Just bought 07 S2000

[eturner]

I sold my Corvette and missed the thrill and power so much that I started looking again. I didn't won't to spend 57K for another vette just for weekend and pretty day fun, so I almost bought the new 07 MX-5 Miata, then I drove the S2000. Granted the Miata maybe a little more adaptable to the casual open top vehicle owner, but the S2000 resembled the power of the vette. Notice I said "resembled" because you can't really compare the sheer power of 400HP with the Honda, but at high RPMs you can feel the force close to the vette. Plus you can keep about 27K in the bank.
My 07 S2000 is Black/Black. I pick it up this week and looking forward to fun again.

[Java Junky]

No question 'bouditt Turn, li'l Stewie ain't no 'Vette. But the flip side of that is that the big, bad 'Vette ain't no Stewie either.
Diff'rent critters. But if you can adapt n' make use of Stewie's strong points (without a transition that has some of us wanderin' into the weeds too often) I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Best of luck with your new ride Turn, whatever your reasons for arrivin' here, glad to have you aboard.
Be well.
Java

[gomarlins3]

Welcome to the club and the site.

[eturner]

Thanks Java,

I appreciate the welcome. The shift throw in the S2000 is the shortest I have experienced. In fact in the test drives I was thinking I wasn't in gear. That will be fun but some getting use to. I had it on the interstate and opened it up to 96 and never got the 6K rpm I keet hearing about. What speed will get me there on the open road. She will flat fly. First car I ever had that got looks from a Bently owner, even the "vette" never turned his head. Passed a Bently on the test run and he waved. Of course the wave was short-lived because I passed him fairly quickly.

[S2000dude]

Welcome Mr E !

Congrats on the brandy new S. You may be the first owner of an '07 on this site. (????)

Thanks for the comments too on the S and the Vette. You'll find that us S owners are a very loyal group. We love our S2000s!

Best of luck with your new ride!

[Bubblerboy64]

I find it interesting that a Corvette guy would consider a Honda let along buy one. Having said that you must consider that I never owned a Corvette and only drove one once. I just did not think the two would interest the same type of driver but I am actually glad to hear that you did find the Honda worthy of ownership. What it tells me is that the Corvette must have more in common with the S2000 then I thought it did. I drove a Miata (as well as the Z previously mentioned today) and I found it too bland as compared to the Honda. Nothing wrong with the Miata and in fact I owned two of them but there really isn't much comparison in performance. The Honda is a drivers car and the Miata is a bit more of a compromise. Consider that you can buy an auto trans in the Miata but not the Honda. I give credit to Honda for staying true to nature of a sports car and not offering the auto when it likely would sell some cars for them. I wouldn't even object too much if they offered one of the tipronic shifters which are almost as good as the manual. Well enjoy the black S2000. Nothing looks better then a perfectly manicured Black Car but I don't have it in me to work that hard any more. My red one is bad enough. I looked for white which I consider the easiest to keep looking at least decent but this red car showed up and insisted that I take her home. What can a guy do? John H

[eturner]

Thanks all for the welcome and the comments:

I loved my "vette" but I am not a "vette only" guy. If money is no option, then I would probably return to the "vette" simply because it's the "all american sports car." But I decided 57K was just to much to pay for a fair weather weekend car, with a son in college and a daughter in high school. I think the S2000 looks great and has the speed/acceleration to keep a middle aged crisis man interested. She will never see the rain, so black will be okay. My wife has a black Lexus, and when it is clean, it is beautiful!

I hear a lot about the noise, but to be honest the noise in the "vette" was loud also, only a lower tone growl! Plus the vette didn't have the headrest
speakers. The "vette" has the Nav/On star/Heads Up display/Phone and all of that is neat, but to drive only periodically, a little overkill. But you can say you have a "vette" and that means a lot especially when you need to one up the buddies. Now I can say I have a S2000. My buddies will probably say
"a what?" but my son's friends in college, knew exactly what it was.

[Genesis]

re: Now I can say I have a S2000. My buddies will probably say
"a what?"


Funny, thats exactly the response I got!

I spent the last several years owning Dodge Vipers... One 450 h.p GTS and one fairly rare 550 h.p Daytona Viper, one of only 10 built...I just recently acquired the S and have been having a blast with it...It doesn't have the same pin you in your seat torque, but it handles extremely well...

Good luck with your new toy!

[eturner]

I picked up my new Black s2000 today and wow is it fun. In fact I had to push myself to rev the RPMs beyond what was normal for my past vehicles. Others you are looking to shift between 3-4,000, yet in this little number, you can tell she is begging you to let her go further, so she can show you what she can do! I took her to 6,000 several times and then she exploded into another realm.

I found myself giggly and acting like an 18 year old all over again. If this little Honda don't get me landed in traffic court, I will have a blast. It is remarkably tight even with the ragtop and the speakers in the headrest are awesome.

I can't wait until tomorrow!

[S2000dude]

Enjoy the new S ! Ain't it a blast !!!

PS- first time in my life I thought it necessary to install a radar detector !
It's really hard to keep it under the speed limit, er, well ... most of the time!
I mean, when you hear the V-Tech voice calling you just gotta respond !!!

[theGuardian]

Originally Posted by Bubblerboy64

I find it interesting that a Corvette guy would consider a Honda let along buy one. Having said that you must consider that I never owned a Corvette and only drove one once. I just did not think the two would interest the same type of driver but I am actually glad to hear that you did find the Honda worthy of ownership. What it tells me is that the Corvette must have more in common with the S2000 then I thought it did. I drove a Miata (as well as the Z previously mentioned today) and I found it too bland as compared to the Honda. Nothing wrong with the Miata and in fact I owned two of them but there really isn't much comparison in performance. The Honda is a drivers car and the Miata is a bit more of a compromise. Consider that you can buy an auto trans in the Miata but not the Honda. I give credit to Honda for staying true to nature of a sports car and not offering the auto when it likely would sell some cars for them. I wouldn't even object too much if they offered one of the tipronic shifters which are almost as good as the manual. Well enjoy the black S2000. Nothing looks better then a perfectly manicured Black Car but I don't have it in me to work that hard any more. My red one is bad enough. I looked for white which I consider the easiest to keep looking at least decent but this red car showed up and insisted that I take her home. What can a guy do? John H

I test drove a couple vettes, loved them and then choose a S2000. When I told the vete salesman I was also considering S2000's, he was very confused. I just figured I was strange. (That vette was scary fast)
but I'm very happy with my choice.

[eturner]

I have had my S2000 for 5 days and it's been raining the past 3 days so it hasn't been out of the garage. I just went and sit in it tonight. I know I am acting like a kid but the S makes you feel like a kid again.
I had the XM installed and it really sounds great especially the speakers in the headrest.Forecast is predicting some sunshine tomorrow, so I will have my eye on the sky and as soon as it pops out so will the Big Kid and the S!

[Java Junky]

Cooped up for almost a week waitin' for the rain to stop Turn? Keep a short leash on it for awhile. Right out'a the chute I'd imagine you might be jus' the least bit . . shall we say "energetic"?
Oh, n' brace yourself for all your friends gettin' a bit stand-offish n' lookin' at'cha funny. That stupid grin creeps up on ya n' ya ain't even aware that it's there.
Sunshine, sticky, twisty roads, n' no traffic.
Be well.
Java

[bladerunner]

Originally Posted by eturner

I picked up my new Black s2000 today and wow is it fun. In fact I had to push myself to rev the RPMs beyond what was normal for my past vehicles. Others you are looking to shift between 3-4,000, yet in this little number, you can tell she is begging you to let her go further, so she can show you what she can do! I took her to 6,000 several times and then she exploded into another realm.

I found myself giggly and acting like an 18 year old all over again. If this little Honda don't get me landed in traffic court, I will have a blast. It is remarkably tight even with the ragtop and the speakers in the headrest are awesome.

I can't wait until tomorrow!

hey you! The guy drivin' the sh*t out of his brand new car, I realize it's probably too late but Honda reccomends a 600 mile no v-tec (don't go above 6k) break in for optimal performance and no hard braking for the first 200 miles. After that it's all you.

On my test drive the dealer took me out in a blue one and he drove the sh*t out of it and so did I. Slept on my decision was curious about the break in procedure, checked, and I took the red one in the showroom if you know what I mean.

[bladerunner]

It's all in the manual.

[Scott]

Even then, I think 600 miles is a pretty conservative number. Lots of seasoned owners say to take it easy for the first 1,000 mi.

[eturner]

Thanks for the excellent information. At 49 I still think 75 miles per hour is kickin! Ha! I have kept it under 6000 rpms and will do so until after 1000 miles. But it sure is tempting to let her go!

[eturner]

Okay, give me some recommendations on accessories:
Hardtop-it worth the price and how difficult is it to take off and on
side stakes- do they add any functional value or just looks

[bjurasz]

Welcome! I'm a prior Vette owner as well (80, then 92, both manuals of course!). They are different critters but both have their strong points. And yeah, the C6 Vette is scary powerful. The S' feels more like my old shifter kart (2-stroke) than my Vette did but I love them all.

[bladerunner]

Your cars lighter without it (I've heard about people taking out their softtop and hardware to counteract the added weight) and I think the only reason to get a hardtop would be for poor weather(better insulation), road noise (I personally don't mind), for looks ( I think the car looks better without em'), or maybe for better visibility? If those things matter to you then go for it. I've never used one though, I'm just speculating.

I know some tracks don't allow convertibles so that would be something to look into.

[Scott]

Actually, for the matter of tracks, having a hardtop holds no bearing. Because it is simply bolted onto the car and not part of the structural frame, the car will still be classified as a convertible.

As for the hard top itself, it's a matter of if you like the look or not. It's also a matter of whether or not you're willing to give up the ability to put the top down whenever and wherever you want. Whereas, with the hardtop, it's easy enough to remove when you want some top-down action, you better be somewhere you can safely put the top away.

The side strakes are just a factory appearance option. They offer no real benefit apart from the visual appeal.

[Java Junky]

Benefits of the hardtop: none, well, okay. It can allow you on a track.
I didn't buy Stewie because it's a raggtopp, but havin' the ability to open it up in what? 5 r' 6 seconds? C'mon man! That's priceless!
The top's down almost anytime that it ain't rainin' n' most of the time even when it is (havin' the rain n' snow blow over the cockpit at anythin' over 40 - 45 miles per hour is good stuff. 'May get'cha pulled over for a breathalyzer r' two, but genuinely good stuff).
Like the tonneau, anything that gets between me n' the ability to pop the top up in 5 r' 6 seconds when the skies finally open up has no place in r' on my Stewie.
('Sides . . did you guys ever notice the look of disappointment on the faces of those jealous hardtoppers aroun' you when you're at a light, it finally starts to rain n' ya pop the top up without gettin' wet? I know it doesn't say much for the rewardin' aspects of my life, but, bein' responsible for that look of disappointment on their faces is worth the price of admission)
Be well.
Java

[eturner]

Thanks for the good info and honest evaluation. With my vette there was a rack in the back to put the hard top on, if out on the road and decided to take it off. With the S once it's on, it is on until you get back to the house.
I think I'll just keep my money.
Thanks for the advice!

[eturner]

Hot dog! The forecast for Friday in Nashville, TN is sunny and 51*. The brilliant black S will be on the road. If you see a blur go by it's a 49 year old reliving the days of his youth!

[jaser]

Quick question: What is the best radar for the S2000? I just bought one today brand new. Also, is there a protocol out there on how low to keep the RPMs until the engine is "broken in"? One last thing, any tips on ideal shifting RPMs would be appreciated. I haven't owned something that redlined at 8000 before! BTW, I test drove this for 10 minutes, dropped it off, and said "I'll take it" What a fun ride! Jase

[S2000dude]

Welcome Jase. I'll just address the radar question.

What kind of radar did you buy? I have a Beltronics 795. Never had one till I started driving the S ! Maybe we should start a new thread on radar reviews as I'm looking to upgarde. General rule of thumb - you get what you pay for.

Once you get used to the car you'll be going for the redline a lot more often.
VTECH kicking in is a blast !!!

[jaser]

Thanks for the welcome. I haven't bought one yet, but understand the basic principal like you said.

At what point does the VTECH kick in? Is that the magic 4000RPM I keep hearing about?