There are a lot of newer cars that are faster, especially nowadays (think 2009+ 300hp V6 Camaros etc.) but they still dont have the panache of a Vette 
C4 vs. S2000
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2006
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C4 vs. S2000
Hi Joe hear 58yrs old A Honda tech. (hey it is a living) Well today I worked on a 06 S2000 8500Mi. Check eng lite on replaced O2 sensor and updated ECU went for a test ride first time in a S2000nin a long time well boys and girles that car ant crap compared to our old vettes oh it handles ok has some power but it is just not the same! When I got home went out to garage drive way is covered in snow and ice so no driving it but I just started it the sound and smell of that V8 is just what I needed Drive hard and live free 
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
I like cars. The S2000 is kind of cool. Never drove one though. I'm told it handles well, and you can wind that thing out big. When the rotating mass weighs 2lbs, (ok, an exaggeration), high rpms are much easier.
The C4 handles very well for it's age, it's more car than I am driver. I like the V8, the muscle car feel, and the low end torque. But if you want a refined ride, the C4 isn't the car.
The C4 handles very well for it's age, it's more car than I am driver. I like the V8, the muscle car feel, and the low end torque. But if you want a refined ride, the C4 isn't the car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,488
Likes: 1,352
I drove an S2000 and unless you beat the dog **** out of the thing it was a complete snore. It did absolutely nothing unless you were jumping off the clutch from 6K plus. I'm sure lots of people think they're great I hated the thing. I found the Mazda Miata I drove much more entertaining, it had a lil turbo on it though 
Le Mans Master
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From: levittown pa. usa Even a bad day with my `Vette, is better than a good day at work
St. Jude Donor '10
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2007
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I just like the fact that in the 80's the c4 was light years ahead of any other American car.
motor brakes, suspension, chassis anything. I wish it stayed that way, but it seems the cars have almost even out now.
motor brakes, suspension, chassis anything. I wish it stayed that way, but it seems the cars have almost even out now.
Le Mans Master
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From: Akron Ohio
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St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Racer
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Austin TX
C4 and S2000, very different beasts. Different goals. Need to be driven differently. Try to drive an S2000 like a C4 and you will be disappointed. Try to drive a C4 like an S2000 and you will be disappointed. Where is the surprise in this? They are, however, all excellent cars in their own right.
I've had an '80, a '92, an S2000, and a shifter kart. The S2000 felt nearly identical to the shifter kart. Very crisp handling, nearly instant response to driver input, and needed the engine wound out at all times. It was a very fun car to drive on a track. The build quality was also light years past what my C4 had. The cowl shake alone on my C4 drove me up the wall.
On the street the '92 C4 was a much better car to drive. Lots of torque. Larger, roomier, more comfortable. I could, and did, live with the C4 as an only car. I found it impossible to live with the S2000 as an only car.
I would own an S2000 again, but only if it were a weekend car. I would not own a C4 again. I would gladly own a C6 though, and would be willing to have a C6 as my only vehicle if necessary.
I've had an '80, a '92, an S2000, and a shifter kart. The S2000 felt nearly identical to the shifter kart. Very crisp handling, nearly instant response to driver input, and needed the engine wound out at all times. It was a very fun car to drive on a track. The build quality was also light years past what my C4 had. The cowl shake alone on my C4 drove me up the wall.
On the street the '92 C4 was a much better car to drive. Lots of torque. Larger, roomier, more comfortable. I could, and did, live with the C4 as an only car. I found it impossible to live with the S2000 as an only car.
I would own an S2000 again, but only if it were a weekend car. I would not own a C4 again. I would gladly own a C6 though, and would be willing to have a C6 as my only vehicle if necessary.
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Le Mans Master
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C4 and S2000, very different beasts. Different goals. Need to be driven differently. Try to drive an S2000 like a C4 and you will be disappointed. Try to drive a C4 like an S2000 and you will be disappointed. Where is the surprise in this? They are, however, all excellent cars in their own right.
I've had an '80, a '92, an S2000, and a shifter kart. The S2000 felt nearly identical to the shifter kart. Very crisp handling, nearly instant response to driver input, and needed the engine wound out at all times. It was a very fun car to drive on a track. The build quality was also light years past what my C4 had. The cowl shake alone on my C4 drove me up the wall.
On the street the '92 C4 was a much better car to drive. Lots of torque. Larger, roomier, more comfortable. I could, and did, live with the C4 as an only car. I found it impossible to live with the S2000 as an only car.
I would own an S2000 again, but only if it were a weekend car. I would not own a C4 again. I would gladly own a C6 though, and would be willing to have a C6 as my only vehicle if necessary.
I've had an '80, a '92, an S2000, and a shifter kart. The S2000 felt nearly identical to the shifter kart. Very crisp handling, nearly instant response to driver input, and needed the engine wound out at all times. It was a very fun car to drive on a track. The build quality was also light years past what my C4 had. The cowl shake alone on my C4 drove me up the wall.
On the street the '92 C4 was a much better car to drive. Lots of torque. Larger, roomier, more comfortable. I could, and did, live with the C4 as an only car. I found it impossible to live with the S2000 as an only car.
I would own an S2000 again, but only if it were a weekend car. I would not own a C4 again. I would gladly own a C6 though, and would be willing to have a C6 as my only vehicle if necessary.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,073
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From: Houston TX
If you don't live in a place where you can wind the motor out on almost every shift, there is no point to owning an S2000. It is a great car, but it has almost no usable torque.
All Corvettes have a healthy amount of torque and therefore are much easier to drive daily. I almost never need to rev mine past 3K (but sometimes I do just for fun)...
All Corvettes have a healthy amount of torque and therefore are much easier to drive daily. I almost never need to rev mine past 3K (but sometimes I do just for fun)...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,051
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From: Schaller Iowa
I had the same thing, bought a 94 v-6 firebird while saving for the vette. Just needed a "cool ride" fix I suppose. Actaully it was a nice driving/handling car albeit a bit underpowered. Sold it when I was getting too ill with "vette fever". Replacing a 94 'bird with a 94 vette is a whole lotta fun.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
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From: Ohio
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Naperville, IL ...... On Iowa!!!
I was shopping for a reasonably priced used roadster a couple years ago and drove the s2000. As stated by others here the lack of low end torque was a deal killer. I hated the buzzy exhaust note at high rev. I ended up buying an MGB V6 conversion.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 272
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From: LA
I like the S2000. Very nice car. VERY good balance. Way too much money for what you get. The C4 is much more car for the money. Also, it is much, much more comfortable on a long drive. I had a choice and chose the C4.
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St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Hi Joe hear 58yrs old A Honda tech. (hey it is a living) Well today I worked on a 06 S2000 8500Mi. Check eng lite on replaced O2 sensor and updated ECU went for a test ride first time in a S2000nin a long time well boys and girles that car ant crap compared to our old vettes oh it handles ok has some power but it is just not the same! When I got home went out to garage drive way is covered in snow and ice so no driving it but I just started it the sound and smell of that V8 is just what I needed Drive hard and live free
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Last edited by PLRX; Feb 5, 2010 at 12:30 AM.