S2000 & STI comparison
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S2000 & STI
Hi All,
I've just joined this forum because I'm considering trading in my03 Honda S2000 for an 05 STI. Need the 4 doors...
Could people that have owned/driven both vehicles give me a comparison on handling, NVH, reliability, and how the STI fares as a daily driver. Since the general concenses seems to be that the STI is a better daily driver than the EVO, I wasn't really considering getting the EVO.
I've just joined this forum because I'm considering trading in my03 Honda S2000 for an 05 STI. Need the 4 doors...
Could people that have owned/driven both vehicles give me a comparison on handling, NVH, reliability, and how the STI fares as a daily driver. Since the general concenses seems to be that the STI is a better daily driver than the EVO, I wasn't really considering getting the EVO.
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Car Info: 2005 LGT wagon
My buddy recently got rid of his S2000.
While he hasn't driven my STi yet, due to recent knee surgury, he says the STi handles as well as the S2000 and will out run it.
While he hasn't driven my STi yet, due to recent knee surgury, he says the STi handles as well as the S2000 and will out run it.
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Well, I have driven my friends S2000 a lot, and in my opinion, the STi is a better everyday car....definetely has more power and has a softer suspension over the S2K. THat it will outhandle it, I really doubt it, that you can drive it everyday and push it to its limits...definetely. Its a lot more quiet and obviously more room. It will definetely outrun the S2K. You will miss the S2K gear box, but the woosh of the turbo will let you forget.
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Thanks for the input guys. I definitely need the extra room that a 4 door provides....Although I doubt the STI will turn heads like the s2k does....
Pirana, how much difference is the handling between the 2? 10%? 20%? I read on this forum that the STI has a lot of interior sqeeks. Since the s2k has very few sqeeks for a convertable, how does the STI compare? I get really annoyed when I hear rattles and sqeeks inside a car. Since the S2K is pretty lound, I don't notice it as much. But if the STI is much quieter and has sqeeks coming from the B pillar and the steering colum (from what I gather) it will drive me crazy.
Pirana, how much difference is the handling between the 2? 10%? 20%? I read on this forum that the STI has a lot of interior sqeeks. Since the s2k has very few sqeeks for a convertable, how does the STI compare? I get really annoyed when I hear rattles and sqeeks inside a car. Since the S2K is pretty lound, I don't notice it as much. But if the STI is much quieter and has sqeeks coming from the B pillar and the steering colum (from what I gather) it will drive me crazy.
Dirty Redhead
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Posts: 7,204
From: Commuting? I don't know what that means anymore.
Car Info: 05 WRX Wagon (Crystal Gray)
I drove an S2000 that our dealership took in on trade (new model with more torque) and it's really easy to throw the back end out.
The STI in solid in comparison. After driving the STI I was very unimpressed with the S2000.
The STI in solid in comparison. After driving the STI I was very unimpressed with the S2000.
VIP Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,023
From: Phoenix, AZ
Car Info: Subaru Impreza WRX 2002
If you are concerned about rattles and squeaks, pay $800-$1200 to have a (reputable) stereo installer DynaMatt your car. A friend of mine had this done to his WRX, and it turned a car that can sometimes sound like an econo-box into a Lexus or Mercedes-style quiet machine. This adds about 27 LBS to the car, mostly in the rear trunk and door panels.
Any sqeaks in the dash are very easy to solve; just pull the panel, put silicone gel on the clips, and clip them back again.
Another downside of the S2000, although they are great cars, is the ride height... you will often find yourself looking at the bottom of a lifted truck or the wheels of someone's SUV. The STI (and WRX) have surprisingly high viewing angles and great visibility, for a sedan.
Any sqeaks in the dash are very easy to solve; just pull the panel, put silicone gel on the clips, and clip them back again.
Another downside of the S2000, although they are great cars, is the ride height... you will often find yourself looking at the bottom of a lifted truck or the wheels of someone's SUV. The STI (and WRX) have surprisingly high viewing angles and great visibility, for a sedan.
S2000's use to turn heads. Most of the people that drive them are in there late 40's or 50's. My Wrx/ STI look a like turns every head in the town. The big ralley wing get's everyone's attention.
But just as stated before S2000's are fun to drive because FR cars are usually fun to drive. But VTEC(nothing quite like having your car sound like its going to blow up at 5500rpms) is and never will be as fun as a turbo or even close to one. It only takes one drive in a turbo car to get boost happy.
But just as stated before S2000's are fun to drive because FR cars are usually fun to drive. But VTEC(nothing quite like having your car sound like its going to blow up at 5500rpms) is and never will be as fun as a turbo or even close to one. It only takes one drive in a turbo car to get boost happy.
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HEZLOK,
I guess which car will turn heads and for what reason is a personsal preference.
WRXC2ndregime,
I have to say that after the initial break in the first time I hit 6K on the Tach did have me do a double take just to make sure the pistons wasn't about to shoot through the hood. But after a while I got used to the sound and actaully enjoy it quit a bit.
How's turbo lag on the STI? I've driven a few turbo'd vehicles but this will be the 1st one I'm buying....not to mention with 300hp an inexperienced driver could definitly get into some serious trouble if not careful.
I guess which car will turn heads and for what reason is a personsal preference.
WRXC2ndregime,
I have to say that after the initial break in the first time I hit 6K on the Tach did have me do a double take just to make sure the pistons wasn't about to shoot through the hood. But after a while I got used to the sound and actaully enjoy it quit a bit.
How's turbo lag on the STI? I've driven a few turbo'd vehicles but this will be the 1st one I'm buying....not to mention with 300hp an inexperienced driver could definitly get into some serious trouble if not careful.
lag is a thing that plagued older turbo cars. IE DSMs, grand nationals, supra's, toyota 3s-gte cars.
But basically design has caught up, turbo's spool a lot faster now then they ever did. Compressor designs are better, blade designs are better. Now the only lag you have ususally is if you have a big turbo that pushes a lot of air. But the lag for when it does spool and you hit a **** load of power, it more then makes up for it.
But basically design has caught up, turbo's spool a lot faster now then they ever did. Compressor designs are better, blade designs are better. Now the only lag you have ususally is if you have a big turbo that pushes a lot of air. But the lag for when it does spool and you hit a **** load of power, it more then makes up for it.
Registered User
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,029
From: Sacramento CA
Car Info: 02 Impreza WRX sedan
The STi already comes standard with STi suspension. It's different than the WRX suspension.
You're probably thinking of the steering rack bushings. It's an easy install with absolutely no downside, IMO. No increase in NVH.
--
0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush
You're probably thinking of the steering rack bushings. It's an easy install with absolutely no downside, IMO. No increase in NVH.
--
0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 72
From: Somers, NY/Boston, MA
Car Info: '02 Acura RSX 5MT
Ive driven an S2000, well, not hard, just around town, and i loved it. i love convertibles and i plan on owning an S2000 when i can afford a weekend car. They are very different machines.
STi, faster, seats more people, softer ride, AWD, rally car.
S2K, true sports car, harsh ride (tho enjoyable), back-end happy, toss-able, go-kart like.
i think its a great compromise of performance and utility in the STi, Evo too. tho neither have folding rear seats or pass through.
STi, faster, seats more people, softer ride, AWD, rally car.
S2K, true sports car, harsh ride (tho enjoyable), back-end happy, toss-able, go-kart like.
i think its a great compromise of performance and utility in the STi, Evo too. tho neither have folding rear seats or pass through.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4
From: Sydney Australia
Dude
I have just traded my S2K for an STI last week. We only get the 2 litre STI down under (Australia 260hp) so it is a lil different from the 2.5.
All i can say is that there is nothing like coming on Boost and taking corners way faster than i ever could with the S2K. This thing just grips!! The S2K had a tendancy to snap out on you so you had to approach every bend in the road with caution. the STI is a lot more fun to drive.
Although I thought i would miss top down motoring I am actually enjoying a quiet air conditioned cabin with heaps of room. The S2K is a noisy thing even with the roof off.
You will miss the gearbox in the S2K. I even had the STI short shift installed on my STI but it doesn't compare to the sweet shifting S2000 gearbox.
The chicks loved the S2K, the guys luv the STI. IMO the S2K is a sexy car but the STI is just tuff & purposeful looking.
I am really enjoying the fact that I have a back seat now so I can take passengers and carry **** in the back.
Boxer engine sounds sweet compared to the high pitched V TEC sound of the S2000.
If you are after a car that can be driven hard & practical with heaps of street cred & warranty get the STI. It will wipe the floor with S2K's & other expensive perf cars all day everyday. The potential to mod is huge as big gains can be made at a very low cost. Unfortunately unless u turbo charge the S2K there's not much further u can go.
If you after pose value with a lil performance, keep the S2K. It's a great car but i got tired of mine & wanted something with more poke! Just be prepared to get ur *** handed to u on a platter everytime u line up against an STI
I have just traded my S2K for an STI last week. We only get the 2 litre STI down under (Australia 260hp) so it is a lil different from the 2.5.
All i can say is that there is nothing like coming on Boost and taking corners way faster than i ever could with the S2K. This thing just grips!! The S2K had a tendancy to snap out on you so you had to approach every bend in the road with caution. the STI is a lot more fun to drive.
Although I thought i would miss top down motoring I am actually enjoying a quiet air conditioned cabin with heaps of room. The S2K is a noisy thing even with the roof off.
You will miss the gearbox in the S2K. I even had the STI short shift installed on my STI but it doesn't compare to the sweet shifting S2000 gearbox.
The chicks loved the S2K, the guys luv the STI. IMO the S2K is a sexy car but the STI is just tuff & purposeful looking.
I am really enjoying the fact that I have a back seat now so I can take passengers and carry **** in the back.
Boxer engine sounds sweet compared to the high pitched V TEC sound of the S2000.
If you are after a car that can be driven hard & practical with heaps of street cred & warranty get the STI. It will wipe the floor with S2K's & other expensive perf cars all day everyday. The potential to mod is huge as big gains can be made at a very low cost. Unfortunately unless u turbo charge the S2K there's not much further u can go.
If you after pose value with a lil performance, keep the S2K. It's a great car but i got tired of mine & wanted something with more poke! Just be prepared to get ur *** handed to u on a platter everytime u line up against an STI
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