A&Q about 350Z
Q:
Hi,
I just test drove both cars today and was astounded by the quality of them both. I enjoyed the ride in both a lot, loved the immediate torque of the Z and the high revving of the S2000.
Well I live in a snowy country, but that won't stop me from driving it in the winter. I don't mind RWD cars in the winter either, i've owned a firebird and currently have a GS400, so I know about crappy snow driving ;)
I understand some of you have had S2000's before and wanted to know which one you liked better and why. I can't stop thinking about those 2 cars, seriously i haven't been able to get some sleep in the past 2 days because i'm so undecided.
I need input!!!!
A:
If you are aware of their stats, resale, mod potential, insurance, already, and have had a test drive, I think you may be the only one that can choose. Brand new for the same price, I'd take the z, but the s2k is cheaper and it also has better resale, but not quite the uniqueness of the z roadster nor the power. I would however, rather have the s2k in the snow than the 350z just from I've done with the cars in the rain. For a track car, I'd take the s2k just because I think you could get away with beating on it more, but for a normal cruiser, again if I didn't have to pay the diff, I'd go with the z, black ofcourse.
19[TT]91
My TT beauty is gone.
2[00]2 Honda 954RR
Suzuki 1200 S; sportscar eater
19[I4]94 Integra GSR Sedan
Long live the Z...
aka SAHTT
A:
Insurance is about $400 a year less for the S2000.
This is one tough choice to make (Ok it's a fun tough choice to make!)
I'm leaning towards the Z because it has more creature comforts like heated seats and a better sound system and overall more space.
A:
Hmm.. that is extremely unusual. The Honda s2000's insurance rates are incredibly high, comparable to a C5 corevette. I'm going to guess you don't live in a metropolitan area, that could be the reason. The Z does have more trunk room and more creature comforts, the s2k is not designed with the 'heated seats' type driver in mind, but ths s2k seems cheaper in insurance and certainly will get better gas mileage. You are in a fortunate situation my friend! My financial situations involve choosing between 'micheal angelo's' or 'smart one's' at walmart or signing checks for the government in some form or fashion or my university.
19[TT]91
My TT beauty is gone.
2[00]2 Honda 954RR
Suzuki 1200 S; sportscar eater
19[I4]94 Integra GSR Sedan
Long live the Z...
aka SAHTT
A:
zlover57 sorry to hear that, i'm sure things will get better. For me the Z has been a source of motivation for the past 2 years and funny enough I think some of my success is because of it's inspiration.
I don't think the S2000 has Traction Control which is a big thing since there's plenty of snow in the winter, so i'll probably go towards the Z mainly because of that.
And i think downtown Montreal is considered a metropolitain area hehe i was surprised too.
A:
The S2000 is actually more expensive than the base and enthusiast Z's as expensive as a 30th anv. and $1k less than a track.
Anywho, It's a hard choice no doubt but i'm guessing the s2000 will hold it's resale value better than the 350Z largely based on the 350Z bieng alot more comon. I heard an s2000 fly by me the other day and that engine sounds SOOOOOOO SWEEEETT!!!!!
But the S2000 is getting old, been out since '99.
It's a hard one but I would go for an S2000, they just seem more exotic and better built, plus you wont have to change your tires 10 times in 1 year either.
-------------------------------------------------
Road & Track Executive Editor, Richard Homan 1994
"Give me a 300ZX Twin Turbo and a three-day
weekend in the Sierra Nevadas, and i'll come back
with the meaning of life."
Post Edited (Apr 1, 9:59pm)
A:
Well i'm talking about the Z roadster so it's more expensive than the S2000.
I agree it feels more exotic and i'm also worried that it's an aging model. The traction control thing really bugs me though, i remember bitching at my firebird because it didn't have it and it was only the V6. In the snow RWD can suck ass.
A:
If you want speed and good traction in the snow, why dont you get an Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 with the 425 BHP 6.1 lt. HEMI V8?
That SUV will spank the Z and the S in or out of snow.
Might wana give it some thought /=-)
-------------------------------------------------
Road & Track Executive Editor, Richard Homan 1994
"Give me a 300ZX Twin Turbo and a three-day
weekend in the Sierra Nevadas, and i'll come back
with the meaning of life."
Post Edited (Apr 1, 10:22pm)
A:
ICEMAN i'd rather have a ragtop and a nice tan
Oh also the handling part too ;)
I think the Z is a better chick magnet too :P
A:
dont get the s2000 it looks like a miata cheap car.......... raced one the other day on the highways dust him out for about 1/4 mile one of my guys have one and no matter where we go the zzzzzz get all the attention...... regardless......... get the z you'll love it just like everybody..
my dad told me once.... leather. performence and luxury exotic.. is a must in a sports car................
i need a z32tt convertible 5 speed
A:
Pretty obvious that some of you have never driven a VTEC car. Yes, tis true, VTEC is designed to engaged at around 5,000 rpm. Let’s set the record straight, you can cruise around town at 4,500-5000 rpm all day, just keep the trans in a lower gear, and your ready to out perform most cars.
VTEC can give you the best of both worlds. Cruise around in non-VTEC mode (just one intake value working per cylinder) for economy. Or kick in VTEC and turn on 2 intake valves per cylinder for power.
I just sold my tricked out 92 Prelude that was powered by a J-spec H-22 that produced 300+ hp. 0-60 speeds around 4.5 second, oh, and had almost 300,000 miles on her (Hondas are bullet proof and run forever). If Honda was still building Preludes or something equivalent to the Z, you can bet your ass I would be driving one!
A:
ZINO'S post is kinda crazy, Z33's are almost as comon as water down here and do not attract alot of attention anymore, were as the S2000 still turns heads becuase they are so sexy.
I must also disagree with the miata cheap remark, if a car looks cheap it would have to be the 350Z with it's cheap ass interior and tons generic plastallic trim and door handles.
I mean comon, how many benze's and bimmers do you see with gobs of plastallic...none, they don't even use that shite and the 350Z even has that sentra/scion'ish crap on its door handles and emblems...
And as for Zino's post on "smoking" an s2000 for a 1/4 mile, Just check last months Road & Track Magazine were they pited the 30th anv. Z against a bunch of cars including the S2000. The Honda "Smoked" the Z in every category and all the editors ranked it pretty good they also all ranked the Z at the very bottom and said that it just barley "wheezed" through the all the tests. That was the solid roof Z, imagine if they used a vertible... =-(
s2000>350Z roadster
-------------------------------------------------
Road & Track Executive Editor, Richard Homan 1994
"Give me a 300ZX Twin Turbo and a three-day
weekend in the Sierra Nevadas, and i'll come back
with the meaning of life."
Post Edited (Apr 2, 5:48pm)
A:
iceman than why did you buy a z??????????? to me the z is everything for its price........ 30k on z.. looks and chick magnet s2000 a pussy car//// get the s2000 go to nevada for three days and come back with the meaning of life dumm ass..........
old people just look a what the magazine says... ;young people the z is just for fun and take off.......
A:
Considering roads aren't too curvy around here, I don't think i'll take as much pleasure driving the S2000 daily as I will with the Z.
Still i'm reading those reviews, they'Re enlightening. Thanks
A:
dildorado good choice..... the z will get your money worth.......
just a review again i almost got into a car accident with a semi truck racing a gtp and the stong handling saved me from crashing into the truck inthe other hand gtp???????? <was gonne>YWYWYWWY
the z its a safer ride.... convertibles i dont know?? the stains on the top
from birds its hard to get it out...... i had a mustang and it sucked.......d
i need a z32tt convertible 5 speed
A:
Ugh you got your ass kicked by a gtp? Interesting
As for bird crap, well i just bought a hose with a nice garage so hopefully i won't have much trouble with that.
A:
tar - "Funny you should mention how S2000/NSX VTEC is somehow different than any other VTEC, NOT!! "
Uh, no. You are wrong. Be a little more careful on your facts. Since you have a k-series, maybe you've heard the difference between the k20a3 and 'your' type S? The differences between the ivtecs and the 'regular' vtecs are similar. The lobes, cams; tons of things are different between the systems, DOHC vs SOHC.. go read up on temple of vtec, great source. Ofcourse the cams/etc.[major components of the vtec system] is going to be different between economy cars and sportscars with the highest 6 and 4 cylinder n/a output of all production cars, that's common sense.
19[TT]91
My TT beauty is gone.
2[00]2 Honda 954RR
Suzuki 1200 S; sportscar eater
19[I4]94 Integra GSR Sedan
Long live the Z...
aka SAHTT
A:
Were talking basic concepts here. Your down in the weeds, I’m at 10,000 feet. I guess that means your right too. By the way, I just sold my 92 H-22 powered Prelude that would not be a K series motor, just the classic H series basic DOHC VTEC.
You seem to be well informed as you must know, the iVTEC is a multi dimensional (works on more than just rpm, also throttle demand) VTEC. However, the basic concept is still the same Stephen. I’m a longtime user of Temple of VTEC, pretty good site. To broaden your knowledge, I would recommend you check out Honda-tech.com, 92lude.com, preludecrazy.com, or civichatchback.com for a start.
So do you think Bry (Mr. Dildorado) has gotten any sleep thanks to us?
A:
A bit more sleep but not much.
Ideally i'd go for the S2000, but since it's a DD, it's just more practical to get the Z
Now for the color well that's another thing...
A:
check Motor Trend, 350 z o-60 is 5.3 quater mile 13.8
@100.9 Honda is only 5.8 and 14.8 at 99.9 mph.
Road and Track sucks lately. to get those results on
a S2000 you have to punish the car so much I doubt
the clutch will last long.
A:
Excellent, despite all the smoke and fire about tire problems, I’m sure you will be happy with a 2005 350Z. I know I have been. By the way, I checked today, again, and still no tire problems and more than 7,000 miles in three months.
My Z is silver with the basic blackish interior. Nothing real fancy, no navigation system, I know where I’m going and if I don’t I use a map (much cheaper). No fancy stereo, just the basic single disk AM/FM rig (my RSX-S has a Bose stereo, big deal, came standard). But that's me, you do your own thing.
Oh, one last suggestion, find the Z you want, wait until the end of the month to buy, you’ll get a better deal. Good luck, and sleep tight…
A:
"(like what’s in my RSX-S)" - tar
You said you had a RSX Type-S, that's what I was refering to as the K-series motor..
haha.. I wouldn't be able to sleep much if I was him anyhow.
I keep getting this urgent sense of insultation whether you are intending to do so or not. I can always broaden my knowledge and try to, but I've been on honda-tech since 1999 when I got my first car, an EK hatch, which coincendently was sold with a prelude motor as well, h23 nonvtec turbo. I did a similar set-up in a cb7 that started as a h22a when I bought it. I've been toying around with every type of honda stateside over the years, and just installed i/h/e and tuned with K-pro for the first time on my roomate's k20. I know plenty about ivtec, and you are right, they all share the same concept, but if you make a claim that my facts are incorrect, which is false, I will 'go down into the weeds' if need be; not in a manner intending to be offensive or defensive.
I'll put some useful info in this post to make it relavent.
Negatives of s2k-
When drag racing, a launch of 5k+/- is required due to its torque range to reach the 13's stock, which is absolutely possible, causing great stress on the diff. The stock clutch and transmission are overengineered as usual, but the stock diff does not take much punishment 'off the line'. The reason you see high 14's as posted 1/4 times is because people chose to launch the car softly; which was probably more intelligent. As far as the rest of the powertrain, it has been beaten to death without significant problems.
The 350z is still too new, especially to the racing scene, to be positive on it's faults besides the feathering issue. Both cars are great, if money was a factor it would be a very difficult decision.
19[TT]91
My TT beauty is gone.
2[00]2 Honda 954RR
Suzuki 1200 S; sportscar eater
19[I4]94 Integra GSR Sedan
Long live the Z...
aka SAHTT
A:
Oh it's difficult indeed
And since i don't intend to race anyway maybe except once in a while at a red light when it's safe to do so.
Still in the snow without TCS sucks big time, but the low torque would probably keep that problem at bay.
A:
True, I do have the RSX-S, just sold my 92 Prelude with the transplanted H-22 before I bought the 350Z. The 350Z is not as fast and doesn’t handle as well as the Prelude, but I’m working on changing that situation.
Ah the prelude, I bought the Prelude new, and replace the stock unit at 150,000 miles (broken timing belt). So why go halfway? Made the car light, rigid, and powerful, my daily driver commuter car. Now it is making my son happy, still hot and fun with near 300.000 miles. Junior and I are also working on his 93 civic hatchback replacing the stock SOHC 1.6 with a turbo enhanced B-20 etc.
So, happy motoring to you and we’ll e-talk later.
A:
Thanks for the lecture; I think you need to increase your Thorazine dosage. Or maybe kick back and drink 1 or 12 beers…
A:
tar, you're welcome, I'm happy to be enriching your life with lectures. God bless you, kiddo.
A:
Not you Vijay, I was replying to the Mr. ms's message. He seems to be such a pleasant chap!
A:
thanks for the clarification tar, and sorry for the friendly fire. its just sometimes an effort to deal with 'attitude' here, on what is otherwise an excellent forum.
best regards.
A:
i HAVE RACED BOTH s2000 and 350Z's in my Z32TT from highway rollon's and the S2000 gave a much better run. I guess the VTEC's highend power pwnz the Z.
-------------------------------------------------
Road & Track Executive Editor, Richard Homan 1994
"Give me a 300ZX Twin Turbo and a three-day
weekend in the Sierra Nevadas, and i'll come back
with the meaning of life."