Yep, just watched that having missed it for days. Ouch (kinda)! Obviously this isn't as good as hoped for and I'm surprised that the RX-8 didn't do better but on the plus side it was just about holding its own with the pack including the Scooby which is good news. However, factor in our power reduction and uh-oh! In a way it's not relevant to me because I'll appreciate the comfort and ease of driving more than the occasional usage of the power but what I don't want is the RX-8 to get a 'sheep in wolf's clothing' reputation.

 

Well ive just handed the keys back to the garage after having the S2000 for the weekend. Weve put 150+ miles on it on all types of road and it was fantastic!

What a car, its so easy driving round town (much more so than my STi) it also feels quick under normal driving. I would go as far as to say that torque is not a problem at all. The power builds gradually up the rev range, and when you get to 7-8000rpm its pulling like a train with a fantastic noise especially with the roof down.

All I can say is as the RX8 has similar torque/bhp, I hope it is similar to this. If it was I would be well happy.

Plus points to the S2k is the performance, noise, ease of driving, electric hood (faster than Z4 - someone should tell BMW), fantastic gear change, controls all well sited. It just felt 'right' to me.

I managed to go out early this morning for a real blast and 1st/2nd/3rd in VTEC and youre doing well over a ton (on a private road of course officer), also managed to get tail out a little around a few deserted islands (as long as no-one from Honda is reading), until the burning rubber smell stopped me :D.

Downsides are the seats are a bit slippy in leather, you feel like they should be a little lower as well, and the steering is a bit light.

I did a spreadsheet yesterday (a bit sad I know) comparing the RX8 to the S2k and scored them on different things. The bottom line is they came out neck and neck, with the RX8 winning on things like practicality, looks, safety, audio, running costs, but the S2k better for performance, fun factor etc. The actual spec of both cars is actually very close.

My wife loves the S2k and wants me to get one now, and so does my mate who came with me.

However, as much as I like it Ive decided to wait for my viewing later this month to have a look at the RX8 again (hopefully a production) model and decide if it is worth the wait to October or not.

Ive waited this long, and I dont just want to give up on the RX8 so easiliy. Once I see it, and hopefully read the press launch articles my interest will be rejuventated.

One thing that is certain is that my choice will be one of these two cars. If for any reason I bail out from the Mazda, it will be an S2k. I may even have both over a period of time, as I am a serial car changer anyway.

In August Motorpoint have a number of new S2ks with metallic and 3yr warranty coming in at £21995 (list £26300), so its tempting.....

However, Im still in for the rest of the month at least............

Mark


Here's the weekend ride

 

I agree with you Mark on every point there. I really want to want the RX8, but the S2000 is at least more tangible at the moment.

£22k for a brand new one. Wow. I might have to give motorpoint a call and see how many S2000s they're going to get. That is an excellent price.

 

Jimbobjoe,

If you go to www.motorpoint.co.uk and register as a member, in the members area you can see what cars they have coming in by searching for make and model.

They have about 15 S2000s due in mid August. I either fancy the Silverstone with Red Leather or the Nuburgring Blue with Blue leather so hands off!!

I spoke to them last week and they are imports from Malta. However you get 3yr Honda warranty and they are exact UK spec including alarm.

If you want a hardtop, this would be £1800 from a dealer though. Ouch!

Cheers
Mark

 

For me it would either be a silverstone with red leather, or the monza red with black leather.

 

Thanks Mark, reading this thread has got me thinking too, especially on the part where the RX8 comes second from last on the track (I haven't looked at it as I'm on modem at home) as I thought the RX8 supposed to be a pretty quick car with very good handling. I, like you will reserve judgement until I actually see and sit in the car this time at Gaydon and hopefully they will start it up. I was hoping that the RX8 was going to be as quick if not quicker than my R32 especially with the lack of torque it has got in comparison.
The thanks is for the info that Motorpoint are going to get the S2000's in at £21,999 in August, that does seem a very good deal. Although I took one out last year after the Motorshow I wasn't that impressed but it was a fairly short drive and the sales guy sitting next to me was a total tit or lets just say that he shouldn't really be selling cars.

Where did you go to take your test drive as I'd rather travel 20-30 miles out my way than go back to Stratford Honda dealer.

Cheers Martin

 

I'd test drive a used one, if possible. I test drove a new one and the salesman stopped me when I hit 5,000 RPM on the tachometer. However, I tested a used Integra Type R and drove it to its 8,500 or so redline numerous times...and these cars are totally different beasts below the VTEC engagement point (6,000 RPM I think for the S2K). Personally, I think the S2000 is the best high-reving, lightweight sports car available and is a close second choice to the EVO for me. However, living in Europe, you guys have alot of other really nice options.

 

I've test drove a s2k few weeks back, I got to go out with it bymyslef for about 45 mins, was a great blast to drive. I found a nice road to drop the clutch at 8k rpm.........yup rubber was burning!! Really loved the way the s2k drove and looks great too...but hoping the rx8 will perform like it with the extra seats and since its a rotary it wont mind me driving it to 8k everyday.

 

At the moment they have one silverstone with red leather + red dashboard in stock. It doesn't have an alarm though. (The other stock they've had did, which is why this is the last one left)

The bloke I spoke to wasn't sure when exactly any others would be coming in though, possibly september. The Monza Red wouldn't be in until late Sept or early Oct.

 

Thats funny, they told me the one left was Silver with Black interior.

Definately told me the blue would be mid-August as well.

One of the reasons I considered the S2000 was to have one now for the summer. If I have to wait, I may as well wait for the RX8.

If for any reason the RX8 fails to live up to my expectations, I would leave it until next spring before getting an S.

 

I dont want to change the recent positive mood, and Im still keen on the RX-8 , but JSG from Japan has recently replied to a thread I posted on the S2000 forum.

It just makes my choice more difficult.

He previously had an S2000, and went to the RX8 and these were his comments:

As a current owner of an RX8, and previously an S, I'd say the decision is pretty simple. If you need the rear seat, like me, then get the 8 - otherwise the S. 4 doors and a roof doesn't compete with a drop top roadster. Esp. considering the UK version is down on power - 231 vs 250 JDM.

I am indeed JSG on the rx8forum! If you do some searching you should find some of my original posts from around early-mid May comparing the S to the 8 when the 8 was new and the S was still fresh in my memory. Don't get me wrong (plenty of people do) - the 8 is a great car. But it's compromised. Not as much as a normal saloon car but still compromised. What I need at the moment is one car that'll fit my baby, wife & I. In an ideal world I would have kept the S and got a Micra for the wife, but I can't justify the cost of 2 parking spaces (esp for a Micra!). So for me the 8 works. But if you already have a sensible car I recommend you drop the waiting, buy an S and don't look back. The S is more "hard core" and is a convertible - unless you are a rotary geek what more do you need to consider?!

The main differences are that the S is more direct in steering, seating, pedal movement and you have to drive it with utmost care. The 8 you throw around like a bus (in comparison) and launch it into situations safe in the knowledge DSC will save you. The 8 is definitely the car to have in the wet (spun my 99 S twice). Other than those points handling and performance is similar - the styling in a lot of sections is almost identical! The rotary even has a good roar like VTEC (if a bit muffled). The biggest shock between the two is the linear delivery of the rotary - the power is totally constant from 3.5k-9k whereas in the S you get addicted to the thrust when you move out of "town mode" and over 6k. I'd love to see a video of a head-to-head drag race between the 2 as the delivery is so different the lead should keep changing. If you do end up getting an 8 buy it in blue, which also applies for the S actually!

 

Yeah , the 8 is a compromise, how can it not be with 4 seats?They must add some weight.

But IMO so is the S2000. If you want no compromise go buy a Caterham.

Personaly I dont think you can compare 2 seat convertable sports car and a 4 seater tin top - and if I could get away with just the 2 seats I definatly would.

Anything from MX-5's(which I think I'd have to turbo ) s2000's etc but probably a lotus Elise.

 

MarkW.

As our mouthpiece how dare you consider an S2000


Besides if your EP is lower than 365, go ahead

Cheers
Oilman

 

Stop doing this to me !!!!!!!!

I had finally come back around to the idea that the 8 was the car to go for. Definitely. No question.

And you had to post this.

Well, I get to see the 8 on Monday, so showdown time maybe.......

 

No worries jimbobjoe, you'll love it to death!!

Cheers
Oilman

 

lol @ jimbobjoe :D

Whatever car I look at I keep getting drawn back to the 8 too. Im going to wait for the RX-8 and drive it before I decide.

Im hoping it is as good as we all want it to be, if so it will be mine . However, with the S2000 I now have a backup plan if the 8 lets me down.

I prefer the versatility of 4 seats even though I dont need them, however the general consensus seems to be if you can live with 2 seats go for the S as its more fun.

It's interesting to hears JSGs comments as he must be one of the few people in the world who has owned both cars, and if he wasnt compraomising he'd take the S.

 

But aren't we always compromising? I don't just want the compromise of 4 seats but also the compromise of a car thats refined when cruising down the motorway, not too uncomfortable on lousy British road surfaces, has a good sound system and a classy looking interior. If the RX-8 can deliver all those things and still deliver 80-90% of the fun factor of something like an S2000 then I'd find that a very easy choice to make.

 

You've hit the nail on the head ChrisW but you forgot one thing.

There are very few cars on the road that look as good as well!

Roll on November?

Cheers
Oilman

 

Ive spent the last two years driving Subaru's which are unrefined on the motorway, my teeth fall out if I drive over a crisp packet, have crap stereos, and not very good interiors either, so most cars for me would be an improvement on this

That is the compromise I have made, to get the benefit of the awesome performance and handling I when I want to give it some.

This time I want something that is less hard core than the Subaru, but still brings a smile to my face when I want to have some fun. I know the S will do that as I have driven it, Im just hoping the RX8 will do the same.

Im the first to admit the RX8 has the S on looks and practicality though.

 

Mark,

I think the S is for you because it will be more hard core (lets be honest), you don't need 4 seats, its also has great shape, has good Honda build quality and is available now. Go get.

rael

 

Mark,

It looks to me like you are already sold on the S. It is that "what if" syndrome we all suffer from time to time that is causing you to hang on.

You may as well wait until you test drive the 8 and at least then you can make an informed decision.

 

Rael,

I can't accuse you of trying to bump Mark out of the queue as your EP is lower than his but.................

GO ON MARK, BUY IT!!

and the rest of you below EP365 for that matter

Except Morg as he's my buddy! I'll need a mate when it arrives.

Cheers
Oilman

 

Uhmmm ....

Let me see .... a Honda s2000 ... clearly faster round a track and available now ....

OR: The really unusual, never seen before in the UK, almost as good, with a much curvier body and cool rear doors, capable of housing my daughter in the back, rotary engined, 1.3 litre (HEHE)

NO CONTEST ... The Honda s2000 looks DULL and is impractical

And ... I hate the thought of driving a VTEC

 

Sorry to dissappoint you all, but as I said earlier Im hanging around to drive the RX8 before making any decisions, so you'll just have to wait your turn in the queue :D


Dont understand this comment, this is one of the greatest production engines. If you dont like high revving engines why buy an RX8, go buy a diesel instead

 

In case you missed it (yeah right!) here are 3Rotors first comments:

1. Wow!!!
2. Yes indeed, it is even more stunning in person than any photograph!!!
3. I am a rock star - everywhere I have gone today I am a celebrity!!!
4. Smooth, smooth, smooth!!!
5. Mazda has nailed it!!!
They kept saying "You won't be disappointed," and I definitely am not.

Still want a Honda?