Probably grinding.

 

I'm from the Northside of Houston. Anyways back on topic. I hope you like the S2000, when u said it redlines at 9K does that mean you're getting an 04 or older?

 

Variety is good bro, congrats.

 

I dont think you joined the dark side by trading in the Z for a honda, joining the darkside is more like you trading in your car for an M3 or a Prosche boxter and buying a pair of sunglasses and tying up your ponytail. hahaha but yea S2K is badass man i drive my friends all the time and that badboy screams... no joke.

 

Different strokes....but I consider the "darkside" to be mercedes or lexus. A m3 or a boxster would be moving on up IMO.

 

So what do you think of the S2000? I've always been curious of these cars...the top-down options is pretty nice.
I wasn't sure if I'd want to drive one everyday because I've heard you really need to keep those rev's up for any HP.
How's the gas mileage? Any better than the Z?
How fast is an S2000? What's the difference between an 04 and an 03?

 

S2000 wins overall to me. Gas mileage is the same but the tank on the S2000 is smaller.

The 350Z is a torque machine. You can spin the tires in first and keep em going into second given the right condition. The Z was such a pretty blue. The transmission on the Z was crap. Even when it wasnt grinding, it was crazy notchy. It could put you back in your seat though. My wife did not like it because it was too "jerky" as she put it. Handling was good but if you went a bit too much the rear end started to slide out on ya.

The S2000... well.. is convertable. Which kicks so much *** its not even funny. Go-Kart like handling, none of that rear end slide. Precise and quick. Very much fun to take around turns. You get the kick in the pants feeling not off the line, but way up in the RPMs when the engine is screeeeeaming bloody murder.. starts around 6500RPM and ends at 9000RPM.
It winds out forever practically. Ride wise the S is a tad firmer. Also the S has less room, and considering how little room the Z had, thats saying a lot. The white sure is the most beautiful white i have ever seen on a car.

Both stereos suck stock. You only have to get the revs up if you wanna go fast, and honestly, I need to slow it down some, so the S2000 helps with that.

 

Hmm, S2K has rear dif issues if you truly run yer ride hard. (I do) S2K also has front suspension mounts that crack.

I guess I always could by a Toyota!

But there are far worse choices you could have made. The S2 is a gnarly ride and I look to it as a brother not a foe!

 

Well, no ride is perfect I know... I just think 3 transmissions in 15k miles and tire feathering and the other slew of issues I had on the Z was completly unacceptable. If the S does that to me too I will certainly be pissed. But I havent heard of a single person who has had two transmissions start grinding on them badly in so short a time with the S. I have heard of quite a few in the Z. Same goes for the axles and diffs. The axles and diffs arent as strong on the S, so I know not to clutch drop at 7000RPMs. At the same time, I have not heard of a single S owner get the axle clicking for no reason at all like I and others had on the Z. Thats the biggest reason I went to the S.

So, yes, its a sports car, and i dont expect perfection, and I was fine after the first transmission on the Z, but after the second it was too much.

Both cars are equally fast IMO with a nod to the Z at highway speeds... especially with the top down on the S. But goign 80 with the top down on the S "feel" like goign 110 in the Z, so it evens out for me.

 

Hahaha, I thought I came over to the "darkside" becoming a Z owner. For me, it was the opposite scenario. The S2K was a fun car and the top down driving was nice, but it was so impractical as a daily driver. And with our weather up here, the top was up most of the time anyway. It would be different if I was in a position to have the S2K as a third vehicle (daily driver, winter beater, and S2K being the weekend cruiser), but unfortunately that isn't the case. The practicality of the Z is what won me over: more interior space, extra cupholders that don't get in the way, homelink, TCS, VDC, torque during city driving, etc.). Again, if I had it my way, I would own one of each as they both have their strengths/weaknesses.

FYI, I owned an 01 S2K. The 04+ S2K's are a little more practical with a bit more torque, but I haven't had an opportunity to drive one. As far as reliability, Honda has always held an edge on Nissan in that department and there's nothing different here...

 

Very true RPM. For me practicality isnt an issue. Top down in TX is pretty common. Unless you cant stand the heat. But it very rarely snows here so most texans dont even know what a beater is.

 

'03, if I recall correctly, was the last year the S went ALL the way to 9krpm before redlining. Also, the suspension has been softened over the last couple of yrs, and no longer rides like a "go-kart" w/lightning-quick reflexes. OTOH, one man's "precise" steering (my wife & I had an '02) is another man's "twitchy" steering (w/an '03 or older S2000, be careful when you cough or break wind, or you'll wind up in the ditch.

One of the drawbacks of the older, go-kart-like suspension was the total lack of rear-end slide you mention (until, that is, you experience snap oversteer without any warning whatsoever that the car was reaching the limits of adhesion).

I like the fact that I can "wag the tail" of my Z and bring it back in line w/no problem whatsoever, and that the car always lets me know when it is about to break loose. In that way, the Z's handling is idiot proof, whereas '03 or older S2000s could have you thinking you're on rails one second, and watching the rear end pass the first the next second. In that way, the S was more like a true race car.

One last thing. After you buy the S, you'll be so addicted to hearing that engine rev, and feeling the VTEC kick in, that you'll bounce off the rev limiter at least 3 or 4 times a day. Good luck, and have fun.