BG: What do you drive? (PICS)

[Quixon]

Ugh, yeah, I hate them. It is even worse in that picture. They are way too gaudy, but I am from the old JDM generation. Back when I judged import car shows, rims like that usually didn't get a second look.

And now with that frame of mind you would never be invited to judge lol. Not trying to be a dick, just weird how trends change so much. I track my car so I like an aggressive stance, but still 100% functional. No 80LB/corner boat anchors for wheels or any of that bullshit. I'm a big fan of 5 spoke wheels personally. I love the 5 Spoke Racing Harts that came on the Mazdaspeed Miata, but they are too heavy for me to bother.

[ringthree]

LOL I am way out of the import car scene and judging. I have done my fair share.

I am a huge fan of 5 spokes. My 5Zigen 5ZR Copses on my Celica were about as gaudy as I would allow myself.

Yeah, I was really in the JDM style back in the day (early-mid 2000's), I was already getting out of the "import scene" well before the hella-flush moronic shit. Stance is a word we never used.

[bechyni]

Since we're talking imports here's my old hatch

[Omniyoji]

Need to beef it up with K swap... unless you don't have it anymore ._.

[bechyni]

Yeah I got rid of it a couple years back, was a B18C1 swap with a decent size turbo. Made about 350-400 to the wheels

[Squah]

I had this since High School, it was my ride to and from school. Now it sits in the garage since I got it restored and I drive a POS '98 Dodge Intrepid to and from work. On the plus side, I refilled the refrigerant in it so my AC is like a goddamned arctic breeze.

[Omnipotent]

Thinking of trading in the WRX for a Honda S2000. Wouldn't be a daily, just a fun drive. Anyone have experience with these before?

[Quixon]

I had a track S2000 and my best friend has a fully bolted daily driver.

What would you like to know?

[Omnipotent]

Looking to see how it would handle in certain situations:

1. My daily driver dies in the middle of winter and I am forced to drive my S2000. With snow tires, am I still going to die? I live in New England.

2. I want to drive 5 hours in the S2000 for vacation... am I comfortable the whole ride? Or am I shifting in my seat after an hour counting down the minutes.

3. How reliable is the S2000? I am looking for a sports car, that if something where to happen I can fix efficiently and cheaply.

4. What year would you recommend I start out with around a 15k budget? I feel like an AP2 would be a better fit due to the torque output and the body style.

5. Any concerns/comments you noticed while driving yours?

[Quixon]

1. My friend drove 60 miles each way to Manhattan in a Blizzard in his S2K. As long as you aren't plowing snow, with snow tires you are ok. This is assuming you are a competent driver and understand how a RWD car handles. Practice in a parking lot if you aren't comfortable.

2. AP1... not a fucking chance. AP2 you'll be fine, seats are comfortable as fuck.

3. These engines run up to 750 HP on stock internals. Stock or with mild bolt ons you will be completely fine. If the mileage is near 70k+, make sure the clutch has been replaced, or make sure the asking price reflects that work needing to be done. It is a HUGE pain in the ass. You are looking at minimum $600-750 in labor for the clutch replacement. You need to basically prep the engine for removal, and drop the front sub frame in order to get all of the bolts around the bell housing. You also need to remove the starter for this project, which requires minimum 48" (yes 48") of ratchet extensions. Inspect the canvas top THOROUGHLY. My friend is very familiar with cars, and his S2K came with a hole in the top that was patched that he didn't notice. They basically cut a fabric panels the exact size/shape as the panel with the hole, and carefully glued it over the panel with the hole in it. After 4 months the edges started to lift and we discovered the trickery -_-.

4.AP2 is the way to go.

5. You are coming from a WRX, so expect a much more nimble car. You are going to feel like you need to beat the shit out of it to get power, but that is because instead of low end torque.... you have the torque up higher in the RPM range. Do not be afraid to get up there in the Revs while driving, it's made for it and will respond well. The oem ride comfort is on the performance/aggressive end, but nothing like my track prepped miata suspension. Only mildy stiffer than what a WRX would feel like stock.


I'd still have mine if I didn't blow up two engines. I was pushing 900 Horse on the track car though, and couldn't bare the effort or expense in rebuilding it again. My buddies car has the Berk Technologies Long Tube Header, HKS Legamax Exhaust/Midpipe, and the K&N Intake. It's never stranded him, and he daily drives the thing in all weather.

One cannot explain how much of a pain in the ass that clutch replacement is though. I've done clutches and helped with clutches on dozens of cars from Fords to Porsche's, this car is by far the biggest pain in the ass out of all of them in regards to the clutch replacement. Every other maintenance item or aftermarket part install was very easy, there is a lot of room in the engine bay to work. If the car you are looking at has not had the clutch replaced, at least get a quote from your mechanic or local dealership before you agree to buy. It will fail around 60-90K depending on how hard you beat on the car. If you are doing the work yourself, I hope you have a lift. If so plan on 2 full days for the removal/install. Without a lift I'd plan on the car being down for 4 full days if you do the work yourself.

It's not hard, just very time consuming -_-


I don't know if I posted this picture or not, but I'm too lazy to go back and look. Here's my buddies S2K and my Miata from last year.

Spoiler: show

[Omnipotent]

Great response thank you for that. I definitely have my eyes set on an AP2, just seems prices in the South and West are going at a staggering lower rate than up here in New England. Almost temps me to fly out to a place and drive back with one.

Sexy cars, me likey.

Edit: Should I stay away from those who have installed superchargers and turbos in theirs? Seems like that's always a one way street for potential abuse of the car.

[Quixon]

I wouldn't be dropping the coin on an aftermarket FI'd car unless you were getting a phenomenal deal, and had receipts and install records. If you aren't mechanically inclined to install one yourself do not bother. You won't know what to look/listen for. Even then it's still a crap shoot. Basic bolt on mods like intake/exhaust I wouldn't mind at all. Those are easy enough to look and see if everything is installed properly.

The Black S2K above is technically for sale if you are interested. We are about 25-30 minutes from Danbury. Top has been patched, but mechanically the car is immaculate. Clutch was just done too....... ugh. I can get a price if you are interested.


Price wise you are going to pay. Just like the WRX the market is a bit inflated for stock/mildly modified S2K's.

[Omnipotent]

I would be interested in hearing what the price is, sure.

[FNH]

Got a 2013 Dodge Dart w/ the turbo and 6spd DDCT auto. Planning to dip the wheels Anthracite Grey, sharkfin antennae,Forge Diverter plate, DRP SRI(I think my area is too rainy for a CAI and I'd rather be safe than sorry), and running 2.5" pipe from resonator to Y-pipe where the muffler was to the tips. Also gonna shop some junk yards to find a wrecked Rallye so I can nab the black headlights.

google images photo because lazy, but it looks the same:
http://images.dealerrevs.com/pictures/75088466.jpg

[Adajer]

I wanted the Dodge Dart 2014/2015.

That one new or used that you bought?

[FNH]

I wanted the Dodge Dart 2014/2015.

That one new or used that you bought?

it was used, all the new ones in the area had the 2.4L which I didn't want. Plus I have a hesitation to buying new.

[Quixon]

Is there any kind of intercooler on the car? You could just add an aftermarket one, or a bigger one if it comes with one stock, and you'll be in the same spot as if you added a CAI, with the risk of sucking water lol. You'd probably spool the turbo a bit faster too.

[FNH]

Is there any kind of intercooler on the car? You could just add an aftermarket one, or a bigger one if it comes with one stock, and you'll be in the same spot as if you added a CAI, with the risk of sucking water lol. You'd probably spool the turbo a bit faster too.

It does have an oem FMIC, but it heatsoaks. There are 2 aftermarket options: A large one which is designed for better topend because the stock turbo takes a bit to fill it, Im going with option 2 which is only slightly larger than stock but made from better material. More concerned with low-end performance over top-end, since I will likely never see the electronic speed cutoff, also longevity of the vehicle. However, this will likely wait until tax return season along with the upgraded piping and an aftermarket underdrive crankshaft pulley.

[ringthree]

It does have an oem FMIC, but it heatsoaks. There are 2 aftermarket options: A large one which is designed for better topend because the stock turbo takes a bit to fill it, Im going with option 2 which is only slightly larger than stock but made from better material. More concerned with low-end performance over top-end, since I will likely never see the electronic speed cutoff, also longevity of the vehicle. However, this will likely wait until tax return season along with the upgraded piping and an aftermarket underdrive crankshaft pulley.

If you are having heatsoak issues, the first solution shouldn't be a bigger intercooler, but a water sprayer for heavy load situations.

[ringthree]

Great response thank you for that. I definitely have my eyes set on an AP2, just seems prices in the South and West are going at a staggering lower rate than up here in New England. Almost temps me to fly out to a place and drive back with one.

Sexy cars, me likey.

Edit: Should I stay away from those who have installed superchargers and turbos in theirs? Seems like that's always a one way street for potential abuse of the car.

Never buy a modified car. Never ever buy one with FI.