this last opinion is very interesting...we have a couple of guys on the s2ki boards that really enjoy their 8's performance and don't call it 'mushy' at all. when it comes time to look for more practical transportation than my s2k you can bet i'll be looking at the 8 first! had the 8 been out and available to test drive when i bought the s2k last year i very well may have chosen it instead. as it stands, i'm glad i went with the s2k for now because it has better proven reliability for now. once the flooding issues are worked out, however....i may just trade.

 

The S2000 is a convertible. There's so much fun in that.

The RX-8 has the potential to be a great car. If you understand the car and are a capable driver, flooding will not be an issue ( I have yet to flood a rotary for 4 years - - 1981 RX-7 with blown apex seal).

Tires are what make the difference in a car. When I had a '91 RX-7 I had Bridgestone Blizzak winter tires on it. I drove faster than SUV's and confident it had traction. The power curve isfriendly because you won't break the tires loose unless you drive stupid.

Get tires for the S2000 or just get a beater car. My Protege lets me drive around when I'm not rotary powered. You could save $$$ and do mods to your S2000.

 

Yep. I have a 95 VW Golf to get me around. I share miles with rx8, and since I drive over 20k miles a year it adds life and value to it. If you have the money to buy a new rx8, along with your s2k, I'd say why not. PUt snow tires on rx8, and use it in winter, if not buy yourself a beater car, and put money into s2k.

 

Cheap winter sports car: 1997-1999 Eclipse GSX. I owned a 1992 Talon AWD Turbo and it handled like it was on rails and faster than f**k (can we say **** in this forum?) Best handling car I've owned for winter driving. Better than my Bronco, Bravado.

 

better sports cars for the money???? huh?
Look at all the reviews that rave the 8 is the best bang for the buck. And I have driven the s2000. Other than louder, I would not say it is more fun to drive, other than more expensive. The G35, BMW 325i etc, all more $$, yet the 8 offers just as much performance fun, for less money. And the styling is an eye catcher, along with some room in the back for some friends !
The TT does not handle like the 8, yet is also costs too much.
So for the money you spend, the 8 is in a league of its own. A balance of performance and handling with a great price and unique styling, that sums up the 8

 

Broker said it best. For the money you can't find a better car. Look at the Acura TSX though. Better Amenities, better low to mid-range power. On the other hand it's a true 4 door and although it handles well it doesn't handle like the RX-8.

 

I think it looks much better that the TSX. The cars mentioned before: 325i, G35, and the Audi have a much different feel and soul. The are in one class and the RX-8 is in a unique class of its own.

 

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Reviews always say that. Just look up the past 10 reviews that Car and Driver or Road and Track, etc. have posted about the S2000. It almost always (if not always) wins against the Boxster, BMW Z, TTs, and whatever else.

Yes, the engine is louder, but that is not the only difference. I personally like the surge in power from the VETEC at around 6K rpm. The RX-8's power band is too linear and sterile. Of course, that is a simple matter of opinion... but for me the S2000 handles better, is faster, and lower to the ground with a tigher suspension. This is all based on the '00 model... the newer ones have improved lower-end torque and rumored to have even more HP than posted by Honda. Somewhat the reverse of the Mazda situation, it seems.

If you're going by reviews, then surely you must know that the S2000 is quicker off the line and does a faster quarter mile. Plus, skid pad tests also show the S2000 pulling just as many g's. All this with the gas mileage of a Civic and a convertible top!

The only thing the RX-8 can boast is more practicallity. I personally don't buy sports cars to haul anything other than ***. If it has a back seat, or doesn't, I don't really care.

So, unless you are getting an RX-8 with absolutely nothing on it at the cheapest price, how exactly is the RX-8 a better bang for the buck than the S2000? I am pretty sure most people here paid from $30k - $35k or more for their 8s. The S2000 can be bought at nearly any Honda dealership for $32k. If that's more than you paid for your 8, then it would have been worth it to spend a little more for the S2k, IMHO.

RR
---------------------
'03 NSX - Black/Tan
'04 RX-8 - Ti Silver/Black

Previously owned:
'00 S2000 - Red/Black
'00 TT Coupe 180 hp- Silver/Black
'01 TT Roadster 225hp- Silver/Gray

 

Not unless...

1) the tight *** S2k is too small for you to comfortably drive

2) If all I care about is hauling ***, all thoughts of space and practicality to the wind... f&^$ the S2k. I can spend $10-11k, buy a Honda CBR1000RR or Yamaha R1 and take your S2k anyday. I can spend the $32k and go exotic... Aprilla Mille or Ducati 999R.

3) From what I've seen in the buying/financing section almost no one has paid $35k for their 8. $27-31-ish seems the norm. Personally I'd get mine with nothing other than sport package and add leather, stereo, etc. aftermarket.

.... as a matter of fact, I could get the more practical 8 w/ sport package only and with the change leftover from the differenece in cost with the S2k, buy a used motorcycle... CBR600F4i and still be faster than a S2k (the bike is).

So for me there is no value in buying an S2k.

 

Not that I'm one to usually defened the rx-8, but I got mine for about $26k, and its the mid-level model (Sport or whatever its called)..

The reason the RX-8 is 'superior' imho, is SAFETY. I'd rather drive it in bad conditions than my S2000... Why? Well, first, the traction and stability control kicks-***..its amazing. Shvt that would cause my s2k to spin out, the Rx-8 computer takes care of... (within the limits of traction and not being a total idiot)... PLUS the RX-8 has more airbags than I have fingers on my hand. Front, side, rear, etc... its a giant balloon inside.

For bad conditions, the RX-8 is an amazing car... But, its no roadster. Which do you want? Why not get/keep both?

 

Got a point there... why not have both?

 

Test drive each of them. Then look at the pros and cons for each and then make your choice. It's that easy. If you listen to everybody on this forum you might not get what you really want and will be kicking yourself about it later.

 

I think the civic will get better mpg than the s2000. Isn't the s2k rated at 18 city 26 highway?
The RX8 feels much more refined, the rotary much smoother power delivery.
The rx8 is just as much fun to drive, more comfortable, better sound, more roomy, better all round car.
I do like a rag top. And I'd take the S2k over any other roadster on the market.
I just don't fit in such a little subcompact like the s2k. No room for my left arm. It gets crushed by the drivers door.

 

Sure, a Civic will get better MPG than the S2000, but the S2000 will get 18-22MPG running 6.5-8.5k RPMS all day long... That would put the RX-8 down to 10-11mpg.

More refined and smoother? Posh I say! The F20C is an amazinging smooth motor-- and it doesn't idle like the RX-8 (which idles about as smooth as a 1970's camaro).

... More comfortable? Perhaps..depending on your size... better sound? I beg to differ... you can't get that 'sound' with a roof.

More roomy.. I'd agree.

Better all roudn car? Not even close. The quality of the S2K is superior to the RX-8 in not only quality of materials, (minus the seats-- I think the RX-8 seats are much better), but the controls (cockpit) of the S2K is designed to accomidate the Driver to perform all functions without taking his hands off the steering wheel. Its a true sports/drivers car...not a sporty sedan.

Really-- you guys need to drive an S2000 for a few hours, if not days to really understand how refined that vehicle is.

-- Aaron

 

if you say so
you have something wrong with your 8. My 8 and all the ones I have seen Idle very very smooth. Take your s2000 and run to 9500 RPM and tell me its not a buzzy nest of bees. The rx-8 is ultra smooth, maybe even too smooth. The S2000 gets very, very buzzy at high rpms, please get off your high horse.

Um, its 100 times more comforitable. Doesnt depend on your size. The engine is smoother, the car is more quiet, the suspesion is more forgiving. Sound is a matter of opinion, but I absolutly love the sound of my Rx-8 is better IMHO than the S2000 (which sounds ok).

LOL, right. The S2000 has exceptional quality, but so does the rx-8. Personally, I think the rx-8 has a better quality interior, but thats my opinion. You really think the quality of the materials are better in the s2000 I ask you to prove it.

I agree the S2000 is refined is 10 times more refined than my FD (but way slower, doesn't handle as good and not as fun), but the s2000 is not as refined as the Rx-8. get over it.

 

Knowing honda and having seen the new mazda's interior. You're probably right on this account. Interior layout... Honda is good, but boring. Like the exterior of their car, good functions, but boring as hell. Interior space... I'm 6' and 200+lbs and that boy was tight! I seriously enjoyed the Z4's interior much better... so spacious.

Engine sound... I'm sorry...I hate the sound of normal I-4 cars and bikes. Only the CBR600RR and 1000RR or ok sounding I-4's. The VTEC high revevving machines are just not my cup of tea. The Renesis idle... there are threads on this you know... every read one? Try 87 octane gas, partiuclarly in the winter months.

It's yur decision... different strokes for different folks.

 

** Note (EDIT):: My comments are in the QUOTE portion..sorry...


Nothing to get over... I own both, so I'm not griping.. I guess it depends on what you define refined as..

So-- what exactly is "superior" about the RX-8 minus what I've already stated over the S2K that really isn't "opinion"? I'd have to say the non-dash interior, the stability and dsc systems.. Amazing breaks... (though I don't know how well they hold up to track/heat conditions)... Thats all I can really think of, but its kind silly to compare a roadster to a 4 seat sportsedan imho.

Don't get me wrong, I do like the RX-8... but I don't think its the end-all-be-all.. personally, I'd much rather have a '97 supra or even a late model RX-7...

 

Yeah... why compare a four-seat, four (sorta) door with a two-seat roadster? I've never understood that one. Why? Just because they both have peaky, high-revving engines?

It's comparing apples to oranges.

 

they're both great cars, period. i think if you auto-x your s2k or go top down 24/7 then the rx-8 might disappoint, but they are both amazing cars. 9/10 of the people who own an s2k will never approach the car's limits....

...and if i personally was at the limit, i would rather be in a rx-8 than my s2k.

 

All Magazine test drives I've read refer to it as a true sports car with seating for 4. Your the only one who thinks different. I know the 8 is a sportscar because I've owned 4 sportscars in my life and the 8 screams sportscar with sedan comfort. What more could you ask for?
IMHO The 8's engine is sportscar perfect, superior in design and function to the s2k engine. Which says alot because the 2k has a hell of great engine. Fit and finish are equal but less refined on the s2k. The s2000 is a very rough sportscar for the sportscar purist. I'll take the compromise. The 8 does it all.

 

I am going to sum up this argument then please close this thread 2 seat convertibles are fun and not having a roof adds a dimension to the driving experience but cars like the Honda are small and not very useful in day to day driving. In real world conditions a car like the RX-8 offers the best of both worlds great handling, room for weekend luggage, back seats to throw things, grandma does not have to be tied to the roof, etc etc

Oh year and the S2000 came in last in a recent Motor Trend comparison and the 8 came in first...thank you and good nite!

 

First off, I don't put the Rx-8 as a "Sports Sedan". Let me quote mazda off the record and not the advertising and marketing. We did take a look at this car with larger rear doors and we found that basically we had a sedan. And we felt that to produce a crossover product between a sportscar and a sprots sedan, we needed to do something to maintain the greenhouse shape so it looks like a sportscar. And if you look at the practical use of this car, 90 pct of the time there will be only 1 person in the car, so I dont anticipate the rx-8 being used primarily as a 4 passenger car" that was a quote from Philip R. Martens the man behind the rx-8.

Having said that, in terms of a track car the S2000 is superior I will not argue that point. If you are driving on the street the S2000's advantages will quickly become null. The difference in acceleration between a S2000 and Rx-8 is a few 10ths which will come down to driver and not come into play on the street. Both cars handle great, but again the S2000's suspesion will shine on a race track but will suck in the real world. For example, fly 70 MPH round a turn and hit a pothole in the S2000 and do the same in the RX-8. The rx-8 is more forgiving and a better setup for the street. Its a fact. I'm not bashing the S2000, I'm just being realistic. For example I make the same arguement with my rx-8 vs my Rx-7. 90 pct of the time I can drive my Rx-8 faster on a very twisty road than my Rx-7, yet I know a pro driver can run rings around the Rx-8 with an rX-7.

What makes the car "better" is a matter of opinion. If you are buying the car for a track the S2000 is better than the RX-8, but I'd rather have the rx8 for the street.

 

The lack of a roof gets addicting.. I live in Texas so I don't "HAVE" to put the top up 95% of time time.

 

It also gets old. I have owned a 93 Miata and 99 miata 6 speed. I loved it, but driving miatas for 7 years It eventually drove me nuts with the noise. Also living in atlanta at the time, 95 pct of the time it was way to hot to put the top down.

as a second car the S2000 is a great choice, but as an only car the Rx-8 is a better choice. You and I are similar as my other car is my 94 Rx-7. I drove my Rx-7 as my only car for 2 years and I realized that it makes a better second car. If the 3rd gen Rx-7 didn't exist, I would have an s2000 with my rx-8 right now, thats for sure.

 

totally disagree. once you go convertible, you almost NEVER go back...except by compromise...
i have been debating for a while now on whether to get an rx8, but that would mean me considering giving up my s2k, and that i can never do! top down, spirited driving in the s2k is pretty good as it gets.

Quote:

as a second car the S2000 is a great choice, but as an only car the Rx-8 is a better choice.

totall agree with you here!