S2000 or Swapped E30?

[Hon2BMW]

Depends on insurance.

S2k will generally be more reliable

S2k will have the top slashed and seats taken at some point, so GET A HARD TOP FOR IT, unless you have a garage, in which case I would still get a hardtop, they look better with one.

S2k is better looking stock IMO, well at least the AP2, which you probably wouldn't be able to find for under 20K.

If you plan to keep it stock or close to it, go with the S2k. In my opinion it doesn't need much. The engine doesn't respond impressively to basic mods, its already producing over a 100hp per liter, it's not lacking in hp, its lacking in torque, to see big gains you would need to invest quite a bit to do it right.

[Jbs]

Depends on insurance.

S2k will generally be more reliable

S2k will have the top slashed and seats taken at some point, so GET A HARD TOP FOR IT, unless you have a garage, in which case I would still get a hardtop, they look better with one.

S2k is better looking stock IMO, well at least the AP2, which you probably wouldn't be able to find for under 20K.

If you plan to keep it stock or close to it, go with the S2k. In my opinion it doesn't need much. The engine doesn't respond impressively to basic mods, its already producing over a 100hp per liter, it's not lacking in hp, its lacking in torque, to see big gains you would need to invest quite a bit to do it right.

right, the only thing i'd probably do would be suspension (i hear it corners pretty well already though).... that or a comtech s/c to help out with the torque :twisted:

[Erik]

S2k will have the top slashed and seats taken at some point, so GET A HARD TOP FOR IT, unless you have a garage, in which case I would still get a hardtop, they look better with one.

x a million, it's happened to a friend of mine, he also had a wakeboard that got stolen from it too. Don't ask me how he fit that in there...

Yes Hard top S2ks are bad freaking ass!

http://www.carsbase.com/photo/Honda_S2000_Hardtop_mp22_pic_29700.jpg

^^^ Way too big to post, but a hot picture for sure...

[Jean]

I've had a pleasure of driving my brothers 2003 s2k he owned for 4 years. There is no way in hell can an e30 compare to one in performance, the chassis and suspension on an e30 is on another level, tranny is one of the best and so is the engine. I've driven it many times, autocrossed it also and we both took it to a Reno Fernley track a few years back so I have some first hand experience with both.

Here are things you won't like about it:

1) insurance
2) noisy
3) not a lot of room
4) every ricer will want to race you

Things you'll love about it:

1) handling
2) feeling one with the road
3) top down
4) reliability

[fmxomar]

clean

[Jbs]

yes



It will be very conservative looking (expecially for a honda ;)), hopefully somewhat of a sleeper (with the s/c of course :devillook).

thanks for the info jean, thats what i was looking for!

[Jon325i]

I've never personally driven one, but if I had to make a choice between the two, I would probably go for the S2K - it is simply a very focused car (which I like) since it makes few consessions to luxury and comfort. The renowned Honda reliability is just a bonus. However, seeing you're about to head off to college, I wouldn't consider this car unless you've got the following matters addressed:

1) A safe and (preferrably) covered parking space to keep it cause I guaran-damn-tee you that some folks will want to vandalize or steal the thing.

2) Consider the insurance costs - I take it you're buying it outright? If not, just about any bank will want full coverage insurance and even if you have a spotless record you fall in the driver demographic which is considered the highest risk.....and they will gouge you good every month to cover it. I guess this would be a moot point if your folks plan on footing this bill for ya while you own it.

3) What the S2K lacks is practicality - just room for you and one other. As I said before, its a very focused car, not something I would personally want to live with day-in and day-out. For a weekend toy and occassional track day ride, its great.

4) I'm not sure where you are heading off to school, but if its anywhere in California you will be paying a premium for fuel and the S2K (despite being a Honda) does not get the best economy.

In all honesty, with the money you have burning a hole in your pocket, spend about half of it getting a clean, well-sorted E30 with stock power and a few tastefully done mods and run with that. Use the other half of the money to cover misc. expenses or do the Warren Buffett thing and invest it.

Jon

[e30love]

e30 100%

[fmxomar]

lol:roll: go drive an s2k and drive the e30 after
your decision will be made

[Jbs]

lol:roll: go drive an s2k and drive the e30 after
your decision will be made

is the s2k really that much better? ;)

[3E0panda]

WERD. e30 for life!

[Jbs]

lol, I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE AN E30. BUT, im not sure how reliable an s50 swapped monster is going to be compared to a HONDA.

plus it is going to be a lot more expensive.

[cferb]

s2000, no question. If I had that money, it's probably what I would buy, even after considering all other options. except maybe an e30 m3. I love driving s2ks. The only concern I would have is, you're going to college, do you need to be able to carry things, or do you have something else to do that with?

Make sure you save some money for a hard top. My friend has had 2 s2ks, crashed one of them not his fault. The first one he had, the roof was already cut when he got it. The second one just got broken into in Canada, they cut the back window out. They tried to steal his seats too, but it had some sort of lock thing. Don't get your hopes up about the top on the white car, they are not cheap.

Seriously, is it that hard to brake the window and unlock the door??? You don't have to screw up the car too...And a window is a lot cheaper

is the s2k really that much better?

Yes, yes it is.

[Bimmer335is]

I would just tell you to find someone who has an s50 swapped e30 and see if they will let you drive it spiritedly, and then do the same with the s2k. Make your decision then.

My wonder is if even half the people that say get the s2k ever even took an s50'd e30 for a spin.

For 15k, and spending your money correctly, you could have a clean well sorted out s50's e30. or a stock s2k.

Or do what I did and got a cheap 1993 honda civic, that get's 40 mpg, and take my s50'd e30 out for fun every now and then. But then again, I'm in the middle of upgrading my e30, the honda stays stock and it get's me a to b.

[cferb]

I would just tell you to find someone who has an s50 swapped e30 and see if they will let you drive it spiritedly, and then do the same with the s2k. Make your decision then.

My wonder is if even half the people that say get the s2k ever even took an s50'd e30 for a spin.

For 15k, and spending your money correctly, you could have a clean well sorted out s50's e30. or a stock s2k.

Or do what I did and got a cheap 1993 honda civic, that get's 40 mpg, and take my s50'd e30 out for fun every now and then. But then again, I'm in the middle of upgrading my e30, the honda stays stock and it get's me a to b.

What does the s50 have to do with it? It just means it's fast. I love the s2k for how it turns, an s50 isn't gonna change that in an e30...