Help!

[papadoc]

In a month or two I"m buying a new car. Gotta be a roadster. Gotta be a daily drive car. Gotta be affordable. Narrowed down to just two possibilities: Nissan 350Z or Honda S2000. You guys obviously have experience that I don't. What are the advantages and disadvantages of an S2000 in the daily driving experience? Especially as compared to the Z?

[spa01s2k]

I know you don't want to hear this but, you need to drive both to make you decision. I drove both and ended up with an S2000 because it fit my driving style better.

I don't drive mine daily so I can't help you there, but I do know a lot of people that use their S2000 as dd. From what I have heard the car is just fine with daily use. Maybe a little bit of a stiff ride for some. I've also heard of "lack of storage space". Does fairly well on gas depending on how heavy your foot is. I average 26MPG highway and city combined.

Good luck with your decision!!

[papadoc]

Yeah you're right. I have driven both, but only on test drives. It's difficult to get an idea about long-term impressions from just test driving. I like the pure driver-designed S2000---it's designed for the driving experience. But I can't imagine would I get tired of it driving every day to work? The Nissan makes some compromises in handling and quickness, but does that make it worth the trade-off? I'm looking for some feedback from folks who have long-term experience with their cars. I've got a coupla months to make the decision, but right now I favor the S2000 just for the pure driving thrill of it.

[Java Junky]

Hey Papa, spa couldn't'a said it better. You've narrowed it down to the Z n' Stewie. There's jus' one last bit of homework to be done n' that, also, can only be done by you.
Face it: they're both driver's cars. Only you can check off the appropriate boxes as to what kind of driver you are n' what you'd prefer.
Mine's a daily driver since early '06 n', as such, has the scars to show for it. N', for me Stewie's down right spacious. My alternate ride's an R1.
Be well, n' like the old knight said . . .
Now, go do your homework (sorry. Couldn't help myself)
Java

[spa01s2k]

Originally Posted by papadoc

Yeah you're right. I have driven both, but only on test drives. It's difficult to get an idea about long-term impressions from just test driving. I like the pure driver-designed S2000---it's designed for the driving experience. But I can't imagine would I get tired of it driving every day to work? The Nissan makes some compromises in handling and quickness, but does that make it worth the trade-off? I'm looking for some feedback from folks who have long-term experience with their cars. I've got a coupla months to make the decision, but right now I favor the S2000 just for the pure driving thrill of it.

I'd hate to say it, but I think you have your answer. If your looking for a car that seems wired to your hands for cornering you will love the S2000. The car is big enough for me, I have taken a few road trips in it. I've owned my car for three+ years and its still a blast to take it for a spirited drive.

[bladerunner]

One car magazine put it something like this (don't remember which mag but it was a direct comparo between the '03 Z & S2K) " the 350Z feels best suited to driving at 7/10ths the limit otherwise becoming clumsy, breathless, etc. While the S2000 is a car that can be driven at 10/10ths becoming one with the driver basically like a precision driving tool that will do whatever you want sliding, cornering, whatever." 10/10ths!! is my point and I can personally tell you that the 04+S2000 (never drove an original) is a very controllable car (once you learn)at 10/10ths rewarding you with some of the best car behavior this side of a C5 z06 (the S2000 has a quicker time on the "ring" than a standard C5).
So, if you can do without the explosive torque and manage to maintain your momentum (an S2000 will weed out a slow driver a lot faster than a more powerful car will) you'll be in love with your S2000. Like me.

[bladerunner]

AND you probably know but I just have to say it, the 350Z weighs about 6-700lbs more!! Ridiculous

[bladerunner]

but hey man follow your heart

[papadoc]

Thanks for feedback folks! It's appreciated. I've got till Spring to pull the trigger on this and right now I'm leaning heavily toward the S. This is the first time in my life I'm free to choose a car just for me w/o having to consider other family concerns. It's gonna be fun! Thanks again.

[Scott]

It's a tough call. Unfortunately, I don't know you well enough to say what's best for you.

I was in a similar situation before I bought my S. I knew i wanted to buy a sports car, but was torn between several choices (the 350Z and S2000 being two of them). Having driven, and worked on both of the cars, I'm satisfied with my choice in the Honda. But I know I would have been happy with either one.

The Z would probably be a little smoother for daily driving, as it's not wound up quite as tightly as the S. But when you really want to push it, there's not many cars that are a replacement for this little Honda in the same price range.