Review | Honda S2000 | In Memoriam
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- Опубликовано: 22 май 2024
- We re-visit the past to review the S2000. We discuss the manufacturing improvements made from AP1 and AP2 including a look at suspension, brakes, and transmission. Despite Honda's attempt at following Mazda, Porsche, and BMW into the roadster game, they abandoned the car after 1.5 generations. After almost 20 years the values have risen and the S2000 has a cult following. We look at the best and worst parts of the car.
BendPak is Our Official Lift Provider
SavageGeese is:
Mr. Goose
Scott Turbowski
Jack Singapore
Content From:
Wes 2000: / channel
AJ JAQUIAS: / ajaquias
S2KI Homecoming
Honda
Index:
00:00 - 1:30 Intro
1:30 - 3:35 History Lesson and Exterior
3:35 - 8:41 Interior Impressions
8:41 - 14:44 Shoppe - Fron Suspension and Brakes
14:44 - 17:50 Transmission
17:50 - 21:25 Rear End, Diff and More
21:25 - 24:47 Engine and Tech
24:47 - 25:05 Weights and Balance
25:05 - 30:48 Driving Impressions
30:48 - 36:35 Final Thoughts 
Авто/Мото
I gotta say, the gauge cluster to some may look dated, but I think it is one of the coolest things about it. Love it
Being independent allows you to produce the best quality automotive reviews. Don’t stop
no biases or opinions forced by manufacturers
agree. i hope he stays inde and doesnt sign his channel away to a conglomerate
@@anmolsaxena_ Carwow is the biggest advert I've seen, but people think he's honest.
I love that Tac
I daily an S2K in the south. If I wanted an upgrade, I'd be looking at cars nearing 6 figures. There isn't a single day I get into my car and don't fall in love all over again.
I feel the same way. I shouldn't love a thing this much.
Really? A Lotus Elise costs about the same, weighs about 800 lbs less, and is mid-engined.
@@knievel8727 this car is (sort of) mid engined as well, and has the wonderful honda engine and finely tuned handling characteristics. Without taking price into consideration, I would take the s2k any day.
NotABerger _ agreed on the wonderful engine part. I wish Lotus would have used a Honda engine instead of Toyota but they they re both rock solid reliable.
Long time (10yrs+) owner here. It isn't a daily driver as Geese mentions but as you point out it is a car to fall in love in again on those rare occasions you get to drive it at 9/10 or 10/10s. I'm sure there is nothing out there like it unless you spend 3x the price or maybe more for example a Porsche GT3. I've driven a 987 Cayman S and it just felt soft by comparison. There really is nothing like an S2000 at anywhere near its price point.
I'm a 44 year old man that has never posted on a public site like this... so if I'm going to do it now, it must mean something to me. This video is incredibly special, and hit me good. I don't have the patience to buy green bananas, but found the time to watch every second of this and even played back scenes to properly take them in. What incredible detail and attention in terms of script, production; clips, etc.; thank you. And for a guy like me who owned an AP1 (pre-kids), then later bought a 2006 AP2, this was foolishly enjoyable to watch. I learned so much and am appreciating my car so much more. As an owner, I might disagree when he describes the interior as a "rattletrap sh!tbox"; as long as you don't take panels off-and-on and don't forget to latch the top fasteners, it holds its own just fine.
On another note, I purchased a new 2018 NSX in Nov 2018. I tried to research the speaker/creator's name and could not, but here is an offer for you/him: take a trip to Baltimore (northern county, horse country) and you have a bonafide offer to enjoy a full day of driving both the S2000 and NSX and shooting the breeze with me and other car-enthusiast friends. There is also a fairly commanding "Coffee & Cars" congregation in this neck of the woods on Spring and Summer Saturdays. No kidding; the offer is on the table. This video wins the internet today (if for some reason you want to drive my 2014 Acura TL, well, have it as well).
Love your comment.
I'm a 46 year young man and i watch ALL of Savagegeese videos :)
His name is Mark
Hopefully he reads this and takes you up on your offer
I like how you describe Hunt Valley Horsepower as "fairly commanding." 😉 It certainly is. This is also a car I've had my eye on.
So did SavageGeese ever get back to you?! That's one hell of an offer.
"If I want to kill myself, all I have to do is set off"
It's really hard to explain to a non-car person why this is a good thing.
lol
Everytime i watch this video i have to laugh about this comment ^^
This right here lol is everything, I want to leave the coffee shop and jump right into aerial combat.
I had a 2001, that thing was a death trap if you weren’t paying attention. Spun the old girl more times than I can count. Doing nothing more than slowly turning into a street and boom, ditch. One of my favorites, but she met her end via a raised man hole cover that a rear wheel caught and sent me flying backwards into a bunch parked cars and ultimately a tree. Was going like 40
I actually love the dashboard.
Yup. I still don't get the looks "dated" comment. I don't remember many cars having anything that even looked like this outside of the C4 Vette's to say "that looks old-timey" but the Vette's didn't look or function as well as the S2000 cluster. I mean; how many people have ever even seen a cluster like the S2000's to say it looks dated? You know what looks dated? Analog looking dial gauges that have been around since cars had 4-wheels.
Yep me too, I think it's good to be different, and even better to be modeled on a Honda F1 cars dash. I like the speedo, it's easier to check my speed at a glance (for me at least) than my cars with needle gauges.
S2000’s cluster certainly doesn’t look dated
I love every peace of the s2000! God its a driving maschine ! 💦💦💦
I get comments on 18 year old chicks telling me they like my cluster wtf is this car haha
Fresh out of college in 1999, the S2k was my dream car. I finally bought my blue AP2 from a friend this January. He gave me a great deal. I thought I would buy it as an investment and flip it. Every time I interact with it (drive, wash, maintenance). I fall more in love with it. It ain’t going anywhere now. You can pry the keys out of my cold, dead hands.
Same thoughts here. I've driven many new cars, M3s, Porsches, even a passenger ride in a Ferrari 488. The did not feel as special as this Honda with its 9000 revs engine and that is why I can never sell it, I know I would regret it far too much. The S2000 offers a driving experience that will never be repeated in a modern road car, regulation forbid it. It stands uniquely as a snapshot of Honda's engineering prowess from the glory days of Formula 1 under Ayrton Senna.
Former AP1 GPW owner....don’t sell it!
For all of the S2000's faults, you have to admit that the 4-cylinder sounds incredible.
I don't admit that
It really does sound incredible at high revs
Imagine if Honda put an I6 in it that tapped the essence of the 80s CBX motorcycle.
I actually hate the exhaust note of the S2000. There are many 4-cylinders that sound a lot better.
@@aygwm You hear the intake though.
That last video clip from Shigeru..... "No I'm not crying, YOU'RE crying!" Don't worry Shigeru, I'll take care of, and enjoy, my S2000 for as long as I can still drive
FlyinGato I got dust in my eye ok
yeah, i was chopping onions like crazy there...
I stubbed my toe on the coffee table, yeah that’s it...
I just deleted my for sale ad on Craigslist for my s2000... I haven’t appreciated enough..
Word.
The ending of the video with Shigeru Uehara is heartbreaking. What a way to end a review on something that holds a special place in some of us. Those words spoken is not just about a car but believing and being passionate about something that many would appreciate.
I'll say this again, Savagegeese is the BEST car reviewer on the planet. Who else brings in this much passion and fun understanding.
Word. I don't remember any similar (emotional) attention for a newer car model from another car manufacturer.
second best car reviewer is: regular car reviews
It's a shame that Honda doesn't make a car quite like the S2000 anymore, since I think this is one of the best, if not the best, Honda car ever made. It's like what he said: all the people who engineered and supported the older Honda cars are all gone, and it's sad that Honda doesn't want to continue to perfect this car, since this car is legendary.
Listening to Shigeru Uehara talk about this car, talk about the involvement, is one of the reasons I am so passionate about cars. The fact that a car can be engineered like that, and the engineer can be so involved in the car and love his creation, and it brings so much passion and joy to people....that's worth much more than any numbers on paper.
This was really back at the time when Honda was at their glory days, introducing these amazing cars, revolutionizing their engine technology, and really focusing their attention to perfecting their engineering. And you could tell at this time in the 2000s, Honda was committed to that. The people at that time, like Shigeru Uehara, really wanted this car to be great, and they really had so much love for what they did. Looking now, Honda is not same, and I understand that times have to change, and Honda has moved on from that. But I just wish they could take a look at cars like the old NSX or this S2000, and think about what they could do to remake and perfect those cars even further in this day and age, because like what he said, Honda has the formula from these very cars to see what they could do today to ensure that they have the same charm that they did over 2 decades ago.
Just watched this S2000 video for the 3rd time and it’s still just as Awesome Plus i keep learning more.
I've watched it probably 40 times over the years.
Man Love watching this video too. Love my S2k
When mister geese says "exhaustive review" he damn well means it's gonna be an exhaustive review. This is a work of art.
a good mechanic is like gold...
Lol. Mr geese
THIS. IS. THE. DEFINITIVE. AUTOMOTIVE. REVIEW.
Congratulations.
Score - 15.3
Give you give me automotive terms, like dynamic, best in class, class leading, industry first, award winning?
I find the transient response to be an industry first, and the dynamic response best in class... in fact its so good, its in an award winning class of one. Nobody comes close.
Seriously, If I were Mr. Benz, or Mr. Honda, or Mr. Ford, I'd commission your bald ass in a second to produce all the video productions for all vehicles... and all the competition's vehicles, so the dumb-ass management just might understand why cars are so much more than a mere appliance, or the latest Moon-Bok V5.3 infotainment....
This is the best S2000 video on the internet.
It was very informative. Thank you.
savagegeese Simply put.....your reviews are the best, and no one else comes close! Knowing that savagegeese has released a new video brings a sense of excitement followed by a desire to find the nearest comfy chair with a nice cold beverage in tow. Your vids are wonderful productions that must be seen in their entirety to be appreciated. Thanks again for all the painstaking work and honest opinions. 👍👍
That final clip literally brought a tear to my eye. It is clear that Sawai san poured his heart and soul into the project which is an integral part of a pretty phenomenal automotive legacy. I'm glad I only found Savagegeese recently as there is such an amazing back catalogue of content, with the knowledge that, 2 years on from this piece, the quality is as high as ever
there's a reason I have a 2002 suzuka blue S2K parked next to my Berlina black 1991 NSX.. Cars such as these will never grace the roads again. For the few lucky enough to own one, these are two legends that hopefully will never die.
Newer cars in general bother me in so many ways. I merely got a Corolla E11 from 2000 but consider it the sweet spot before some weird design changes happened. It still has that old Japanese car feeling before cars put on weight and the window lines rised, making me feel like trapped in a coffin or something's wrong with the seat adjustment.
I dunno, I think the digital speedo is super badass. Wish more cars came with digital speedos.
Yeah, I've had mine for 2 years now and I still love it. I love a good center dial-type tach as much as the next enthusiast, too - but I haven't gotten bored of the digital tach yet.
Depends. This retro one is cool. Looks very cyberpunk/synthwave in aesthetic style. Most modern ones are shit and I hate with a passion.
Me too. It's quirky in a good way and the perfect homage to the F1 car.
I cant think of anybody who doesnt think the S2000 gauge cluster is iconic. That's just a bad opinion in this review.
It’s beautiful and by far my favorite but he was right with how to most it doesn’t age well like I said I love it but I see the other point from other people who don’t necessarily appreciate this car as much
I drive my 2003 S2000 every day (23 miles each way to work) and I'm happy. ( 6'2 180 lbs, stock seats, Tennessee)
I salute you!
Same here, it will be my second car in a couple years but for now it still puts a smile on my face everyday and that is something to appreciate.
savagegeese could you do a nsx review please? The other reviews are pretty much saying the same thing over and over. Only your reviews educated me every time. Looking forward to it
Larriice You get much weather in Tennessee?
Plenty of rain and subfreezing temps, but very little snow. I do have a set of snow tires on oem wheels for the odd storm, but I didn't need them this year.
Dash looks dated? Dont think so. Exterior looks fresh like its from 2015? Absolutely! Honestly I was expecting a lot of mechnical complains and faults(would have been surprised because I know Honda and their reliability). But the only thing ive realy heard was: Transmission that isnt "perfect" till it gets warm(ill bet its still feels 10 times better in cold "not perfect condition" than most of the other cars) and that the interior size isnt nice for 6 feet tall persons(try a Bmw Z3 and talk again).
THIS S2000 is an outstanding car! And you can see how much soul and heart did go in this car by the engineer Shigeru Uahara. That video of him at the end touched my heart.
Previously owned a brand new 2003 S2K. I agree, the car significantly performs better when hot. As far as interior size; I'm a pretty broad guy at 5'11, 225# and I can honestly say I never felt cramped. I remember getting in and immediately having that "fits like a glove" feeling, as you do in most cockpit style cars. But I can definitely see how the lack of steering and seat adjustment would pose problems for drivers over 6'0. But boy oh boy, do I miss that car!
It's shit
I love the look of the digital dash too. However I also like other dated designs such as venetians and window louvres and pop-up headlamps.
I have owned 3 S2000's and driven them daily for a period of 11 years, and remain among those who give it almost worshipful reverence. All three were stolen, two of the frames were later found stripped to the bones. I thank you for this superlative review. I'm not a subscriber but have always regarded your incredibly thorough reviews as the most complete and intelligent on the internet. I stumbled across this review today and was filled with nostalgia and appreciation. All three of my AP2's were this same color, which for me is the only color S2000 I cared to own; a 2004, 2006 and 2008. All found with just a few thousand miles logged at purchase. All of your notations and opinions were spot on and tracked totally with my own experience with this car. All except for the dashboard, which I actually loved. I believe it was actually far ahead of its time in design, and while it's been far outpaced since, it still offers all I need to see and seems modern in a vintage kind of way. I have heard and seen all the criticisms of this car by reviewers professional and amateur, most notably about the lack of power unless you work it and drive incredibly hard. All true. But as a daily driver, I didn't want or need a race car. To me it was all about the visceral driving experience. Climbing in it was more akin to putting on gloves, like becoming part of the car. I loved the sound the engine produced. I loved how the top retracted in just a few seconds. I loved the fact that there was no superficial fluff. I loved the fact that it was absolutely bullet proof. In all my years of ownership logging maybe 15k miles a year, I never had one mechanical failure of any kind. There's a congenital flaw where the top develops abrasion rips over time because some inner frame metal it slides over is not sufficiently smooth. Even there, though I'm not a mechanic, I purchased an aftermarket top and replaced a worn one myself. Servicing them is incredibly easy. Oil changes took maybe 15 minutes. With a bleed oil valve installed, I didn't even need to jack the car up to do a change. Battery replacement was a 10 minute swap. No need to be concerned about resetting computers. The suspension is indeed very hard, you feel every bump and you could lose a dental filling if you encountered an unexpected pothole. But you feel like you're and extension of the car. I have a 90 minute commute to my work each way every day, but I looked forward to that commute and my time with the car every day. It also garnered a surprising amount of attention. Just getting gas, people felt compelled to strike up a conversation about the car. I've been driving almost 50 years, do the math, so I'm no spring chicken. But this is easily the most reliable, most fun and most rewarding car I have ever owned. Few things put a smile on my face like just seeing it every morning and evening for my commute. The car I drive now costs several times as much, has all the latest technology and is considered desirable. But it's just transportation to me. I've actually been thinking about having one more fling and finding another S2000. It's not about zero to sixty times or blasting away from a traffic light in some adolescent flashback. You have a relationship with an S2000 as ridiculous as that sounds. It's not high tech transportation with a thousand things that can fail. As a huge aside, they barely drop in value at all. I drove my 2008 for 3 years, it had just 5000 miles when I bought it, and my insurance company wound up giving me about what I paid for it, which was almost what it had retailed for brand new.By contrast, I see my present car depreciating about $500 every month! Sorry for this long winded post. Congratulations on your reacquiring another S2000, and thank you for your superlative review.
Great post! Like the video, spot on.
Agreed on all points. I loved daily driving my AP2 but after a close call with a parking lot thief (ran away when I was walking back to the car from the grocery store, he already made a small cut in the top to get in) I patched the hole and sold it. Same story with my ITR, I caught a guy taking pictures of the license plate and windshield vin when I was walking back to it from the store. I followed him to his car and took a picture of his license plate, then put the car up for sale that weekend since I just couldn't sleep worrying about if it was going to get stolen. Thieves are the worst and needless to say when I eventually bought a house I made sure it had a secure garage! Too bad these Honda gems cost an arm and a leg now!
what city did your s2k get stolen from?
All 3 stolen right in front of my home in the Ft. Lauderdale Florida area.
I DONT AGREE WITH THE SPEEDO MAN,I THINK ITS FUNCTIONAL AND VERY CLEAR. I USED TO OWN A S2000
Is the s2000 a good driver’s car?
Well, dude bought 4 of them....
I had one.. Trust me it was it was more than just a good car:)
he bought 4 of them and still hates them lol
alexander1485 Goose always find faults with every car lol.. Believe me I still wish I had mine:)
he wouldn't find a fault with a McLaren F1
so, 3 of them broke? :)
I'm An STI owner, and one of my close friends owns a S2000, and a few other friends in my life have owned an S2000.
They all love their car, and for the longest of time, I've been trying to figure out what is so special about it..
The last few weeks, I have been doing alot of research on this car, and even driving a few.. I finally understand why this car is so special, it was made with love, passion and dedication.
Dont get me wrong I love my STI, but I have secretly been saving up to buy one of these, and cannot wait to be a proud owner of a vehicle this special.
Special ed
Every time I drive my AP 1 it's been a driving "experience".... not just getting from point A to point B. A rare breed indeed.
S2K all day man
@@Summer0fLove1967 I remember sitting in a new S 2000 st a Honda dealer back in 2004. It was at that moment when I knew I had to save up for a down payment. The salesperson told me that the car basically had a racing engine as it's main asset. Yeah sure I thought, that's what you say to everyone looking at this car. Well, after being a proud owner of an '02 for many years now, I would say she was 100% correct.
your sti is crappo
With the advent of gauge clusters being full customizable screens, I appreciate the "digital" gauges of the past that are still fixed and not fully customizable with 6900 different colours.
Makes me appreciate the dash of cars like the s2000 or even c4 Corvette.
I used mine as a daily driver from Feb 2005 to Oct 2011. I had a set of AP1 wheels with snow tires for the winter months, and one of my favorite memories is of driving down I-95 toward Philadelphia in a snowstorm with the top down. At 40mph, I stayed dry, and I had the heat cranked.
Got emotional in the end.
Same even though Its not my favorite car I will always respect this car for what it did and for what it represents and it will always hold a special place in my heart.
Ilya Symonenko, me too. Brought back memories of my baby 16 years ago. Check it out - www.mainstreetla.com/vehicles/vn1006/10062.jpg
You realize the Craftmenship and dedication that goes into making these amazing machines that push boundaries and over all fun to drive. It's a Honor for the engineers to build a sports car.
I almost cried...ap2 s2k...amazing
If the ad is there...its still on sale
As a previous owner the digital dash is actually very functional. Much easier to see bar progress screaming across the IP vs a dial for revs and it gets to 9k quick. Much easier for shifting.
You're totally right!
"Continue to share the quality and legacy of the s2000 with many friends, so the legend of the s2000 never ends". Literal poetry, and he didn't even mean it to sound that way. Savage, you make incredible videos man. There's only one of you on ALL of youtube, and you are without question, the most trusted and honest source for automobile criticism. Not an ounce of bullshit in anything you make.
This s2000 review will be the benchmark for years to come. And many, who really get this transcending car, will cry 😢 at the end of this amazing production.
Amazing! Almost cried during Shigeru's speech at the end.
Selcuk Kis me too, that got so emotional
I kind of teared up myself. I wish I owned one of these.
That is the definition of passion. You can see the projects are very dear to him and close to his heart. Honda makes some of the best engines and with minds like this behind the projects, it is no wonder.. they really need to get the formula right again though.. the new age NSX was NOT it.
Cal Yee I agree with you. The NSX takes major leap. But remember that Honda is smart enough to offer other cars today in the Civics. Acura may have a sporty new car coming out.
"You have to drive the absolute piss out of it."
Having owned a 2006 S2k, that is what I loved about it most. It is so damn reliable and loves to be pushed 100%. I've had more fun driving the s2k then cars that have far more power, that you can't really push off the track without killing yourself.
I owned one for seven years as a daily and my biggest regret in life is SELLING IT. I Don't agree at all with him on the rattletrap shitbox comment either. My solution was to do exactly as you mentioned, AND I figured out that if I wanted a quieter ride, the simple and inexpensive solution was to buy some microfiber cloths, cut them up, slip them in between some trim pieces like the convertible top tray and boom. Rattles are done for. I also drove mine across the entire United States TWICE.
I don't love the digital cluster but also don't care one bit because the car is so freaking amazing. The biggest thing he gripes about that I agree with is that you have to put the key in and then press a button. It would be nice to just have a normal push button start/stop.
I love that car, and I want another.
I've owned my AP2 for ten years and this is definitely the best video that encapsulates why I enjoy this car so much and have no plans to ever part with it!
I had one too for about 3 years, I sold it to get an M3 and now I regret it everyday, I can't even find one for the price I sold for. So as a fellow s2000 lover my advice to you is don't sell it, ever.
sujanpoudel m3 is a great car but god damn it's a money pit! gotta have deep pockets if you wanna track that car otherwise shit will break even if you don't use em!
I LOVE my 2004 S2000! The more I see, hear, learn (Like THIS great video), the more I appreciate it,
especially compared to 'modern sports cars', and especially the very expensive ones!!
Very true, so far I have been lucky but knock on wood. It's a great car but still not as raw and fun as s2k.
I’ve been daily driving it since 04 because it is so fun to drive. My other daily cars were sitting in the garage. Now at 225k miles with no issues! I almost sold my car for M3 or Corvette, but this channel showed me to appreciate fun cars over fast cars, thus I decided to keep.
Gi Yoon we have to always have the open mind and be open to working and building the car that we want. The best thing is to have both the driving feel and speed. most cars are designed for economics and isolation from the road. If I had to choose one, i would take feel and lightness over power but isolation. As I said no car is perfect but we can appreciate what is there and sometimes build something we will like. Hondas are good for that!
My 2010 m3 put me in the poor house..
It's tear breaking moment at the end. It's just too.......can't even describe. Hard to keep the tears away when Shigeru speaks. Tons of respect.
I didn't even know how badly I wanted one of these until now...
Nothing but greatness here in this video. Honest and unbias. Love it
That's what they do.😁
Thank you for this.... I have owned my S2000 new since 2001.... tracked and auto crossed it... when it was a month old I took it to track schools... now I have a family with kids, I have driven it less, but I still have it, bone stock with 45000kms.... prestine condition.... most people have not really understood why I loved this car this much, largely because they have not experienced the driving pleasure this car brings on a track.... yes I agree it is NOT a good daily driver, but a really fun pure toy car, that's what it only is.... and that's a great thing, because every time I get into driving my S2000 after a long time, i feel like I'm sitting in a brand new car in 2001.... lots of sentimental value and emotional attachment this car brings to me.... i have owned many many cars and NO car has made me appreciate a car like the S2000 has!
better than cars with more torque?
@@LdtEntertainment Can't speak for Pussaty, but I owned both a stock 00 S2K and a FD RX-7 with a 460hp LS swap. Built the RX7 in 2006 and bought the S2K in 2007. Have tracked and daily driven both at various times over the course of 10 years. I sold the RX last year. I may never sell the S2K. No question as to which car was faster... but no question as to which car was more fun.
@@mochajohnson4780 Thanks for your input!!!
I appreciate your critical approach, but as a dash stroking VW GTI owner I have to say that I really love the interior of this car. Very clean, no distractions, everything you need inches from the steering wheel. I think more modern cars should approach interior design in the same way.
Years ago as an STi owner with a twice a month autocross habit I test drove a stock AP2. In the first spirited corner the rear starts to step out, and instinctively I maintain throttle (with small adjustments) and dial in a bit of counter steer and the car is happy as I continue on. The passenger crapped his pants and was later amused at how little I thought of the event (I was stone faced, just another corner); he thought we were going to die, I was impressed at how quickly and easily the car seemed to just telepathically do my bidding.
26:24 the VTEC snarl still gives me goosebumps
I never experienced the S2000 engine personally, but I came close once test-driving a Corolla E12 with VVTL-i engine. In a way it was even crazier because of the instant switch to thoroughly racing-grade cams. No video can convey the authentic experience, the vibrations in the air and your body, feeling the valves getting hammered down mercilessly.
Maybe I should have gotten that engine for my Corolla E11. Easier than the 3S-GTE I eventually got and thought I would keep building up in the future, and instead it has been in a garage for many years now. ☹️
This is the best video on the S2000 I have ever seen. You really went all out on the details. I believe it is a more pure driving experience than the original NSX.
Alex Seto it is ....
It's not
@@tomb6343 yes it is
Great review. If you're new to the Goose's channel he tells it like it is, warts on all. Understand the negatives but don't be put off. Make sure to stay to the 32nd minute or so when he gets into the positives. Its a unique car, not for everyone's taste, especially if you like torque. I agree its not a great highway car, but I strongly disagree on this being a weekend car. While I wouldn't make one my only car I drive mine almost every day from April to November. There are people who drive them with snow tires though. While I love the opportunities to wind out the engine when I can, its still fun around town at lower speed.
I'm definitely all about low end torque being that I can only have 2 cars in the garage, but there are a few special rev-monster cars like the S2000 that I would happily own if I had room in the garage. It's an amazing car.
different horses for different courses. if i lived in West Texas where its nothing but straight roads the S2000 would be boring.
I live in Florida yeah the S2k can get stale on straight roads. You are better off saving money and getting a Z4 or Miata.
Z4M is one of my favorite cars.
Your description of his reviewing is on point, his reviews are, by far, the most in depth and unbiased reviews on the internet. If people can’t take the negatives about there cars then they need to reevaluate life lol. I personally like how he goes through why certain aspects of these vehicles were engineered the way they were.
I have wanted the S2K since the day it came out, but I was too young and poor to buy it then. SavageGeese's S2K videos got me hooked and I have watched all of them at least once a year. Finally today, I bought my first S2000 (it is an AP1 bone stock with 77k miles) and I couldn't be happier. Thank you SG, I will continue to rewatch this and the other S2K videos, I learn something new each time.
I probably watch this 3x already. This is the epitome of “THE S2000 review”
I promised myself that I’m goin to get one. Someday. ❤️🙏🏼❤️
Jesus this video is a work of art! Unbelievable production and directing skills from SavageGeese.
Been a huge fan since the FRS videos and I’ve waited for this review forever. It was worth the wait. Thank you man, great work.
My contributions to this review:
- It doesn't rattle on the highway
- You can absolutely be happy driving it everyday (11 years and counting) (I live in Mid-Atlantic, we get a few snow days, its nice with snow tires on those days, great rest of the year with correct tires as well)
- The 'hugging' feeling of the interior is by design, that is what separates it from 'normal' cars. Once you get in it, you are 'hugged' so your body doesn't slide side to side during hard cornering like it would in any other car. This feeling of being 'hugged' (he calls it claustrophobia) is what sets the tone for the whole driving experience and basically informs you that this vehicle is the real deal. Yes, some people can't handle it, same as some people can't ride super sport motorcycles everyday, same idea, some things are just too intense to do for a slice of population. Yes, if you have back problems, getting in and out might hurt you (just like riding a motorcycle or a getting in and out of a lambo, thats what comes with territory and can't be held against it, but you should know what you are signing up for)
- The cluster is not outdated, its literally still cutting edge after 20+ years. Its modeled after racing technology of F1, its been proven on track that its easier to see digital speed and 'rainbow' styled rev counter. Check any 'rarri or lambo, there is a reason they use this style vs the needles.
I assumed this was going to be just another S2K fanboy owner but it's actually an excellent, balanced review. I'm very tempted to buy an S2K. What gets me though is just how similar the design is to the early Mx5's; double wishbones, 50/50 weight distribution, caster and camber adjustments etc. but it weighs 25% more and the steering didn't seem as connected after I test drove both. The S2K did have more room and felt more refined though. Very similar performance up to 6k rpm, but after that the S2K explodes, that's the bit that really makes me want one!!
Great stuff, per usual! Never fail to impress with the professional vibe with a touch of personal experience. Keep up the good work!
Just got a 2003 with 23,000 miles... I don't envy anything on the road 😍
I just picked up a 2001 with similar mileage, and feel the same way. :D
I got a 2005 with 26,000 miles in February. I love this car so much. I daily drive it and wouldn’t have it any other way.
i'm in the club too. got my '02 with 15k miles. absolutely love smashing on it!
You got the best year my guy. Last year of the ap1! Cherish that thing.
Got a 2002 two years ago with 92,000 miles on it. Driven daily, now has 111,000.
UK too so I get all the shit weather.
I love it so much!
36:35 I almost wept..
I know what u meant
less and less people actually enjoy it now, just keeping it to sell for more money
Are we on the same planet? Are we talking about the same car?
After watching your intro, and then your conclusion, I can only surmise that you are a whimp!
I'm 6 foot, have long legs, and have driven an S for the last 13 yrs (first was my '05 then my '08, both were bought as new). I've driven them both as my daily driver, and now that I'm retired as my fun car for running errands and back roads jaunts. I've driven them through the four seasons, swapping the summer tires for winter rubber, top up and top down and I can only say that this car is simply amazing. I can't imagine driving any other sports car.
Oh, I'm only kidding about the "whimp" part.
Thanks for making the vid!
6'2" and 12 years! 180 000km...
The S2000 is my favorite sports car
Is it? Is it really? Or are you one of those guys that jumps from video to video looking for likes saying he likes whatever the video is about. Are you one of these people? If you are, CONGRATULATIONS FOR BEING AWESOME! :)
No, I'm not a bandwagon. The S2000 is one of the best creations from the start of the millennium and I loved everything about that car minus the bad things. Even to this day, the S2000 is still modern in its looks and I would get one over a Z4 and Boxster. I started liking Hondas like the CTR, ITR, S2000, NSX, S660, etc. as I come from a Honda family and even my parents knew about the S2000 and NSX.
BASITH PH
I’m just messin with ya. :)
Nah, NSX Type R... The car S2000 owners dream about? :)
NSX is a supercar, S2000 is a sports car I would like both actually
AP1 owner here. Awesome driving clips. You captured the feel of an S2000.
The highest quality review I’ve ever seen and this is the literal definition of a car review they went through everything:).
This is the year you hit 1-Million! By far some of the best unbiased reviews on RUclips. Glad you had a video on the S2K, currently looking for one, and this helped a lot!
I purchased new in 2002. It was Suzuka Blue with blue interior. Best car I ever owned next to my 88 CRX Si which I also bought new. I daily drove the car including winters here in New England. It was an "adventure" in the snow. I actually found good traction with snow tires and sand bags in the trunk. Really the only downside was the windscreen filled up with snow and ice easily limiting visibility. Looking back, I never fully appreciated what a special car I was driving. I miss it dearly.
88 CRX Si was another really special one. Just the 88 though. Mine had 330k on it when it was killed by a truck. Y-49
Nice man. What do you drive now?
crx vs s2000 which one is better?
I owned an 89 crx si. I brought it new and sold it in 2003... Regret it every day!!! I'm now older and wiser and own a 2005 s2000. I will never sale it.
Driving the s2k in the snow is ballsy. Maybe the snow tires help a lot, but mine is super sketchy in the snow. The ass end kicks out with minimal throttle input, which is awesome if you’re wanting to have fun. It’s not so awesome when you’re not expecting it to kick out lol.
Excellent video from a true fan! Thank you for this!
I’ve had AP1 and AP2.. both bone stock and no accidents. neither squeaked or rattled inside with the top up or down. They were both extremely tight and quiet. Also the s2000 seats are incredible... very very surprised you aren’t a fan of them. Overall solid review keep up the good work
The seats are fine for a daily. Once you start autocrossing and tracking the car decently well though, you just slide around and get sore. You definitely need bucket seats if you are driving it hard at events.
@@nateTrh well yea that would go for most regular vehicles
@Junior Adult Yeah but the S2000 isn't a regular car. Civic Si and 86/Brz are way better despite them being cloth. S2000 seats arnt bad for what they are but for the cost of replacing them, you can definitely get a nice pair of aftermarket seats.
I love how you bring the soul of the car into the review of this car. I dont usually see that in many reviews. Taking the negative and constraints and make it positve and great.
I miss my 2004 S2000 from time to time. It was a fun car for sure but I'm glad I sold it when I did. If people out there want to experience (sort of) what it's like on a motorcycle, I feel like the free revving nature and dropped top of the S will sort of give you an idea. It's a cool car and if I came across one at the right price, I would have to thing long and hard about buying it. And man, the ending with Shigeru, I'm not going to lie, made me choke up a bit... To see someone that is so committed to a project and just the level of dedication, it's such a beautiful thing to see...
BarnStangz this is reason why the MX5/Roadster has outlasted many roadster sports cars. It’s livable and forgiving.
I believe it. That car has done pretty well for Mazda.
Motorcycles are great in their own way. Nothing else gives you that same feeling. But I would never ride without a helmet. This video did a great job of capturing what makes the S2000 so appealing to those who enjoy these cars. Top down, no helmet, everything flying by in your peripheral vision with the engine wailing away in the upper registers. It's just a different kind of special. I totally dig both experiences.
VirtualGuth, totally agree with you man! I love motorcycles too and I still have my RC51, but after having a guy not pay attention and smash into me, I'm not really ready to get back on the street with all these idiots out there. I think that a car like the S2000 would make a LOT of people happy that want to get that feeling that you mentioned. I sort of wish that I still had my AP2. But when my wife and I had kids, the car did a lot of sitting in the garage. I'm sure it's out there, still putting a smile on someone's face though!
BarnStangz, it seems that one commonality amongst all motorheads is shared tales of vehicles that are now just a part of our past for whatever reason. In my case some have been stolen, some have been wrecked (by someone other than myself) and others have simply been sold. I miss them all just the same. My "dream vehicles" are (and always have been) rather modest by some people's standards. But given my upbringing I still feel incredibly fortunate to have a car like the S2000 that for me serves not as basic transportation, but rather just to be enjoyed simply for the sake of driving it.
For what it's worth, I understand the reluctance to get back on the street on a motorcycle. I've had my share of close calls. More than once I've had someone look me right in the eye before overtaking my space without any regard for my life. Such as being on the freeway when I was positioned between someone's car and the exit they just had to take, or on a surface street when a person just did not want to wait any longer for a red light and decided to punch it just as I was about to enter the intersection. They knew that they had the upper hand when it came to the physics of the situation (I probably credit them with too much thought here) and left it up to me to try and save my own ass. The odds are definitely stacked a bit more against you when you're on two wheels. Hang in there.
One of the biggest changes that reduced snap oversteer from the AP1 was the revised rear suspension geometry. The mount points for the A-arms were changed to reduce dynamic toe changes which were primarily responsible for the famous AP1 snap oversteer. I'm surprised this wasn't mentioned. Getting toe correction arms or swapping to an AP2 rear subframe is one of the best upgrades for an AP1 to increase stability.
Your final thoughts on Honda and the generational shift was absolutely spot on. Thank you for this great and honest review.
Savagegeese, thank you for this video and all your work. It is an absolute pleasure each and every time I tune in to watch them.
Thank you for taking your time and making this video. I really enjoyed it.
Ap1 masterrace
I promise you dude, once I get out of my student rate at work, I'll donate to your channel consistently. I've never had another RUclipsr draw my attention in as much as your content does.
Just bought my 03 ap1 s2000 about 4 months ago I've always wanted one. I've watched tons of reviews and drove some years prior. I appreciate you with your brutal honest review I love how you don't sugar coat the review. Also love all the research you provide into it. Keep up the good work just subscribed to you keep those videos rolling .
Best RUclips car Chanel ever..! Saludos desde Argentina!!
Wow, truely one of the best review videos I've ever seen... The ending almost made me cry, but this car is a legend
Thanks for taking the time and dedication to creating this video and putting it out there. Coming from an AP2 GPW original owner with around 2,000 original miles, I’ll always take care of this vehicle.
Good commentary. This really was one of the last cars built for driving and not just mass appeal. It has the "correct" layout, balance, powerband, gearing etc for a sports car, and no driver aids. No stability assist, no auto-rev-matching, no launch control, no fake "sport mode" or any other nonsense designed to make the car more appealing to the unskilled masses. This is a car that Honda made for real driving enthusiasts. Not the kind who talk, but the kind who would go through several sets of tires and brakes per year.
This is such a different review style than what's all over RUclips. Good shit! As a car guy I can definitely say these are the best reviews to watch, and then listen to again while at work/doing homework. I'd love to see a c5 corvette coupe/z06 review!
Probably the best review I have seen hands down on one of the greatest cars ever, subbed! 🔥
Thank you for such an exhaustive review! Please do more. This car deserves yet another, deeper level of review!
Wow, this video is just perfect. 14/10.
So much effort has been put in production quality.
Outstanding edit - probably my favorite thus far! I remember buying my AP1 and feeling a slight sense of regret the first few days on the street. Showed up at the track the first weekend, and I fell in love with it. Most just don't understand until they drive it, and I can relate to many points. Other drivers kept asking what was done to my stock S2000. I just hadn't driven a car on track where both the front and rear worked so well together. Regret selling mine, couldn't find an AP2 for the right price nor wrecked / riced, and the ND Miata was about the closest I could get to that experience. Your review on the 2016 ND helped greatly in making that leap. I would be curious how the 2019 ND experience stacks up against your latest AP2 S2000. We both know I'm just gonna have to buy another S2000 again. I'm sure you can relate... oh wait. 😆
Uehara’s speech always tears me up. Gets me in right mood before I beat the living piss out of my s2000
Wow. Just wow. what a video. And the last seconds of Shigeru Uehara, obviously you've done him proud with this video!
What a great video, as a former S2k owner, this hits me, especially at the very end, got my eyes all watery. Found your videos yesterday and been binging through them, your channel is my favorite now, I don't see myself fast forwarding like I did with the rest of the car review channels, I appreciate every second of your videos. I had my S2K in my mid 20s, it was a 2004, so I think it was AP2, it was my daily car for about 3 years. My biggest regret was not pushing it hard as often as I should like you did in the video, to enjoy the car, and when I did tried to corner hard at one instance, I lost control and hit the curb of the street, messed up the front suspension and it was never the same. I'm happy to hear that modern Miata can be the replacement of an S2k, thank you for helping me narrow down the research for next fun driver's car. Please keep up the good work.
Nailed it! Love this channel
Job well done, Mark. What a lovely tribute.
what an amazing outro on this video. you put so much time and attention into your content. thank you
This one, and the Z4 M coupe that I saw before it, were excellent reviews. Love the technical analysis, and these cars are in your wheelhouse of appreciation - I think that's why the passion you have for them comes through in these reviews. You may not be able to do this with every car, but at least you've done these two magnficent cars justice.
last part makes you want to tear up, great video. It's worth watching every second of this video
Well, thanks to this video, I went and bought a 2008 last weekend...
And they are being sold for shockingly close to new price, at least in my country.
Fantastic video from start to finish. I've just bought one of these, it's my second.... watching this video and particularly the comments at the end from Shigeru Uehara has made me realise why I love it so much... it's a mass produced car, but one made with the dedication and devotion of its engineers.
This has to be the most informative & entertaining car review I've ever seen. Just brilliant!
can't talk, busy hitting 9k.
wwwaaaaaaWWWAAAAA!!!
AP2 doesn't hit 9k. The ones that do have a poorly designed rear suspension geometry.
Best route is buying AP2 and dropping in a k20 engine with aftermarket valvesprings. Then you can hit 10k :D
Austin Yup sorry, can’t hear you. Busy hitting 9k in my sick fucking AP1.
@@elephantelephant1236 If you engine swap an S2000, you should be strung up. That's a goddamn federal offense in my book.
Captain BaseBallBat-Boy yes I agree. Kinda weeiiirddd
@@elephantelephant1236 We got the AP2 with the 2.0l engine in Europe. Also some other countries like Australia too.
Maybe the best S2000 video I’ve seen, makes me appreciate mine even more. Good job.
This a great review that flowed well. I didn't realize it was ending till the Final Thoughts came on. Good video sir and glad I found your channel. (:
Glad you're speaking for yourself on that tach, I think that thing will always be awesome!
A Japanese classic with a savagegeese classic, very fitting.
Wonderful video! Thanks for making it. My dad owns a 2000 model year S2000 with about 18k miles. The car still looks new. I keep asking to buy it but he will never sell it!
Your buddy is hilarious in the garage. He doesn't say much but cracks me up with his wit and dry sense of humor. Great review btw. Loaded with excellent information. Thanks for that!
Amazing video, looking forward to maintenance/buyers guide part. Thank you, savagegeeese crew!
I LOVE YOU FOR DOING THIS
Awesome enthusiast-centric review as usual. Having owned two AP1 S2ks, a 2002 and currently a 2000 model, I agree with most of the negative points you mentioned (low torgue, top up visibility, noise). But every time I think about selling it, since it's a third car and rarely driven, I take it for a drive with an occasional italian tuneup and then question whether I would regret it. Nothing in this price range provides that connected visceral experience with the enhanced sensation of speed. Wish Honda would revisit the formulas that made this, the Integra Type-R, 1st gen NSX, Prelude SH, Legend GS such great cars in their respective categories. Looking forward to subsequent videos in this series.
From a 2000 NFR owner, Savagegeese, bar NONE you make the best car reviews. Your calm, well-spoken knowledgeable presentation, the clean and tasteful editing and shots, and subtle humor high and low brow. These short movies are such excellent reviews and like this and your LFA memoriams, justice is done to engineering marvels.
Wow, beautiful video! I love the speedy shots you had cutting up those back roads!