"TheOnelectronic" (theoneelectronic)
08/07/2015 at 21:01 • Filed to: None
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"TheOnelectronic" (theoneelectronic)
08/07/2015 at 21:01 • Filed to: None | 1
| 21 |
I’m sure this has been done absolutely to death, but in general I trust Oppo’s take on things more than internet fanboys.
Just looking for some opinions one way or the other. Rather than keep driving the Tacoma everywhere until Ford remembers where they put all those A/C compressors and then going to the hassle and expense of getting the Ford 2000 miles to where I live now, I’m considering picking up something used nearby and just selling the Ford once it’s fixed.
It’s important to note this will in all likelihood be a short-term vehicle, bridging the gap between now and when I can get my hands on a Focus RS.
The basic bullet points, as I see them:
S2000:
1. 9000 RPM
2. Not going to depreciate much in a short time frame.
3. Kind of something I’ve always wanted to own.
BRZ:
1. Newer
2. As a result, will likely depreciate more than the Honda
3. Roof
4. I Know how it drives (I’d have to drive 50 miles or so to test drive an S2000. Not a huge deal, but.)
5. I know I fit in it. I’ve been told the S2000 isn’t bad about this, but my head sticks out of an NC miata, so I’m skeptical of small roadsters.
From what I’ve gathered, both cars like to be revved to make power, but the S2000 is much more particular in this regard. Might be jarring coming from the torque mountain that is the FoST.
I... don’t really like convertibles very much. It’s not for any of the “purist” reasons like rigidity or weight (although I’ve certainly noticed it on those that I’ve driven) it’s just that I know I wouldn’t use it much and therefore it wouldn’t be worth the inconvenience and disruption to styling.
So... what’s Oppo’s take on this? I’m also totally open to suggestions for something fun and reliable enough for <1 year that’s sub-25k
RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
> TheOnelectronic
08/07/2015 at 21:07 |
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How much do you drive? More than 20 minutes of freeway driving in an S2000 makes me want to harm myself.
Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
> TheOnelectronic
08/07/2015 at 21:09 |
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You can nearly break 40mpg in the Toyobaru.
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TheOnelectronic
> RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
08/07/2015 at 21:10 |
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Why, exactly? I have a very high tolerance of harsh ride and spartan interiors, but road/wind noise will bother me.
GhostZ
> TheOnelectronic
08/07/2015 at 21:11 |
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If you want to daily drive, blow cash and not ever have to worry about repairs, weather or track days, BRZ.
If you want to track day bro or use as a weekend only car, S2000. They’re a pain to live with daily. Use the money you’d save from depreciation for some good tires and track time, or a cheap comfortable sedan for regular driving.
If you want the best of both, NA/NB Miata + Mods.
Textured Soy Protein
> TheOnelectronic
08/07/2015 at 21:14 |
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Headroom isn’t really an issue in the S2k. But overall roominess is. It’s less roomy inside than a Toyobaru for sure. Partly from all the chassis bracing, which intrudes into the footwells. Roof or no, it’s an insanely stiff platform. But it’s not roomy.
If you’re not much of a convertible fan then you’d be driving with the top up, which will have much less visibility than a Toyobaru which has actual, you know, windows. Between the visibility and room, you’d feel much less claustrophobic in a Toyobaru than an S2k that never gets its top dropped.
The S2k is better to drive in pretty much every way. But it has a bumpier ride and is noisier.
But really, how short term are we talking? Because you could probably buy an S2k and sell it 6-12 months later for the same price. Toyobaru not so much.
You could get an S2k CR, which has a hardtop, and holds its value even better. But its ride will beat you up even more than the regular S2k.
You still might end up wanting to keep it over a Focus RS though.
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RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
> TheOnelectronic
08/07/2015 at 21:18 |
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The noise. There’s wind noise around the seams of the soft top and the latches creak, but the main one for me is that it’s geared to do around 4k RPM at highway speeds. The engine/exhaust? drones quite a bit at that level. I actually drive pretty slowly as a result when I’m not deliberately pushing the car.
Lets Just Drive
> TheOnelectronic
08/07/2015 at 21:21 |
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I read “short term vehicle” and knew you had to end up with the S2K.
Why?
Because the FRS is very livable. If this were a long term ownership, I’d recommend one of the Twins in a heartbeat. You get a trunk, a 2+2 set up and generally newer car. These are all pluses over the S2K if you’re using this thing all the time.
The S2K has a crap trunk, no rear seats and drop top. It’s the perfect car to own as a 3rd or 4th car or, as in your case, to own short term so you can say “Yeah, I did that” and to really help you get an idea of how much you’re really willing to compromise pure driving enthusiasm with a car that actually works as a car occasionally.
Hope that helps.
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TheOnelectronic
> RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
08/07/2015 at 21:21 |
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Ah, interesting to note.
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TheOnelectronic
> Lets Just Drive
08/07/2015 at 21:30 |
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That’s sort of where I’d been going with my thoughts.
JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
> TheOnelectronic
08/07/2015 at 21:37 |
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Here’s the best comparison that came out when the BRZ was the exciting new car
The F20C is so insane for a mainstream car’s powerplant, though...
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TheOnelectronic
> JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
08/07/2015 at 22:06 |
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That was weird. The “presenter” seemed to oscillate between “I’m going to crack jokes” and “Oh god is that a camera what am I doing here I should say hi to mom NO don’t say hi mom that’s lame okay just keep cool maybe it will go away maaaaaaaybe if I just keep saying words it will get bored and leave.”
Was still interesting regardless. I liked the background and history they gave the cars.
Honestly, people love to bellyache about the BRZ’s lack of power, but I test drove one in Santa Fe (so cut what horsepower it does have by about 30%) and it seemed perfectly competent to me. May head down to the neighborhood Subaru or Toyota dealers tomorrow and see how it does at sea level.
PardonMyFlemish16
> TheOnelectronic
08/07/2015 at 22:11 |
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S2K basically only makes sense on the track. BRZ can be OK if you fix the torque dip and change the tires. S2K, esp AP1, is pretty slow on the small cam, and really high strung and rough riding. Unless you are a track day regular BRZ (or Miata) is probably the better bet.
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PardonMyFlemish16
> Lets Just Drive
08/07/2015 at 22:14 |
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Yea, the sports car experiment is a good one. Z33 showed me, at this point in my life at least, I am not bout dat life. But I have that experience to reference and remember, as well as to draw from as for what to expect/strive for in builds and fun rides. Every enthusiast should own (not just drive) a fast sports car just once. It flushes away a lot of the contrarian manual diesel wagon bullshit.
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JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
> TheOnelectronic
08/07/2015 at 22:17 |
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Haha that really perfectly characterizes him! His tone doesn’t change... no matter what. I think the BRZ/FR-S have plenty of power, and that flat spot in the torque curve is really the source of complaint (along with long gearing). If it’s satisfactory in NM, it should be quite nice at low elevation. You really can’t go wrong either way IMO.
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Lets Just Drive
> PardonMyFlemish16
08/07/2015 at 22:21 |
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Thank you. This, your story, is exactly what I’m talking about.
If life gives you a chance to test your top-down, enthusiast limits without compromising your life, you damn well take that chance and run with it.
Either of the Twins will give a taste but the S2000 will give you the whole buffet.
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TheOnelectronic
> JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
08/07/2015 at 22:23 |
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I realized that the period I would own whatever I get would include winter, which puts the ragtop and aid-less S2000 far lower on the priority ladder. I’m leaning pretty heavily BRZ currently.
Maybe I should pony up the extra cash and just get a new WRX since those apparently do not depreciate AT ALL. Or get a brand new STI and then sell it a year later for more than I paid for it because APPARENTLY THAT’S HOW THIS WORKS.
Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
> TheOnelectronic
08/07/2015 at 23:27 |
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If you don’t really like putting the top down, you will fit in with most other s2k owners I see lol. I didn’t think I cared for driving top down until I got my Miata. I started out only putting it down on nice days but at this point I never drive with the top up unless it's raining and I have traffic lights in the way.
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TheOnelectronic
> Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/07/2015 at 23:31 |
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Recently rented a Mustang convertible (15) and it was my first long term convertible experience. having the top down was nice but after a while the wind dried out my eyeballs.
E92M3
> TheOnelectronic
08/07/2015 at 23:32 |
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I would get a BRZ, because I’ve already had a S2000. If I was you though I would get the S2000 because it won’t depreciate, and by the time you get tired of it’s drawbacks you’ll be selling it.
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Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
> TheOnelectronic
08/08/2015 at 08:57 |
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Maybe just being a rental spec Mustang dried out your soul lol. The convertible Mustang and Camaro piss me off because they look and drive like shit haha. But yeah I get what you are saying, some people don’t like wind while driving I guess. I always drove with Windows down year round in other cars so a drop top worked out well for me.
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TheOnelectronic
> Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/08/2015 at 10:42 |
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It was actually really quite good. Even had some options (GASP)