00s Japanese Middleweights

Started by CALL_911, December 04, 2017, 09:17:18 AM

Which one

Honda S2000
12 (57.1%)
Nissan 350Z
1 (4.8%)
Mazda RX-8
4 (19%)
Evo IX
1 (4.8%)
WRX STi
3 (14.3%)
Acura RSX-S
0 (0%)

Total Members Voted: 21

CALL_911



2004 S2000
2016 340xi

12,000 RPM

Tough one. They are all flawed to me.

S2K- not enough torque for 2800lbs
Z- better as a G sedan
RX-8- oil consumption in MPG, reliability, S2K torque problem
EVO- too crude, AWD
STI- delicate engine, AWD
RSX-S- colossally goof't suspension geometry

2006 still counts IMO.... I'd probably go with my Civic in Si trim. Same torque problem out of the box but it's more easily remedied; chassis is as good if not better than the "GOAT" double wishbone Hondas of the 90s (more chassis rigidity); mostly quick enough for the street (though you have to work for it which is not always fun). Not sure if the RSX-S had an LSD either.

I'd also consider a Neon SRT-4 just to absolutely beat the piss out of.
Protecctor of the Atmospheric Engine #TheyLiedToUs

ChrisV

S 2000. Convertible and true sports car of the bunch.
Like a fine Detroit wine, this vehicle has aged to budgetary perfection...

mzziaz

Cuore Sportivo

r0tor

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee No Speed -- 2004 Mazda RX8 6 speed -- 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia All Speed

Xer0

Quote from: 12,000 RPM on December 04, 2017, 10:00:22 AM
Tough one. They are all flawed to me.

S2K- not enough torque for 2800lbs
Z- better as a G sedan
RX-8- oil consumption in MPG, reliability, S2K torque problem
EVO- too crude, AWD
STI- delicate engine, AWD
RSX-S- colossally goof't suspension geometry

2006 still counts IMO.... I'd probably go with my Civic in Si trim. Same torque problem out of the box but it's more easily remedied; chassis is as good if not better than the "GOAT" double wishbone Hondas of the 90s (more chassis rigidity); mostly quick enough for the street (though you have to work for it which is not always fun). Not sure if the RSX-S had an LSD either.

I'd also consider a Neon SRT-4 just to absolutely beat the piss out of.

The S2K's torque problem is way way way overblown.  That engine revs stupid quick and the car has absolutely no problems moving around. 

Rupert

S2k, out of all of those, that's the only one I've routinely searched for on CL.
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13 cars, 60 cylinders, 52 manual forward gears and 9 automatic, 2 FWD, 42 doors, 1988 average year of manufacture, 3 convertibles, 22 average mpg, and no wheel covers.
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MexicoCityM3

S2K followed closely by STi/EVO.

RX-8 seems ok but was never available here. Same with the RSX-S

350Z was competitive maybe for its first couple of years.

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MX793

Quote from: Xer0 on December 04, 2017, 04:39:09 PM
The S2K's torque problem is way way way overblown.  That engine revs stupid quick and the car has absolutely no problems moving around. 

Same could be said of the RX-8.  It didn't make a lot of peak torque, but the torque curve was remarkably flat.
Needs more Jiggawatts

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Xer0

Quote from: MX793 on December 04, 2017, 06:25:03 PM
Same could be said of the RX-8.  It didn't make a lot of peak torque, but the torque curve was remarkably flat.

Having never driven the RX-8 I can't comment, but I want to.

MexicoCityM3

That low torque nonsense used to come up all the time with BMW's formerly N/A high revving M engines. Total BS. Same here I assume.
Founder, BMW Car Club de México
http://bmwclub.org.mx
'05 M3 E46 6SPD Mystic Blue
'08 M5 E60 SMG  Space Grey
'11 1M E82 6SPD Sapphire Black
'16 GT4 (1/3rd Share lol)
'18 M3 CS
'16 X5 5.0i (Wife)
'14 MINI Cooper Countryman S Automatic (For Sale)

Raza

6. Acura RSX-S. I've always had a soft spot for these because I loved the DC5 ITR in video games, but it's just outclassed in this company.

5. Nissan 350Z. One of the best looking cars of the era, it unfortunately lets you down in every other conceivable way. Poor shifter, poor clutch, heavy chassis, and on the less important scale, a kind of crappy interior.

4. WRX STi. Love the idea, but it just doesn't feel special to drive. Shockingly mundane.

3. Mazda RX-8. The sensible sedan of the bunch in some ways, horribly inefficient in others. But, it comes with great looks, neat packaging, and a really fun chassis. Exploitable and just great to drive.

2. Evo IX. Based on the Evo VIII I drove, this is more of a sports car than almost anything in this group. It's got a crappy interior, it feels tinny, and it has boy racer looks. But damn if it doesn't feel special to drive; when you're behind the wheel, not much else matters.

1. Honda S2000. I've actually not had a chance to drive one yet. But an AP2 is high on my desired list, and it's the only proper sports car in contention here.
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2006 BMW Z4 3.0i
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Quote from: the Teuton on October 05, 2009, 03:53:18 PM
It's impossible to argue with Raza. He wins. Period. End of discussion.

12,000 RPM

Quote from: Xer0 on December 04, 2017, 04:39:09 PM
The S2K's torque problem is way way way overblown.  That engine revs stupid quick and the car has absolutely no problems moving around.
A Mitsubishi Mirage has absolutely no problems moving around, but nobody would call it torquey or punchy. On the small lobes the S2K is downright wheezy. My H22 Accord had much more around town pep (roommate had an AP1). Agree to disagree I guess.
Protecctor of the Atmospheric Engine #TheyLiedToUs

12,000 RPM

Quote from: MexicoCityM3 on December 04, 2017, 06:36:00 PM
That low torque nonsense used to come up all the time with BMW's formerly N/A high revving M engines. Total BS. Same here I assume.
An E46 M3 makes 60-80% more torque, but only weighs like 20% more. It's not the same thing at all.
Protecctor of the Atmospheric Engine #TheyLiedToUs

MexicoCityM3

Quote from: 12,000 RPM on December 05, 2017, 06:06:07 AM
An E46 M3 makes 60-80% more torque, but only weighs like 20% more. It's not the same thing at all.

Probably, I haven't driven a Honda with those high revving N/A engines.
Founder, BMW Car Club de México
http://bmwclub.org.mx
'05 M3 E46 6SPD Mystic Blue
'08 M5 E60 SMG  Space Grey
'11 1M E82 6SPD Sapphire Black
'16 GT4 (1/3rd Share lol)
'18 M3 CS
'16 X5 5.0i (Wife)
'14 MINI Cooper Countryman S Automatic (For Sale)

2o6

RX-8. It's a car you just sort of understand when you drive one.

r0tor

The RX8 doesn't have a lot of pull, but what it does have is a fairly constant from 3k to 9k... Which is pretty remarkable honestly

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee No Speed -- 2004 Mazda RX8 6 speed -- 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia All Speed

MrH

If I could get one brand new right now? RX-8

To buy used right now? S2000
2023 Ford Lightning Lariat ER
2019 Acura RDX SH-AWD
2023 BRZ Limited

Previous: '02 Mazda Protege5, '08 Mazda Miata, '05 Toyota Tacoma, '09 Honda Element, '13 Subaru BRZ, '14 Hyundai Genesis R-Spec 5.0, '15 Toyota 4Runner SR5, '18 Honda Accord EX-L 2.0t, '01 Honda S2000, '20 Subaru Outback XT, '23 Chevy Bolt EUV

r0tor

Everything except the engine is almost bullet proof on the RX8... I'd get a used one and just budget for an upgraded rebuild
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee No Speed -- 2004 Mazda RX8 6 speed -- 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia All Speed

Onslaught

I went RX-8 but the S2000 is probably the "best" car on the list.
bah weep granah weep nini bon

Rich

2003 Mazda Miata 5MT; 2005 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport 4AT

Lebowski


565

Hmm I think I've actually driven all of those cars believe it or not.

It's been a while, but if I recall correctly the EVO drove the best.

Eye of the Tiger

Evo IX

Because it is the most exciting and least pretentious.
2008 TUNDRA (Truck Ultra-wideband Never-say-die Daddy Rottweiler Awesome)

veeman

Out of the blue you responded to a thread last commented on 2 and a half years ago :lol:


SJ_GTI

I choose Honda S2000 (better later than never).

FoMoJo

Quote from: SJ_GTI on August 24, 2020, 11:25:41 AM
I choose Honda S2000 (better later than never).
Yes.  A proper sports car.
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