I have similar choices but I have 350z and RX-7 in the equation.

If you're buying with cash you can get an 08 RX-8 GT for 18-21k. Pretty good deal, the S2K is better in all around performance but impractical in the sense of 2 seats, and it's also impractical when people think your cars a PoS just because it's a Honda..

 

I don't know how old you are or what you do for living.. But I think S2K will get old quick! If you are buying it for weekend car, sure.

My wife wanted a convertible and we test drove bunch of import convertibles. I liked the S2K but price was too high (this was back in 06). We ended up with a MX5.. about the same handling and slightly less power then S2k.. But it was also 12K cheaper and it was mazda.

We no longer have MX5 as its impractical. She was sick of driving it as a daily (noise, space, and etc). It was fun when its nice outside and such, but over all, small convertibles aren't practical.

I've been very happy with my 8 regarding practicality of it. Reliability... well, so far, its not as good as a honda/Acura that I replace this with. Fun factor, Its by far great! Drives well on the track and on the street, it drive smooth if you like it or agressive if you want.. Also the rear seats aren't bad. I was looking at a new Lexus IS and back seats are about the same regarding room. I was also looking at a new 8.. But used yellow 8 was both good financial decision and what I wanted.. a rotary! Overall its a decent daily that I could track during the weekend.

Since you are in AL, hit me up if you want to learn more about rotaries. I also organize Deals Gap Rotary Rally and if you get an 8, you could join us in April. You'll learn a lot about these cars quick at events like DGRR..

Good luck on your search!

PHIL

 

S2000 for 17k??? Wow! Get it! Unless you need back seats. The Rx-8 is like an S2k + 3-series breed.

 

Things to consider:
I used to work for a Honda dealership, they also tried to give me there 08 for $20k. Great deal, but then I remembered all the times I drove it.
-I felt clostraphobic (sp).
-With the spare tire in place (I assume you are not looking at the CR?) the trunk doesn't exsist.
-It's slower than the RX8.
-When I need to bring something home from work I just open my 4th door.
Here comes the biggie.
-Insurance views. Get price quotes. Most insurance view the RX8 as a 4 door. Also it is not a convertible.
-Who wants Pistons???
-S2000 has the motor pushed soooooo hard that they brought the CC's up a few years back just to bring the engine more reliable.
-You have to get on your hands and knees to get into the car.

Everything said DRIVE the S2k for a LONG drive. They will do it for you. I assure you, the RX8 is by far the better choice.

 

What planet do you live on where the rx8 is faster stock at ANYTHING than an s2000? Sorry, but that is just incorrect.

 

You keep mentioning that word practicality. It sounds like your best choice would be the RX-8. The S2000 is a great car, but having 2 seats will get old quick. I owned 3 Z cars , all 2 seaters, 2 of them i had as a 2nd car , my last Z car I had was my main transportation and let me tell you it was a pain in the A$$ sometimes to have.

2 seaters are great if there your 2nd or 3rd vehicle. If there your main transportation, owning one could be a a challenge in day to day use.

If you really have to have the S2000, why don't you get a slightly older one and and at the same time pick you up a beater in 2k-3k range, this way you get the best of both worlds. There some clean civics, integras,preludes and 240sx in those ranges. I should know, i brought one myself,.

 

What because the S2000 has shorter distance to shift????
Or the 5 extra Horspower at redline???
Weight might be an issue when were holding the extra 3 Gallons of fuel.
Wider stance and more solid body on the RX8. Versus a convertible.
Rx8 has lower ground clearance and better turning radius.
All just stats any idiot can read off. So youtube it.

Maybe all just personal preferance, but hands down I have driven both and I feel much better about the RX8. S2k just requires tooooo many rev's to be worth anything. We require a decent rev, but not nearly as bad as the s2k.

So maybe I'm wrong and that extra $7,000 price tag and 200lbs makes all the difference in the world.

Better yet. Everyone lives by Top Gear right. Controlled with the same driver same track.

1. 1:31.8 - Mazda RX-8
2. 1:37.4 - Honda S2000

Please have stats for me before bashing me. I am totally awesome with being wrong, but please have stats for me don't just call me stupid.

 

Cobalt SS wins.

 

Ok, I thought your first comment was bad. This post is hilarious.

First of all, the laps you are talking about from Top Gear (which is LOL and is about as valuable of a resource as Wikipedia is) the S2000 did in the semi-wet conditions while the RX8 did it on dry surface.

Second of all, there is not a 5 hp difference at redline. Stock AP1 S2000s dyno anywhere from 190-200 whp, stock AP2 s2000s dyno anywhere from 205-215 whp, and an RX8 in GREAT shape from the factory barely taps in at 180 whp, with some exceptions of course, but not enough. What does that mean? Oh thats right, a car with less weight, the same layout (FR), and MORE power is always going to be faster in a straight, period.

Not to mention, it holds more G's stock, slaloms faster, and has beaten the rx8 around every single track stock where the conditions were the SAME for both cars.
If you like to compare nonsense, look at best motorings tests at Tsukuba Circuit in Japan. They time attack all the cars after they race, and even the Mazdaspeed RX8 (upgraded wheels, tires, coilovers, drivetrain components) doesn't beat a stock s2000s time. What the hell does that tell you? That's also the non-toned down JDM rx8, not a USDM one.

Also for class purposes, why is the rx8 placed in a lower class at competitive events all around the world? The RX8 is in B-stock for autocross for example, while the S2000 is in A-Stock. So you mean to tell me the people who makes the classings have no idea how to determine ranks for cars? You kidding me?

Then we get to the transmission. Pre 09 RX8s use a piece of **** Aisin transmission that you can read a WHOLE lot about if you search. It's completely inferior, and much more prone to inevitable failure than the S2000s strong, smooth, fluent transmission. Go search the forum and research for transmission issues, in particular from TeamRX8, the most competitive and serious RX8 racer on the forum in the eyes of many. Let me know what you think after you read some of that stuff.

Please, don't make me continue. The RX8 is still a great car, but it is NO match for an s2000 stock, period. Don't cry over it, they are just different class of cars. Sorry.

 

relax

 

naw it's cool. Thats what I wanted was numbers.
Yes he didn't have to be a ***** about it, but atleast I got numbers out of him.

Redefine
I agree yes the Tranny on the S2k is amazing, but thats why I put that up first.
The japan track thing I would love to read if you have a link for it.

From what I've looked and researched, driven and seen. I haven't been pleased to compare. You now atleast gave me some information, but honestly I didn't "cry about it" I gave you what I based it off of, as well as reasons. You will continue to be mean, I'm sure, as it is a forum, but atleast---->

If so in love with the S2k why did you buy the Rx8 and not the S2k? Because that may help this dude out in his decision; instead of bashing my "opinion".

 

I was only mean because you insinuated I was an "idiot" in your first response because you read facts off of wikipedia.

To be honest, because buying the 100% faster car wasn't what I was going for at the time. I really thought I'd have a good use for the rear seats, and I loved that NOONE in my area had the RX8 as opposed to at least a dozen people that had S2000s. I learned the hard way, and if I could have done it over I wouldn't have bought the RX8 over it in the first place. Where I live, it's stupid for me to not have an all wheel drive car, and it's a mistake I won't be making again anytime soon.

 

[quote=RedefineRX8;2849835]I was only mean because you insinuated I was an "idiot" in your first response because you read facts off of wikipedia.
quote]

Well I'm sorry you thought I was insulting you, but read what you wrote to me first.....Also not wiki, Edmunds, kbb, nada, good ol google, plus the wonderful pamphlets you get when working at a dealership.

and as soon as I figure out how to PM with this forum I'll refer these to there.

Oh as for the snow thing, how does it do? Granted AWD is always better is, the traction controll and ABS decent or still a disaster. (Yes I live in cali now, but I'm from michigan so I know what snow driving is)

 

TBH, snow driving in the RX8 as long as its not crazy snow isn't all that bad. My problem is I'm a mountain junkie and snowboard constantly. The roads going to the mountains in VT are HORRIBLE with snow on them, and the neither the RX8 OR s2000 have any business on them. Even with snow tires, you are really pushing your luck to take either of those cars on those roads with snow involved.

Also the PM someone, just click their name then send a private message.

 

Faster car <> better car. Otherwise we'd all drive SRT4 or MSP3.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...azda_rx_8.html

But Cobalt SS is win.

 

i'm so sick of that stupid *** motor trend article lol... it's like the 8 owners only defense mechanism.

too bad the srt-4, MS3, and Cobalt are all fail wheel drive. Takes them right out of the conversation.

 

Granted yes SRT4 is FWD, must say best bang for buck, I LOVED it when I had it. Fun, noisey, comfortable for stock, but then my father got T-Boned lol oh well.
(Sorry huge fan of the SRT line up lol)
But yeah Cobalt is a piece o **** and the MS3 I haven't driven yet so I can't bash it lol.

All things aside who wants to deal with valves and pistons anyways????

 

ide almost rather deal w/ the valves n pistons, dont get me wrong i love my rx8 but im a power man and she just isnt cutting it, and the breaking down all the time b.s. but even after all of that i still cant get myself to get rid of her and when i think about it all i think about is getting a new one, so somethigns got me trapped w/ her