I agree, they are totally different beasts. The S2k DOES handle better IMO and is more nimble, but it is not so much better that a Z can not beat it on a track, even a very twisty one.

 

well *anything's possible*. jk. i disagree, i think the z is no match for an s2k on a very twisty track. but i'm far from an expert.

 

Well, the S is more nimble, but if there are a lot of slower tight turns, the torque of the Z will help it out of them. fall out of the S2k's power band and your gonna loose all kinds of time.

You have to be a very good driver to get the most out of the S. If you know what your doing your gonna be faaaaaast though.

But like I said, your entitled to your opinion, and so am I.

 

If you race the S and the Z on 100 different tracks, I think they both win about 50 races. Remember that Best Motoring video where the new Skyline (G35) raced against the S2000, RX-8, WRX, Miata, and an RSX (I think)? The S2000 was first, but the Skyline was second. Given the difference in weight between the Skyline and Z, I think the S2000 would have had a much tougher time trying to win (or finished a close 2nd). That being said, they both spanked the RX-8.

 

There is also a video of a Z racing an s2k, new m3, boxster, and some other cars ( skyline camera car ) and the Z was first. M3 second, s2k third ( s2k was second until it skrewed up on one turn )

Track was semi wet soooo the skyline passed them all with ease once he felt like he was done filming the Z.

If I knew where the vid was I'd post it. I'd actually like to save that one if anyone has it.

 

And heres the video, Happy Festivus!


Tsukuba Battle - 350z, M3, S2K, Porsche w/*******, and Skyline

Oh and yesterday was a nice day out, I was driving all over VA cause I had finals and saw atleast 3 different gorgeous women driving S2000s with the top down. For those that never see women driving S2ks, I feel sorry for you cause it snaps my neck every time ahah Its getting nice out so im sure they will be taking their little roadsters out more often

 

Honda S2000 Sales :

1999: 3,400
2000: 6,797
2001: 9,682
2002: 9,684
2003: 2,565 (through April)
Total: 32,128

It was well over 6k in the second year. It is slowly on the rise. I suspect the 04 models will be over 10k and the sales will stay steady or slightly rise.


Not too sure about the 04 models.


Only 1% for women huh? I SWEAR on everything that at least 50-60% of the time I see an s2k on the road some lady is driving it. Most of them don't even seem like the type that would be enthusiastic about the car. And some with the top up, in the SUMMER!


The question is, WHO IS DRIVING IT? There may be a girl driving the S, but that doesn't conclude that she is the owner. I think roadsters are just popular in sunny places where people and their cars draw attention. And we all know what girls do best ;-)

In Japan, I have not seen one lady driving a Miata, yet I have seen a couple of chicks driving RX7s (autos presumably). So, one cannot really conclude what a ladies car should be.

After all, they were all designed by men.

 

Well as I said about a zillion times, I do NOT in any way think the s2k is a chick car by ANY means. Just pointing out that I see a lot of women driving them.

 

Hey I saw your post on S2ki.

Love the first and third pictures, beautiful. Love the wheels too.

I think the majority of the posters here have been pretty respectful of the S, they've all stated their reasons why they pick the Z over the S, which in a lot of cases, totally makes sense.

As for the name calling, I think you will find more of it on S2ki about the Z than the S here. I'm also not very impressed with the rx8 forum. Disappointing really.

That's why I'm here, majority of the posters seem to be older and more mature, BS stories are quickly shot down.

 

Thank you, and I agree with everything said.

 

Damn, some of y'all are awfully shallow! I never even consider whether a car might be perceived as a "chick car" in my purchase decisions!

The 350Z is a cool car, and def. makes a better daily driver or is good for those who want or need all the extras like nav., VDC, heated seats, etc.

I find the S2000 to be way more fun to drive, and a more visceral, sport-bike(or racecar)-like experience. The quality seems to be much higher as well, and my car has been near trouble-free.

Now that I have a supercharger, torque and the need to shift frequently is no longer an issue. I wouldn't worry about any 350Z in town giving me a challenge in either acceleration or handling now!

Enjoy your ride, but that doesn't mean you need to look down on close competitors...

 

Chris S, I'm glad you've had good luck with your S2k. Mine was a headache - motor probs, tranny probs, rattles galore, roof had several small tears...after a whopping 15k! lol The sad part is that my friends used to call me "grandma" for driving it slow and trying not to spoil it haha...

And I sold it to get the Z...which has also had a few foibles
(luckily, none as serious).

 

Don't kid yourself, The S2K will beat the Z every single time in the twisties!

The Z is overweight and in every turn you will feel the weight. The S2K on the other hand, turns effortlessly!

The Z is a much better daily driver though.

And the S2K isn't without it's problems, a friends 2001 engine seized on him at autoX the other week and he wasn't even pushing it hard.

 

I just traded in my 2001 S2K with only 14k miles on it. I used it only on sunny days. I replaced it with a new 2004 Z. This is what I can tell you:

1) The S2000 is no joke. I love that car. There is no car I have ever driven (including my new Z) that handles so well and feels so connected to the road. The handling is so tight. My S2000 would spank (lightly) my new Z in the twisties.

2) Regarding the Z: There is no replacement for displacement. I like the low end torque. Since I had 2 cars and only wanted one daily driver, I got rid of the S2000. It is not a good daily driver, the Z is. The 350 is a LOT more comfortable.

They are both fun, great cars. There will definitly be days (sunny 70 deg. F) when I will wish I still had my S2000. All the other days, I will be happy with my Z.

 

the camera car (a gtr) blocked all the other cars behind the z for almost the entire race. also, the s2000 and m3 had the best lap times.

 

not necessarily. there's also a best motoring where g35 beats 350z.

 

I checked out the S2K before I bought my Z.

What sold me on the Z?

The Z makes more torque at idle than the S does at full rev.
To me, it just a better driver overall.

 

Even if the S is a chick car, any girl that can drive stick shift, any girl that would pick an s2000 over say a Spyder Eclipse has earn my respect.

Omer.

 

I live in MD, and I noticed a lot of girls driving 350Zs. I also see a lot more guys driving it than girls though. I dont consider it a girl car, and Im trying to get a 350z or Evo in June or July.
Same goes for the s2k, I definetly dont see it as a girl car just because theres a couple of girls that drives it.
(though I do see more girls drive the 350z than s2k ), but geez, seriously guys, lets not lable any sexy and good looking car as a girl's car!

As far as sports car performance goes, sigh, id have to say the s2k is the better car. Better handling characteristics than the Z. Its low end torque is non-existent, a lot of non-sport cars with 200+hp, like Eclipse GTS, masda 6 V6, Accord V6 can out accelerate it in the low end (sometimes). (its something very emberrasing that a lot of s2k owners dosnt bother to mention ). It rules on the high end though, especially the 2000-2003 models. Most cars including the 350z, starts to run out of breath around 6000 - 6500 rpm, while the S2k is just getting into its sweeter part of the powerband! On the highway above 80mph, even Corvetts get suprised and caught by the s2k's 9000rpm redline Vtec dust.
Its by no means the king of the highway, but for 30k, its a pretty good deal. I agree it handles really well, but to me, Evo VIII handles even better. In fact if performance is the only concern, Evo VIII is probably the better/best deal for 30k than the s2k. Evos can do 0-60 in 4.59 with a 5000rpm clutch drop luanch, and run low 13s 1/4 mile on the track. They are also cheap to mod, it dosnt cost much to get an Evo 8 to 450whp. If you are into racing, then 350z is probably not the best car for you.

350z to me is the most balanced true sports car in this price range. It handles well, and has good low end torque and good top end. Best of all, it looks exotic and looks much more expensive than it really is (opposite is true for EVO). The vq35 engine is not a true sports car engine (dosnt rev very high), but its still a great engine that won top 10 engines of the year for the past 9 years. Theres also no way Nissan can keep the 350z this cheap if it uses totally new engine. Neways, I like 350z the best for these reasons, If these cars are street fighters, Id say the 350z is Ryu/ken, s2k is fei Long, and the Corvette is Zangeif
*btw, i found it kinda suprising that 350z is 3260-3300+ pounds. thats heavier than the Corvett!
*and the 04 s2k is not as fast as the 00-03 ones. It has more torque now and is more civilized, but it lost some top end performance according to Motor trend.

 

That must be because of the drivers. There is no reasonable way that the heavier (by 200 lbs.) of 2 cars with the same engine and suspension is going to be the faster one.