daily driver: S2000 vs. RX-8

[DanB]

OK, crunch time. I'm either gonna get an RX-8 or S2000 (I think), soon. S2000 a little cheaper, but RX-8's seem to have depreciated like MAD! S2000 would require an aftermarket roll bar for com:( RX-8 acceleration figures seem disappointing above 60 or so:(

Recommendations for other cars welcomed, but fwd and awd with fwd architecture, and anything much over 3000 lb. are not under consideration!

Whaddya'll think?!

Tanks in advance...

[cfossum]

Dan,
You know the S2000 is faster, and more fun. Plus the top-down option is there. I'd be driving one if I didn't need the back seats of the RX8. But I think you'd be happy with either one.
Good luck!
-Carl

[dreeves]

Don't rule out a new RX-8 either; if you look around, you can find a brand new 2006 model in the $21-22k range.

[rajito]

I think you should get whichever car is slower so I can maybe perhaps get a point by from you (in the snow or something). S2K looks funner as a track car though.

Raj

[DanDarcy]

GET THE S2000 ! . Itis more of a "race" car than anything you normally drive on the road. Don't buy a 2001 or older with the plastic back window, they crack and get cloudy. I have a 2002 with the 2.0 liter motor, 9000 rpm red line,most enthusiast prefer this motor to the later 2.2 liter motor with lower red line and less horse power (2lit=240hp, 2.2lit=237hp). I love mine the only problem is I don't fit the seats with my extra size ! But Dan you are the right size for one. If you want to try one out I could dig mine out of the barn (its put to bed for the winter) and you could give it a good drive. Plenty of curvy road out my way. I'll even sell it if you want it.

[tmak26b]

rx-8 is a nie daily driver, it just drinks gas like mad and it doesnt have the punch. My gf can hang with me in the corners on her 8, but she loses off the corner easily.

S2000 is more hardcore, but the 8 feels more like a real car. It's fairly comfortable for something handles that good.

[LDP82]

would this work for you?

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?c ... rdist=1534

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?c ... rdist=2466

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searchres ... t_record=1

[grovefromnh]

Commuting to work I get 28 mpg with my S2000. Even driving 'briskly' i get 22+. Excellent suspension and brakes combined with a GREAT engine make your choice easy. The S2K is a great street/track car. NES2KO club is a good source of info.

[DanB]

Thanks for all the advice/commentary everbuddy!
Tee hee hee, I put $4k down on a grey/red&black 2001 at lunch today. Unfortunately I got DanDarcy's advice a little too late! I will live with the cloudy plastic rear window:( I thought fer sure they didn't fix that until the 2.2 liter came out, DANG!
Not terribly worried about it at the moment. I'm sure it'll be one of those things that slowly drives me nuts until I snap and gun down my coworkers or something....

Anyhoo, I *think* I got an OK deal on it. 38.3k miles, looks/drives MINT, $15k (they were asking $18,999!). Hopefully I'll take delivery tomorrow, but it might hafta wait until next week.

LDP82, preciate the Boxster input, at one point I thought that's what I'd end up getting. But no way I could settle for a non-S, and an S is maybe just a little more than I could spend up front, and I also was worried about maintenence /repeair costs.

So who makes a good roll bar for the S2k?!

Thanks again guys:)

[DanDarcy]

Congradulations Dan You'll love driving the S2000 - instant turn in, great brakes , just a lot of fun. I did check into a roll bar for mine about 5 months ago with HARD DOG and they were proto typing one for the S2000 at the time. It should be available now. Remember don't let off the throttle in a hard corner (the back end can pass you ), The S2000 is rear wheel heavy . 49% front 51% rear. Great car just needs bigger seats

[DanB]

49/51 F/R, exactly what the Z is with me in it and 1/8 - 1/4 tank of fuel!
The Z has been EXTREMELY forgiving, I hear tell the S2k is less so...
Been advised to invest in good dampers (Penske). Will have to do some research...

[grovefromnh]

Congratulations on getting the S. GoFast labs makes a rollbar with a removable horizontal harness bar and a removable diangonal crossbar. They bought the design from Elda Engineering. Contact COM member Kevin Foote @ Turner Motorsports in Amsbury,Ma for Bilstein coilovers. New England S2000 Owners (NES2KO) is a great bunch of knowledgeable people for S2K stuff. We have meets throughout the year for some drives on some great roads, like rt 17 in Vt. Since you will have the top up ONLY when the temps are below 32' or it's pouring rain who cares if the plastic window gets cloudy. There are various polishs that will relieve that problem. Enjoy the Ride!

[tmak26b]

49/51 F/R, exactly what the Z is with me in it and 1/8 - 1/4 tank of fuel!
The Z has been EXTREMELY forgiving, I hear tell the S2k is less so...
Been advised to invest in good dampers (Penske). Will have to do some research...

You are absolutely right. I drove an extremely old Z, they were pretty easy to drive except for the fact that the car was absolutely shot!

[lou m]

Congrats Dans. Epping opens in April. Let's go get some numbers on it.

[DanB]

I don't think this thing is gonna put up any incredible numbers at the 1/4 mile! If they put a few curves in it, maybe...