S2000 best car for $$$ ?

[Thepeug]

It sounds like you're pretty set on the S2000 and you just want to be convinced otherwise. Is the sig any indication? Just get the damn thing already!

[BlackGT2000]

Originally Posted by gti1689

buy a used 3KGT, supra, 300zx, or rx7. they might be a little older, but they are fast out of the box, and they are relatively painless to mod. $10,000 for one of the above mentioned cars, and $10,000 in mods sounds about as good as it can get.

I am with you except for the price. There are no supra TTs for 10, an RX7TT would be difficult but maybe a poorly taken care of one could be found for 10. You could likely find a 300ZXTT for that price if you looked hard enough. As much as I love the rx7, its not really going to be a painless car.

[Kurtdg19]

"Weight doesn't matter so much at higher speeds, where it mostly comes down to power, aerodynamics, and gearing."

Funny logic: While power, aerodynamics, and gearing help... weight doesn't just magically "go away" with speed. No matter the speed, it's still 300hp pulling 3400lbs.

"And I guess you haven't seen a nice 300ZX interior, because they are much better than any Toyota Corolla."

Sit in a 1996 300zx. Sit in a 2005/6 Corolla. Bring a notebook.

"It sounds like you're pretty set on the S2000 and you just want to be convinced otherwise. Is the sig any indication? Just get the damn thing already!"

I haven't really said much about the S2000 at all.
Already explained that the sig is about my roommates CBR, not an S2K. Good guess though.

HORSEPOWER does NOT make a car an OVERALL package. So posts stating "(Car X) will beat an S2000 all day long" makes no sense. Now, I know the engine and it's high-revving nature is VERY subjective...as I wouldn't expect most to go towards it. (Very Ferrari-esque though, yes?)

It just seems like people aren't grasping the question I'm asking. Think of this: Why is the Miata considered one of the best sports cars ever? Because it has mind-boggling horsepower? No, but rather the OVERALL PACKAGE. Think, then post.

[Broke_as_****]

Originally Posted by Kurtdg19

Think, then post.

You first.

We've presented a long list of cars that we all think are better overall packages than the S2000 based on what we are looking for in a car. Any given car will have advantages and disadvantages when compared with another car of similar intent. Which of these advantages you value and which of these disadvantages you can live with is subjective to the driver. I think my Z is the perfect mix of power, style, handling, reliablity and exotic appeal. The weight and the age that would seem to be disadvantages are things I can live with. In my mind it's virtues make it far superior to a S2000.

As for your Miata example, even though I find it's balance, superb handling and small size enjoyable, it lacks the exoticness, low end grunt and sheer power of my Z, all things I value highly. To me a Miata is not a better overall package because it does not provide the things I enjoy the most.

If after "two years of researching" you are dead set on the Honda being best overall in regards to what YOU are looking for in a car then get one. Or if after researching for two years you are still undecided...well then I doubt there is anything we can do for you here.

[kman10587]

It just seems like people aren't grasping the question I'm asking. Think of this: Why is the Miata considered one of the best sports cars ever? Because it has mind-boggling horsepower? No, but rather the OVERALL PACKAGE. Think, then post.

You didn't even read my whole post, did you? My whole point is that the 300ZX is NOT the best car on paper, and I doubt it ever will be, but it is the best OVERALL PACKAGE that you can get for under twenty grand. And I'm not saying that weight magically disappears at higher speeds, but it definitely has much less of an effect. Anyone who's taken first-year physics would know that. The coefficient of friction for an object in motion is much less than it is for an object at rest, and it just gets lower the faster you go. Power-to-weight ratios are important in determining the winner of a standing-start quarter-mile drag race, but when you're racing on the highway, weight isn't nearly as much of a factor. This is why the S2000, despite having a similar power-to-weight ratio as the 300ZX TT, won't be able to touch it on the highway.

[k3smostwanted]

Originally Posted by Kurtdg19

Now, I know the engine and it's high-revving nature is VERY subjective...as I wouldn't expect most to go towards it. (Very Ferrari-esque though, yes?)

i dont see how you could possibly say that the s2000 motor is similar to a ferrari. the difference is that the ferrari motors actually make good power down low as well as rev to higher rpms.

im not gonna get into anything else because everything has already been summed up by others.

but i will agree with all of them and go on to see, if thats what you want get it. we cant change someone's stubborn mind if their decision has already been made. if you were looking for information on which was all-around performer you wouldnt argue with people everytime they say something is better in a certain category.

as for the corolla having a better interior than a 300zx. i dont think so...have you ever sat in a leather eqipped 300zx??? i personally like the sturdy parts and interior pieces compared to most new car's cheap plastics. and im sure the corolla's interior is fairly cheaply builts beings the car sells brand new for cheaper than the 300zx is still selling for in 2005.

and too add to kman's post...there are very FEW non-exotic sports cars that have a better drag coeficient than the 300zx. including the brand new s2000 or 350z for that matter.

[Thepeug]

Originally Posted by Broke_as_****

If after "two years of researching" you are dead set on the Honda being best overall in regards to what YOU are looking for in a car then get one. Or if after researching for two years you are still undecided...well then I doubt there is anything we can do for you here.

Amen to that.

[BlackGT2000]

I don't think the S2000 is a bad package overall. I also don't think the miata is necessarily a better package overall, but the price makes it pretty competitive. Like someone already said, "overall is very subjective" maybe some factors weigh more heavily on your opinion. To me the S2000 is good but will never be the best in any category. To me power is important, call me american (which I am) but I need that extra power to pass someone without thinking twice. I could never be satisfied with the S2000. I agree that its pretty nice inside (not really much better in my opinion than even a vette, nothing outstanding is my point), but its very small everywhere. No true sports car is really roomy but the S2000 is really lacking of room. This is really opinion based, so this is only my opinion disagreeing.

[drunken monkey]

Originally Posted by BlackGT2000

To me the S2000 is good but will never be the best in any category.

this is just me being picky but don't you think the S2000 might rank up there as having one of, if not the best, stock 4 cylinder engine?

[kman10587]

I don't think it's that great at all. It's pretty impressive that they got 120 horsepower per liter out of a naturally-aspirated engine, but the drawback, a complete and utter lack of low-end power, makes it not worth it at all. It's one of the best-engineered stock four-cylinder engines ever made, but that doesn't make it an enjoyable engine to have in your car.

[BlackGT2000]

Originally Posted by kman10587

I don't think it's that great at all. It's pretty impressive that they got 120 horsepower per liter out of a naturally-aspirated engine, but the drawback, a complete and utter lack of low-end power, makes it not worth it at all. It's one of the best-engineered stock four-cylinder engines ever made, but that doesn't make it an enjoyable engine to have in your car.

You took the words right out of my mouth. Horsepower per liter really means nothing.

[GTStang]

Originally Posted by kman10587

I don't think it's that great at all. It's pretty impressive that they got 120 horsepower per liter out of a naturally-aspirated engine, but the drawback, a complete and utter lack of low-end power, makes it not worth it at all. It's one of the best-engineered stock four-cylinder engines ever made, but that doesn't make it an enjoyable engine to have in your car.

Def excellent statement I agree completely

[drunken monkey]

well.... i didn't say anything about it being enjoyable to drive in town conditions.....

i should say though, standing on the gas and running it through the gears is a highly addictive thing.
everyone should try it at least once in their lives.

[MexSiR]

Everybody is going to suggest their car plus upgrades or a car of the same brand that they own. It always happens, especially in this forums.

So I say...mmm...

Get the s2000.

[drunken monkey]

hmm....
$20,000?
best car to get?
ferrari 400i