Opinions on Honda S2000 CR

[Mihail Milkov]

Greetings everyone,

I took a little break from autocrossing while I worked in Bulgaria for a year. I've been back since last fall and am considering purchasing a used sports car for autocrossing - probably in SK1 class. (I already have a Honda Fit for commuting and daily duties.)
Cars that interested me are E46 M3 (a bit too heavy and arguably more of a luxury car than a sports car), Porsche Cayman S ($$$ and no LSD) and Honda S2000. The Honda is the cheapest of the three to buy and probably to maintain. What are your opinions of the Honda S2000 CR as compared to the regular AP2 S2000 in terms of autocross performance in stock classes? I am interested in a CR model that has the A/C and radio on, so then the weight savings might not be as much. I suppose the only thing you are getting are the firmer springs and shocks?

Any input is welcome. Thanks!

Mihail

[Giovanni Jaramillo]

Cars that interested me are E46 M3 (a bit too heavy and arguably more of a luxury car than a sports car)

Don't knock the M3...it's only handicap is that it's an A-Stock car thus your index hurts. Yeah it's heavy but I wouldn't classify it as a pure luxury car, it's a sports car coupe that has luxury. You can be a contender in SK1 but the real car to have would be the Mazda RX-8 in B-Stock trim (minus the R-Comps).

[Mihail Milkov]

Cars that interested me are E46 M3 (a bit too heavy and arguably more of a luxury car than a sports car)

Don't knock the M3...it's only handicap is that it's an A-Stock car thus your index hurts. Yeah it's heavy but I wouldn't classify it as a pure luxury car, it's a sports car coupe that has luxury. You can be a contender in SK1 but the real car to have would be the Mazda RX-8 in B-Stock trim (minus the R-Comps).

Well, actually the M3 has always been on the list of favorite cars - so I am not discounting it. But the Cayman S is also an A-stock car - wouldn't it have more potential than the M3 being 300 lbs lighter, shorter wheelbase and mid-engine, albeit no LSD? According to some knowledgeable people on sccaforums.com, the Cayman S "might" be the car to have in the revamped-for-2010 A-stock class.

Not to stir up a discussion, but is there general consesus that the RX-8 is really a faster B-stock car than the S2K? And why so?

[Giovanni Jaramillo]

albeit no LSD?

The crux of auto-xing....without LSD, might as well be driving around in mud.

is there general consesus that the RX-8 is really a faster B-stock car than the S2K?

Look at the last 5yrs of results winners in B-Stock @Nationals....same car (Mazda RX-8) with 4 of the winners being the same person (J. Isley)

[KJ Christopher]

Cars that interested me are E46 M3 (a bit too heavy and arguably more of a luxury car than a sports car)

Don't knock the M3...it's only handicap is that it's an A-Stock car thus your index hurts. Yeah it's heavy but I wouldn't classify it as a pure luxury car, it's a sports car coupe that has luxury. You can be a contender in SK1 but the real car to have would be the Mazda RX-8 in B-Stock trim (minus the R-Comps).

RX8 is now C-stock and SK2.

[Giovanni Jaramillo]

Cars that interested me are E46 M3 (a bit too heavy and arguably more of a luxury car than a sports car)

Don't knock the M3...it's only handicap is that it's an A-Stock car thus your index hurts. Yeah it's heavy but I wouldn't classify it as a pure luxury car, it's a sports car coupe that has luxury. You can be a contender in SK1 but the real car to have would be the Mazda RX-8 in B-Stock trim (minus the R-Comps).

RX8 is now C-stock and SK2.

Oh that changes everything then. Hmmm.....then the Honda seems ideal. Weighs less than M3, price wise you could save a bit more though the M3 (E46) has gone down in price.

[KJ Christopher]

is there general consesus that the RX-8 is really a faster B-stock car than the S2K?

Look at the last 5yrs of results winners in B-Stock @Nationals....same car (Mazda RX-8) with 4 of the winners being the same person (J. Isley)

Two different classes.

[Mihail Milkov]

RX8 is now C-stock and SK2.

When RX8 was B-stock, wasn't S2K A-stock? In other words, did RX8 and S2K ever compete in the same class?

[Leonard Cachola]

RX8 is now C-stock and SK2.

When RX8 was B-stock, wasn't S2K A-stock? In other words, did RX8 and S2K ever compete in the same class?

I believe that is a no, they never competed in the same stock class.

[Craig Naylor]

While I won't knock the "fun factor" of the cars mentioned.... why not just run the Fit in HS (SK2). Back when it first came out the multiple magazine tests had higher speeds in the FIT through their standard slalom setup, than in just about any other car ever tested, including Mini's, Corvettes, Porsche etc.

[Mihail Milkov]

While I won't knock the "fun factor" of the cars mentioned.... why not just run the Fit in HS (SK2). Back when it first came out the multiple magazine tests had higher speeds in the FIT through their standard slalom setup, than in just about any other car ever tested, including Mini's, Corvettes, Porsche etc.

Your post made me smile. It's good to see that the Fit gets some respect I have the 2009 Fit (second generation), which, although slightly more powerful (117 hp vs 109 hp), is also a bit heavier and more softly sprung. Still, for the time being, while I look for a sports car, I might as well come and have some fun with the Fit.

Mihail

[Renee Angel]

Mihail - Welcome back, you have been missed!

Renee

[Mihail Milkov]

Mihail - Welcome back, you have been missed!

Renee

Renee, I'm so glad you still remember me! I won't be able to make it to the May 30 event (will travel with my gf for the long weekend), but I'll come to the next event in June.

I read about all sorts of catastrophic engine failures happening to Boxsters and Caymans. What a shame! It looks like I won't be getting a Porsche, so choices are E46 M3 or Honda S2000 (CR or regular).

[Ken Motonishi]

Mihail,

Call me if you're interested in an S2000. Mine has been sitting in my enclosed trailer hibernating. I may have to sell it and get a minvan instead (swagger wagon?) now that I have an expanding army in the household to transport and I rarely ever drive it on the streets. It's a recipe for bad things to happen with police. It's a 2001 with suspension mods. Call me if you're interested. Ill cut you a good price. 714-925-9473.

[Steve Ekstrand]

Mihail-

Glad to hear you're coming back. Take a look at the new STR class. S2000's and MX5's with ST mods. Brand new and heavily subscribed so I'm pretty sure the class is going to make it.