well, I do believe it is time to retire the gs-r and i've had my eyes on a few cars but none stand out as much to me as the GTO and the S2000. Before anyone says anything I do realize they are very very different vehicles, but I was hoping to get some opinions on things besides the driving dynamics of both which as I said are completely different.

Other than the driving dynamics they both have quite a few characteristics I am looking for.

~mid 20k price
~RWD
~Sporty
~not too concerned with actual numbers at this time but I want it to feel fast
~ good handling
~eye pleasing (to me)

Now pros and cons of each to me.

S2000- Drop top (pro), small tight well put together vehicle (pro), 2 seats (con). Kind of impractical (con)

GTO- Fast (pro), heavy as sin (con), Small trunk space for size of car (con), Very very roomy comfortable interior (pro), less gas mileage than honda (con), Very sexy look I feel (pro), Slightly more practical than the s2000 (pro)


Both of these would be a daily for a year or so maybe and I wouldn't plan on driving either into the ground. I want something that is going to be garaged and cared for and taken out for a spin every couple of days and kept for a long long time.


I am 23, clean driving record etc. Insurance cost for each of these would be about 1400 a year for basic coverage for me. I realize that I'll have to get a better policy with collision etc when I finance. But I just got a quote for basic to get an idea.

Like I said I'm 23, I graduated college about a year ago, I am currently making about 50,000 a year and may be bumped up to 60 or more in a few months. I have no ties etc. no mortgage so I feel that now is the time to buy a car like this.

So anyway any insight into this from owners etc. or anyone with :2cents: lemme know.

PS i'm looking at slightly used not new. And the 6.0 gto not 5.7.

i vote gto cause personal i like them and i would never buy a s2k and pobelly ever a honda for that matter for a while

I voted S2K because its such a joy to drive, at least according the the leading auto magazines. While the S2K is not nearly as practical as the GTO, it does have better handling and all around more fun... so if u can put up with the two seats, I would definatly go with the S2000, just think... 7500 RPM...

I'm a big fan of the S2k as a sports car, but as a daily driver you might be happier with the space the GTO offers.

You also mentioned that you want the car to "feel" fast. The GTO has a big edge on the S2k if that is what you want. 400lb-ft kinda blows the Honda away.

although i like both cars im gonna go with the s2k. its more sporty and fun to drive where as the gto is like a fast almost family kinda car. the s2k will also get better mileage and is more reliable.

I just drove the GTO a couple days ago and I don't see anyway it would disappoint you. I would take it any day over the s2000

don't like S2K's, they feel very slow when you drive them, and i don't like reving to 4K just so it can move out of its own way. GTO for the win by a mile.

What you want is practicality and muscle has always been there for people in the same situation. GTO

I would go w/ the GTO if you want a practical car, and its got the power to back up that weight.

I would go with the S2000, I love the way they drive and I probably would have bought one a few months ago if I had fit better...

Your 23 and you want a practicle car?

WTF!

Get the S2000.

I'm usually apt to go for the small, Japanese sports cars, but the S2000's lack of torque and lack of space would probably get on my nerves pretty fast. I'll vote GTO.

Its really a choice between a Butch Ausie slappa, or a tight young Japanese girl.

Both are lots of fun to play with, but give a very different ride.

I voted GTO. I've test drove both vehicles, and personally I like the feel of the Pontiac better. The S2K was wayy cool though!

Its really a choice between a Butch Ausie slappa, or a tight young Japanese girl.

Both are lots of fun to play with, but give a very different ride.

:eek7: :eek7:

Excuse me????

1) I can't believe you compared a GTO to a butch Aussie slappa...Dude come on! I mean I guess that's a fair comparison in terms of weight...but thats just not right.... and a young Japanese Girl... young = 18+ right, or else I suddenly feel like a dirty old man

2) You'd honestly tell me you'd take a Butch Aussie over a tight young Japanese girl?? HONESTLY?!?!?!

and my vote is for the GTO...Powerful, practical, tons of fun to drive, and your going to get a very good price for that...You will not be disappointed with the GTO...

:eek7: :eek7:

Excuse me????

1) I can't believe you compared a GTO to a butch Aussie slappa...Dude come on! I mean I guess that's a fair comparison in terms of weight...but thats just not right.... and a young Japanese Girl... young = 18+ right, or else I suddenly feel like a dirty old man

2) You'd honestly tell me you'd take a Butch Aussie over a tight young Japanese girl?? HONESTLY?!?!?!




Ill answer 2 first: I never said I would take the GTO.
I have a thing for high reving engines, and the S2000 has lots of that. The GTO is nice, but a bit fat and lazy for my taste (although its one of the best performance coupes ever made).

As for 1, well the GTO is Australian, its very big and very heavy, and its come from a manfucator with a reputation for building big fat heavy cars, built tough to withstand miles of gravel roads in a country where the women have a reputation for being a bit loose.

As for the comparison between women and cars, I guess you need to experiance both to appreciate it.

But I shouldn't have to explain any of that really. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

hey thanks for all the insight, suggestions, and recommendations guys! I'll admit right now I am leaning slightly towards the GTO. I really liked them when they came out, I absolutely loved the newer 6.0 one. The S2000 I didn't like so much when it first came out but after owning a nimble high revving car I came to appreciate it and I was all set on getting one when I could. But then I started seeing how cheap the GTO's were going for and I've never had a big ol' V-8 to play with, I've always somehow let the muscle car deals fall through the cracks. I absolutely love the sound of the GTO and I do enjoy the feel of the V-8 cars.

I guess this weekend I'll go back to both dealerships and try and get some more seat time. But the GTO seems to be winning in my mind right now. Besides I don't plan on selling my gs-r just yet, maybe I'll throw a little money her way and still have a high revver/ gas saver for the hell of it? It only costs me 300 a year for insurance on it. I dunno just an idea I suppose. Although i'm sure I won't want to spend much seat time in it if I do get a GTO. haha

I think I've actually changed my mind towards the S2000. The S2000 won the Top Gear Satisfaction Survey, and has done very well in C&D comparos. It was on the Top Ten cars list between 2000 and 2004 and beat out the Z4 3.0, Boxster, 350Z Roadster, and Audi TT Roadster. The say that it is one of the most usable sports cars ever made.

Ill answer 2 first: I never said I would take the GTO.
I have a thing for high reving engines, and the S2000 has lots of that. The GTO is nice, but a bit fat and lazy for my taste (although its one of the best performance coupes ever made).

As for 1, well the GTO is Australian, its very big and very heavy, and its come from a manfucator with a reputation for building big fat heavy cars, built tough to withstand miles of gravel roads in a country where the women have a reputation for being a bit loose.

As for the comparison between women and cars, I guess you need to experiance both to appreciate it.

But I shouldn't have to explain any of that really. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

It's tough to rely on the experience of someone who can't spell experience right...

I never said anything against you comparing women to cars...I have no problems with that

I just figured there was something fundamentally wrong with your comparison as I would definitely take the Japanese girl over a butch Aussie, but I would take the GTO over the S2000

wow those are two completely different cars so its rather hard to compare them outside of what is blatantly obvious.
Since you asked for an opinion I would suggest the GTO for its extra level of practicality. The s2000 in my opinion is a fairly focused sports car build for people who know exactly what they want with practicality(although not economy...) sacrifices with 2seats and a soft top plus a harsher ride and twitchy handling characteristic.
The GTO is a cool car no doubt, although they are IMO no replacement for the previous LS1 powered F-bodies they have really grown on me for what they are, slightly more sensible sports car. Kind of like a 3series BMW with balls and a great noise. >:D
I'm curious as to what you think of(the less sporty but still "sporty") cars such as the G35 coupe and 350z and maybe the rx8 which is more similar to the s2000 plus a few seats and a roof, and a look that is hate it or love it quite sporty(I like the look...)

Good luck.:smokin:

I'm curious as to what you think of(the less sporty but still "sporty") cars such as the G35 coupe and 350z and maybe the rx8 which is more similar to the s2000 plus a few seats and a roof, and a look that is hate it or love it quite sporty(I like the look...)

Good luck.:smokin:


haha yeah I know how different they are, thats part of the problem. I;m having a hard time deciding between the high revving fun of the s2000, or the big powerful grunt of the gto.

As far as the others well haha I was waiting for someone to ask. I do love them all and had a hard time narrowing it down to just the gto and the s2000.

The 350z I feel is a very well rounded sports car, much more so than the s2000 I feel. The G35 is all that the 350 is and some added luxury. However I have always had some hesitation towards the 350z styling. I like it but sometimes I don't. Know what I mean. Kinda like I'm afraid I'll walk out to my garage and regret my decision some day. The Rx-8 I have really come to like the styling however I feel that the higher than s2000 revving engine will be even less fun to drive in daily traffic. Plus I've heard horror stories of oil usage etc. about them. Now I odn't really believe all the horror stories but it does linger in your mind when looking at them. I guess my number one drawback to the 350,g35,and rx8 is that I see ALOT of them daily and I hate that. The s2000 I see but not as often as the others, The GTO I never see. Possibly due to its suble styling:p .

Another thing i'd like to add is that I live just outside of Washington D.C. so traffic is horrific. So that is another reason i'm unsure of the S2000.

personally i would take the z over both of them.

why the z? just curious

faster than the 2sk, handles better and is more refined than the gto, and looks better than both.

faster than the 2sk, handles better and is more refined than the gto, and looks better than both.

Have you driven or sat in the GTO? I wouldn't say that the Z is more refined than the GTO at all.

i think the z has a much nicer and less cheap looking interior.

How is the GTO a cheap looking interior? I was very impressed by its interior to be honest. It you were talking about a Mustang or Camaro I could totally understand but that GTO has it going on the interior. If its not leather its suede haha.

Personally I'd take the S2000. But thats just because I'm baised for small sports cars. :icon16: But I think the GTO would be a better all around car.

the gto is pretty good by gm standards but it looks more plasticy than the z.

I like the S2k alot more than the GTO. The GTO does have the power though. I'd go with the S2k and start saving up for some comptech parts, especially that superchager. It'll only run you betwee 5,000 and 6,000 more dollars, depending on which type you go after.

I would have to go with the GTO, V8 torque is always fun. The high revs on the S2000 makes it too much of a buzz box for my liking.