Reply With QuoteThey've also got notoriously weak clutches - maybe not the best car to learn how to drive a manual in?
Saw an s2k at ECR's last toy run over rev and blow smoke on the front straight.
They've also got notoriously weak clutches - maybe not the best car to learn how to drive a manual in?
Iain
"We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
I don't know if I'd call it a weak clutch they hold up fine but the 2004+ cars have a clutch delay valve that makes them slip on hard starts or hard shifts. Honda did that because the 2000-2003 cars tended to blow the weak diff.
Hmm.. I've had more than one student smoke the OEM AP1 clutch practicing standing starts at PCA autocross schools. I guess it's just a lot more dependent on technique than a typical Mazda clutch.
Iain
"We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
I didn't know the AP1 would also smoke the clutch on a hard start.
I am not trying to talk you out of an S2000 I love mine just trying to let you know the bad parts also.
An STR NC would be a blast. You should get one so I can drive it.
Yeah, I kinda figured the clutch was just going to be replaced anyway so in my mind I was already figuring that into the cost of the car.
The only downside to the miata is the lack of straight line speed, where the S2000 is about even to a touch faster then my stage 2 GTI.
I'm with XM. Keep the GTI and buy a cheap Miata for racing / manual shifting. Racing isn't about going reeeeeally fast, it's about going relatively fast in your class. An early Miata can be had cheap and then made competitive more cheaply than most other cars. Tires alone are less expensive because of the size.
Published 0-60 and ¼ mile times are great, but keep in mind how the two cars deliver their power.Originally Posted by 762
Cars like the S2000 and RX-8 develop their peak torque at 7000 or more rpm, unlike the motor in your GTI. In regular street driving, neither the S2000 nor the RX-8 are particularly quick cars, unless you flog the living daylights out of them. And that tends to attract a lot of unwanted attention.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the S2000 cockpit – especially the AP1 – is very snug.
I’m not telling you not to buy one, but they aren’t for everyone. I would suggest that if you really think you want one, you should spend some time in one before pulling the trigger. They’re great cars, but they’re small, loud, and a bit high strung.
Iain
"We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
762,
Given your post above stating that you wouldn't be comfortable driving a stick when you don't drive one yourself I am going to feel safe to assume that your car is has an Automatic Transmission.
I'm not sure how well the torque converter would hold up. I know on older Civics you would be limited to 5-7 PSI max, before you start to have issues with the torque converter on the trans. Again I'm not sure how the VW auto-Trans would hold up to the extra power but that would be something I would take into concideration before I made my decision.
Blah blah blah!
My car has a DSG which is technically a computer controlled manual. It can take just as much as the manual version. I can drive stick, but hard starts and heel toe are two things I just do not have much practice with.
In day to day driving the GTI is faster the S2000, but I can say with very very high confidence that flat out the speeds are almost identical.
My friend has an 06 AP2 which I seem to fit fine in and I have test driven a few as well. So that combined with its reputation for reliability kinda got me interested.
It sounds like you've already made up your mind. Are you just looking for validation from us?
Iain
"We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
I don't care what it is or what you call it, if it doesn't require your left foot to change gears, it's an automatic.
Good luck with you decision. I'd keep what you got, but both my cars have 200+K miles.
Smile
93' LE #1136 - FM II
250k miles
The Yaris has excellent straight line speed...compared to an NA.
Polished Turd Racing
Mick wrote: "I think Jerrett is the best autocrosser I have ever seen naked."
I don't know what a MT hatchback like yours feels like, but the AT 4 door Yaris rental I had a few weeks ago was a dog. I know it has been a long time since my Miata was at stock power, but I am pretty sure a stock Miata could take it. The Yaris's power (or lack there of) reminded me of a friend's old 3-cylinder Geo metro I drove many years back.
Eh, It was more of to see if my idea of trading the car was completely unreasonable. Pretty much everyone on here has had more life experience then myself, so figured I would just see what people had to say.It sounds like you've already made up your mind. Are you just looking for validation from us?
I just realized you are talking about High Octane's K04 kit! Small world eh? Yeah its a great deal.
That $2,000 on the upgrade will really cost $4,000 by the time you figure all the extras and install that you will need.
That kit should be very reliable long term since it is essentially the same kit as on the Euro ED30 GTI.
However have you driven a chipped GTI? $500 will make your car fly and it is reliable power.
Its as much power as you would ever want in a FWD car imo.
I am hearing the same thing.It sounds like you've already made up your mind. Are you just looking for validation from us?
You are balking at putting $300 of maintenance that you will have to do in 1.5 years into a car that you only have to pay half on.
At the same time you have already figured on sinking $1200 into the S2000 for a new clutch today on a car you will have to pay 100% for.
Thanks to your parents you got a new GTI for around $12,000... I would drive the car into the ground as my daily after buying the warranty in 3 years.
I would buy a Miata with cash today and upgrade to a S2000 in a few years when your funds allow.
That way you will have more money for incidentals/repairs/maintenance and more seat time to fully appreciate the S2000.
Last edited by XM_Rocks; 02-05-2010 at 04:40 PM.
My car has the following mods XM
APR Stage 2 Software
GHL 3 inch downpipe with high flow cat/followed by full custom bent 3 inch stainless catback.
Evolution Motorsports Intake
Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2 17x8 Wheels with 255/40/17 Star Specs
AST 4100 Coilovers w/prototype Vorshlag Camber plates
APR Rear Sway Bar
Hawk HP+ break pads
CIM Vent mounted electronic boost gauge
I know a thing or two about driving a modded GTI
The only reason I was considering the kit was simply if I was going to keep the GTI for another few years I dont know if I could deal with knowing I did not pick up the kit when I had such an amazing opportunity to do so. Plus it makes the GTI faster then an E92 M3 in a straight line, and that is not particularly slow.
Yeah then you should be able to take your friends AP2.
I thought you were stock.
Anyway GL with your decision.
I am Back2VW on DFDubs.
....and you still get beat by a lowly, <100HP Miatae.Ride the gravy train until someone makes you get off or you decide to do it all on your own.
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