unchanged at 240, but comes at a lower RPM. Torque is up 161 ft/lbs, and also comes at a lower RPM. The power curve is fattened as a result. I've never driven the 2.0, so I can't really comment on the difference in feel. But from what I've read in road test reviews, the acceleration from a standstill is nearly the same (0-60 in about 5.4 sec's, 1/4 mile in 14 sec's). Where it shows the extra power is in 30-50 and 50-70 acceleration times. Improving about 1 and 1.5 seconds over the previous engine respectively.
I was pretty cautious not to over-rev the engine, or push it hard during break-in. That made for some pretty lazy acceleration. For the past 2000 miles, though, I've been putting the engine through some pretty good paces, and it never fails to amaze me with its willingness to build power with such ferocity. This motor just wants to rev and rev. It constantly begs you to drive it hard. And it likes it. It loves it. It thanks you for letting it stretch its legs. And I'm not the type to turn down such an invitation. I gladly accept.
This little 4 cylinder never feels taxed, or buzzy like the MINI (et.al.). It's loud and raw, but somehow still so refined and smooth. Revs build quickly, and as the engine passes the "VTEC" cutover, the engines takes on a whole new life. With a loud metallic roar, the car rockets forward with authority. It's something you have to feel to believe. It's like no other driving experience I've had, and it keeps me coming back for more.
Oh, and how can I forget the throttle. Good old fashioned cable throttle. :thumbup: Response is immediate. More than immediate. It's like the engine is one step ahead of you, and has already been preparing for what your right foot has in store for it. Throttle blipping works like butta'. Matching revs on downshifts is super easy. Something you can rarely accomplish in the E46, whose throttle delay is seemingly measured in seconds.
Transmission: What can I say, except that I can't imagine a gearbox feeling better than this. Shifts are so minuscule, so smooth, so unbelievably precise. Every shift rewards you, and makes you pray that we never see the end of the manual transmission. It's like your hand is connected directly to the gear selector fork, snicking your way from 1st to 6th and back. What a masterpiece.
Gears are very short, which keeps you constantly involved in the driving experience (perfect!). Though, I can still find myself cruising around town at 40 MPH in 6th gear, and have no shortage of power to quickly gain speed as needed. A very flexible engine, to say the least.
70 MPH in 6th gear results in something like 4500 RPM on the tach. The benefit is that you're always in the powerband. Speed changes on the highway are immediate. I can't believe I haven't gotten a ticket in this thing yet.
I am a bit disappointed that the redline was dropped from 8900 to 8000, because you hit the rev limiter shortly after 8000, and you can tell that the engine still has a long way to go. It's by no means done producing power at that point. It could easily hit 9000, and remain useful. The 0-60 hurts as a result. I'll have to try it again, but last night I hit the rev limiter in 2nd gear, looked down, and saw that I was just passing 57 MPH. A 9000 RPM redline (or even 8500) would have been enough to get to 60 before requiring a shift into 3rd gear. Perhaps that would shave 1/2 second off the 0-60? I'll have to try it again to see if I can hit the magic 60 MPH in 2nd gear.
Interior: Spartan, exactly like I prefer it. There's little more than you need in this cockpit. A small array of controls for HVAC and radio, all close enough that you don't need to take your hand off the steering wheel to change temp, radio station, etc. Seats feel great, and hold you snugly in place left/right/up/down. The only way you could improve them, is to offer them in cloth (like Alcantara), which I would gladly option for.
Yeah, the dash is a bit outdated-looking. I've heard it referred to as "Atari"-like, and that's a good analogy. But that doesn't bother me. I like it simple, plain, and obvious. Give me only what I need, put it where it should be, and I won't ask for anything more.
Suspension: It's certainly stiff, but not uncomfortable. They firmed up the front suspension for 2004, and softened the rear. This in an attempt to control the rash of people putting their S2000's in the ditch following a small dose of snap oversteer. Personally, I'd rather have the stiffer rear suspension, and just take my chances. The back end oftentimes feels like it is going to pop up and come unglued. It's that soft. Well, more specifically, it's very stiff on compression, but too soft when the inner rear wheel unloads, giving you the sensation that the rear end wants to lift off. I've taken care of a lot of this by playing with tire pressures, and have found a setting that minimizes it to a great extent.
Lastly, the steering on this car is so razor-sharp. It makes the E46 feel like a big bloated pig. The S2000, in comparison, feel ultra-light and nimble. Goes exactly where you point it.
In summary, this is a no-nonsense package that has one purpose in mind. To drive with sporting intentions. This is not a good commuter car, and you definitely wouldn't want to take it on a long trip. The drone of the engine, along with the lack of sound insulation would drive you batty. Although, I'm a glutton for punishment, so that wouldn't stop me from doing it anyway.
What can I say, I love this car. It's the kind of car that a person like me searches for all their life. Looking for that single vehicle that fulfills all your wants, needs, desires. Things change, but at this point in time, I want to hang onto it indefinitely.
(I really need to get this car on the track)