Hey Tom W.... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

iwrock · #1 12-03-2018, 10:44 PM

Fancy a race? (not in a straight line, that cobra will destroy this thing)

A friend made an offer that was hard to pass up on this 2001 AP1 S2000. He's the second owner, having bought it ~4.5 years ago before their prices started to go up. Car is pretty much stock but in need of some TLC (needs shocks/struts and a good cleaning) but runs like a Honda! May toss a set of bilstein coilovers on it (same price as getting new struts and uprated springs) and do a track day or two for some giggles.

All in all, it's a blast to drive. The 6 speed is very precise and is geared to compliment the 9000RPM redline. Around town it feels like a 125HP Civic but as soon as you let that little engine breathe - it's a masterpiece. I know, it's not an MB.... But MB doesn't really make a car like this!

(flame suit on, fire away with your worst vtec jokes)

t walgamuth · #2 12-03-2018, 11:24 PM

I have always liked S2000s. I really wanted one before settling on the Miata. I did test drive one and found it to feel a lot like a Miata until you hit 6000 rpm and held it down until the 9000 rpm redline. The burst of power when the VTEC comes in is always a good rush!

The Cobra is very fast (but raw). The refinement of the S2000 is hard to beat.

In first second and third you have to be careful with the throttle as wheelspin is always on hand should you wish it or be a little sloppy with the right foot.

The steering in the Cobra is pin sharp though and actually may feel better than any car I have driven....well not any sharper than the Formula Ford.

Oh yes, the S2000 is one of a handful of cars (in 60 years of looking at them) which I cannot find any design element which I would rather see done differently.

Oh yes, what jokes about VTEC? You won't find them here, I love it.

P.C. · #3 12-04-2018, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iwrock

Fancy a race? (not in a straight line, that cobra will destroy this thing)

A friend made an offer that was hard to pass up on this 2001 AP1 S2000. He's the second owner, having bought it ~4.5 years ago before their prices started to go up. Car is pretty much stock but in need of some TLC (needs shocks/struts and a good cleaning) but runs like a Honda! May toss a set of bilstein coilovers on it (same price as getting new struts and uprated springs) and do a track day or two for some giggles.

All in all, it's a blast to drive. The 6 speed is very precise and is geared to compliment the 9000RPM redline. Around town it feels like a 125HP Civic but as soon as you let that little engine breathe - it's a masterpiece. I know, it's not an MB.... But MB doesn't really make a car like this!

(flame suit on, fire away with your worst vtec jokes)

(Psst! Rims...)

iwrock · #4 12-04-2018, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P.C.

(Psst! Rims...)

That will come after I get the suspension sorted. The rear shocks are completely blown and bottom out on pavement changes! I don't think the factory rims look too bad, but it's hard to find a good 16" performance tire. Thinking I may go to a non-staggered 17 inch wheel setup as there's tons of really good (and inexpensive) options for performance tires.

iwrock · #5 12-04-2018, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

I have always liked S2000s. I really wanted one before settling on the Miata. I did test drive one and found it to feel a lot like a Miata until you hit 6000 rpm and held it down until the 9000 rpm redline. The burst of power when the VTEC comes in is always a good rush!

The Cobra is very fast (but raw). The refinement of the S2000 is hard to beat.

In first second and third you have to be careful with the throttle as wheelspin is always on hand should you wish it or be a little sloppy with the right foot.

The steering in the Cobra is pin sharp though and actually may feel better than any car I have driven....well not any sharper than the Formula Ford.

Oh yes, the S2000 is one of a handful of cars (in 60 years of looking at them) which I cannot find any design element which I would rather see done differently.

Oh yes, what jokes about VTEC? You won't find them here, I love it.

I've had an NB Miata, and the S2000 feels like the Miata.... Just more refined. The power roof, the extra HP/RPM, the transmission, the steering - it's all just a little bit more polished. I've never driven a MazdaSpeed MX5, but I imagine it's pretty close to the S2000.

The S2000 is car we could daily pretty easily all year here in CA... The clutch is light enough to not be offensive, it has enough power without hitting vtec to poodle around town with, and has light steering at low speeds.

I think the engineers at Honda who worked on the S2000 started with the drivetrain and suspension, then stretched a body around it. All of the lines are firm and taught, like most Italian cars. The driver focused control are pretty neat too!

And vtec on that little 2 liter! Man oh man, there's something special about winding out those gears and letting that engine sing. I've got a cold air intake on it, and vtec sounds lovely under full load.

Sounds like your Cobra can be (or is) a handful... If you need a hand taming it, I may be able to offer my services! I'm pretty good at doing burnouts and catching snap-oversteer!

t walgamuth · #6 12-04-2018, 08:39 PM

I agree with all your comments about the nb and the s2000. Very nice cars both.

t walgamuth · #7 11-06-2023, 07:12 AM

Raced yesterday at the water park on US 30 yesterday. In the 99 Miata. It was from forty something to 5 or so. The track was very slick and had a lot of gravel lying about. I must have made five runs. Each lap I did something wrong until the last which was near perfect.

I then went over to the fellow's house who is building a SWB Ferrari replica. He has a good amount done but a long way to go. I had copies made of two books I have from when I had the Ferrari and gave them to him. It turns out he works at one of the porsche replica mfgrs. Building Ferraris is just a hobby.

Woo hoo!