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Last year I sold my 2006 Honda S2000 and have been searching for a new car ever since.
I'm now the happy owner of a 2006 911 4S. It has a 29,000 miles on it, is in fantastic shape, AND is a real looker. I paid $50k for it, and feel like I probably overpaid, but that's apparently how much cars I want cost here in Seattle. I'm at peace with it and ready for some fun!
I've been driving it for a few days and figured you all would get a kick out of my initial impressions compared to the S2000, which I drove for years and still love. Both cars were/are bone stock and the same year, so it's kind of a fun comparison.
There are things that I think the Honda wins at. It's certainly cheaper and lighter (which I feel in corner transitions) and I think it has a better shifter. It's also as reliable as a cinder block - I had no issues in 7 years of ownership, as long as you don't count thieves slashing the fabric roof and stealing the shift **** twice.
The C4S is a much more impressive car, on the whole. The engine is WAY more impressive and it's most notable on the 2nd-to-3rd gear shift. This car builds incredible speed at 4k in 3rd gear - it's got a LOT more torque than the S2000, and more HP. The leather-clad interior is a much nicer place to spend time, and the overall practicality of the car far outpaces the Honda, as there's so much space, including rear seats!
They both drive great, but the Porsche is clearly much faster and more refined. The Porsche feels heavier at low speeds, but at higher speeds the two kinda even out. I think in most of the car magazine tests, the two cars record very similar braking results, but the Porsche certainly feels much more substantial (and probably holds up to track use much better).
It's surprisingly hard to get either car to kick out the rear end, assuming dry conditions and good pavement. The S2000 lacks the torque, whereas the C4S powers all four wheels. They feel very different to drive, but this is a weird similarity between the two.
Lots of fun to come. Looking forward to being paranoid about IMS issues and puddles under the car with you guys!
Cheers!
Dan
Last edited by dan!; 05-24-2017 at 11:31 PM.
Reason: Adding picture!
Dan, your observations are close to mine. I had a 2005 S2000 that I sold to buy my current '09 C2 cabriolet.
I truly loved my S2k but there were drawbacks. As a guy who loves American muscle, I didn't realize how much I would miss torque until I got the Honda. It really was gutless until the VTek kicked in. I have three kids and I found that I couldn't drive the Honda as much as I wanted because I needed to carry more than just one of them someplace. And as you noted, it didn't have a lot of room for luggage.
OTOH, it handled like a go-cart. It was way more tossable than the 911. Like yours, my S2k never had a lick of trouble.
The best part of S2000 ownership was that I sold my car for more than I paid for it! I doubt that will happen when I sell my Porsche.
Welcome, Dan! I liked your comparisons as well. I've always loved the way the S2000 drove out of the box. I found myself chasing that S2000 shifter feel, which I think I've gotten as close as I can to it. I added the OEM SSK, Numeric Racing Cup Cables, and the Function First Shift Right Solution for an S2000-esque, tight, clunky, precise shifting experience. It was worth every penny. Enjoy your new baby in good health!
Dan, your observations are close to mine. I had a 2005 S2000 that I sold to buy my current '09 C2 cabriolet.
I truly loved my S2k but there were drawbacks. As a guy who loves American muscle, I didn't realize how much I would miss torque until I got the Honda. It really was gutless until the VTek kicked in. I have three kids and I found that I couldn't drive the Honda as much as I wanted because I needed to carry more than just one of them someplace. And as you noted, it didn't have a lot of room for luggage.
OTOH, it handled like a go-cart. It was way more tossable than the 911. Like yours, my S2k never had a lick of trouble.
The best part of S2000 ownership was that I sold my car for more than I paid for it! I doubt that will happen when I sell my Porsche.
Agreed on all fronts. I actually sold my S2000 for more than I paid for it as well.
Torque is hard to beat. Part of me wants a C7 Corvette...I appreciate the absurdity (and torque) of that car.
05-23-2017, 11:38 PM
Hello!
