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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Kinda OT/Honda S2000

Posted by: Howard May 8 2005, 12:10 PM

So my buddy shows up with his new S2000 and tosses me the keys. Havaing a bad feeling that this could be an expensive test drive on the Mulholland loop. But I'm back. Compared to my 2.0:

Honda wins: Quieter, smoother ride, AC, power steering, killer stereo, gearbox and brakes. Engine really comes to life around 5k.

914 wins: Roomier cockpit, low end torque, readable non digital instruments (round tach and speedo), visibility, interior acoustics and wind turbulence.

Engine/gearbox comparo. Honda has about the best 'snick' shifter I've ever felt, but it needs it with the engine's peakiness. Always shifting. 914 has one of the worst tranny's but wide powerband means you don't shift alot. In fairness, my car has all the right suspension components and race tires, but

The Mulholland winner is:
914. It sounds better, weighs less and is more fun to drive in the twisties.

Posted by: Aaron Cox May 8 2005, 12:31 PM

but the s2000 revs to 9k

friends has one....great fun..... narrow powerband (4500-9k)

Posted by: anthony May 8 2005, 12:34 PM

Howard, would you have a chance to measure the dimensions of the S2000 seats in the future? I have noticed that sets go for around $600 and look like they might be a good fit in a 914.

Posted by: MattR May 8 2005, 12:48 PM

I got stuck in an S2000 at the international auto show in anaheim a few years ago. No joke

Posted by: nine14cats May 8 2005, 03:14 PM

I like the S2000 for daily fun flogging. I have a 2003 S2000 with 18 inch rims/tires and it's just a great commuter car. Superior in my book in every way for a daily driver.

For a weekend drive car, the 914 just can't be beat for character and for pure "mechanical" fun....you can feel the car, the wind, the rain, smell the gas...

As far as the peakiness of the motor, I agree the Honda motor is a Civic until 5K...but between 6K and 9K that motor just rips! And the sound of the VTEC exhaust is pure F1..

Here's a pic of what my Honda looks like...

Bill P.

Attached image(s)

Posted by: Joe Ricard May 8 2005, 03:38 PM

Autocross the Honda usually wins TTOD. and there is some pretty stiff competition. Yea the driver is an absolute wonder to watch. He is REAL GOOD. Would a stock 914-6 have a chance in hell of beating him in A-stock? Well you better bring your "big boy pants".

Posted by: MecGen May 8 2005, 04:22 PM

This is just my .02 cents, I work on a few...
Completely unstreetable car (for the norm)
Untill you hit 5000 rpm it is a Civic, then the scream...
Apple and Oranges
Later
Joe

Posted by: grantsfo May 8 2005, 04:50 PM

S 2000 isnt a bad car. I was truly torn between Boxster and the S2000 when I was looking. For a more refined sportscar I could take on long trips. The S 2000's lack of torque was the deal killer for me.

I'm thinking this is the ultimate canyon carver:

http://www.lescc.com/

Posted by: jd74914 May 8 2005, 06:51 PM

I know some guys with s2000's. The only one I really like runs a custom supercharger setup, and puts out almost 600 horses (his brothr has a 500horse blown crx).

Too ricey for me though.

Posted by: Andyrew May 8 2005, 08:49 PM

Um... Aaron... Tell me why 4.5 to 9k is a narrow powerband? (thats 4.5k rpm of play dude....) Thats 2 shifts in a close ratio trani, and one shift in a wide ratio trani...)

Any turbo car has a much lower powerband... (3.5 to 6k or worse, 3.5k)

a t4 engine does have a wide tq band (simular in shape to a v8...) 2.5k to 6k.

Andrew

Posted by: KaptKaos May 8 2005, 08:58 PM

QUOTE (Andyrew @ May 8 2005, 06:49 PM)
Um... Aaron... Tell me why 4.5 to 9k is a narrow powerband? (thats 4.5k rpm of play dude....) Thats 2 shifts in a close ratio trani, and one shift in a wide ratio trani...)

Any turbo car has a much lower powerband... (3.5 to 6k or worse, 3.5k)

a t4 engine does have a wide tq band (simular in shape to a v8...) 2.5k to 6k.

Andrew

I think my 1.7 redlines at 5400 rpm. You do the math.

Posted by: Aaron Cox May 8 2005, 10:10 PM

what i meant is its not so fun under 4.5k....

wrong choice of words......ill eat them now

Posted by: Andyrew May 8 2005, 10:19 PM

"turbo lag"

Yes, I understand what you mean QUITE well....

Posted by: lapuwali May 8 2005, 10:40 PM

When the S2000 first came out, I looked at them along with the Miata as fun car that could do a daily long-ish commute. I was really surprised at how small the interior was on the S2000, despite being an overall MUCH bigger car than the Miata. The 914 has loads of room, by comparison. I'm not a big guy (5'7"), but the S2000 actually felt cramped to me.

Posted by: Brett W May 9 2005, 07:13 AM

The S2000 is begging for the NSX V6. What a great combination that would make.

Posted by: redshift May 9 2005, 07:21 AM

QUOTE (grantsfo @ May 8 2005, 06:50 PM)
S 2000 isnt a bad car. I was truly torn between Boxster and the S2000 when I was looking. For a more refined sportscar I could take on long trips. The S 2000's lack of torque was the deal killer for me.

I'm thinking this is the ultimate canyon carver:

http://www.lescc.com/

(info) .. must be connected to Steve Stromberg's gang...

M