350Z v Evo v S2000

[tjandriesen]

Hey guys,

I'm about to move back to the US and am looking for a replacement for my Skyline GTR which won't be coming back with me. It is lightly modified (mostly suspension and brakes) and I get it on the track about once a month. When I get back I'd like to get a car that I could take out to track days as well as autocross somewhat competitively on a local/regional basis. The 3 cars that seem to hit the sweet spot are the 350Z Nismo, the Honda S2000 SC, and the Evo 9 (or 10 if I want to wait). All seem to have advantages and disadvantages.

350Z ( or 350 Zed as it is know here)

Its a Nissan. Good suspension for track. Solid 6 cylinder motor though NA. Plenty of parts available.

Honda S2000 SC

Again, good track suspension. Hionda make very solid NA motors. Less aftermarket parts.

Evo IX

AWD & turbo so it should handle/run somewhat like my Skyline (every turbo /AWD car is a Skyline wannabe). The Evo's over here kick *** on track days with little modification to the suspension. And it does have a back seat. But - its a 4.

There are a couple things that concern me.

1) I'm not a big HP person (drivers are the single biggest perfromance difference) but I "hear" everyone talk about it being difficult getting a 350Z over 350 HP for a reasonable price

2) My car is uber stable on the track. Damm near never oversteers unless you really unsettle it in a corner) I've been watching vids of S2000 on "good" runs show a lot of oversteer. These just crappy drivers or is that just a fact of life to RWD cars (including 350Z's)

Appreciate your feedback.

[legendman]

As an S2000 owner I have to say it definitely takes skill to fully master the car. I feel like the 350z (in stock form) is more of a grand touring type sports car, as opposed to the more raw performance of the S2k. Both cars are great IMHO, I'd love to have an S2k to drive around town, and a Z33 to take trips in.

[e-brake]

well 350z and s2000 are almost the same but 350z is faster and its a nissan. but the evo is awd and turbo which is really fast on straight aways. an evo is about $30,000 i can buy a good condition 350z for $15,000 and use the other $15,000 to twin turbo it plus a bunch of other stuff. so i think 350z.

[NSRsheets]

350z's are great track cars. The ownly reason I would get a evo would be for the awd and which has been proven hard to lose control of on a course.

[TunerTrifecta]

I'm in the market for a Z myself. I went to a dealer ship about a week ago and drove both an 05z and an 05s2k. The s2k has a REALLY stiff suspension. No where near the ride quality of the z. And yes, they are a bit easy to upset. I think part of this has to do with the perfect 50/50 weight distribution.

Honestly, if it will also be your daily, I'd probably go with the Z. FAR more low end torque.

The Evo on the other hand is a beautiful piece of machinery as well...

[leper421]

In my opinion, Hondas have always been about high horsepower numbers, and are always highly lacking in torque. According to msn.autos.com, the 2007 s2000 has 237 max hp. This is an amazingly large amount of horsepower for a 2.2 liter NA engine. However the 162 ft/lbs of torque is miserable compared to the HP (my 91 240sx had 160 ft/lbs of torque). In order to get the power benefits you would have to constantly run the engine at over 5k rpm. Hondas are only good for full-throttle racing, where the horsepower values out weigh the torque values.

[badfish25]

I went through the same thoughts when I original went with the Z. I dismissed the EVO simply because it was a Mitsu and family members and friends have had horrible reliability issues with all of them.

The s2k is a GREAT car, but for me it was just to small for everyday, the torque of the Z was addictive, and the s2k was more expensive to boot!

For a pur autoX car I'd prob go with the s2k, for road course Z. Daily driving, Z.

[samej82]

Hey guys,

I'm about to move back to the US and am looking for a replacement for my Skyline GTR which won't be coming back with me. It is lightly modified (mostly suspension and brakes) and I get it on the track about once a month. When I get back I'd like to get a car that I could take out to track days as well as autocross somewhat competitively on a local/regional basis. The 3 cars that seem to hit the sweet spot are the 350Z Nismo, the Honda S2000 SC, and the Evo 9 (or 10 if I want to wait). All seem to have advantages and disadvantages.

350Z ( or 350 Zed as it is know here)

Its a Nissan. Good suspension for track. Solid 6 cylinder motor though NA. Plenty of parts available.

Honda S2000 SC

Again, good track suspension. Hionda make very solid NA motors. Less aftermarket parts.

Evo IX

AWD & turbo so it should handle/run somewhat like my Skyline (every turbo /AWD car is a Skyline wannabe). The Evo's over here kick *** on track days with little modification to the suspension. And it does have a back seat. But - its a 4.

There are a couple things that concern me.

1) I'm not a big HP person (drivers are the single biggest perfromance difference) but I "hear" everyone talk about it being difficult getting a 350Z over 350 HP for a reasonable price

2) My car is uber stable on the track. Damm near never oversteers unless you really unsettle it in a corner) I've been watching vids of S2000 on "good" runs show a lot of oversteer. These just crappy drivers or is that just a fact of life to RWD cars (including 350Z's)

Appreciate your feedback.

I'd take that skyline apart and bring it back as a kit car... such a gem would be a shame to lose.

For Autocrossing I doubt the Honda S2000 would be a great choice, autocross requires great amount of power and grip, and speed that aren't too high. The S2000 has a great HP output but low on the torque end, I don't think it'd be the best choice in that regard. The Evo would probably suit you best.

On track days, the honda really shines, but again you'll lose time in the straights. Stock both the evo and z put very competitive numbers when it comes to grip, the latest Z had the new Bridgestone Potenza's to help it out there. I think getting a Z car over 350 shouldn't be much of a problem, stock power is at 306, headers exhaust intake plenum spacer ignition should get u to 350hp pretty well.. a good turbo kit will get u 450hp ...

over steer does happen but it's a great tool so i wouldn't look at it as a negative.

but if it was between a 350Z and Evo 9 I'd take the Evo. The AWD, trunk, and 4 doors, make it a bit more practical, it handles well, and that old iron block motor has been known to be a powerhouse.

[bmike818]

my vote is a tie between the EVo and Z...the S2 eats up too much gas to get its 237hp, I was in thesame situation when I bought my car earlier this year. I got the Z because of the engine and layout, 2 seater front engine rear wheel drive, If I had a family the EVO will be the one...I am not a big fan of AWD. but if you are used to your Skyline I would get the EVO...and EVOs are really popular on track days..try to finf a EVO MR

[PerfectApex]

EVO: Too many doors and box ugly. S2000: A really good car but a rag top, no way!

[nissanman04]

For Autocrossing I doubt the Honda S2000 would be a great choice, autocross requires great amount of power and grip, and speed that aren't too high. The S2000 has a great HP output but low on the torque end, I don't think it'd be the best choice in that regard. The Evo would probably suit you best.

Ummm...OK. Look at the results of the last few SCCA Solo2 national championships. Both the evo and the s2000 are in the same stock class. The s2000 absolutely dominates the EVO. Want to rethink that statement?

[samej82]

Ummm...OK. Look at the results of the last few SCCA Solo2 national championships. Both the evo and the s2000 are in the same stock class. The s2000 absolutely dominates the EVO. Want to rethink that statement?

Nope not really I'll stand by what i said and add an "IMO" too.

[tooskerdo]

Bring the skyline back w/ you. It will be easier to bring in the states since it's going to be a track car. Or are you just kinda tiered or bored w/ it? I'm not a honda person, but i hear that they are doing well in auto cross. I also think w/ little mods you would a a dominating 350z. Evos? The only good thing about them are the all wheel drive. Other than that, i don't know. Not a big evo man!

[nissanman04]

Nope not really I'll stand by what i said and add an "IMO" too.

Can't argue with facts, bro...

[Sue Esponte]

Between the 3 you mentioned, I'd go with the Evo. Relatively speaking it's cheap and easy to modify for ridiculous horsepower. It also handles like a go-kart without being as twitchy at the limits as the S2K. The 350Z is a great car but it's still not as lithe as the Evo and the mods are going to cost you much more for much less. Besides, my stock Volvo will take a 350Z and an S2K in a stoplight battle...and since the latter two are naturally aspirated, they're much more expensive to modify for horsepower. Go with the Evo.

[samej82]

Can't argue with facts, bro...

They're in the same stock class but that doesn't mean they're equal. The Firebird WS6 is also in the A-Stock class, but that's not a car known for it's abilities (stock) on the road course. The Honda S2K is a good track, and autocross car also, but that's mainly due to it's light weight.

I think the EVO is a better all around car, which is what the original poster wanted advice on, when he asked comparing the three. I think the EVO will suit him best for all the conditions he was taking into account.

[evildky]

the S2K is a great autocross car, it's an A stock car, just gotta shift a lot to stay in the power band, they are absolutely dogs ont he bottom end, but fantastic balance, amazing turn in and fantastic braking, and lightweight, the 350Z is a B stock car, much more low end grunt, much broader power band, handling, turn in and braking are nice but not on par with the S2K, the evo well I've never seen one run in a stock class, they always run modified street tire class, guess whihc of the 3 cars is likely to be on jackstands in a few years? DSM's have lots of potential but they just don't last like the hondas and nissans, and who wants to drive arousd a 4 door grocery getter?

[Fastlanez]

I say go with the Evo. I have owned a 350z and currently a G35. I must say I just traded the Evo for the G a month ago and I really miss the power and extreme handling of the Evo. If you are going to track it, you will be very pleased with the Evo.

[jeffnot]

Everyone here has alot of good points. I used to sell Honda's and Nissans and I can tell you that the Honda will have the best reliability, then the Z then the Evo. The Honda is a really tight ride- including the interior, as in not much comfort. If you are factoring in "everyday driving", the Z would probably win because of the comfort and reliability ratio. I would stay away from the Evo because of Mitsubishis track record with reliability issues, but then again, the AWD and turbo might make up for that.