Need a solid opinion on someone whos had experience with both cars....S2K & S14

[KoukiMnster]

Hey Zilv,

Due to financial hardships in the past, I was forced to sell my S2000. The S14's have always intrigued me(and that's why I want one...mainly for grip, but I just wanted to get some input on someone whos driven both cars.

The S2000 had a lot of finesse-it had solid steering wheel feedback, the car had really good turn in, etc. Was truly a blast to drive.

I was wondering if I could get an opinion on someone whos road raced/driven both cars. My original plan was to build a solid trackable 240.

I am really looking to purchase a S14 in the near future, but I may be swayed back into the S2K world...

Much appreciated ziLVIA!

[godrifttoday]

Get a reliable daily driver!! That requires little to no maintenance. Don't mod anything!! Get out of financial hardship first.... Broke + race car= bankrupt!

[KoukiMnster]

No I am financially stable now...this was back in 09. I have been mobbing a Toyota Camry sir! Time to get a fun car.

[Prime]

I've driven both, though I've spent much less time with the S2K. That said, it's an exciting car, and a bit of a difficult car to drive. That high powerband is a little odd to get used to (depending on year model/engine, of course). The S14 is an entirely different experience, and without extensive modification will not come near to that of the Honda in stock form. The KA just doesn't have the guts, and the SR gets you close to the S2K's power, but in a much larger and heavier car. That said, aftermarket on the S14 is much much more diverse, if that's the part of owning the car you enjoy more. It's also a more practical car for daily driving (if you can call an S14 practical....).

TL;DR - If you're going to mod the living hell out of it: S14.
If you're going to drive the living hell out of it: S2K.

[KoukiMnster]

I've driven both, though I've spent much less time with the S2K. That said, it's an exciting car, and a bit of a difficult car to drive. That high powerband is a little odd to get used to (depending on year model/engine, of course). The S14 is an entirely different experience, and without extensive modification will not come near to that of the Honda in stock form. The KA just doesn't have the guts, and the SR gets you close to the S2K's power, but in a much larger and heavier car. That said, aftermarket on the S14 is much much more diverse, if that's the part of owning the car you enjoy more. It's also a more practical car for daily driving (if you can call an S14 practical....).

TL;DR - If you're going to mod the living hell out of it: S14.
If you're going to drive the living hell out of it: S2K.

Hey Prime,

I have my Camry as a DD. This will be the weekend track rat haha.

I had a build list planned out for the 14. Was going to stick to stock suspension, to learn the car. Then eventually probably put some heavy suspension work[cusco/whiteline] on the car with the money i've saved(RUCA, bushings, sways, etc etc.) and possibly a cusco cage? But first I would probably get non staggered tires, and a SR.

Do you think, coming from a S2K, I will be satisfied with the way the car performs(well I guess the question is...would you?)...I guess the question for everyone would be would you guys be satisfied if you had the option of both cars?

[Prime]

Do you think, coming from a S2K, I will be satisfied with the way the car performs(well I guess the question is...would you?)...I guess the question for everyone would be would you guys be satisfied if you had the option of both cars?

They're far far too different to get a solid answer on that. The S14 will never be as nimble or technically brilliant as the S2K. The S-Chassis is just too old, despite the S14 being the youngest of the brood to hit these shores. Again, it's a much larger car. If you're going to strip it down for total track slut status, the weight is less of an issue I guess. The Honda will still be lighter, no getting around that. The power potential of the S14's platform is higher, but to my mind that's less of a problem than it seems.

As much as I hate to say it, the Honda is just a tough car to measure up to. The motor is incredibly high-strung, and the chassis is just superb. Like you said, it's an absolute blast to drive, right off the lot. The Nissan is a bit of a pig off the bat in comparison. Put enough work into it, it'll be just as fun as the Honda I'll bet. But it's different. Just different. The steering isn't as sharp or precise, you can't clip apexes quite as effortlessly, the powerband is absolutely incomparable (not saying it's bad), and it's not as quick through tight bends.

However, set up right, you'll still blast through corners at ridiculous speeds, make tires scream for mercy, and have a great time driving it. Plus, big power is easier and comes on earlier despite relying on the turbo. It's almost like comparing the S14 to a Camaro, honestly. One is more precise, the other is more bluntly powerful. I'd say Corvette, but that's not terribly fair. This is setting aside the fact that you can swap those motors into the S14, and the Honda's bay being more limited.

[MrChow]

They're far far too different to get a solid answer on that. The S14 will never be as nimble or technically brilliant as the S2K. The S-Chassis is just too old, despite the S14 being the youngest of the brood to hit these shores. Again, it's a much larger car. If you're going to strip it down for total track slut status, the weight is less of an issue I guess. The Honda will still be lighter, no getting around that. The power potential of the S14's platform is higher, but to my mind that's less of a problem than it seems.

As much as I hate to say it, the Honda is just a tough car to measure up to. The motor is incredibly high-strung, and the chassis is just superb. Like you said, it's an absolute blast to drive, right off the lot. The Nissan is a bit of a pig off the bat in comparison. Put enough work into it, it'll be just as fun as the Honda I'll bet. But it's different. Just different. The steering isn't as sharp or precise, you can't clip apexes quite as effortlessly, the powerband is absolutely incomparable (not saying it's bad), and it's not as quick through tight bends.

However, set up right, you'll still blast through corners at ridiculous speeds, make tires scream for mercy, and have a great time driving it. Plus, big power is easier and comes on earlier despite relying on the turbo. It's almost like comparing the S14 to a Camaro, honestly. One is more precise, the other is more bluntly powerful. I'd say Corvette, but that's not terribly fair. This is setting aside the fact that you can swap those motors into the S14, and the Honda's bay being more limited.
Very well said. I would say the same with my times with a S2k and owning a S14.

[Red Square]

stick with s2000.... unless your willing to dump atleast $15k extra and build a bad ass s14. s2000 just needs suspension, tires, and some aero/downforce to have fun. my friend went from ap1 to s14 and quickly to ap2. lol

but s2k are boring, all up to you.

[fliprayzin240sx]

If you want a nice all around car that you can do anything and everything with...I'd get the S14. You can build the car to do grip, drift and drag. S2K on the other hand is designed for grip more than anything else. You can drag it but the lack of torque is gonna kill it. Hard to drift it since it was never designed to do that. Plus the rack is a big hindrance to making it drift.

['97 S14 SE Turbo]

Scalpel vs Utility hammer. That's my 10,000 ft impression of S2k vs S14... Can turn that utility hammer into a sledge hammer with a LSx swap...