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Opinions on Honda S2000 CR

Posted: Fri May 21, 2010 3:01 pm
by 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

Re: Opinions on Honda S2000 CR

Posted: Fri May 21, 2010 3:47 pm
by Giovanni Jaramillo
Mihail Milkov wrote: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).

Re: Opinions on Honda S2000 CR

Posted: Fri May 21, 2010 4:21 pm
by Mihail Milkov
Giovanni Jaramillo wrote:
Mihail Milkov wrote: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?

Re: Opinions on Honda S2000 CR

Posted: Fri May 21, 2010 4:24 pm
by Giovanni Jaramillo
Mihail Milkov wrote:albeit no LSD?
The crux of auto-xing....without LSD, might as well be driving around in mud.
Mihail Milkov wrote: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)

Re: Opinions on Honda S2000 CR

Posted: Fri May 21, 2010 4:27 pm
by KJ Christopher
Giovanni Jaramillo wrote:
Mihail Milkov wrote: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.

Re: Opinions on Honda S2000 CR

Posted: Fri May 21, 2010 4:28 pm
by Giovanni Jaramillo
KJ Christopher wrote:
Giovanni Jaramillo wrote:
Mihail Milkov wrote: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.

Re: Opinions on Honda S2000 CR

Posted: Fri May 21, 2010 4:29 pm
by KJ Christopher
Mihail Milkov wrote:is there general consesus that the RX-8 is really a faster B-stock car than the S2K?
Giovanni Jaramillo wrote: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.

Re: Opinions on Honda S2000 CR

Posted: Fri May 21, 2010 4:35 pm
by Mihail Milkov
KJ Christopher wrote: 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?

Re: Opinions on Honda S2000 CR

Posted: Fri May 21, 2010 4:38 pm
by Leonard Cachola
Mihail Milkov wrote:
KJ Christopher wrote: 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.

Re: Opinions on Honda S2000 CR

Posted: Fri May 21, 2010 5:18 pm
by 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.

Re: Opinions on Honda S2000 CR

Posted: Fri May 21, 2010 5:31 pm
by Mihail Milkov
Craig Naylor wrote: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

Re: Opinions on Honda S2000 CR

Posted: Sat May 22, 2010 11:43 am
by Renee Angel
Mihail - Welcome back, you have been missed!

Renee

Re: Opinions on Honda S2000 CR

Posted: Sat May 22, 2010 12:31 pm
by Mihail Milkov
Renee Angel wrote: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).

Re: Opinions on Honda S2000 CR

Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 10:27 pm
by 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.

Re: Opinions on Honda S2000 CR

Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 10:57 pm
by 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.