[keith k]

Originally Posted by FirebirdHank

Anything Honda is getting crazy dollars. A low (or no) miles S2000 can easily bring $40k. A similar Solstice GXP with more h.p. more torque and comparable handling won't even get half of that. The sales prices when new were within 2k.
And, everyone says how much fun they are to drive...if that is the case why are there so many low mileage ones on the market. Every week Bring a Trailer has two or three listed. Last one with close to 100k sold for $30,000. A similar Solstice would be hard pressed to reach 10k.
I,m giving some serious thought to selling my 25 yr old Honda snowblower. It is very low miles and all original except for belts and tires. I'm thinking $2,500-3,000.

The Solstice is a good car. And a good value right now for sure.

But if you have an appreciation for engineering excellence, and have driven an S2000... you'd understand why they are bringing what they are right now. And it probably helps that Honda has a lot of long time fans, and there's nothing in Honda's current showrooms to excite them. So the original NSX and S2000 are carrying the flame.

[mgarblik]

I think the crazy market for all cars Japanese is driven my the current demographic who have money to spend on such cars. Not by the cars themselves, and the performance. The Mazda RX7, Honda SI, S2000, Nissan Z's are all exploding in value now. While good performers in their day, they are no match for many of the mundane cars you can buy today, much like the muscle cars we love. But that doesn't matter. This next generation remembers those cars from their youth and they want them. I was a trainer for Honda when the S2000 first came out and was given one to drive for several days. I am sorry to confess, I just didn't get that car. It was a torqueless wonder, barely having enough to pull itself around below 4000 RPM's. Gently slipping the clutch from 2000-2500 RPM's would stall the engine every time. From 4000-7500 RPM's it had a sweet buzzing sound and decent power, but nothing amazing in anyway to me. I remember taking it back to turn in at the Honda Training center in Troy, OH and the director excitedly asking me, "well what did you think of it?. I felt I could honestly give him my opinion and I said, "it feels like little faster version of an RX7". He was really pi**ed at my overall assessment, especially beacuse they were 50% more expensive than an RX7. But the Honda faithful loved those cars. A rare chance to drive a rear drive Honda other than a motorcycle I guess. Wish I had a half dozen of them to sell!

[Chris65LeMans]

I didn’t remember that the S2000 cost more than the RX7 - was that the last version of the 7?

I had the same reaction to the S2000, and I drove one at the earlier models that revved 1000 rpm higher. (It may have been 8,500). We made such a racket bombing down streets in my hometown that the police were called, and they just passed us by once we had eased off. (They didn’t think for a second that all that noise came from a Honda.).

I was disappointed by the low power, too - and I was a big Honda fan at the time. (After owning 3 Hondas and Acuras for a total of 650,000 miles, I’ll probably not buy another.). I thought “this car would be great if it only had more power.”

After going years without seeing any 240-300 Zs on the road, I do see them more frequently now. - they’re coming out of the garages.

[mgarblik]

Originally Posted by Chris65LeMans

I didn’t remember that the S2000 cost more than the RX7 - was that the last version of the 7?

I had the same reaction to the S2000, and I drove one at the earlier models that revved 1000 rpm higher. (It may have been 8,500). We made such a racket bombing down streets in my hometown that the police were called, and they just passed us by once we had eased off. (They didn’t think for a second that all that noise came from a Honda.).

I was disappointed by the low power, too - and I was a big Honda fan at the time. (After owning 3 Hondas and Acuras for a total of 650,000 miles, I’ll probably not buy another.). I thought “this car would be great if it only had more power.”

After going years without seeing any 240-300 Zs on the road, I do see them more frequently now. - they’re coming out of the garages.

Here are the specs. for the S2000 and you get a feel for what Chris and I were talking about : 237 HP @ 8300 RPM Peak Torque a very weak 153 ft. lbs@ 7500 RPM. Two weeks ago I dyno'd a Ford Model A engine, basically stock. It made 104 Ft. Lbs.@ 1600 RPM. 0-60 6.2 sec. 1/4 mile 14.40@ 94 MPH Top speed 149 . So good performance but not life changing. Base price well equipped in 1999 30,050.00. I misspoke in my above post comparing it to an RX 7 in performance and price. My comparison was to a Mazda Miata, which cost 20,300.00 at the time and was a little slower. Probably why the Honda Training director was so miffed with me. The RX7 of the day was the FD model which would run circles around a S2000 and is also hot on the used car market now. People in their 30's, 40's and early 50's just love these cars.

[tooski]

Originally Posted by mgarblik

Here are the specs. for the S2000 and you get a feel for what Chris and I were talking about : 237 HP @ 8300 RPM Peak Torque a very weak 153 ft. lbs@ 7500 RPM. Two weeks ago I dyno'd a Ford Model A engine, basically stock. It made 104 Ft. Lbs.@ 1600 RPM. 0-60 6.2 sec. 1/4 mile 14.40@ 94 MPH Top speed 149 . So good performance but not life changing. Base price well equipped in 1999 30,050.00. I misspoke in my above post comparing it to an RX 7 in performance and price. My comparison was to a Mazda Miata, which cost 20,300.00 at the time and was a little slower. Probably why the Honda Training director was so miffed with me. The RX7 of the day was the FD model which would run circles around a S2000 and is also hot on the used car market now. People in their 30's, 40's and early 50's just love these cars.

Can I assume that when you wrote the 0-60 and 1/4 times you reverted to writing about the S2000? Upon the first read it seems like the specs are that of the dyno'd model A.
( Two weeks ago I dyno'd a Ford Model A engine, basically stock. It made 104 Ft. Lbs.@ 1600 RPM. 0-60 6.2 sec. 1/4 mile 14.40@ 94 MPH Top speed 149.)

[72projectbird]

Speaking of Jap cars, my Father and I drove to Indiana for this 300zx. Was about a 2000mile round trip.

[vertigto]

I can dig this Solstice (Mallet with LS7)...

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...c-solstice-18/

[Chris65LeMans]

Originally Posted by 72projectbird

Speaking of Jap cars, my Father and I drove to Indiana for this 300zx. Was about a 2000mile round trip.

Good friend of mine had that same model in pearl white. (T tops, turbo, and all.) It was a cool car, and would compete well against 5-liter mustangs. (The Gold Standard of the time.) The car met it's end when he ran a red light and got t-boned.

[ts3189]

35k sticker price on the anniversary z .the one on the showroom floor at the dealership i worked at sold for 37,500 . Killer stereo in those car’s!

[Formulabruce]

Originally Posted by vertigto

I can dig this Solstice (Mallet with LS7)...

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...c-solstice-18/

All good till I see the totally yellow dash.. ugh.. too much .

[TAKerry]

Not a fan of japanese cars but the Z's are def an exception. I have driven and rode in them from a 240 through a 280 but never have never owned one. I tried trading my 4 yo 1982 Firebird for a 1 yr old Z in 1986. Guy at the dealership laughed at me. He didnt even want my firebird for a trade.

[Greg Reid]

Originally Posted by 72projectbird

Speaking of Jap cars, my Father and I drove to Indiana for this 300zx. Was about a 2000mile round trip.

That's a nice ZX. I've had a liking for these cars since the 1970s when I bought my first one, a '73 240Z. Next in the 1980s was a '78 280Z and then in 2012 or so, I bought this '80 ZX. It's my first ZX as I prefer the Z car styling to the more boxy ZX....but they're big money now. I've been tinkering on this one for the last couple of years. Almost ready to put it back on the road. Just a couple of little issues I haven't been able to clear up so some t'shooting to do yet.
I'm thinking about trying my hand at painting using this car...and yeah, that's Ponch blue engine paint.

[72projectbird]

Originally Posted by Greg Reid

That's a nice ZX. I've had a liking for these cars since the 1970s when I bought my first one, a '73 240Z. Next in the 1980s was a '78 280Z and then in 2012 or so, I bought this '80 ZX. It's my first ZX as I prefer the Z car styling to the more boxy ZX....but they're big money now. I've been tinkering on this one for the last couple of years. Almost ready to put it back on the road. Just a couple of little issues I haven't been able to clear up so some t'shooting to do yet.
I'm thinking about trying my hand at painting using this car...and yeah, that's Ponch blue engine paint.

Sweet! I love old Nissans, especially Z cars and Skylines.


I've been stashing money away for an R34. Still got a way to go. lol

[carbking]

The third quickest car I have owned was the forerunner to the Nissan Z, a 4 cylinder Fairlady roadster. Fastest 1974 GTO (slightly modified), second fastest 1963 Corvette special. The Fairlady would outrun the Corvette, but not in the quarter mile.

Now just memories (except for the GTO, which I still own).

Jon.

[vertigto]

Originally Posted by Formulabruce

All good till I see the totally yellow dash.. ugh.. too much .

Agreed...that was the one thing that made me say WTH. Carbon fiber or stock/black would look much better.

[Greg Reid]

Originally Posted by 72projectbird

Sweet! I love old Nissans, especially Z cars and Skylines.


I've been stashing money away for an R34. Still got a way to go. lol

I just took a look at the R34 out of curiosity. Knew nothing about them really.... and yeah, you'll need to save a lot of pennies for one of those. I had no idea they carried that kind of value!

Originally Posted by carbking

The third quickest car I have owned was the forerunner to the Nissan Z, a 4 cylinder Fairlady roadster. \.

Jon.

I've had a hankering for one of those Fairlady roadsters since I was 13 or 14 years old. Probably never get one now but I do see them pop up for reasonable prices occasionally....say, less than $10K for a driver needing some attention. I think I'm a little long in the legs for it but I've never had the opportunity to sit in one.
One thing I've always liked about the Z cars...they are small but one of the most comfortable to get in and out of. Plenty of legroom and easy access, in and out. Way easier than the 2nd Gen TA. Not sure why that is.

[TAKerry]

I thought the Fairlady roadsters were called 1600's (fairlady was the the Z car 240+)and Skylines are the same as Infinities in the US. Honestly I have never heard of their domestic names until a couple of years ago. And I remember when Nissans were Datsuns. I suppose its the video game era that has brought these names to the forefront.

[Stuart]

There was a 1600 and then later a 2000 Datsun roadster sold in the US. Here's a bit of trivia - the Fairlady name used in Japan came from the president of Nissan, after he saw the Broadway show My Fair Lady.

[mgarblik]

Originally Posted by tooski

Can I assume that when you wrote the 0-60 and 1/4 times you reverted to writing about the S2000? Upon the first read it seems like the specs are that of the dyno'd model A.
( Two weeks ago I dyno'd a Ford Model A engine, basically stock. It made 104 Ft. Lbs.@ 1600 RPM. 0-60 6.2 sec. 1/4 mile 14.40@ 94 MPH Top speed 149.)

Yes! Sometimes the text jumps on this keyboard and inserts itself in the wrong place. Made a mess out of that post. Can't fix it now. Sorry.

[72projectbird]

Originally Posted by Greg Reid

I just took a look at the R34 out of curiosity. Knew nothing about them really.... and yeah, you'll need to save a lot of pennies for one of those. I had no idea they carried that kind of value!

Tell me about it. I don't think I'll ever be able to swing a GTR, but a GTST cloned into a GTR is possible.

The R34 is basically my generations Lamborghini Countach. I've had posters of R34s hanging up in my room forever. lol