s2000 vs 350z?

"PlayerWAN" (PlayerWAN) 12/30/2013 at 19:56 • Filed to: None

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So, I finally went and test drove that !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! a few days ago and came out severely disappointed, so much so that the XF is now out of the picture. What came into the picture however, is the Honda S2000. At similar price points, they're pretty much head to head as far as performance and looks (solely my opinion). But what say you, oppo? s2000 or 350z?

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PlayerWAN > PlayerWAN 12/30/2013 at 20:02

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And part two of the above video:

Brian Silvestro > PlayerWAN 12/30/2013 at 20:03

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I don't know man, the XF is a really nice cat, I mean....car.

phenotyp > PlayerWAN 12/30/2013 at 20:04

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S2K, all day long (as long is it's clean).

feather-throttle-not-hair > PlayerWAN 12/30/2013 at 20:10

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I'm a 350Z owner, but personally I think you can't go wrong with either car. S2K is more "hardcore" though neither car is skews much towards the practical when you get right down to it. If you're all about handling you'll probably like the S2K, i've been told they're feel very light and tossable. The 350Z has a nice torquey engine though, it feels very much like a car in the classic sports car mold. Biggish engine, smallish chassis, RWD, MT. It works well, and does all that fast car stuff pretty well. But it's not a specialist like the S2000, which, though perfectly respectable in a straight line, puts most of it's eggs in the cornering basket.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > PlayerWAN 12/30/2013 at 20:11

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I think the S2000 is better in pretty much every way. I've never been partial to the looks of the 350z and it never seemed as fast to me as its numbers would suggest.

The S2000 though is one of my all time favorites, I think it's beautiful.

awe46m3zcp > PlayerWAN 12/30/2013 at 20:24

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Go drive both. The 350z makes a better DD IMO. The S2000 is more fun, and has the best shifter on the planet! I got tired of the wind noise, and climbing in and out of it. I was never a big convertible guy though.

Casper > PlayerWAN 12/30/2013 at 20:44

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I have to vote S2000. It's a better chassis, better package, and has a better engine. With a fully forged and over engineered bottom end the engine is virtually unbreakable unless you just completely neglect it. It's also better looking in my opinion and much lighter.

If I were going to buy a Z, I would buy an older Z.

E30Joe drives a Subaru > PlayerWAN 12/30/2013 at 20:55

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Sinanigans > PlayerWAN 12/30/2013 at 21:00

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Can't go wrong with either. I love em both

PlayerWAN > awe46m3zcp 12/30/2013 at 21:39

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I went and test drove a Z today, and I have to say all of my preconceptions were misjudged. I initially (before seeing one in person) thought the interior was bland and unimaginative, but when I got in it it all made sense. It's properly laid out, it's clear, and it's properly put together. The seats were the main impression though, I was amazed by how comfortable they were. Kind of on par with the Focus ST and BRZ seats. It definitely makes my choice (Z or S2k) much more difficult to make.

As far as the S2000, I had already written a review about it . (you're pretty much spot on about the shifter. I loved it!)

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TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > PlayerWAN 12/30/2013 at 22:57

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As a miata owner, if you do not absolutely, really, really want a convertible, go with the 350z. Convertibles are fun when you use them, but when not, they are a little bit of a hassle.

PlayerWAN > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time 12/30/2013 at 23:05

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Funny you mention it, I've actually owned 3 miatas before (91 red, 91 brg, 99 green). I agree completely, each and every single time I ended up selling them because they're not very great DDs. I've driven a S2000 before though, and a newer Miata , and they're much more refined.

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TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > PlayerWAN 12/30/2013 at 23:14

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Yes i love my 03 when it is nice out and weather is fine but when its not i would rather drive a hard top car anyday.

William Byrd > PlayerWAN 12/31/2013 at 08:14

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I had a 2003 Z in blue and loved it. I like the S2K, it's a very well engineered car. During autocrosses a decade ago when I was racing every weekend they typically ended up facing the wrong direction. User error possibly, but it may actually mean they are a little twitchy.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > PlayerWAN 12/31/2013 at 08:25

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It absolutely comes down to do you want a coupe or convertible. The S2k is the king of convertible sports cars. However, they do not make a coupe version. There's a snap on hardtop available for purchase, but it's not a perfect solution. The Z on the other hand is a fantastic coupe, but the convertible version is a bit troublesome.

The official TopGear Tip straight from Clarkson's mouth: If you want a convertible, buy a car that was built from the ground up as a convertible.

Lekker > PlayerWAN 12/31/2013 at 11:29

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I was in the same boat before I purchased my 350z years ago. And even now I still want an s2k. They are different beasts that do different things. The difference comes down to two main things in my perspective: Usability and Future growth. If you want a car that has some trunk space, don't get the Z. The trunk is limited and awkward shaped. Yes, you can get larger items in it by putting them across the trunk into the seating area. But that is not as useful as a normal trunk from an s2k AND/OR the open top in which you can have large items stick out of. I know this because I am on my second Z =D On the other hand, Zs are fun to drive and sleek looking. I agree with the other posters regarding the feel of the engine in the Z, it feels meety and manly. While the one in an s2k feels mechanical and feels amazing to rev up to 9kRPM.

It all comes down to what you want to do with the car: DD? Track in the future? Autox? Second car/weekend car? I can vouch for the Z's line (350/370z) since I have owned both, but I can tell you they are stupidly useless as a practical car. That being said, both are fun cars! You won't be disappointed I am sure

t_s > PlayerWAN 01/03/2014 at 08:27

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I had the exact same doubts. I test drove both and ended up with the S2000. I found it a much more enjoyable steer. The Z felt coarse and lumpen, when I drove the S2000 I immediately understood that it would take time to fully grasp it and be able to pedal it with any degree of finesse, but therein lay its appeal. You drive the S2000 with your fingertips and the Z with a sledgehammer. Oh, and it makes a truly monumental noise when it comes on cam, I found the sound of the Z strangely unpalatable.

Chris Zimmer > PlayerWAN 01/03/2014 at 13:10

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where do you live? If you have lots of nice weather for much of the year, go the S2K. If you live where I live, go with the 350z and wish you lived somewhere that an S2K is an option for much of the year.