Who's Seen The New Regular Car Reviews?

"Jay Lauer" (thefaultinourcars)
11/18/2014 at 23:38 • Filed to: None

I'm really torn here. On one hand he's totally right; It's the car of spoiled brats. And he's right about the potential argument. But other than the fact that the power is at the top of the rev range, isn't any sports car all about potential/reputation?

Notice here: I own an S2000. I'm no Honda/S2000 loyalist. Mine's for sale, I've had it about 5 months. It's a great little car, but it's not life-changing or revolutionary to me. I'd rather have an STi

You could drive a C5 Z06 around as a daily with no clue how to drive it quickly, but solely rely on the car's reputation in the same way? "You don't want me to race you dude. This car is fast!" "Dude, this is an M3. I'd destroy you at autocross." Insert any car here: M3, Z06, Modded Mustangs, GTOs, WRX/STIs, etc.

The S2000 is also nailed as a poser's car, which is half is. Plenty of people drive it around only cause of it's reputation. Plenty of people stance them, for some reason. But then again, over half of Ferrari/Porsches/Vettes are bought and driven on badge value. It's a universal claim in my opinion.

I get what he's saying about potential. It's a great car in the hands of seriously good drivers, but not amateurs. I can't get the most out of it; That's why I was in the middle at the last autocross. Then again, I don't claim to be a great driver. I'm pretty average.

I'd argue fairness, since the SW20 is the same way, but Regular Car Reviews isn't the last word in objective journalism.

Also, I drive mine a lot in the lower rev ranges. It's not fast or torquey, but I wouldn't call it slow. Certainly not slower than a Civic. It's still using 4.10 gears. I think it's a blast to drive. A million and a half times more engaging than my Mustang GT was.

Opinions? Thoughts?

Edit again: Just watched this. Seems like he's a lot nicer to it in this video. The description reads, "I love S2K's. Even though I make fun of them, they're a fun little cars and I would never fault someone for owning one. I miss driving this little red missile."

DISCUSSION (18)

 > Jay Lauer
11/18/2014 at 23:48

I sense butt hurt.

Jayhawk Jake > Jay Lauer
11/18/2014 at 23:52

Oh look, another S2K fanboy whining about Mr Regular not calling his car the best. We get it, you need everyone to affirm you made the right decision.

Too bad Corvettes are better

Jay Lauer > Jayhawk Jake
11/18/2014 at 23:57

Clever. Of course Corvettes are better.

I just don't think it's a bad car. I don't give a damn if it's the best, I'd rather have an STi.

Jesse Shaffer > Jay Lauer
11/19/2014 at 00:17

I love the guy's work, but sometimes I wish he wasn't so negatively critical throughout every review of not an AW11.

TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma > Jay Lauer
11/19/2014 at 00:21

Kinja'd!!!

Most sports cars are wasted. The whole "fast driver" argument is a crock of shit, as much as car guys want to make excuses for a lack of power or slow lap times, the truth is the best drivers, the fastest drivers, aren't tooling around cones in a parking lot or fishing for stop light races. "Potential" is just an excuse so we don't have to admit the guilt we feel for not properly ringing out our enthusiast cars. "Reputation" is supplemental; left to fill in the void.

I think you make the best point when you admit it's not the fastest and neither are you, but you still have a great time with your car. That's what ownership is about. You can't always explain why you love it so much, but you can feel it. The excuses RCR outlines is a defense mechanism or snap-reaction to negative counterarguments surrounding our particular vehicle ownership. You're out to prove it's worthy enough for you and everyone else, simultaneously wondering if you've got enough for it.

I know for a fact our Mustang has never been run to its potential. I drive it the hardest in the family and I still feel it aching for more, but I really can't give it.

Jay Lauer > Jesse Shaffer
11/19/2014 at 00:22

The first S2000 was a total tongue-lashing, and I thought it was great, cause he was right. It's a total asshole's car.

This review seems to nail it as a slow, poser's car which I don't fully agree with. I think it's half poser, half enthusiast. And that's when it hit me that all cars are half poser/enthusiast. Half of all Porsche/Ferraris/Corvettes are bought on badge value and half are bought to be driven.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Jayhawk Jake
11/19/2014 at 00:34

PT Cruisers are better! They can carry more wood than a Corvette and S2K combined!

:-)

Jay Lauer > TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma
11/19/2014 at 00:36

I totally agree with you here.

It's going to sound weird here, but I don't love the car. I got it as a trade offer on a flip vehicle. I planned on selling the S2000 quickly, but was a little too stubborn on getting full price. I've driven better cars, and I would rather have a C5 or an STI, they're better all rounders. But you're right, the abilities of the S2000 are a lot more attainable than others. C5 Z06s are deadly quickly if you try to ring everything out of it.

I just think it's being pinned solely as a bad car. It's literally the same boat as the Miata. Anything with eight cylinders is quicker, but this is still fun.

Jesse Shaffer > Jay Lauer
11/19/2014 at 00:39

And that's when it hit me that all cars are half poser/enthusiast.

... from major auto/performance aspect - this might be a valid statement. I really miss the driver-mechanics from the automobile's origins. Headliner exotic brands lost their purity, even if necessary, a long time ago. That's why I prefer to build them, myself, domestically.

Jayhawk Jake > Jay Lauer
11/19/2014 at 00:40

It's not, and Mr Regular didn't say it was. I just think it's funny that people were so quick to defend it when it really wasn't threatened

Milky > Jayhawk Jake
11/19/2014 at 01:09

Says the Corvette fanboy.

Jayhawk Jake > Milky
11/19/2014 at 01:16

It was meant to be satirical.

Milky > Jayhawk Jake
11/19/2014 at 01:22

…. I remember your jalopnik comment …. thats actually how you feel.

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > Jay Lauer
11/19/2014 at 01:40

I kind of wished they looked over at the Honda 919 Hornet and think that mid-range torque isn't all that bad.

Note: the 919cc engine has torque from 3,000 RPM up. Not bad for a close-to-a-liter engine.

Brian Silvestro > Jay Lauer
11/19/2014 at 07:59

I'd rather have an STi

SAME

Jayhawk Jake > Milky
11/19/2014 at 08:04

More or less, yes. I like the S2K, but I think the Corvette is a better car overall. Got a problem with that?

Milky > Jayhawk Jake
11/19/2014 at 11:46

We all have our opinions, just don't me it was satire.

Kinja'd!!!

Jayhawk Jake > Milky
11/19/2014 at 12:01

In this instance it was. I know Jay personally, so I was more concerned with giving him a hard time than anything else. Maybe satire isn't the word, but my initial comment was certainly sarcastically over exaggerated.

Try not to take everything so seriously, life's more fun that way