Autocross silly season in the midwest - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

t walgamuth · #1 11-06-2010, 08:33 PM

Our local scca club has run it's last event of the year. Off season is always a time to reflect and think about next year. For me it never fails that I will begin thinking of alternative cars to buy and run so I can get faster.

(Though recently I have actually pondered getting my old 280e out and putting it back into action

)

There is a local guy who runs a standard Solstice in CS and he keeps beating me, though I managed to get within .4 of him last time we ran.

So on the SCCA forum there is a fellow who has a Z0K Solstice which is a decontented one with no air, power windows and stiffer springs, shocks and sway bars. He says it is one of 18 built that way. I was getting so hot for it I decided to go drive a solstice today.

So I went down to Indy today and drove a nice Black one. I might add that I really get excited by the looks of them. I just think the styling is spot on. So I go down and this hapless salesman decides he has to go along. (Heeee heeeee!). I found it is pretty easy to spin the tires taking off and that on a city street if you take a corner agressively it pushes mightily.

Unfortunately it also feels really cheesy with all the plastic stuff on the interior. The motor groans like an overworked tractor motor too. Although it probably would be quicker on the autocross course than my Miata I just cannot abide by that cheesy cheap sounding motor!

After that I went by another nearby lot in NOblesvile and drove an 03 Honda S2000. I also really like the styling of the s2000 and if anything actually like it a bit more than the solstice (which is attractive in a '68 vette sort of way). The Honda is a timeless design which I belive will still look good in 30 years.

The Honda ozzes quality (to be fair it does cost a lot more than a solstice). The only fly in the ointment is that the seat is a bit narrow for this wide bodied old fart. I squeezed in though and after whizzing around for a while it seemed ok. The honda feels all of one piece, a lot like the solid feel of a benz. The motor has the Vtec variable cam timing and when you go past botu 4500 rpm it just wails on up to 9000 rpm with a wonderful rush. The shifting too is very precise, if anything even a bit better than the excellent shifting Miata. The honda also has a six speed and settles down on the highway at a sedate rpm with no fuss.

The S2000 is in BS and the Miata is in CS but the top guys in both classes are usaully within the same second on times even if it is a double time such as at nationals. All years of s2000s seem to be competitive too.

It looks like I can get a decent Honda for 10 to 12K and if going with a newer Miata will have to spend more like 17 to 18 to get one of the MS-Rs which I understand it takes to be competitive.

I don't like the fact that the Honda weighs about 500# more than the miata but with 240 HP I guess I could get used to it.

Does everybody think Honda s2000s are girly too?

PaulC · #2 11-08-2010, 03:28 PM

IIRC, the S2000 makes it's power at pretty high RPMs. Would this create a disadvantage on tighter circuits?

SwampYankee · #3 11-08-2010, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

Does everybody think Honda s2000s are girly too?

Only if you're the type that gives any credence to that belief.

Personally, I don't give a flick what anyone else thinks. And I'm just going to guess that you're the same way.

tbomachines · #4 11-08-2010, 03:43 PM

I have drooled over S2000s ever since they came out, would pick one up in a heartbeat. IIRC the Solstice and Saturn Sky have had numerous numerous electrical gremlins. They do look damn good though

t walgamuth · #5 11-08-2010, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulC

IIRC, the S2000 makes it's power at pretty high RPMs. Would this create a disadvantage on tighter circuits?

On some circuits the s2000 guys hold it in first a lot longer than us miata guys so they can use the 9000 rpm redline. They must be pretty quick they took about 12 out of fifteen top places at nationals in BS.

t walgamuth · #6 12-07-2022, 09:15 AM

I am looking at S2000 again. Quite a few out there.

INSIDIOUS · #7 12-07-2022, 01:43 PM

Holy necro-thread reviving batman!

t walgamuth · #8 12-07-2022, 10:50 PM

tru dat....I got skills.

INSIDIOUS · #9 12-09-2022, 12:50 AM

Mad Skillz bro ..mad

t walgamuth · #10 12-15-2022, 07:14 PM

I bought a black one today. I'll go pick it up tomorrow. I love it. The interior has a very nice solid quality look.

vwnate1 · #11 12-15-2022, 08:09 PM

I can hardly wait to read about it .

One thing though " The Honda ozzes quality " ~ does this means it's an R.H.D. one from Way Down Under ? .

Just kidding .

Many years ago my then young son had a 1992 Acura Integra coupe that was modified and had a stick shift ~ around town it was docile but once the tach's needle passed 8,000 RPM things got hairy quickly .

I don't have the skills to drive a car that powerful, it was a blast to ride shotgun in it .

t walgamuth · #12 12-16-2022, 04:30 PM

sure you do. l You just can't handle the gas pedal like an on off switch like on a 240d.