A Comparison You Never Asked For: GTO vs. S2000

"Jay Lauer" (thefaultinourcars)
06/29/2014 at 12:34 • Filed to: None

On this episode of Nonsensical Choices I Make in My Life , we examine the differences between Australia and Japan, and why a 21-year-old would buy two sports cars.

Here's the quick review for all of you; the GTO and S2000 are about as polar opposite as it gets. The S2000 weighs about 2700 lbs, the GTO weighs in at 3800. The Honda packs 2 Liters, the GTO packs 6. The Goat is very comfortable, the S2000 is very not. The S2k is a blast at low speeds around town, the GTO is not. The Asian is silver, the Aussie is blue.

Exterior- It's a lot bigger. A lot lot.

Look at those seats. They're like goddamn Laz-Z-Boys.

Interior- Now the S2000 is unlike anything I've ever driven before. Besides comfort, the ergonomics are practically perfect. All of your instruments are clear, all of the switchgear is literally at finger's length, and you don't get any extra unneeded frills. The 6-Speed was carved straight out of the stone dropped from heaven, it's that good.

The GTO, on the other hand, is straight muscle car. You're very comfortable, but still connected to the road. The steering and handling is far better than you would expect for such a big car.

The Goat is much more of a cruiser than the Honda. It's so much more relaxing of a drive than the knife's edge Honda. The quality is actually really good in both. All the touch-points are nice, and everything is screwed together well. Remember, one's a Honda and the other may say Pontiac, but it's not American.

Trunk- They're both the same. That's some bullshit if I ever have seen it.

Engine- As expected, the GTO engine is much bigger. 5.7L of LS1 muscle, versus 2.0L of Honda VTEC goodness. The engines really divide the cars the most. While the Honda is 230 or thereabout HP, it only has about 160 tq. You have to drive is high in to the rev range to extract the power, and subsequently hit VTEC, yo. The LS1 however, has all the bottom end torque you could ever ask for. You want torque at 1100 RPM? Here you go.

Alas, that's why these cars are geared so differently. At 62 MPH, the Honda will be doing 3500 RPM, while the GTO will only be pulling 1900 RPM. The S2000 always has to be wound very tightly. So its split down the middle; for stop-and-go city runs, I'd take the S2000, and for long cruises to different states, I'd take the GTO, hands down.

Fuel Economy- On the highway, THEY"RE BOTH THE SAME. 26 MPG. How does that happen?

Overall, there's no right or wrong answer, it's apples and oranges here.

So why do I have them? Well two reasons.

1. I'm going to sell them both; it's just what I do. The S2000 is technically already sold, but it hasn't left my hands yet, so I'm savoring all the last driving pleasures I can out of it. The GTO will go up soon, but we just got it driving yesterday, so it needs to be enjoyed first.

2. Well, because I can. Good day, all.

DISCUSSION (24)

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Jay Lauer
06/29/2014 at 12:40

I really like the new GTO's for some reason. I hate all other GM products from this era but i have always wanted one for some reason.

Great comparison though. :)

Jay Lauer > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
06/29/2014 at 12:45

The best compliment I could give it is that it doesn't feel like an American GM car at all. It really feels different, in a good way.

chuck07 > Jay Lauer
06/29/2014 at 12:45

Something seems odd about the cruising engine speed. Looks like Honda missed out on something or geared it to make out feel fast. Same with the MPG at 65. I guess the theory about an M3 keeping up with a Prius and getting better mpg translates to these cars.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Jay Lauer
06/29/2014 at 12:48

That's good. They are hard to find by me though. I did find one at a dealership for a pretty good price, but they wouldnt even let me test drive it without talking about financing. So i walked out

BJohnson11 > Jay Lauer
06/29/2014 at 12:48

as someone who has looked into buying both these cars, excellent mini comparison. As a fellow 21 year old, just sheer jealousy that you're able to afford both!

Jay Lauer > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
06/29/2014 at 12:49

I found mine on Craigslist, if you're open to buying there. My only recommendation is to get the manual. Doesn't matter which motor, just get three pedals.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Jay Lauer
06/29/2014 at 12:53

Oh yea thats all i ever look for. I dd manual and thats the only way i like it

Jay Lauer > BJohnson11
06/29/2014 at 12:55

Haha thanks!

The Goat was very unloved when I bought it, requiring a lot of cleanup and different mechanical problems, and the car I traded to get the S2000 was REALLY REALLY REALLY unloved.

It's all just about circumstances and timing.

Jay Lauer > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
06/29/2014 at 12:56

I've never driven a Manual GTO. Hell, I didn't drive mine til after buying it. But, I've driven enough Vettes to get an idea of how much better it would be.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Jay Lauer
06/29/2014 at 12:58

Yea i DD a 03 miata and that tranny is from the gods.

There is a guy in my town that has a red GTO manual that i have seen at a few events and it sounds great and goes great too.

Jayhawk Jake > chuck07
06/29/2014 at 13:08

Every small output 4 cylinder I've driven ends up around 2500-3500 RPM on the highway.

For Sweden > Jay Lauer
06/29/2014 at 13:10

Mustang. Need deets on Mustang

Jay Lauer > For Sweden
06/29/2014 at 13:13

Haha finally. That's my dad's 69 GT500. All unrestored.

quarterlifecrisis > Jay Lauer
06/29/2014 at 13:38

GTO seats are by far some of the most comfortable seats I've spent time in. I know that sounds odd, but they really are super comfortable.

jdrgoat - Ponticrack? > chuck07
06/29/2014 at 14:00

If the GTO had a manual trans, 62mph would be at about 1600rpm. You never need to go over 2000rpm unless you're going 80mph. In contrast, some of my Honda friends are more along the lines of 4000rpm at 70-ish with a 5 speed.

Jedidiah > Jay Lauer
06/29/2014 at 14:05

How is having torque down low anything but fun at low speed?

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Jayhawk Jake
06/29/2014 at 14:59

Almost all modern 4 cylinders shoot for around 3-3500 RPM at 70. My Mk3 jetta and my Fist both are at almost 3k exactly. Meanwhile my old riviera would cruise at around 1800 at 70 with the supercharged 3800. My monte carlo would also be a little below 2200 or so. Maybe less than 2000? Don't remember exactly.

SaabE39 > Jay Lauer
06/29/2014 at 15:25

Wow this is interesting because I'm actually cross shopping these 2 for a next vehicle to toy around with. Does the goat have the 1-4 feature and if so is it actually useful or more of a nuisance?

MonkeePuzzle > Jay Lauer
06/30/2014 at 17:39

love it. love them both, totally different but totally the same. funny that the honda gets the same fuel economy, there goes that argument against the Monaro

Dsscats > Jay Lauer
06/30/2014 at 19:05

Kinja'd!!!

Why hello there!

Jay Lauer > Dsscats
07/01/2014 at 00:42

I see you've spotted something out of the ordinary....

Jay Lauer > MonkeePuzzle
07/01/2014 at 00:44

It would probably do better if it wasn't geared so high. In a perfect world, it would've had a taller highway 6th gear for fuel economy. There's no need for it for it to rev that high at 60mph.

Also, the GTO isn't as great on MPG as expected. So far it's eating fuel, quickly. But, I do a lot of city driving.

andydeltaco > Jay Lauer
07/03/2014 at 01:26

...because it isn't

Brickonwheels > Jay Lauer
07/03/2014 at 09:52

These are both great cars and either would make a fun second car. Someday, Brickonwheels...someday.