The 370Z vs. the Honda S2000
 

Before the 370Z came out I never gave the 350Z much thought. No offense but I always thought the 350Z looked weird and I didn't like the interior or the seats in it. And Nissan didn't make any cars that I liked. Even their pickup truck looked low quality and unimaginative compared to the competitors.

But the 370Z changed all that. I remember the first time I saw one on the Freeway and I was very impressed. Before the 370Z came out, I've been meaning to get a new Honda S2000. Now that the new 370Z is out it makes the older design of the S2000 look not as desirable anymore. The 370Z looks like it's going fast even when it's standing still. It also looks more like a mans car when compared with the S2000. No offense to the S2000 crowd. But in the styling department the new 370Z is far nicer then the S2000 or the 350Z IMHO. The S2000 is not the same though. Offering a light weight chassis with a high compression naturally aspirated 4 cylinder engine. It's a different kind of animal.

The first time I saw a 350Z was back in year 2002 summertime in Long Beach CA on one of their main primary access roads heading westbound by a grocery store a 35 year old American woman in her new silver 350Z hit her brakes hard for an unknown reason and she was rear ended by a full sized Ford Econoline van driven by a 70 year old Caucasian male. After the van hit that 350Z and was stopped in the middle of the road, another 18 year old Caucasian girl driving a white new Honda civic was reaching over for her water bottle and when she looked up it was too late to stop so she rear ended that full sized van and I remember seeing her airbags deploy and the inside of her car filling with smoke from the airbags. I was horrified when I saw this. All 3 drivers involved were in shock. I stopped and told them I was a perfect witness to this accident because I saw all of it while I was driving my own car in the next lane to that Honda Civic. They never called me or needed me to fill out a witness statement. The old guy driving the van was shaking from the shock and the lady of the Z tried her best to comfort him. This is what happens when you share a road with cars that have different handling characteristics combined with different type of drivers; some of which aren't paying attention 100% of the time, some with slower reflexes.

This was around 8 years ago. Time really fly's.

:driving:

I got my new 370Z the other day. I named it "Lightning". A 2010 Nissan 370Z in metallic blue with a manual transmission. I don't know how I've lived so long without one. It's almost like we were meant to be together...

FINALLY..... a decent comparason.

Congrats on your new Z!!

I was in the same boat as you were, also considering the S2000 in white. But after test driving both cars, Z wins hands down on every department for my personal taste. I'm getting married in April so purchasing the Z will have to come after. =(

Congrats! I to recently purchased my 370z (two nights ago). I always dreamed about owning one after my father purchased a 300zx in 92. I was only 12 when he bought it and 16 when i took it (with out permission) while he was on vacation and wrecked it >< drifted into a center median broke the wheel and damaged a lot more. He was pretty pissed to say the least.

Anyways have fun, i know i am! Now to not re-live that part of my childhood.

*side note he still has his 300zx and it only has 75,000mi !! Sadly i believe hes going to sell it. He just purchased the new v8 genesis sedan.. if it wasn't such a good car for the money id slap him for buying a Hyundai.

Owned an S2k, theres no comparison, weak engine, even on boost I was only making 350whp and 230 ft./lbs, ended up having to wait out the payoff before I got my G, the 370 for the price is the best thing going, hell not even just for the price, its a great performer regardless of cost, good choice.

The S2K provides over 80 lbs. of lift at 120 mph. And it's funny you mention two things...

1. A 370Z looks like more of a mans car. -- I couldn't agree more. There's this 50 something salt-n-pepper dude that drives around my neighborhood with a very clean yellow S2K that is supercharged with black rims. I really love his car but he looks utterly ridiculous driving the thing with the top down. I dunno...

2. The 370Z looks fast even when it's standing still. -- I came out of the grocery store the other day and there was a white Porsche Carrera S sitting adjacent to my Z. I was shocked at how much more sleek and "fast" looking my car was compared to the "egg" sitting right across from it. Again, I couldn't agree more.

Buy the 370z and consider it a wedding gift to yourself.

I have always liked the S2000 as that super light, quick car, but the 10 year design is start to show its age a bit now.

Congrats on the purchase.

Starting to show it's age?

Man it's like this..
NSFW..
http://youcallthatart.files.wordpres...8/old-lady.jpg

Compared to this..
NSFW..
http://krapps.com/wp-content/uploads...SwimWedgie.jpg

I will view that when I get home, at work.

Edit: I decided to click...lol

You know I never dissapoint! :icon17:

Yes I saw. :icon18:

hahah I'm blind!

And grats avitech on your ride! I'm a former s2000 owner and I must say the Z is so much better all around compared to the s2000.

2010 s2000 is the last year production as it is dead. I had the first year production not all impressed with the car had 1-2gear recall problem. I would never purchase another honda sports car to much lack of torque. I love my hr350z and I would take a 370z over the s2k in a heartbeat.

Congrats'!

I'm a fan of the s2000 I've driven it on multiple occasions and it's go kart like fun. If built right those things fly, my lil bro had one supercharged made 400+ at the wheels and he was taking m6's up to 155. However, it is an old model and one that will no longer be offered by Honda. I can't argue with the s2000 handling capabilities but the vq37 is way more powerful.

Just buy this race ready S2000.

COM Sports Car Club Forum &bull; View topic - Honda S 2000 SPC TRACK CAR 2006

Congrats! I too Had driven my buddies S2K with several mods and compaired to my 06 Z with bolt-ons it seemed sluggish

Now compaired to my 370Z it is real sluggish and leaves alot to be desired :)


DAN

400+ whp? your bro must have a badass job to build a F20 block for that power! They only handle 350 safely before they pop, I would know:)

I am a diehard S2000 fan and I have owned one until it became a financial burden for me (crazy high insurance... was paying $350/month). Anyway, I have driven various 370Z in the past including base+sport, same w/ mods, NISMO, and fully loaded vert. I absolutely love everything about the new Z except for one little thing... which keeps on turning me away from getting one: feel.

By "feel", I mean several components on the car: steering, accel, brake, and shifter.

When I had an 05 S2000, it was the last YM of S2000 that was sold without the newer drive-by-wire with various computer controlled technology including the TCS for the 06+ models. S2000s are by far the best car I have ever driven from the manufactures that give you a very direct feeling while you're in control of the car. EVERYTHING feels direct and linear. I have also driven quite a few 06+ S2000s including the CR, but they are actually not bad at all.

As for the new 370Zs, I feel that the car feels very "fake" or "indirect" should I say. The acceleration feels very smooth and straight, but the pedal feel is numb. Same goes for steering input, brake, and shift. I love the power of this car. I seriously do. It's so hard not to give in and buy one right now, but it's also hard to justify buying one new... or even a used one at $30+ for me when I can buy a AP2 V1 S2000s for nearly half of that price. Of course, the S2000s are aging and do not have any amenities that the newer Z offers, but for a pure driving purpose, I'd still go for a S. If I had the money to buy both, I'll keep the Z for daily purpose, and the S as my weekend toy..., but for now, I have a daily and it's called a G with 4 door so I'm very happy with what I have. :D

Just my 2c. :)

Race ready with stock sways and lowering spring? Lol

Having driven both cars I can defiantly attest to this statement. Power may be lacking but it is a great car to drive.

that is why i got both in my garage (^_^) gunmetal s2k and MB 370z...s2k is for the daily driving..the Z is my fun car

lol @ people responding to a banned member

I turned my 2005 S2000 in on my 2010 370. I loved the S2 but the turning point for me was when I drove it down to the Nissan dealership and parked it next to the Z I was considering. It looked weak, old and tired.

You can't dispute how much fun the S2000 was to drive but my husband hated it because he said it looked like a chick car. Everytime we'd pass one, he'd say "Does that guy know he's driving a chick car?" and shake his head.

My biggest problem with it was that people were constantly trying to kill me. Where I live, every other person has a tank-sized SUV and the tendency to change lanes without looking. The degree of defensive driving required to not be run off the road sucked a lot of the joy out of driving it. I feel a lot safer with the beefier 370.

I know the guy is banned but I had to jump in and say that I was gonna buy an s2000 until I considered a 350z. I wasnt totally sold but when I drove 370 I was in love. I still love my hondas but the 370 is a far better car in every aspect imo. I lined up against my buddy's new s2k stock for stock and blew him outta the water, after smoking a modded ws6 as well. I think the 370 has more room inside, smoother ride, better handling, more power, cleaner styling, and higher booty factor. lol

being a previous owner of s2k, i think s2k and 370z are of two different breeds.

it just depends on your taste.....

currently, inlinepro in VA is running 900+ RWHP s2k........... still think it lacks power?:nutswinger:

just like any car, it all depends how dedicated the owner is.......plus the budget....:excited:

I drove both before buying and the S2000 lack of low end torque made it feel like I was driving my old 89 CRXsi. Another thing, the S2000 had a hardtop but no softtop.... Ah me ! ... no dummy made that decision...........

what'd he do cut the soft top out? You should have a soft top in s2000's and some owners purchase a hard top for off season months. My biggest gripe with the s2000 was that it doesn't respond well to any mods short of F.I.

only s2k I would buy would be one with a 2jz under the hood..:yum:

I had a 2001 S2000 and ran a 13.8@101 bone stock with just bilstein coilovers... The car has plenty of pep and handles like a dream especially for when it came out... In 2001 there wasnt a car out there for the money that could top it, similar to the 370z right now..

Everywhere I went, people asked what it was and oohhed and ahhhed over it... I eventually put a roll bar in it, AEM Intake, and Apexi Exhaust... It was a joy to drive and I miss it to this day.. There was zero room in the car and me being 6' 3" it ultimately lead me to trade it in... I traded it in for a g35 coupe in 2005 and just traded the G in for my 370z....

Each car did feel like a step up, but in different ways.. The G35 was the clasiest of the bunch, the 370z the fastest, but still even with me completely digging my 370z I still remember my s2000 as the most fun in a car I have had. Might of been the convertible but it was just somehting about vtec kicking in and the whole car just instantly jolting foward and bringing it up to 9k with the Tach going over the speedo with the shift light at the end. It felt like you were one with the car, its really hard to explain but its a drivers car. It certainly rewarded you for your driving skills and I loved that...

The only downside to the s2000 in my opinion is it doesnt take abuse the way my g35 and 370z seems to take. I blew two diffs while owning the s2000, both were covered under warranty, all though they prob should not of been. It was a direct result of abuse from me that it really didnt deserve. It is not meant to be dragged and while i had it I was in a 1/4 track phase and it prob saw 100 passes down the track launching at 5500-6400 rpms LOL... Poor car!!! But the car did not take that very well, as its not built to drag but its what I did with it. Never broke an axles or anything like that but the diffs would of costs me a fortune if I had to pay out of pocket.

I always said once s2000s drop under 10k I would pick another one up, but with owning the 370z now it would not be so practical to own two RWD sports cars in NY weather so that day will have to wait...

Its out matched compared to a 370z but if you look back at its arrival in 2000 nothing really came close, it was at the time the most HP per liter out of any production car to that date... Impressive for a Honda that costs 30k.

Its really hard to hate on the s2000s as there is little not to like about it... It does what it is supposed to do very well and not many cars can make it 10 years without a design change and still sell.

S2Ks don't need no massive power. They're made to handle and ARE great track vehicles... just not dragsters.

I own both right now...
actually two s2k`s.
Two Very different cars... I love them both for different reasons...
S2K = Light, fast, reliable and still looks good... Good mpg no matter how many times i hit vtec.

370Z = New, lighter than the 350, comforts and smooth torqy engine.

Neither one is faster than my evo ix mr. But i traded the evo for the 370Z, which i really loved. Except it was lacking on the looks department.

I disagree with this. Sure, S2Ks "can" get good MPG with minimal VTEC use, but once you hit VTEC, MPG drops like a brick from top floor, but what can I do? I just love VTEC too much. :icon17:

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.c...03/vtec_yo.jpg

Sorry the s2000 has been dead as the 2009 is the last model lol

i went on a "cruise" with an s2000 and all i can say is he was behind me or next to me(i guess if we are both sideways?) the whole time and when we got to the restaurant at the end of the cruise he was all over MY car.

http://www.streetfire.net/video/2010...HFP_731968.htm -serious vtec action at 4:30

sorry for bumping an old thread, but I swear this guy took the thoughts right out of my head lol

370z=great gran turismo. s2000=great light open top canyon carver
i currently have the 370z and used to have a very nice s2000