Is the S2000 for me?

[ILLINI]

I will try to keep this as short as possible, but I've got a lot to say.

I am looking to get (in March-May) a 2002 S2000. This will be my only car. I'm young (only 22), so it's not like i need the storage to carry kids or any cargo. I also live in a suburb of Chicago, and anyone who lives in the Chicago area knows how wicked winters can be sometimes. Is this going to be the factor that breaks the deal for me? I also have never had a manual transmission car. Since I'm looking to get this car in the spring, that would give me about 8 months until the first snowfall to get used to the car.

Another thing is, I have never had a car anything like this. I mean, not even in the same realm. I drove a 1990 Toyota Camry in High School, and I currently drive a 1990 Toyota Corrolla. I'm sick and tired of having a car like the one i currently have. I only plan to have the S2000 for about three years, so nothing long term.

Is the ragtop on the S2000 nice? My sister drives a new beetle convertable and its top is very very nice. But VW/Audi have the nicest convertable tops on the road. I'm not expecting it to be THAT nice. I guess I'm asking is, will i go crazy when I am driving and it is "raining/snowing/cold/fast speeds"?

I've read reviews that say it is a harsh ride for everyday use. Well, compared to an almost 16 year old Toyota, I'm sure the S2000 feels like its on clouds. I work less than 10 miles from where I live. So this will be driven to work and around town on weekends (and lets face it, how freakin awesome would it be to have this car for driving around town on weekends!).

The winter driving is really the only major question I have. Is this going to be THAT much of a hassle? I am a very careful driver. As I said above, I would have the car for about 8 months before the first snowfall. So I feel like I could get a good feel for the cars abilities. I have also done a lot of searching online about rear wheel drive cars in winter. I would buy snow tires for the S2000. I know tires won't stick it to the road like glue, but I've read it can be helpful. I have never driven a rear wheel drive car, so this would be my first.

If I think of anything else I will post it. But thanks to those who read this entire thing and help me. This car makes me really excited. I have spent a few days reading through posts on this site and I love reading how much you all like your cars. After almost 7 years of driving boring cars that everyone makes fun of me about, I would love to jump into an S2000.

[CarbonCS]

The "S" is not a cold weather car. especially if your not used to driving that kind of vehicle. Cold rain, ice, and snow are not good in this vehicle. I've lost a little control on summer days when the tires were still cold. I'v driven them with snow tires on them too but it doesn't really help... if your looking for a faster car that you can still drive in the snow and such i'd recommend an STi or an Evo. somthing fast and 4 wheel drive. I used to have a Mitsubishi VR4. that car was probably the best car i had in the snow.

[Java Junky]

Hi Ill;
Not havin' spent any time in the snow with the car yet, I'm pretty much shootin' from the hip. If it's your only car n' winters are spent there like ours are spent here with large refrozen chunks of sharp-edged ice on the roads for days after a snow, I'd be concerned about serious chin damage and the possibility of bein' hung out to dry on top of some of those icebergs with your wheels spinnin' in the air.
If it's your only ride n' you're gonna hafta deal with those kind road conditions it's somethin' that you should consider.
As for normal drivin' in winter cold n' possibly even with some white stuff on the ground, I'd hafta say that it's like any other wheel-driven vehicle: it's not gonna be able to be driven as it would on a summer day but with the exercisin' of caution (again, as with any other wheel-driven vehicle) it's certainly dooable. N' IF there's the room to make mistakes, it can be alotta fun n' of tremendous learnin' experience bringin' it to an edge that's much, much closer than it is on dry summer days.
Be well n' best of luck whatever you decide.

[Esstoothou]

It's a 2-seater sports car and whilst much more practical than an Exige, it's no all-weather UTE!

[passmans2kNY]

the s2000 is not a winter car at all, its real wheel drive so just think about getting stuck going up a hill(worst thing ever), i live in ny and i have had my s for abour 3 months and not endured the winter yet, but i have an rx7 also and i know these real wheel drive cars dont work in the snow, if this is ur first real wheel drive car and u wanan drive it in the winter, get ready to start drifting/ power sliding, its mad fun in an open parking lot when it rains if u dont wanna eat up ur tires

[Halo]

The top is 'nice' in that it insulates reasonably well from the elements, and goes up and down in 8 seconds. It doesn't leak (at least on my car).

But, I would never dream of driving this car in a Chicago winter. Not that you couldn't do it with a set of snow tires, but unlike your FWD cars prior, it will do some nasty things going around slippery corners and oversteer like crazy if you brake when that 6000 lb SUV pulls out in front of you unexpectedly.

I second the recommendation to look at any of the current generation sporty AWD cars: WRX/STi/Evo. They will still need a set of winter tires though.

[Java Junky]

Okay Illi;
I've gotta concede some ground to the opposin' players. As an ONLY means of transportation, bad winter road hazards in the form of refrozen chunks of ice roughly the same size as Stewie could really put a dent (no pun intended) in your ability to get around.
To be honest, while I have every intention of usin' Stewie right through the winter, I DO foresee road conditions that will have me leavin' it where it's parked n' breakin' out the "Beast" to get to those places that absolutely gotta be gotten to.
But, from what you're sayin', you'll have the major part of a year to learn just how hard you're able to smile while the weather's nice. By the time winter rolls around you might be ready to put Stewie away from those nasty elements n' pick up somethin' in the form of a "beater" until the spring thaw.
Don't miss a summer of toplessness n' fine handlin' because of fear of the winter. Oh, don't get me wrong, winter will arrive, but by then you'll have had one helluva spring, summer n' fall n' when you come right down to it . . you'll deal with it. We always do, don't we?
Oh, yeah . . n' I think you'll be surprised at the quality of the Stewie's ragtop. I can't see Audi/VW ragtops bein' any better. Check it out.
Be well.

[dia_cero2002]

Another thing, even if you have to drive a junker in the winter time, you still have Chicago summers and falls to drive the car in. Consider yourself lucky there. I live in Dallas and we have, roughly, about 2 weeks in the spring and 2 weeks in the summer to drive while the weather isn't too hot or too cold. You can drive all summer with the top down. I can't.

[ougeta]

just my 2 cents:
I live in Michigan, our winters are also pretty bad. But the last to years i've been driving a Z4. Ya its hard at first, but really thank god i made it through without any real problems. The only thing just start early to where you have to go, because it might take some time. Now I don't know how good my advice is to you because i do not currently own an S, but i am looking for one, and i am not sure how the S and Z4 compare to each other in hazardous driving conditions. Oh yeah, there are a couple of times i put some weight -bout 250lbs, in the trunck...

[Java Junky]

Aaay Illi! There's alotta silence from your direction. You still out there? Come on in! The water's fine.
If it's not the kinda snow that's soo-o-o deep it has everybody stayin' home buildin' snowmen n' drinkin' hot toddys then the car's a blast in the snow.
It's all a matter of whether you REALLY like drivin' or not. It demands attention in the white stuff n' is very jealous n' vengeful if your attention wanders. But . . . if you give it your undivided attention? Ahhh! It's a religious experience.
I think Chi-town'd be the perfect home for a Stewie.
Be well.
(Oh, about puttin' weight in the trunk of a roadster? It's okay if you're gonna jus' drive it like a tractor, usin' the weight to gain a little traction. But if you start drivin' it like a roadster, that same weight is gonna make light, simple fish-tails turn into full-fledged 360s until you either run outa momentum or space, whichever comes first)

[Halo]

I'm thinking the 06 S2000 will be a somewhat better snow car since it now has an anti-skid program.

[passmans2kNY]

the 06 is gonna have traction control? weak

[Java Junky]

"Anti-skid program"???? Say it ain't so.
N' then what? wrapped in bubble-wrap, automatic transmission with engine and airspeed governors?
And protect us from our "protectors", Amen.
C'mon Halo . . . this is another'a those "wing" things . . right? Say it ain't so.
Be well.

[Halo]

Heh. No the 06 now comes with drive-by-wire throttle, traction control/skid control.

You can turn it off, but I'm not sure if 'off' is 100% off. In reality, I think it's not a bad thing. I know on rainy days it might come in pretty handy around here.

My feeling on this is as follows: Everyone who wanted a 9,000 rpm S2000 basically bought one by '03 -> Move to 2.2L and better driveablity for 04/05 and a slightly expanded market.

Everyone who wanted a 'raw' S2000 without skid control bought one by 05 -> move to add these features for '06 and again an expanded market.

I've had this car since 01. It is the longest I've kept any car I've owned because I cannot find a good reason to replace it. Still fun, still reliable, everything looks & works like the day I bought it. To make me go back to buy another S2000, Honda would have to make it lighter with some cool materials (aluminum and CF body, titanium suspension components), and probably drop in a 2L version of the CBR 1000 RR engine so I can rev it to 13K

[Java Junky]

A two litre version of the thou' RR? Hmmmm-m-m-m. I'm not as rev happy as most, but, whatever it takes to turn the best times, y'know?
But, as the current 2 and 2.2 Stewies have revs n' lack bottom end grunt, I think that a 2 thou' RR would suffer from the same shortcomin'.
Gimme some 'nads down low n' less of a stratospheric redline n' I think that Stewie'd be alot more useful for the sports drivin' that it's used for.
'Be alot more folks headin' into the tall grass ass-first though.
Be well.